This is usually the first place I bring my non-Roman friends to, also because it’s just next to my University.

The Nuovo Mercato Esquilino is loud, confusing, colourful, fragrant and all the other adjectives one would give to the perfect market. Situated in the most multi-ethnic neighbourhood in Rome (in fact, when there, I strongly suggest a walk in the surrounding area; in my opinion one of the most authentic neighbourhoods in Rome), it flawlessly represents all the different cultures present here; from the Bengali butcher to the Arab fruiterer to the Chinese fishmonger. And if you’re looking for an Italian delicatessen or an Indian tailor you’re not going to be disappointed here either.

So besides all kinds of food and clothes, you will find people promoting their products at a rather high volume, screaming at each other for who has the better product in various languages, and finally the occasional, stereotypical “bello/bella” you have been waiting for your whole Italy trip. It will round up your genuine Italian market experience.

But the best part is that you can get fresh, local and exotic products for a fair price. I come here at least once a week, and with €8 I do a week’s worth of grocery shopping. And don’t be afraid to test the weird looking and even weirder named exotic fruits they sell there, like the yangmei, a small red sweet Chinese fruit.

In order to get there just get off at “Vittorio Emanuele” on the metro line A.