Rome is my favourite city in the world. I have visited the Italian capital so many times that I have got to know all its secret corners and were to have the best authentic food in town. If you are wondering where to eat in Rome, you have landed in the right place. In this article, I will tell you which are my favourite restaurants in Central Rome and what to expect from each of them. I took my last trip to Rome just over a month ago and made it my goal to indulge in as much authentic Roman food as possible.
Rome has over 13,000 restaurants and you would probably need an entire lifetime to try them all. In this article you won’t find a list of the best restaurants in Rome – because let’s be honest, that would be impossible to make – you’ll see a selection of my favourite places to eat in Rome, gathered over a timeframe of over 10 years of repeat visits to the Enteral City.
About the Restaurants in Rome
There are many great restaurants in Rome. However, I am not going to recommend any of the popular ones, where you have to queue at the door for hours before you can sit down and eat. I feel that the welcoming is part of the experience of eating at any restaurant, and when you have to wait for so long outside, either in the scorching sun or in the rain, that experience is ruined.
I have seen so many of these queues, that they have put me off going to these restaurants, no matter how popular they may be. I remember heading over to a restaurant in Trastevere, and passing by a queue of around 50 people, waiting in the pouring rain for Tratorria Da Enzo al 29, which doesn’t take reservations, to open. Another time, I saw a long queue of people that stretched around two corners, at Tonnarello. Trastevere, which used to be the secret foodie place of Rome, these days it’s just an over touristy, overpriced area, that has retained nothing of its previous charm.
How do you spot a good restaurant in Rome? Simple: it won’t be open for the entire day, only for lunch, then later on for dinner. It won’t advertise its menu with massive pictures in front of the door and there won’t be any waiters trying to lure you inside. The local restaurants do have their menu outside, but in discreet boxes, next to the door.
How to Pick a Good Restaurant in Rome
Avoid Touristy Areas
It is very unlikely that you will find delicious food in restaurants located in popular piazzas or near the most popular sights in Rome. I remember how, 15 years ago when I first started to go to Rome on holiday, it was well known to avoid the restaurants around the Vatican. If there is a waiter outside, inviting you in, it’s most likely a very touristy restaurant with mediocre food. If there is a large menu with pictures and English writing outside of the restaurant, stay away.
You can find great restaurants within just a couple of minutes’ walk from the tourist places. I discovered an amazing restaurant literally two minutes from Fontana di Trevi, in a side street away from the main tourist trail.
Ask the Locals
Another great way of discovering great places to eat in Rome is by asking a local. I stayed at a lovely B&B during my last trip to Rome (Santa Maria Maggiore B&B), and I got chatting with the owner after she kindly offered me a slice of homemade cake and a coffee. She told me where the best place to have breakfast nearby was, as well as recommended a fantastic aperitivo bar that was inside a library.
Don’t be afraid to ask the receptionist at your hotel where they prefer to eat nearby.
Where to Eat in Rome
Breakfast
Breakfast in Italy usually consists of a cup of coffee and a sweet pastry. In Rome, you should try the traditional maritozzi, which are sweet buns cut in half and filled with whipped cream. It’s a traditional pastry that you will only find in Rome.
Breakfast in Italy is a very fast meal. You don’t really sit down at a table and wait for someone to take your order. The way it works is that you first pay for what you want at the cashier, take the receipt, and then order at the bar. You eat and drink at the bar as well. It’s actually quite fascinating to watch how many people come in, drink their espresso and go by the time you have taken a bite from your cornetto.
Pasticceria Regoli
Pasticceria Regoli is a small coffee shop that also has a cake shop next door. The café is narrow and very popular with the locals. They only accept cash, but if you want to pay by card, you can do so next door in the cake shop, then return with the receipt to give your order. They cater for allergies and have lactose free milk as an option for coffee, for an extra 20p.
I had breakfast at Pasticceria Regoli many times because of their friendly service. The handsome barista who winked at me and remembered my order on my second visit might also have had something to do with. Joking aside though, the coffee was always delicious and very affordable. My order of a cornetto and a cappuccino was usually 2.70 euros.
