4 Best Places to Shop in Aventino and Testaccio, Rome

A Roman institution for over 50 years, Volpetti sells excellent cured meats and salami from its buzzing deli counter. The food selection also includes genuine buffalo-milk mozzarella, fresh pasta, Roman pecorino, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and fresh bread. The rich aromas and flavors are captivating from the moment you enter the store—pull up a high stool and order a sampling platter with a glass of wine. It's also a great place for assembling gift baskets, and offers worldwide shipping.

This modest shop is brimming with fantastic small gifts ranging from handmade ceramic volcanoes to tote bags crafted from vintage Italian silk. Assemblea finds artisans throughout the country and makes its quirky creations available in Rome, so every item featured is guaranteed to be made in Italy.

This itty-bitty specialty shop bursts with ingredients from every corner of the world. It specializes in high-quality spices, but you can also find dried goods like legumes, nuts, and rice. All are carefully scooped from the colorful glass jars that line the walls and measured out to your specifications.

Romanesco is one of the more colorful Italian dialects and a lot gets lost in translation. This creative shop shills humorous mugs, tote bags, and magnets emblazoned with popular local phrases along with definitions not found in any dictionary.