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.
- Dar Poeta (Trastevere)
- Ivo (Trastevere)
- Pizza Art (Trastevere)
- La Boccaccia (Trastevere)
- Pizzarium Bonci (Vatican)
- Panificio Bonci (Vatican)
- Pizzarium Bonci (Vatican)
- Alice Pizza (Vatican)
- Taverna Le Coppelle (Navona)
- Da Francesco (Navona)
- Forno (Campo de’ Fiori)
- Trieste Pizza (Monti)
Do you have a favorite restaurant in Rome? Please leave your recommendations in the comments below for other travelers!
Looking for more on Rome? Check out the Perfect Itinerary for First-Timers, 20 Useful Things to Know Before You Visit, Rome Bucket List!
Ciao!
Jenny
