Arrosticini al Parco

A slice of Abruzzo at the gates of Rome

One scent is all it takes to know where you are: the aroma of charcoal heating up sheep meat skewers, the unmistakable signature of the Abruzzo tradition. Arrosticini al Parco brings this gastronomic ritual into the green space of Parco Laurentino, located at Via di Trigoria 62, in the southern area of Rome, in the heart of the Metropolitan City of Rome Capital and the Lazio region. This is not a village festival transplanted into the city, but a format designed for a metropolitan audience: wide open spaces, fast service, and plenty of room for children.

Arrosticini, first and foremost

The arrosticino is a humble dish that has become an icon: small skewers of cubed sheep meat, cooked on a narrow, long grill—the famous "canala"—and served piping hot, with no frills. At Parco Laurentino, they are prepared by hand and served continuously from morning to night, accompanied by other Abruzzese specialties and a selection of draft beers, wines, and drinks. The formula is outdoor self-service: you order, pick up your food, and sit at the large tables under the trees, with the freedom to stay as long as you like.

An organizational machine designed to avoid queues

One of the elements that distinguishes this event from more traditional festivals is the digital management of orders. A "skip-the-line" QR code allows you to scan, order directly from your smartphone, and pick up food and drinks without waiting at the counter. It is a practical detail that changes the day, especially during peak lunch and aperitif hours when the park fills up.

The Family Park and activities for children

Surrounding the gastronomic area is the section dedicated to families, which has become the true second engine of the event. The Family Park, an equipped area of about one thousand square meters, provides inflatables, small soccer fields, free play, and jumping equipment. Alongside this, the entertainment team offers creative workshops, cooperative games, and, in some editions, circus workshops and mini foosball tournaments.

• Mini Club with entertainers, in the afternoon, by reservation and with limited spots
• Play area and Family Park reserved for members, with a low-cost seasonal membership
• Free shows and activities distributed throughout both days
• Live music during the day and DJ sets in the evening

An appointment that returns twice a year

Arrosticini al Parco is not an isolated occasion: Parco Laurentino hosts it regularly, with a spring and an autumn edition, fitting it into a calendar of events that accompanies the outdoor season—from the reopening on Easter Monday to the April 25th holidays, up to the events at the end of October. Those who frequent the Laurentino–Trigoria area now know the rhythm of these weekends, which have carved out a precise space among Roman gastronomic offerings.

Why it's worth it in the evening

If the day belongs to the children, the evening changes its tone. As the light fades, the charcoal stays lit, DJ sets arrive, and sports events are projected, shifting the crowd toward a more convivial atmosphere of beer and conversation under the trees. This is the moment when the event most resembles what it is in essence: an expanded neighborhood party, where Abruzzese cuisine acts as the glue and no one is in a hurry to leave.

Who is it recommended for?

For those with small children looking for a place to eat well without having to watch their kids every two minutes; for those who want to taste authentic arrosticini without driving to Abruzzo; and for those who appreciate free, open-air events in a city that always needs them. Reservations, while not mandatory, are recommended: they help organizers size the service and simplify entry.