Caffe Trombetta
On my previous trips to Rome, I booked a hotel near the Termini station. This is how I discovered Caffee Trombetta, a no-frills coffee shop with a good selection of pastries and very affordable prices, just across the street from the station. An espresso coffee here is 1 euro, whilst a cappuccino is 1.20 euros.
Street Food
Mondo Arancina
Mondo Arancina is one of my favourite street food restaurants in Rome. It has several locations around the city and it is very affordable. I usually go to their restaurant in Via Flaminia, near Piazza del Popolo. They specialise in Sicilian food and also sell some of Rome’s most loved street food: the suppli, which is a fried rice ball filled with mozzarella.
Mondo Arancina is also a great place to buy pizza al taglio from, they have so many delicious combinations. I couldn’t resist a slice of pizza topped with mozzarella, courgette flowers and anchovies.
The restaurant has a few tables and chairs, should you prefer to eat the food there rather than take it away.
Trapizzino
Trapizzino is the best place to go for a trapizzino, as they invented it. This sandwich has become so popular since it was first created in 2008, that it has crossed the oceans. Trapizzino has expanded rapidly and now has restaurants in all major Italian cities, as well as in New York and Japan.
The trapizzino is a mix between the classic tramezzino sandwich and pizza. It’s like a hot pocket made from pizza dough, filled with classic Italian dishes such as meatballs in red sauce, oxtail stew, or chicken cacciatore.
I went for the trapizzino with tongue in green salsa, which might sound odd, but it was absolutely delicious. I also couldn’t resist the Lino il tortellino, a deep-fried roll made out of tortellini bound together by a Parmesan cream.
The trapizzino costs 4 euros, whilst the lino il tortellino was 3 euros. I also ordered a bottle of water, and my bill came to 8 euros if I remember correctly.
Lunch and Dinner
It is good to keep in mind that authentic Roman restaurants are open for lunch only between 12:30 am and 2 pm. Italians don’t eat lunch after 2 pm.
For dinner, restaurants will usually open around 7pm or 7:30 pm, depending on the place.
If you are a foodie, avoid travelling to Italy during the last two weeks of August, as this is when most of the city shuts down for the summer holidays. This also includes the best restaurants in Rome.
Pastificio Guerra
This little hole in the wall shop is a proper hidden gem of Rome. Located just around the corner from the Spanish Steps, this small takeaway restaurant serves two types of pasta each day, for a mere 4.5 euros. The portions are extremely generous and there is always a vegetarian option as well. If you eat there, they will also give you a glass of wine or water.
This is a cash-only restaurant, so make sure to have money with you when you visit. They also have a shop selling fresh pasta that they make on the premises.
I had a late lunch there after a long day of travelling to Rome. I chose pasta carbonara, which was so creamy and full of pancetta. The portion was enormous and it kept me full for the rest of the day.
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
This restaurant has been recommended to me by many people as being one of the best in Rome. I was so looking forward to dining there. This restaurant is a deli shop that transforms into a delicatessen eatery at night, with tiny tables between the shelves filled with wine bottles, and spaces at the bar. I won’t lie, it is an expensive restaurant with small, gourmet portions, and you do need to book well in advance if you want to dine there. But, if you are looking for a special, romantic restaurant, this is the place for you.
I made a reservation for one person, so they sat me at the bar with other solo diners, which was great as we got to talk and share the experience together. The food was great, but a bit hit and miss for me. I thought the starter I chose, the Maialino del Chianti (slow-cooked sucking pig with olives and capers) was quite average, and not worth the 16 euros. It was definitely not the hot melt in your mouth dish that I was expecting. It was actually cold, and quite bland. If I did go again, I would go for the starter my bar neighbour had, the Stracciata Pugliese with courgettes, mint oil and mullet fish eggs. He said it was heaven. However, the main course was incredible, and this is why this restaurant is on this list. I ordered pasta cacio e pepe, the most traditional Roman pasta. Everything about this dish was outstanding, and every single forkful was like an explosion of flavour in my mouth.
The dining experience at Roscoli Salumeria con Cucina was very pleasant. After I asked for the bill, I was given a dessert on the house: ciambelline al vino with a thick, hot chocolate dipping sauce. The bill for the evening, including the starter, the main pasta dish, and a glass of red wine, was 42 euros, including the service charge.
