Loading...
-
$ | Trastevere |
In the quieter part of Trastevere, the family-run Da Enzo is everything you would imagine a classic Roman trattoria to be. There are just a few tables, but diners from around the world line up to eat here—a testament to the quality of the food. Because it's so small and does not accept reservations, there's almost invariably a wait, so arrive early for a better shot at speedy service.
Via dei Vascellari 29, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Cacio e pepe (pasta with pecorino-cheese sauce and black pepper), carbonara, and other Roman classics
- Boisterous, authentic atmosphere
- Small space with long waits
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and 2 wks in Aug., No reservations
-
$$ | Testaccio |
It's everything you're looking for in a true Roman eating experience: authentic, in a historic setting, and filled with Italians eating good food at good prices. In this very romani di Roma (Rome of the Romans) neighborhood, surrounded by discos and bars, you can enjoy classic local dishes, from vegetable antipasto to cacio e pepe (said to be the best version in the city) and lamb chops.
Via di Monte Testaccio 97, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Authentic Roman atmosphere and food
- Outdoor covered terrace in summer
- Polpette di bollito (fried breaded meatballs)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
-
$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
This rustic-meets-glamorous bistro attracts locals for its flawless execution of Roman classics (many served photogenically in metal cooking pans) as well as original dishes. Its bar is known among amaro connoisseurs for having the largest selection in Rome, and the bitter liquors are the stars of the expertly crafted cocktail menu.
Via di Ripetta 162, Rome, Latium, 00186, Italy
Known For
- Beautiful design
- Well-executed classics
- Extensive selection of amaros and great cocktails
-
$ | Testaccio |
Run by a husband-and-wife team (she's Danish, he's Italian), this hip restaurant has a Scandinavian-meets-Italian design and menu. It draws a young, international crowd who come for the sourdough, cinnamon buns, and veggie-forward dishes. While brunch is the runaway favorite, the savory lunch dishes (served Wednesday to Friday) are standouts as well. All bread and pastries are baked in-house, ingredients are sourced locally, and only natural wines and specialty coffee are served.
Via Giovanni da Empoli 37, Rome, Latium, 00154, Italy
Known For
- Breads and other baked goods
- Weekend brunch
- Minimalist design
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., 3 wks in Aug., and 2 wks in Dec. No dinner
-
$$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
In front of the American embassy and a favorite of the design trendoisie, Michelin-starred Moma attracts well-heeled businessmen at lunch but turns into a more intimate affair for dinner. The kitchen turns out hits as it creates alta cucina (haute cuisine) made using Italian ingredients sourced from small producers. The menu changes seasonally, but might include dishes like chamomile risotto with smoked eel, honey, and oregano or pumpkin cappelletti with amaretti and provolone cheese fondue. At lunch, the more casual bistro area has fresh pressed juices and made-to-order sandwiches.
Via San Basilio 42/43, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Pasta with a twist
- Creative presentation
- Affordable fine dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Reservations essential
-
Recommended Fodor’s Video
-
-
$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
This sleek wine bar and restaurant is just a short walk from the Spanish Steps, and its modern design looks the part among the fashion-forward streets. However, it's unique in that its owners collaborate with the Regionale del Lazio (the state within which Rome sits), so the menu showcases regional products—from the cheeses to the wines to the bottled water. Come for a glass of excellent Lazio wine, and share a plate or two if you don't want a full meal.
Via Frattina 94, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Chic contemporary style
- Excellent carbonara
- Extensive list of local wines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$ | Piazza di Spagna |
The red-velvet chairs and marble tables of Rome's oldest café have seen the likes of Byron, Shelley, Keats, Goethe, and Casanova. Locals love basking in the more than 250 years of history held within its dark-wood walls lined with antique artwork; tourists appreciate its location amid the shopping madness of upscale Via Condotti. Drink your coffee at the counter for a much less expensive experience.
Via dei Condotti 86, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Lavish historic design
- Perfect espresso
- Crystal goblets and high prices to match
View Tours and Activities
-
$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
At the left foot of the Spanish Steps, this family-run restaurant has catered to the refined tea and scone cravings of travelers since 1893. The blends are carefully designed and can be brought to your homey table accompanied by a tower of tiny sandwiches, a fully loaded salad, or a risotto dish. Linger over a slice of homemade cake, and ask the server about the history of the tearooms.
Piazza di Spagna 23, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Unique (and pricey) loose leaf teas
- Homemade scones
- Cozy, historic atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
-
$$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
There are plenty of options for good food at reasonable prices around the Trevi Fountain, but this large brasserie—open for lunch, dinner, and everything in between—is a great bet. Although it emphasizes seafood, the extensive menu has something for everyone, from salads to pasta and entrées. For lunch, the lobster roll is a fan favorite. The full bar has an impressive list of poured or mixed drinks.
Via delle Muratte 23, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Oyster bar
- Excellent carbonara
- Classic international cocktails
-
$ | Trastevere |
With eclectic vintage decor, colorful mismatched tables and chairs, and free Wi-Fi, this low-key neighborhood hot spot lures lots of expats and American travelers. In the evenings, order an aperitivo and you can accompany it with a variety of small plates brought to you at minimal cost. The outdoor tables offer prime people-watching.
