15 Best Restaurants in Rome - My Favorites and Why You'll Love Them

Want to know where the best restaurants in Rome are?

One of the my favorite things about living in Rome is the food - big surprise!

And in a city like Rome, it can seem daunting to figure out where to go.

So, I've put together this list of my favorite places to eat in Rome, so you can stop wondering and focus on your trip.

Best Restaurants in Rome - By Whose Standards?

If you ask 100 Romans for their favorite restaurants in Rome, they will tell you.

With great passion.

Most of those lists will not match each other.

Even among my friends, trying to decide where to eat can be a challenge.

Should we go somewhere inexpensive?

Maybe just for pizza?

Do we want cucina romana (Roman Cuisine) or maybe sushi?

And in which neighborhood?

Sometimes we love to try new places, but often wind up going to some of the same places over and over.

Best Restaurants in Rome - What Does That Even Mean?

This page is a roundup of where I love eating most in Rome.

My list consists of places I know I can count on and feel good recommending to you.

The quality of the food is consistently excellent, the service is always ok if not good*, and I know that the bill will always be fairly priced and fairly presented**.

My list does NOT include the hottest new trends, restaurants where I was invited in exchange for some social media PR, or places that are necessarily favorites with other Rome food writers.

Finally, I am not including any place you cannot get into easily.

The places to eat on this page are all superb, but because they may not have been hyped on social media or by other food writers, you won't find them difficult to get into.

You should still book ahead but you won't need to set your alarm and book a month in advance.

We never eat at places like that anyway.

Rome is full of wonderful places to eat, and these restaurants are simply where Alessandro and I and our friends eat the most when we go out to eat.

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1. Trattoria Monti

This hip, vibrant restaurant with friendly owners and staff is a bit out of my way but I come when I can because it's so worth it.

Trattoria Monti offers delicious selections of Roman and Marchigiana* cuisine, and a vast wine list.

(*Marchigiana refers to Le Marche, the region the family is from.)

The brothers who own it, Enrico and Daniele Camerucci, also serve the tables and are happily available to help with your menu and/or wine selection.

There is a cozy atmosphere, minimalist yet warm, and it always feels to me like we diners are part of a special club that got lucky enough to be eating there.

Every guest seems to be a previous guest or a friend of the owners.

I've never had a bad dish here, and I've tried most of their menu (with a few exceptions where offal is on offer).

My favorite pastas here include tagliolini with pecorino di fossa cheese, raisins and fresh anchovies.

I know it may sound like an odd combination but it's fabulous.

One must is their tortello - a giant raviolo stuffed with herbed ricotta.

It comes with a very orange egg yolk, and, if they are in season, an optional generous helping of shaved truffles on top.

A culinary extravaganza!

While there are plenty of delicious options for meat-lovers, we often indulge in their vegetarian secondi (second courses), which include a selection of vegetable + cheese tortes, each one more delectable than the next.

But always ask what the daily specials are.

And save room for dessert!

Caveat: They do not open for dinner before 8pm, but they are open later than most Roman restaurants.

They are nearly always fully booked, so book at least one day in advance.

• Address: Via di san, Vito 13/A
• Phone: +39 06 446 6573
• Hours: Tuesday - Saturday: 1 PM - 2:45 PM, 8 PM - 10:45 PM | Sunday & Monday closed

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2. Roberto e Loretta

Roberto e Loretta has everything you could want in a Rome restaurant: a warm cozy atmosphere, kind and caring owners who play host at every meal, spectacular dishes of authentic Roman cuisine, a varied wine list, and reasonable prices.

Because it's not far from where we live, and because it's one of Alessandro's favorite places to eat out, we eat here maybe more than anyplace else in Rome.

Roberta e Loretta is run by the brother-sister team of the same name, but the restaurant has been around for 3 generations, since 1952.

This is one of the best restaurants in Rome for sampling some real Roman cuisine, such as carciofi alla romana, fiori di zucca, cacio e pepe, maialino al forno, and torta di alici e carciofi.

But it's also fabulous for some of their other Roman-cuisine-inspired dishes, like the baccalà (cod) and potato appetiser, their rabbit with truffle sauce and their vegetarian lasagne.

When it's on the menu, usually Tuesdays and Fridays, I often get fish-based dishes like tagliolini with spigola (sea bass), or their frittura di paranza (fried fish platter.)

There is an excellent wine list with plenty of choices, and a good variation of quality and prices.

Chances are you will see Roberto or Loretta, or perhaps Roberto's son Riccardo, either managing the room, or coming right up and serving you.

And they are lovely with everyone, not just us because we are regulars.

And THAT is one reason I know I can recommend them so highly.

Pro tip - There is a nice ivy-covered outdoor dining area which is on a quiet street, making this a pleasant option for outside dining in warm weather.

• Address: Via Saturnia, 18
• Phone: +39 06 7720 1037
• Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 12:30 - 3 PM, 7:45 - 10:45 PM | Monday closed

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3. Cesare al Pellegrino

Cesare al Pellegrino is a relative newcomer in Rome and on this page, but the owners are no strangers to the Rome restaurant scene.

Ever since they opened, I quickly got addicted to the place, so I try to eat here when I'm in the Campo dei Fiori area.

Cesare al Casaletto (also on this page) is one of my favorite places to eat in Rome, and recently they took over a longtime favorite in Rome's center, Settimio al Pellegrino, when Settimio and his family decided it was time to retire.

Cesare al Pellegrino has a fresh and innovative take on the classic Roman menu.

They have all the classic Roman primi (pasta dishes) but usually have daily specials.

When they have the classic Roman soup, brodo con arzilla (skate and broccoli soup), I order that as it's not easy to find.

I love their simple salad with some of the the freshest anchovies I've eaten in Rome.

Cesare al Pellegrino has a superb menu, even if it's not extensive.

I love this because I get the sense they will only make what they can and what's fresh that day.

• Address: Via Del Pellegrino, 117
• Phone: +39 06 6880 1978
  
• Hours: Thursday - Tuesday: 12:30 - 3 PM, 7:30 - 11 PM | Wednesday closed

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4. Piatto Romano

Piatto Romano was once a restaurant I didn't want to share because it's just so local.

But the secret's out.

Begun by the son of the owner of nearby Testaccio institution La Torricella, Piatto Romano is pretty much what is sounds like - a place to get truly Roman cuisine (piatto means plate in Italian).

Although that's not quite right. 

I've never found any other restaurant in Rome that serves the variety of greens they do.

Whether you are vegetarian or not, this is a veggie-lover's dream.

But of course, meat-lovers need not worry.

You'll find all the delicious classic Roman dishes including the heartiest offal.

• Address: Via Giovanni Battista Bodoni, 62
• Phone: +39 06 6401 4447
  
• Hours: Monday - Saturday: 12:45 - 3 PM, 7:45 - 11:30 PM | Sunday closed

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5. Grappolo D'Oro

While this is Alessandro's favorite restaurant in Rome for trippa alla Romana (tripe cooked in tomato sauce), it's mine for other reasons, namely their carbonara.

But as with all excellent Roman restaurants, I love everything on their menu (I'm just not an offal person so I leave those reviews with Alessandro).

They also have a good wine list and excellent desserts.

• Address: P.za della Cancelleria, 80
  
• Phone: +39 06 689 7080
• Hours: Thursday - Tuesday: 12:30 - 3 PM, 7 - 11 PM | Wednesday: 7 - 11 PM

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6. Pennestri

While new-ish to the Rome trattoria scene (opened in 2017), Pennestri quickly found their fan base in Rome.

Their menu is always interesting because it changes with the seasons, and I look forward to seeing what will be on it when I go.

Of course they have all the Roman classics, but this is one place where I usually try their specials.

Their gifted chef creates dishes with ingredients that work well and taste fresh and delicious without trying to be over the top.

While I'm not a big fan of horse and rabbit meat, this is one restaurant where you'll find it, but vegetarians will do just fine here, too.

• Address: Via Giovanni da Empoli, 5
  
• Phone: +39 06 574 2418
• Hours: Tuesday - Thursday: 7 - 11 PM | Friday - Sunday: 12 - 3 PM, 7 - 11 PM | Monday closed

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7. Sorpasso

If I could, I would sit down one day and just make my way through the cheeses at Il Sorpasso. Every single one of them.

Alas, I have to just keep going back and trying them a little at a time.

But luckily, everything else there is so fabulous, it's not a hardship.

• Address: Via Properzio, 31/33
• Phone: +39 06 8902 4554
• Hours: Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 1 AM | Saturday: 9:30 AM - 1 AM | Sunday closed

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8. Del Sostegno

• Address: 
• Phone: 
• Hours: 

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9. Retrobottega

• Address: Via d'Ascanio, 26A
• Phone: +39 06 6813 6310
  
• Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 8:30 AM - 12 AM | Monday closed

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10. Da Remo Pizzeria

There are two reasons Alessandro and I love Pizzeria da Remo.

First, of course, is the pizza. Yes, it's the perfect Roman thin-crust crunchy pizza we love so much.

But it's not just a crunchy thin crust. It's made to perfection.

Once, Alessandro folded up a slice and held it over his plate. Not a drop of oil came out.

And THAT is the sign of pizza made right.

The second reason we love it, or at least why Alessandro loves it is because they are Lazio fans, just like him.

I can't talk about how good the food is without mentioning their fritti.