Ristorante Da Meo Patacca
Da Meo Patacca is a rustic restaurant serving traditional Roman dishes in a beautiful cellar-like establishment. They also have a lovely outdoor terrace that overlooks a small square in Trastevere. I loved the décor of the restaurant, with so many antiques on the walls. Made me think of a medieval tavern. I loved that they had musicians that sing classic Italian songs, creating a proper romantic atmosphere.
I ordered a selection of dishes, alongside a glass of red wine. The food was hearty, and the portions were large. I went for the tomato bruschetta, the Carciofi alla Romana, and the Coda alla Vaccinara. I struggled to finish the Coda alla Vaccinara because of how big it was. The food was homely, with deep flavours and a great taste. Everything was cooked from scratch, and you can actually see the kitchen and the chefs working, from the dining room.
The bill for two starters, a main course, and a glass of red wine, was 34.50 euros. This also included the service charge.
I Sapori dell’Archetto
I stumbled across this restaurant whilst trying to hide from the heavy rain. I read the menu whilst waiting for the rain to stop and it looked great, so I returned a couple of days later, for dinner. The restaurant is small and welcoming, situated in a small alley, just a stone’s throw away from Fontana di Trevi.
The interior is very intimate, quite small, with exposed bricks and arches. The walls are covered with tall shelves filled with bottles of wine. The waiter was extremely friendly and welcoming. I was offered a bruschetta on the house, as well as a glass of limoncello at the end of the meal.
I ordered the Tonarelli all’Amatriciana as a starter and the Porchetta for the main course. Both dishes were large and delicious. I loved that the porchetta was served on a wooden platter, with roast potatoes on the side. The meat was so tender, and it was melting in my mouth. I also ordered a glass of red wine with my dinner. The total bill was 28 euros, with the service charge included.
Sweet Treats
Giolitti
I’ve tried hundreds of gelatos in Rome and none compares with the one from Giolitti. I don’t know their secret, but it’s extremely well kept. Their gelato is super creamy, bursts with flavour and has bits of whatever it’s made from: chocolate, biscuits, caramel, fruits or nuts.
I always go to Giolitti on my first day in Rome, and by the end of my trip, I end up making friends with the staff. My to-go combination is pistachio and amarena – a dark, sweet, cherry. During my last visit to Rome I also tried their “Vacanze Romane” flavour which blew me away: who knew that roasted figs, pears and caramel would make such a delightful combination.
Giolitti is one of the oldest gelaterias in Rome, first opened in 1890, and it is still a family business. They also have a café, where you can try some of their amazing cakes and pastries. To buy a gelato, pay for it at the counter first (3 euros for the small one, which includes two flavours – it’s giant by the way), then go to the fridges and pick your flavours. Optional: you can go for a dollop of whipped cream on top of your gelato.
Pompi
Pompi is the place to go if you fancy tiramisu with a twist. There is a small shop near the Spanish Steps, where they sell tiramisu. You can choose between the classic coffee flavour, or one of their unique flavours such as berries, banana and chocolate, pistachio, or coconut and pineapple. A single portion of tiramisu, which comes in a cute box and is topped on the spot with fresh fruits or with chocolate, costs 5 euros. If you choose to eat it straight away, they also provide a tiny spoon.
Pompi also caters for dietary intolerances and has gluten-free options for some of their tiramisu. Besides this classic Italian dessert, Pompi also sells cakes, traditional Italian pastries such as baba or cannoli, and handmade biscuits.
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Thank you so much! Everything you wrote sounds very helpful. We a going to Rome in October and especially look forward to going to these amazing places to eat!
I just came back from another trip to Rome and I will update this article with some more amazing, very non touristy restaurants 🙂
Thanks for the great tips on how to find a good eatery in Rome! Love the Giolatti ice cream and that beautiful cappuccino! Rome is a foodie paradise, and I can’t wait to try it ALL!
Omg, this post is mouth-watering! Thank you so much for writing it, I love Rome and its delicious food so much! 🙂