In a discovery that suggests humanity’s quest for a quick bite is at least two millennia old, archaeologists have unearthed what appears to be a Roman-era thermopolium, or as the ancient locals might have called it, the Michelin-starred corner of Pompeii circa 79 AD. The site, which was first partially excavated in 2019 and more fully revealed this week, includes a beautifully preserved counter, ornate frescoes and remnants of the kind of dishes that would make a modern food blogger weep into their activated charcoal latte.
Among the menu items recovered from the counter’s embedded storage vessels were traces of duck, pig and goat, suggesting the Roman customer had a palate best described as carnivorously enthusiastic. Also present were traces of fish and even snails, finally giving historians the chance to say that yes, the ancient Romans truly were the original nose-to-tail diners.
The thermopolium was part of Regio V, one of the last areas of Pompeii to be excavated in earnest. Frozen gloriously in time by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, the site continues to yield moments of archaeological wonder, though unlike the food it once served, the findings never get cold. Paintings discovered on site depict animals that could be found on the menu, proving that even in antiquity, it was important to show diners what they might regret ordering later. One fresco includes a particularly smug-looking dog on a leash, which may be history’s first illustrated “no pets allowed” sign.
Researchers believe the vibrant images served both decorative and informative purposes, describing the thermopolium as something of a Roman fast food joint where residents could grab a hot snack before heading off to do whatever it is people did before TikTok. Given the lack of widespread kitchens in working-class homes, such eateries were as common as cat memes are today and, judging by the quantity of animal bones and pottery shards found nearby, quite popular too.
Further analysis will continue to tell us more about the eating habits of the ancient world, though it is already clear this wasn’t some sleepy soup stand. With the variety of meat offerings and the splashy wall art, one gets the impression that Pompeii’s snack bars were as much a treat for the eyes as they were for the stomach, a sort of prehistoric Instagrammable brunch spot minus the avocado toast.
It seems the ancients, much like us, just wanted a quick meal, vivid décor and a place to gossip before being buried in ash or deadlines — whichever came first.
History might not repeat itself, but at lunchtime it sure grabs the same menu.