July 11, 2019

Where to Eat in Rome, Italy – The Rome Restaurant Guide

While living abroad in Italy I quickly learned there was no shortage of wonderful restaurants in Rome, but there was also an equal number of tourist-traps to try to avoid. With that in mind, we thought it’d be useful to layout a comprehensive Rome restaurant guide for you to reference when you are visiting the ancient city.

Deciding on a Restaurant – I like to have an idea ahead of time about where I’m going to eat when traveling in Italy because I get overwhelmed when restaurants try to hustle me to come into their restaurant (a common occurrence in Italy).

It is usually best to be cautious of restaurants that have a picture menu. It doesn’t necessarily mean you’re going to have bad food, but this can be an indicator of a low quality, overpriced, bad service type of restaurant.

Reservations – Since Rome is a heavily visited city, it’s best to make reservations in advance whenever possible.

What to Try – A few of our favorite things to try in Rome:

Cacio e Pepe – A simple pasta dish of pecorino cheese and pepper
Carbonara – Pasta with sauce made of eggs and pecorino cheese
Supplì – Fried rice croquettes stuffed with cheese and meat
Jewish Style Artichokes – Fried artichokes filled with chili peppers
Roman Style Pizza – Typically baked in rectangular trays and ordered by the slice
Cornetto – Breakfast pastry (similar to a French croissant)

With all the walking you’ll be doing you don’t have to worry about indulging in all the carbs! Like Sophia Loren said “All you see I owe to pasta!”

Rome Restaurant Guide

Aperitivo Hour

The Aperitivo is one of the best hours in Italy! Similar to the American happy hour, enjoy a cocktail and snack prior to dinner. Try a new spot each night (preferably on a rooftop).

The Stravinskij Bar at Hotel de Russie
Salotto 42
Antica Birreria Peroni
The American Bar, Hotel Forum
Casina Valadier
Gusto
Baylon Cafè
Caffè Farnese
Freni e Frizioni
L’Enoteca antica di Via della Croce
Bar Necci dal 1924
Ai Tre Scalini
Hotel Minerva Roof Garden

Cafes

Enjoy the Italian way of life sipping a cappuccino or having a shot of espresso at a cafe in Rome.

La Casa del Caffe Tazza d Oro
(Pantheon) – Great fronzen coffees! (Pantheon)
Sant’ Eustachio Il Caffè (Piazza Navona)
Raphael Hotel (Piazza Navona)
Barnum Cafè (Campo de’ Fiori/Navona)
Castel Sant’Angelo (Vatican)
Bar del Cappuccino (Jewish Ghetto)
Ciampini (Piazza San Lorenzo)
Café Greco (Spanish Steps) – The oldest café in Rome – even Casanova had coffee here
Sciascia Caffé (Prati/Vatican)
Canova (Piazza del Popolo)
Antico Caffe Del Brasile (Colloseum)

Rome Restaurant Guide

Navona/Pantheon/Campo de’ Fiori

De Armando al Pantheon Tre Scalini
Osteria del Sostegno
Da Francesco
Ristorante Il Fico
Supplizio
Cantina Lucifero
Mater Terrae – Hotel Raphael
Ristochicco

Trastevere

Roma Sparita – Cacio e Pepe served in a parmesan bowl
Trattoria Da Enzo Al 29
Dar Sor Olimpio al Drago
La Scala

Testaccio and Jewish Ghetto

Felice a Testaccio
Nonna Betta
Porto Fluviale

Colloseum and Monti

Aroma Restaurant, Palazzo Manfredi – 7 course tasting menu 150 Euro – facing the Colosseum
Zia Rosetta
La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali

Spanish Steps and Palazzo Popolo

Ginger Sapori e Salute
Le Jardin De Russie
L’Insalata Ricca
Dillà

Vatican

Trattoria della Barchetta
Roscioli
Ristorante Arlù
Il Sorpasso

Pizza

Here at Traveling Chic, we think Pizza deserves a category to itself!

When in Italy, order your own pizza (no sharing!) and eat it with a fork and knife. If you’re lucky (or you ask), the restaurant will make it in the shape of a heart! Unfortunately for pepperoni lovers, this topping isn’t a common option.