Sicilian food. Tuscan food. Venetian food. Each area in Italy has its own unique flavors and famous dishes—Rome is no different. While you may be hungry for a giant bistecca (steak) in Florence, Rome has two dueling dishes you’ll crave when you return home: amatriciana and carbonara. These drool-worthy dishes (along with some delicious street food) can be found alongside hearty lamb or gnocchi entrees at the best restaurants in Rome. Many restaurants now advertise gluten free or vegetarian options, so keep your eyes open for these spots too.
Wherever you wander through the Eternal City, you’re bound to get hungry near Musei Vaticano (Vatican Museums), Colosseo (Colosseum), or Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps). Use this guide to find the best restaurants in Rome as you’re walking in the footsteps of former caesars. You can also learn how to order food in Italian for a more authentic experience. And wherever you travel, Rosetta Stone’s app is available offline to help you improve your pronunciation and conversation skills.
Table of Contents
Local advice for finding the best restaurants in Rome
Not all restaurants in Rome are worth trying. And some are definitely overrated, leaving travelers with the misconception that food isn’t great in Rome. That’s simply not true. Here are a few tips for choosing the right place to eat anywhere in Italy while avoiding tourist traps and long lines.
- Restaurants located right next to major attractions like Piazza Navona tend to have lower quality food compared to more authentic restaurants.
- Tourist traps often have a waiter standing out front aggressively encouraging tourists to eat there.
- Hyped-up restaurants that go viral on Instagram and TikTok aren’t always worth it since the lines are hours long. There’s often a great restaurant or sandwich shop right next door with almost no line. (You’ll miss so many things to do in Rome while waiting 2-4 hours for a table!)
- Never eat really poofy gelato that’s made with unusually bright colors. It’s not authentic, no matter what the sign—or TikTok—says.
Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy some of the quality food that Italy has to offer at the best places to eat in Rome. Below are our recommendations of delicious Roman ristoranti (restaurants) that have amazing food, local vibes, Michelin stars, and even rooftop bars.
1. Terrazza Borghese
Price: $$-$$$; rooftop restaurant available all year
You can’t go wrong eating at Terrazza Borghese. The food is noteworthy and the rooftop view of Villa Borghese is so enchanting. You’ll find this Roman restaurant in the Tribunal Hotel, just a few blocks north of Piazza di Spagna. We recommend trying this restaurant if you’re in the mood for a romantic dinner or a late brunch spot with a view.
As far as the menu goes, you might want to order the carbonara and amatriciana if you’re traveling with someone. Then you can share and compare to decide which classic Roman dish you like the most. The carpaccio is also worth trying if you’re looking for a refreshingly light protein dish. Their menu has seasonal changes, but if the lemon dolce is still available, be sure to end your meal with that sweet treat.
>> Find out what you need to see at the Borghese Gallery museum and other museums in Rome!
2. Be.Re. + Trapizzino
Price: $; pub-style restaurant and bar
If you’re visiting Musei Vaticano (Vatican Museums), you’ll definitely be hungry after walking a couple of miles to get to the Sistine Chapel. Fortunately, there are a few great restaurants in Rome near the Vatican in the Prati rioni (district). One of them is called Be.Re. + Trapizzino, and it’s a great spot to refresh with a drink and Italian cibo di strada (street food).
While everyone else will try the popular trappizzino in Trastevere—and it’s worth trying when the line is short—this little gastropub has a polpetta (meatball) trappizzino that tastes even better. The parmigiana di melanzane (eggplant parmesan) is also so flavorful. It’s our favorite spot to grab a filling pizza pocket of delightful Roman food, so consider this one of the best restaurants in Rome near the Vatican for a quick bite.
3. Hostaria Farnese
Price: $$; authentic Roman trattoria
If you’re near Piazza Navona, Campo de’ Fiore, or Piazza Farnese, you’ll notice there is no shortage of places to eat in Rome. One of our favorites, Hosteria Farnese, is tucked into an alley that you could easily miss. You’ll find some outdoor seating to enjoy on those warm Roman evenings.
What we love about Hostaria Farnese is that they serve truly authentic Roman food and the vibe feels like you’re being included in an Italian family dinner made by nonna (grandma). You won’t go wrong with any pasta dish, like gnocchi amatriciana or cacio e pepe, but you can even order a bistecca alla Fiorentina (Florentine steak) or ossobuco if you want. Save room for a cannelloni that’s almost as good as what you’ll get in Sicily.
>> Food, beaches, and marionettes are on our list of things to do in Sicily!
