Lunchtime, somewhere in Trastevere, Rome. The lard is sizzling in the pan, wine is poured by bartenders and the delicious aroma of slow cooked lamb fills the air. Roman cuisine is all about strong flavours and generous portions, with nutritionally-heavy dishes.

This is a cuisine shaped by the poor people, the result of a culinary tradition that had to do its best with the few ingredients available. This explains why Romans love offals and why they are so proud of the products of their own countryside. We have shortlisted the 10 traditional dishes to try when in Rome, the real unmissable classics.