Scrambled eggs, crispy guanciale, and truffle cream, all sandwiched between two slices of soft bread. This isn’t some food creator’s experiment: it’s one of the 36 tramezzini at Casina del Caffè, the café inside the Mercato Trionfale, just a short walk from the Vatican Museums.
And if you’re looking for giant sandwiches in Rome, here “giant” isn’t just a figure of speech.
The classics cost €3.50, the specials €4.50, and among the latest offerings is a tramezzino that combines grilled Roman zucchini, bacon, and mozzarella.
Carbonara, sautéed chicory, pulled pork: fillings you wouldn’t expect
Tuna and tomato, eggs and salami, ham and mozzarella: all the great classics are here, and the chicken salad remains one of the most popular choices. The real fun begins when you look further. There’s the “Burino” with sautéed chicory, garlic, chili pepper, and mozzarella, and there’s the one with salt cod, potatoes, Taggiasca olives, and arugula.
Then there’s the pulled pork with BBQ sauce and smoked provola, which really shows how Romans’ tastes have changed.
Until a few years ago, almost no one knew what it was; today, it’s flying off the shelves. It’s no coincidence that Gambero Rosso has listed La Casina among the best places to eat a tramezzino in Rome: here, “gourmet” means a filling that’s worth a full lunch.
The detail about Casina del Caffè’s tramezzini that almost no one notices: the bread
The bread comes from a Roman supplier who bakes it to order, without lard. It may seem like a minor detail, but many commercially available breads contain animal fats. So these tramezzini are also suitable for vegans or those who don’t eat pork—as long as they choose the right filling.
Almost everything else is prepared right at the stall, often using ingredients found just a few stalls away. And the location plays its part: with over 270 stalls, the Trionfale is Rome’s largest neighborhood market. Since the late 19th century, it has been the pantry for Prati and the neighborhood that gives it its name.
A perfect savory breakfast—but that’s not all: at Casina del Caffè, you can enjoy everything from a cappuccino to cacio e pepe.
La Casina remains, first and foremost, the market’s bar—the place where everyone stops by before or after browsing the stalls. It opens before dawn, and between a cappuccino and a cornetto, there’s always someone who goes straight for a savory breakfast.
At lunchtime, the menu expands to include traditional pasta dishes, with cacio e pepe and carbonara leading the way, plus a small wine corner to pair with your meal.
Some tramezzini are heated up fresh for you, while others are best eaten cold.
It’s the perfect spot for a quick lunch after waiting in line at the museums, or for a mid-morning snack between grocery runs. There are only a few tables, so if you want a seat, call ahead.
The next time someone asks you where to eat in Rome for less than 5 euros, you’ve got the answer. With 36 different fillings, though, be prepared: just one won’t be enough.