4. Ristorante Trattoria Antonio al Pantheon
Price: $$; reservations recommended
There are lots of restaurants crowding the strade (streets) that lead to the Pantheon. While you might not be able to resist an early morning colazione (breakfast) at a touristy restaurant facing the Pantheon for your TikTok followers, we recommend heading a little further away for dinner.
Ristorante Trattoria Antonio al Pantheon is an upscale restaurant hidden down the tiny alley Via dei Pastini. With a nearly 100-year-old heritage, this is easily one of the best restaurants in Rome for an elegant dinner. If you like seafood, definitely order the appetizer capesante con topinambur e ‘nduja (scallops with Jerusalem artichokes and salami). Rome’s artichokes are second to none. And you won’t go wrong with any classic pasta dish here, but you might really love the risotto allo zafferano con ossobuco (saffron rice with ossobuco meat).
5. Ce Stamo A Pensà
Price: $; fast casual spot for lunch
A few blocks away from the Colosseum, you’ll find our favorite casual spot for Southern Italian food. You might think of Ce Stamo a Pensà like a deli—but much better. The variety of dishes you can try are impressive, and each one has its own flair. There are a few seats inside, but you can also order takeaway.
So, what to order? We recommend trying arancini (fried rice balls with different flavors) or a Neapolitan panino (sandwich). But you just might love the deep fried pizza. It may not be really authentic, but it sure is tasty!
6. Il Bistrot – Roma Trevi
Price: $; cafeteria style eatery for pinsa and salads
We’ve included Il Bistrot – Roma Trevi on our list of best restaurants in Rome for one reason: It’s a refreshing spot for a quick bite near Fontana di Trevi (Trevi Fountain). You’ll find classic Roman pinsa here (which is a flatter style of pizza that can be cut with scissors), and several salad options in case you’re feeling overloaded with carbs. Since it is cafeteria style, the food might not be the freshest you’ve ever eaten, but it’s still good quality.
Most importantly, it’s fast and convenient if your time around Trevi Fountain is limited on a group tour. Perhaps even more importantly, it’s connected to a gelato shop that’s quite good and more authentic than the popular one about a block away.
8. Tacito
Price: $-$$; restaurant and bar that locals love
There are plenty of cozy trattorie in Rome. Sometimes you need a different vibe that’s a little more modern. That’s when you might want to go to Tacito if you’re near the Vatican, Castel Sant’Angelo, or Piazza del Popolo. It’s definitely an Italian restaurant and bar, but you’ll feel an American vibe with the industrial modern style and the availability of rum and beer—not what you’d usually expect in Rome.
Locals and tourists enjoy this spot, since it has delicious carbonara and pizza made from dough that’s fermented for 72 hours, making it easily digestible and flavorful. The Serena pizza is to die for. But if you’re a fan of seafood, don’t hesitate to ask about the catch of the day. This is also a great spot to hang out at night on weekends as it becomes a cocktail bar with live music.
7. Spirito di Vino
Price: $$$; reservations recommended
Your vacation in Rome wouldn’t be complete without heading to trendy Trastevere for food and a little nightlife. Though it’s located closer to Tiber Island than central Trastevere, we might call Spirito di Vino the best restaurant in Trastevere, Rome. One of the coolest things about this ristorante (restaurant) is that it’s housed in an ancient Jewish synagogue built in the late 11th century!
Italians are proud of their food heritage and emphasis on quality, so when the owners boast about only using Calabrian olive oil or the chef being a member of the Alliance between the Italian Chefs and Slow Food, you know you’re going to get mouthwatering food. We recommend letting the waiter order for you. Otherwise, be sure to try lombo di maiale cotto lentamente con mele (slow-cooked pork loin with apples), short pasta with truffles, or cacio e pepe. Also, the panna cotta is absolutely divine.
>> Love exploring ruins? We have the list of the best landmarks and ruins in Rome!
9. Ambrosia Rooftop Restaurant
Price: $$-$$$; online reservations required; gluten-free pasta available
Rome’s skyline is unforgettable and mesmerizing as the sun sets. So it makes sense that you’d want to enjoy it after your aperitivo (late afternoon drink) at one of the best restaurants in Rome with a rooftop. So head to Hotel Artemides, which is near Roma Termini stazione and the Monti district, to enjoy an upscale, romantic dinner at Ambrosia Rooftop Restaurant.
The cuisine at Ambrosia is both authentic and vibrant—and worth every penny. In reality, the prices are quite reasonable for the quality and view you get here. The pancetta di maiale (pork belly) is both crunchy and melty, the grilled octopus is unforgettable, and the beef tenderloin is remarkable. You’ll also love their homemade ravioli and signature cocktails.
