Nuovo Mercato Esquilino

Tucked between the jumble of ancient and industrial archeology (railway lines, tram lines, aqueduct, part of a grand Roman dining pavilion) by Termini and the faded fin de siècle grandeur of piazza Vittorio Emanuele is the lively and chaotic Esquiline market. The area has long been a multicultural hub, and that is reflected in the market’s rich arrays of produce both wildly exotic and as Roman as they come. African and Asian stalls stock fruits, vegetables and spices which are hard to come by in other parts of the city while alongside them more traditional greengrocers, fishmongers and butchers noisily vie to attract customers. It all starts winding up by lunchtime so get there early, and then pop over to nearby Mercato Centrale for a snack. In a separate building there are exotic fabrics, and rather less interesting selections of clothes and household goods.