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

Rome Restaurant - Traveling Chic

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 - Traveling Chic

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

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