Via di San Francesco a Ripa 151, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Lots of vegetarian and vegan options
- Lively dining terrace
- Prime people-watching
-
-
$ | Piazza di Spagna |
On chic Via del Babuino, the former studio of Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova and his student, Adamo Tadolini, is now an atmospheric spot for coffee or a snack. Opt for the budget-friendly option of taking your coffee at the bar while admiring the enormous plaster copies of the maestros' work, or pay more for table service and sit amid vast sculptures. Food is run-of-the-mill, but the setting is splendid.
Via del Babuino 150/A, Rome, Latium, 00186, Italy
Known For
- Museum-like setting
- Respectable aperitivo snacks for the price
- Slow and serious service
-
$$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
With orario continuato, or nonstop operating hours (noon till late at night), this sleek spot in the Hotel d'Inghilterra caters to jet-setters and hotel guests. The creative global menu can mean international misfires, so it's best to select from among the authentic Northern Italian meat and Southern Italian seafood dishes such as boar with polenta, seafood soup, or classic pastas. The tempting outdoor tables are close together, but perhaps you won't mind eavesdropping on your luxurious neighbor.
Via Borgongna 4M, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Enviable outdoor seating
- Truffle pasta
- Signature Caesar salad with prawns
-
$$ | Testaccio |
Literally carved into the side of a hill made up of ancient shards of amphorae, this upscale, family-run establishment has an exceptional wine cellar and stellar contemporary cocktails that incorporate traditional local ingredients. One of the first restaurants to open near Testaccio's (now long-closed) slaughterhouse, it still serves classic offal dishes—though the white-jacketed waiters are happy to suggest other options.
Via di Monte Testaccio 30, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Old-school Roman cooking
- Old-school Roman waiters
- Coda alla vaccinara (Roman-style oxtail)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Aug., and 1 wk at Christmas, Reservations essential
-
$$ | Trastevere |
This always crowded pizzeria opens early and closes late, and in between it's packed with locals, tourists, and sports fans who know they can watch the Roma soccer team play on big, flat-screen TVs. The selection of pizzas is large, with delicious mains available as well. The coveted street-side tables are a great spot from which to view Trastevere's people parade. The service can be slow, so don't go for a quick meal.
Via di San Francesco a Ripa 158, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Mixed-vegetables pizza
- Sports-friendly atmosphere
- Long, leisurely meals
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and 2 wks in Jan. No lunch.
-
$ | Trastevere |
There's no shortage of old-school trattorias in Trastevere, but this one has a strong following. Both locals and expats enjoy the brusque but "authentic" service and the hearty Roman fare; snag a table outside in warm weather for the true Roman experience of cobblestone-terrace dining.
Vicolo del Mattonato 2, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Bombolotti (a tubular pasta) all'amatriciana
- Spaghetti cacio e pepe
- Involtini (beef rolls)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Tues., and Aug. No lunch Wed.–Sat.
-
-
$$ | Trastevere |
Named after the Pink City in India, this restaurant serves high-quality curries in a large space just off the main Viale di Trastevere. It's a festive and fun destination if you're craving a change from Italian food. The portions are small but made for sharing, so you can order an assortment. There are tables outside when the weather is good.
Via di San Francesco a Ripa 56, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- 10 varieties of chicken curry
- Tasting menus for two people
- Outside seating
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: No lunch Mon.
-
$$ | Via Appia Antica |
In this circa-1804 farmhouse you can dine beside the fireplace in cool weather or in the garden under age-old vines in summer. Specialties include fillet of beef in a hazelnut sauce and fresh seafood. The atmosphere is friendly and intimate, but the vast property can also accommodate large parties.
Via Appia Antica 139, Rome, Latium, 00179, Italy
Known For
- Ancient wine cellar La Cantina
- Hand-painted frescoes
- Romantic setting
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. No lunch weekdays
-
$ | Trastevere |
This no-frills pizzeria al taglio (by the slice) and bakery is hidden a few minutes away from Piazza Trilussa. As in many traditional bakeries, pizza is sold by weight, so get yours sliced to the size you want. In the mornings, the pastries hot out of the oven are equally enticing.
Via del Moro 15, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Classic Roman pizza from a wood-fired oven
- No additives or animal fats
- Homemade breads and sweets
-
$$ | Testaccio |
This family-run institution has been serving seafood in the working-class Testaccio neighborhood for more than 40 years, and if you visit the local market early enough you might spot the owner selecting the freshest fish, which mainly arrives from Gaeta, south of Rome. The menu changes every day, but look for house specialties like paccheri (a very large, tubular pasta) with totani (baby calamari), pasta with telline (small clams), or the wondrously simple spaghetti with lobster. Start with appetizers from the cart that the waiter can wheel over to the table, or opt for the excellent moscardini fritti (fried, small squid). Although the menu has non-seafood Roman classics like cacio e pepe and pajata (intestines of an unweaned calf), this really is the place to order fish.
Via Evangelista Torricelli 2/12, Rome, Latium, Italy
Known For
- Fresh, local seafood
- Relaxed but refined setting with outdoor seating
- Polpette di pesce al sugo (fish balls in tomato sauce)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
-
$$$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
Old-world elegance is the name of the game here—think white-jacketed waiters who attend to your every need, classic decor, and impeccable dishes, which are the most modern thing about this restaurant on the seventh floor of the Hotel Splendide Royal. Be sure to request a table on the terrace, which has panoramas of leafy Villa Borghese and the center of Rome.
Via di Porta Pinciana 14, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Romantic atmosphere
- Panoramic terrace
- Top-notch food and service
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential