Suppli al telefono is Rome's fried rice ball: a saffron-tomato risotto wrapped around a cube of mozzarella, breaded and deep-fried so the cheese stretches into the namesake telephone-wire when split.
Where to eat it: 4 restaurants across 1 city.
The suppli emerged in Rome's working-class trattorias and friggitorie in the early 20th century, with the namesake al telefono (on the telephone) attributed to the stringy mozzarella centre that resembles a telephone wire when the suppli is broken open. The dish is the Roman parallel to the Sicilian arancino but smaller (palm-sized), cylindrical, and built on a tomato-flavoured risotto base. Roman pizzeria culture made suppli the standard antipasto and street snack: every Roman pizzeria has them. Modern variations from Supplizio include cacio e pepe, amatriciana and mortadella. The classic three-bite suppli at any pizzeria runs €2 to €3 and is hand-eaten standing.
Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Egg
Tip from the editors. The risotto must be cooled completely before forming; warm risotto falls apart. The double-breading at room temperature is what gives the suppli its crackly shell.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
Arcangelo Dandini's Supplizio in Rome's Centro Storico is the specialist suppli counter at €3 each. Two suppli and a glass of wine runs under €10 for a quick standing lunch.
Try: Suppli al telefono
Tip: Open Tue-Sun 12:00 to 22:00; closed Monday. Cash and card.
I Suppli in Rome's Trastevere sells suppli, fiori di zucca and potato croquettes by weight from €3 to €8 per portion, with the 19:00 fryer batch the freshest of the day.
Try: Suppli, fritti misti
Tip: Cash only. Open 11:00 to 22:00; standing room only. Mixed fritti box is €8 for two to share.
Pizzeria Da Remo in Rome's Testaccio is the classic Roman pizza room with paper-thin crusts, the city's busiest suppli counter and a queue that wraps the piazza nightly.
Signature: Roman pizza, Suppli, Bruschetta
Order: Roman pizza margherita, suppli al telefono, and the bruschetta with anchovies.
Tip: Cash only. No bookings; arrive 19:00 or after 22:00 to skip the queue. Closed Sunday.
Stefano Callegari's Trapizzino in Rome's Trastevere runs the late-night counter to midnight with the namesake pizza-pocket sandwiches, suppli and Italian craft beer pairing.
Try: Trapizzino, suppli, beer
Tip: Open 12:00 to 24:00 daily. The pollo alla cacciatora trapizzino and a glass of craft beer is the late-night order.
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