Arrosticini and Abruzzo Cuisine Festival

Arrosticini arrive in the heart of Testaccio

The Arrosticini and Abruzzo Cuisine Festival is one of the most popular gastronomic events of the Roman spring. It takes place at the Città dell'Altra Economia, a repurposed space within the Ex Mattatoio of Testaccio, in the city of Rome, capital of the Lazio region. This venue, with its historical ties to the meat trade and butchery, fills for four days with the unmistakable, mouth-watering aroma of charcoal-grilled meat.

The event was born from a desire to bring the authentic cuisine of Abruzzo to Rome—a neighboring region deeply connected to the capital by a continuous flow of people, traditions, and flavors. The undisputed star is the arrosticino: a small skewer of cubed mutton, cooked on the traditional canala, the narrow, elongated grill typical of Abruzzo's pastoral heritage.

What to eat

Alongside classic arrosticini, the stalls offer a wide range of traditional Abruzzo specialties and street food:

• Mutton arrosticini freshly grilled and served in bundles
• Liver arrosticini and other variations for the more adventurous palate
• Pallotte cacio e ova, the iconic cheese and egg dumplings of peasant cuisine
• Ventricina, cured meats, mountain cheeses, and wood-fired bread
• Fried snacks, grilled vegetables, and fried apples for a sweet finish
• Craft beers and wines from Central Italy, from Montepulciano d'Abruzzo to Trebbiano

The dining area features a dozen bar points and themed corners, with an open-air beer garden spanning over 4,000 square meters, equipped with communal tables where you can eat standing or side-by-side, creating a village-fair atmosphere transplanted into the city.

Music, entertainment, and atmosphere

The festival is about more than just food. Each day is accompanied by live music and DJ sets, with themed evenings ranging from 90s revivals to Italian music selections, culminating in a live show on Sunday. The entertainment is designed for a diverse audience, from families with children in the early afternoon to groups of friends in the evening.

A dedicated kids' area and a pet-friendly policy complete the experience: the festival is designed as an open space where you can drop by just for a beer and a stroll among the stalls.

Why it's worth visiting

Testaccio has always been the Roman neighborhood of popular cuisine, offal dishes, and historic trattorias. Hosting a festival dedicated to Abruzzo's charcoal grilling here creates a dialogue between two complementary gastronomic traditions. The result is an event that is very Roman in spirit—convivial, loud, and informal—but with roots firmly planted between the Gran Sasso and the Majella mountains.

Admission is free until capacity is reached: you only pay for what you consume. On weekend evenings, the turnout is high, so it is best to arrive early or visit during off-peak hours.