13 Best Restaurants in Rome Everyone Needs to Try
Rome’s food scene goes way beyond pizza and pasta! Between sightseeing stops, The Eternal City offers authentic flavors in cozy trattorias and elegant dining rooms.
Here are the top restaurants in Rome you need to add to your bucket list!
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1. Pierluigi
Pierluigi sits on a beautiful square surrounded by 16th-century palazzi, creating one of Rome’s most magical outdoor dining spots.
This seafood hotspot attracts locals and even celebrities like Obama and Zuckerberg.
Try their Mediterranean lobster Tagliolini, or the homemade Squid-tagliatelle.
The catalana salad with tiger prawns, rucola, and cherry tomatoes showcases why simple Italian food with quality ingredients tastes so amazing.
2. Cantina e Cucina
Just steps from Piazza Navona, Cantina e Cucina welcomes waiting guests with complimentary prosecco.
Inside, brick accents and hanging ornaments create a cozy, old-school Roman vibe.
The saltimbocca alla Romana features delicate veal wrapped in prosciutto and sage that melts in your mouth.
Pasta fans will love their homemade dishes, especially the cheesy, peppery cacio e pepe that perfectly captures Roman comfort food. Make sure to save room for their famous tiramisu!
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3. La Matriciana
La Matriciana delivers classic Roman dishes that showcase the city’s rich culinary heritage.
Their Jewish-style artichoke (carciofo alla giudia) is flattened and fried to crispy perfection while keeping the heart tender and juicy.
The insalata di puntarelle offers a refreshing mix of crunchy chicory strips in a bold, garlicky anchovy dressing you’ll want to mop up with bread.
Pasta fans must try the bucatini alla matriciana with its tomato sauce and rich pork. The carbonara here is a revelation – gorgeously yellow and incredibly creamy, made with top-quality guanciale that packs a serious punch.
4. Ristorante La Tavernaccia Da Bruno
Tucked in a quiet corner of Trastevere, La Tavernaccia Da Bruno has been family-run since 1968.
The menu blends Roman and Lazio traditions. Their wood-burning oven produces amazing roasted meats, especially the suckling pig with crackling skin.
Pasta fans rave about their gricia – the unsung hero of Roman pasta with pecorino cheese and guanciale creating a slick, savory coating on each bite.
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5. SantoPalato
SantoPalato gives traditional Roman trattoria food a modern twist thanks to talented chef Sarah Cicolini.
The daily menu appears on a blackboard each morning based on what looks good at the market.
Their famous extra-yolky carbonara has reached legendary status among Rome’s food crowd.
Adventurous eaters should try the offal dishes like trippa alla Romana (tripe in mint-tomato sauce) or the crispy oxtail meatballs dusted with cocoa.
The spaghetti all’amatriciana and seasonal pasta creations show why this spot in the residential San Giovanni neighborhood has foodies making the trip across town.
6. La Pergola
La Pergola sits at the very top of Rome Cavalieri hotel, giving you jaw-dropping views of St. Peter’s Basilica and the entire Eternal City.
This spot is the only place in Rome with three Michelin stars! Chef Heinz Beck makes Italian food that feels light and exciting.
Try his famous “Fagotelli La Pergola” pasta or the mouth-watering crusted sole.
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7. Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
Hidden in Trastevere, Da Enzo al 29 is a tiny family-run spot where every ingredient is bought fresh daily. This place gets busy, so call ahead for a reservation!
The Jewish-style artichokes are a must-try, along with their Caprese salad with creamy buffalo cheese.
The homemade carbonara here is a must-try with an incredibly creamy sauce made with top-quality guanciale.
8. Ai Tre Scalini
Ai Tre Scalini has been pouring amazing wines in Rome’s artsy Monti neighborhood since 1895! This buzzing spot takes its name from the three little steps at the entrance.
Vines cover the building outside, while inside, the cozy rooms fill up fast with chatty locals.
Order a platter of cured meats and cheeses or try one of their hearty pasta dishes. The friendly staff will help you pick the perfect wine to match your food.
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9. Tonnarello
Named after a special square-shaped pasta, Tonnarello dishes up some of Rome’s most mouthwatering plates in lively Trastevere.
The fun part is that your pasta arrives right in the frying pan it was cooked in! Their cacio e pepe has a perfectly creamy, peppery sauce.
The juicy meatballs swimming in rich tomato sauce are total crowd-pleasers. Don’t miss their crispy Jewish-style artichokes or the famous tiramisu that locals call the best in town.
This place doesn’t take reservations, so head there early to beat the crowds – but the wait is totally worth it!
10. La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
Just steps from the ancient Roman Forum, this family-run trattoria has been feeding hungry Romans for generations.
Their homemade pasta dishes steal the show – especially the Cacio e pepe that’ll have you scraping the plate clean.
The carbonara here follows the traditional recipe with egg yolks, pecorino cheese, and crispy guanciale.
For meat lovers, the tender veal escalope practically melts in your mouth. Reservations are a must at this popular spot.
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11. Armando al Pantheon
Since 1961, this legendary spot has been serving authentic Roman cuisine just steps from the magnificent Pantheon.
The Gargioli family still runs the kitchen, keeping traditional recipes alive while sourcing top-quality ingredients.
Their pasta alla gricia – with pork cheek and sharp pecorino – shows how simple food can be absolutely mind-blowing.
12. Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
Part gourmet food shop, part restaurant, Roscioli is a foodies dream come true! Shelves stacked with premium olive oils, wines, and pastas surround the dining tables create a unique atmosphere.
Their carbonara is legendary – made with three different types of pepper and the finest guanciale.
The wine list is enormous with over 2,800 labels! Smart diners reserve the counter seats to watch the chefs work their magic.
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13. Il Convivio Troiani
Hidden in a 16th-century building near Piazza Navona, this Michelin-starred gem offers a modern take on traditional Roman cuisine.
The three Troiani brothers run the show – one in the kitchen, one managing the dining room, and one handling their amazing wine cellar.
Their signature dish is a modern carbonara with a perfectly cooked egg yolk nestled on top of the pasta.
