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.

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.

4 editor picks for Suppli al telefono in Rome, ranked by editorial score. All Rome signature dishes · Suppli al telefono across every city.