10. Supplizio
Price: $; street food speciality
Rome has delicious street food and one of our favorites is supplì. While you can order it at a lot of places in Rome, you may as well go to the best restaurant in Rome that opened solely to sell supplì: Supplizio. (It’s not far from Piazza Navona if you’re heading to the Vatican.) So what is supplì? It’s a delicious ball of fried rice and mozzarella cheese that’s been cooked with one of a variety of Roman flavors: carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe, vegetarian, or a few other flavors.
They’re incredibly filling and delicious, so buying the three popular flavors will keep you full for hours—if you can even finish them all. Chef Arcangelo Dandini opened this friggitoria (street food shop) specifically to sell street food, so you’ll also find other delicious foods like smoked potato croquettes and baccala (battered and fried cod). Usually, a delicious chicken salad is also on the menu with secret dressing you’ll crave the next day.
11. Pesciolino
Price: $$-$$$; seafood specialties with fusion flavors
You might be craving some delicious frutti di mare (seafood), and in that case, we recommend heading over towards Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps) to Pesciolino. The interior is bright, which makes it feel more spacious than it is, but there’s also some outdoor seating to enjoy the cool breeze. While you’ll find traditional Roman pastas here, you’ll also get a few surprises on the menu.
Each dish looks beautiful and comes at a great price point for fresh frutti di mare. We recommend ordering the lobster pasta that tastes better than what you typically get at home. For a fun twist, try ordering from the taco menu for unbelievable flavors like octopus and tuna tartare. The ceviche di spigola is raw sea bass mixed with sweet potato cream, coriander, and even habaneros!
12. Ristorante Pinseria Da Massi
Price: $$; casual dining with vegetarian options
In the heart of Trastevere, you’ll find a few “viral” restaurants like Tonnarello and Otello. While both are great, there’s no need to stand in a 4-hour line just to document your experience on TikTok. Instead, head to a number of other delicious restaurants in Rome’s Trastevere district. We recommend Ristorante Pinseria Da Massi since it’s on a quieter alley and has great food.
The menu is admittedly overwhelming, but the staff takes it on with a challenge and puts out flavorful dishes like fresh gnocchi, salvia pastellata (battered and fried sage), and amatriciana. Their signature dish is fettuccine di Massi, which has a delicious truffle sauce that you won’t soon forget. And of course, you can trust that the pizzas here will be delicious too.
13. Sto Bene
Price: $; delicious panino shop
Walking around the Eternal City will work up an appetite, and if you’re near Ponte Sisto or Campo de’ Fiore at lunch, we highly recommend stopping at Sto Bene for a panino (sandwich). We’ve tried All’Antico Vinaio, and much prefer Sto Bene for the fresh flavors and the lack of a long line. Granted, the staff doesn’t always parla Inglese (speak English), but you can point to the menu item and they’ll understand.
The ingredients and meats used here are so fresh and flavorful compared to most sandwich places we’ve eaten at in Rome. You also get a lot more carne (meat) on your sandwich than usual and it’s made fresh! Order anything and you’ll likely be contento/a (happy), but try the porchetta (pork) or melanzana (eggplant) or bresaola (dry-cured beef). And if you need something refreshing to go with your protein and carbs, order a smoothie for takeaway!
14. Pulejo
Price: $$$; Michelin star restaurant; reservations required
If fine dining is in the budget, then you’ll want to splurge at Pulejo. It’s one of Rome’s many Michelin-starred restaurants, and it’s not far from the Vatican Museums. This won’t be as flashy as a place like La Pergola, but Pulejo is more intimate and contemporary. And the prices might be better than expected.
You can trust the chef and simply order from one of the tasting menus which are loaded with impeccably prepared dishes that rotate seasonally. If you prefer a la carte, then the saffron risotto with oxtail and cocoa is an unbelievably surprising dish you might love. You can also try the raviolodi pomodoro arrosto (toasted tomato ravioli) or la faraona (guinea fowl). An evening at one of the best restaurants in Rome near the Vatican will be one to remember.
>> Plan your trip to the best cities to visit in Italy!
15. Naumachia Ristorante
Price: $$; Tuscan and Roman food with vegetarian options
Great restaurants near the Colosseum aren’t as plentiful as other areas of Rome, but we do like Naumachia Ristorante. It’s a rustic establishment that serves good-sized portions of Roman and Tuscan dishes. They have a large wine selection and lots of seating indoors and outdoors, so they can even accommodate small groups if needed.
Beneath the exposed wooden beams, you might want to order tagliere di salumi (charcuterie board), saltimbocca (veal rolls), or the spicy bruschetta. We also really liked the gnocchi with clams and the oxtail stew. There’s always a risk of getting tourist-quality food near an attraction like the Colosseum, but overall, Naumachia is a solid choice.
0 Commentaires