A thermopolium (plural: thermopolia) was a Roman street-food counter — a shop with a stone counter embedded with large ceramic dolia (storage jars) used to keep food warm. Pompeii had approximately 80 thermopolia. The Thermopolium of Regio V, excavated in 2020, is the most completely preserved example ever found, with its original painted menu, food remains, and serving vessels still in place.
In November 2020, archaeologists in Pompeii announced the discovery that would dominate global headlines for weeks: a perfectly preserved thermopolium in the Regio V area of the site, with its food still in the serving containers. Fragments of duck bone, pig bone, fish remains, and snails were identified in the dolia. The painted menu above the counter showed images of the dishes available. The serving vessels, the marble counter decorated with colourful inlays, and even the remains of the last meal of the day were all there. The Thermopolium of Regio V is the most completely preserved ancient food-service outlet in the world — a direct, tangible connection to the daily routine of ordinary Pompeian life.
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Table of Contents
What is a Thermopolium?
The word thermopolium comes from the Greek thermos (warm/hot) and polein (to sell). Pompeii had approximately 80 thermopolia identified across the site — one of the highest densities of food-service establishments per capita in any known ancient settlement. This density tells us something important about Pompeian social life: most city residents did not cook at home. Domestic kitchens were rare — only wealthy households had them. The majority of Pompeii’s population ate at thermopolia and street stalls, just as urban populations in modern developing cities rely on street food today.
A typical thermopolium consisted of:
- The counter: A large L-shaped or straight stone counter facing the street, with circular holes cut into the top in which large dolia (ceramic storage jars) were set flush with the surface.
- The dolia: Terracotta jars up to 60 cm deep, used to keep food warm — soups, stews, legumes, wine, and cooked meats maintained at serving temperature by hot coals or water beneath.
- The menu: Often painted directly on the wall above the counter, depicting the available dishes with painted images.
- Seating: Most thermopolia had a small back room or outdoor area with benches where customers could eat.
The Thermopolium of Regio V: What Was Found
What food was found in the Pompeii thermopolium? Analysis of the dolia contents in the Regio V thermopolium identified fragments of duck, pig, goat, fish (including tuna), and snails — consistent with the kinds of dishes depicted in the counter’s painted fresco-menu. Wine residue was found in one jar. The food remains are now being studied to understand Roman diet and food-service practices.
The 2020 excavation of the Thermopolium of Regio V revealed an extraordinary level of preservation:
- Painted counter fresco: The counter’s front face is decorated with colourful images including a rooster, a Nereid on a sea-horse, and a dog on a leash — along with two amphorae. These images had both decorative and possibly commercial significance.
- Food remains: Faunal analysis identified duck, pig, goat, fish, land snails, and horse — the last probably indicating horse meat was sold, which was common in Roman markets.
- Serving vessels: Ceramic bowls, ladles, and amphorae found in and around the dolia, in the positions where they were left when the eruption began.
- Human remains: Skeletal remains of two individuals were found in the back room — possibly the shop’s workers who were unable to escape.
- A dog: A dog skeleton was found chained to the shop front — a poignant echo of the famous ‘Cave Canem’ (Beware of the Dog) mosaic found at the House of the Tragic Poet.
Where to Find Thermopolia in Pompeii
Thermopolium of Regio V
The most famous and recently excavated example. Located in the northern section of the site in the Regio V area, which has been the focus of intensive excavation since 2018 as part of the Great Pompeii Project. The thermopolium is open to visitors but access is timed — check the schedule at the entrance. A guided tour with an archaeologist will take you here as a priority stop.
Thermopolium of Asellina
On Via dell’Abbondanza, the Thermopolium of Asellina is one of the best-known earlier examples. Named after a woman mentioned in the graffiti found nearby, it retains its original counter with intact dolia. Electoral notices on the adjacent wall endorsed by the thermopolium’s staff show how these establishments functioned as community gathering points.
Via dell’Abbondanza
Walking the length of Via dell’Abbondanza — Pompeii’s main commercial street — you will pass several thermopolium counters at intervals. The stepping stones across the road, the high kerbs, and the wear patterns on the pavement tell the story of a city in constant daily motion.
Practical Visitor Information
How Long to Allow
Allow 15–20 minutes for the Thermopolium of Regio V. It is in the northern part of the site, slightly off the main tourist circuit — which means it is usually less crowded than the Forum or Lupanar. On a full-day itinerary, schedule it for mid-morning before the Regio V area gets busy.
Is It Accessible with All Tickets?
Yes — the Thermopolium of Regio V is accessible with both the Pompeii Express and Pompeii Plus tickets. See our ticket comparison guide for full details.