I always struggle with which fried appetiser to get before my pizza.

I love them all but am partial to fried zucchini flowers, fried baccalà (cod), and sometimes supplì.

Here, I love them all, but I especially love their fried baccalà.

It is so light and flakey, I almost believe it's not really fried.

• Address: Piazza di S Maria Liberatrice, 44
  
• Phone: +39 06 574 6270
• Hours: Monday - Saturday: 7 PM - 1 AM | Sunday closed

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11. Da Teo

I started going to Da Teo some years ago when my "Trasteverino" friend Max suggested it to me.

And it's never once disappointed me.

One of the things I love about it is the ambiance.

First of all, it's literally off the busy tourist gauntlet in a quiet pizza and is one of the few Rome restaurants where I enjoy eating outside when it's not too hot.

Second of all, the interior feels old-school and cozy.

I'm always happy to eat inside for the convivial atmosphere and sounds of other diners enjoying their meal all around me.

But obviously, the best thing about Da Teo is the food.

Perfect Roman pastas every time, excellent fresh seafood when they have it, delectable artichokes when they are in season (and never out of season), and some of the best desserts in Rome.

• Address: Piazza dei Ponziani, 7A
• Phone: +39 06 581 8355
• Hours: Monday - Saturday: 12:30 - 3:30 PM, 7:30 - 11:30 PM | Sunday closed

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12. Tavernaccia da Bruno

If I lived closer to La Tavernaccia, I'd be in big trouble.

Every time I know I'm meeting someone here for lunch, I get so excited about the food.

Gricia is my favorite Roman pasta and I pretty much always get it here since it is so perfect.

They also have divine eggplant parmigiana, one of my and Alessandro's barometers for how good a restaurant is.

Don't even think of coming here without a reservation. But trust me, it's worth it.

• Address: Via Giovanni da Castel Bolognese, 63
• Phone: +39 06 581 2792
• Hours: Thursday - Tuesday: 12:30 - 3 PM, 7:30 - 11 PM | Wednesday closed

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13. Cesare al Casaletto

Il Casaletto is a neighborhood and this particular neighborhood is pretty far from me, but I still make it a point to come here when I can.

I've made my way almost completely through their menu, so it's hard for me to decide what photos to share with you.

One of several things Cesare is famous for is this dish of fried gnocchi in a cacio e pepe sauce. Come hungry!

One thing I almost always get when I am with seafood lovers is their cone of fried totani, little squids.

They have pizza too, but I usually prefer pasta here. But it's all good.

• Address: Via del Casaletto, 45
• Phone: +39 06 53 6015
• Hours: Thursday - Tuesday: 12:30 - 3 PM, 7:30 - 11 PM | Wednesday closed

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14. Osteria Der Belli

• Address: P.za di Sant'Apollonia, 11
• Phone: +39 06 580 3782
• Hours: Tuesday - Sunday: 12:30 - 3 PM, 7 - 11:30 PM | Monday closed

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15. Da Danilo

Da Danilo regularly makes it to many "best carbonara in Rome" lists, and they are certainly on mine.

But another thing that's a crowd-pleaser is this cacio e pepe mixed at your table inside a wheel of pecorino cheese.

I see this question on our Romewise Facebook group a lot - where to eat where they mix your pasta in a cheese wheel right at your table?

Inevitably, people will answer that it's a touristy thing and that you won't find it in a real Roman trattoria.

I beg to differ.

And it's delicious.

But so is everything else.

So book in advance, come for the pasta, and enjoy a truly Roman meal.

A final note - don't bother asking for artichokes out of season or any milk in your coffee.

They are old-school here and they follow the rules and so you'll have to, too, if you eat here.

• Address: Via Petrarca, 13
• Phone: +39 06 7720 0111
• Hours: Monday: 8 - 11 PM | Tuesday - Saturday, 1 - 3 PM, 8 - 11 PM | Sunday closed

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Map of my top 15 Best Restaurants in Rome

Click here to visit my interactive Google map showing all the places listed on this page.

It will open in a new window.

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Best Restaurants in Rome - continued....

Check out my other pages on:

• My favorite pizza in Rome
• Best restaurants in Rome for Roman cuisine
• Best restaurants in Rome on a budget
• Best restaurants in Rome for a romantic dinner
• Where to eat in Rome with a view
• My choice for enotecas (wine bars) in Rome
• The best gelato in Rome
  
• Where to eat near the Colosseum
• Where to eat near the Trevi Fountain
• Where to eat near the Pantheon
• Where to eat near Piazza Navona
• Where to eat near the Vatican / Prati
• Where to eat near the Spanish Steps
• Where to eat in Rome for Christmas
• Where to eat in Rome for New Year's Eve
• Where to eat in Rome in August

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