Arcadia Italy

Pre-Thanksgiving at Tina’s house

Last night the Rome students and the Arcadia staff enjoyed a gorgeous Mediterranean-American Pre-Thanksgiving dinner. Thanks to Tina for hosting us in her warm and cosy house. Not to mention the baked rolls of pizza with Turkish spices, spinach and ricotta, French cheese and pears. Delicious! And kudos to the students who prepared cauliflowers, potatoes, meatballs Spaghetti and brought the Panettone too!

Now here are some hints on how to celebrate Thanksgiving in Rome, where to go and what to do...

Thanksgiving is not a holiday in Italy but getting the Thanksgiving spirit is not impossible. If you would rather that someone else does the cooking, then try the dining out options listed below:

Every year the charming Vivi Bistrot puts on a delicious “Thanksgiving Lunch” in a new location, at Palazzo Braschi (in Piazza Navona).

If you are looking for a familiar and cosy place, Mama’s at Via Bellagio, is the best option! Stuffed turkey with cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, chestnuts and pumpkin pie. 

Highlander Pub is the ideal place for a marathon of football and food! In addition to showing the NFL game, Highlander Pub is also hosting a buffet with a drink included. Bookings are recommended, as it’s not a big place!

Also in downtown Rome is the Hard Rock Cafè with another typical meal for this special feats. DJ set and cheerleaders will entertain you during the dinner.

But where to find a turkey in Rome?

If you opt for preparing your own meal and share it with your friends, here are some suggestions on where you can find the ingredients: Thanksgiving wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without the turkey, or tacchino in Italian. And though you’ll rarely see one of these birds sitting in the glass case of your local butcher, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist here. Order a turkey from your butcher (at Testaccio market for example or at Eataly). Sweet potatoes and squash can be found at the Latin American stalls of the Piazza Vittorio market. If you can’t make your pumpkin puree for the pie, you can buy pumpkin cans at Castroni or Innocenzi (in Trastevere).

If you would like to partake in a religious celebration, a mass will take place at the church of S.Camillo de Lellis in via Sallustiana 24 at 10:00am. This church always offers American coffee and fresh muffins.