Where to eat in Rome: delicious restaurants and addresses you’ll love (recommended by a local!)

My tried and tested list to help you decide where to eat in Rome: restaurants and quick bites to taste the best of the city, by a local!

One of the most common questions I receive about Rome, as a local and Rome expert, is: where can I eat in Rome that is delicious and not a tourist trap?

The question is fair and comes from the fear that a tourism-heavy city like Rome may be full of subpar and over-priced places preying on the unaware tourist.

Thankfully, there are significantly fewer of those than you may expect! While some overpriced places do exist, the vast majority of places in Rome are of good quality and not run by scammers: in Rome, you can confidently pick a place that attracts you and have a high chance of it deliveing a great experience.

That said, having some addressed can be handy and so here we go!

This is my highly selected, super shortlist of the best places to eat in Rome.

I am local and I eat out often. Additionally, I regularly assist visitors in making the most of their time in Rome, which includes recommending excellent restaurants.

This list is made on the basis of my personal experience and of what I know visitors enjoy most. All places are kid friendly unless otherwise specified.

Good to know: I have not included in this list Michelin Starred restaurants as I reckoned you do not need me for those 🙂

Best restaurants in Rome: my top 3

• La Ciambella Bar a Vin – Refined, welcoming, excellent restaurant with seasonal menu and an upscale yet informal atmosphere. Reservation recommended. Especially good for individuals, couples, small dinner parties. Best with older kids for atmosphere and type of choices on the menu.

Map (Pantheon area) https://g.co/kgs/Nm3AKZ9 | Website https://www.la-ciambella.it/en/

• Grappolo d’Oro – lovely restaurants specializing in locally produced ingredients and with indoor and outdoor seating. Special mention to their tasting menu featuring Rome specialties. Reservation recommended (only indoor area, the outdoor tables are first come first served). Good for individuals, small groups and families.

Map (Campo de’ Fiori area) https://g.co/kgs/nuzAxpo | Website: https://hosteriagrappolodoro.it/

• Naumachia – informal local restaurant, with authentic atmosphere, chosen by many locals as well as visitors. Good choice of Roman and Italian specialties, good for individuals, groups and families.

Map (Colosseum area) https://g.co/kgs/LiqPY1e | Website: https://www.naumachiaroma.com/

Where to eat in Rome compete guide

For ALL my recommendations by area, check here my ‘where to eat in Rome section‘ on my Rome site!)

Best restaurants in Rome city center (Pantheon / Navona area)

The central area of Rome teems with restaurants and you will not have issues finding a place to eat, may it be a full sit down meal, a snack or food street option.

In Italy, restaurants tend to be open at lunchtime and dinner time only but many Rome city centers places are an exception. Due to the large number of visitors demanding food at all times, establishments have adapted and many are now open all day long and until very late in the evening.

This is NOT a sign that a place is a tourist trap. They have simply adapted to the different demand.

Some however still retain traditional hours. Always check on their website (provided) Places I like are:

La Ciambella – lovely bar a vin with a refined menu, ideal for date night but also informal enough for lunch or dinner with friends. Best for couples or small dinner parties rather than groups.

Map (Pantheon area) https://g.co/kgs/Nm3AKZ9 | Website https://www.la-ciambella.it/en/

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Grappolo d’Oro – a great restaurant just beside Campo de’ Fiori with indoor and indoor tables. They have an a la carte menu and a tasting menu (menu degustazione), which I recommend as a great way to taste all the best Rome cuisine has to offer. The restaurant specializes and prides itself in using locally sourced produce.

Map (Campo de’ Fiori area) https://g.co/kgs/nuzAxpo | Website: https://hosteriagrappolodoro.it/

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Renato e Luisa, tucked away in a small street just beside Largo Argentina, is an excellent address for Rome’s traditional dishes. You won’t see it unless you know it is there, so we can say this is a hidden gem! Online bookings for groups of up to 8 people.

Map (Largo Argentina / Pantheon area) https://g.co/kgs/N2rCiFY | Website: https://renatoeluisa.it/

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Emma Pizzeria – On a cute street beside Largo Argentina and Campo de’ Fiori, this is a good address for pizza in the center, also with has a good menu of restaurant dishes. Very popular with visitors especially, due to the opportunity to book online and English speaking staff

Map (Largo Argentina / Campo de’ Fiori area) https://g.co/kgs/VDG3TLU Website: https://emmapizzeria.com/

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Giardino Romano – Located on the main street in Rome Ghetto area, is a great place to taste Rome Jewish cuisine, a specialty for this area. Do not miss the fried starters, especially the artichokes) which are a staple of this area’s cuisine. Indoor and outdoor seating available.

Map (Ghetto area) https://g.co/kgs/4Hznr6E | Website: https://www.ilgiardinoromano.com/

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Enoteca Corsi is an informal, very local place with a small but excellent menu that changes daily. This is a really Rome place for those who want something truly authentic.

A little loud sometimes as the main room is rather large, but quality is excellent and service fast. The type of place I’d bring my (Roman) parents to 🙂

Map (Pantheon area): https://g.co/kgs/f6SbnSb | Website: https://www.enotecacorsi.com/

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Pandali (gluten free) lovely address for self serve, informal, gluten-free and allergy-friendly lunch. Food is displayed at the counter so you can see and point and what you want and there are tables to enjoy it.

Map (Pantheon area) https://g.co/kgs/UXvtNPb | Website: https://pandali.it/

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Camillo – right on Piazza Navona, Camillo wants to dispel the myth that places right on main attractions are tourist traps and does it beautifully as her cooking is excellent and the price is reasonable too!

It serves Roman staples but also dished with an Asian influence, to give variety.

Get one of the outside tables for unparalleled views over Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers and enjoy on the most iconic locations in Rome.

Map (Piazza Navona) https://g.co/kgs/m1AUVYm | Website: https://www.camillopiazzanavona.it/

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Poldo e Gianna is a delicious restaurant in Rome city center with a traditional yet also refined atmosphere. They have indoor and outdoors tables and specialize in Rome staples (try their carbonara) and a great wine list.

Map (Piazza Navona area) https://g.co/kgs/S9rcdfp | Website: https://www.poldoegianna.it/en/restaurant/

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Cul de Sac is an informal wine bar with an excellent wine list, delicious platters of cured meat and cheese, and a small but nice menu of staples, perfect for an informal lunch with colleagues or family. Small groups as indoor tables are booths and take about 4 people max.

Map (Piazza Navona area) https://g.co/kgs/XbLhJG4 | Website: https://culdesac.bdf.land/

Quick Bites in the area

• Alice Pizza https://g.co/kgs/EKm9Npx
• Gunther (Gelato) https://g.co/kgs/bqSdv7K
• Two Sizes (Tiramisu to go) https://g.co/kgs/FgN1oKG

Best restaurants Rome close to Colosseum

I have two places I recommend above all others close to the Colosseum:

Luzzi – excellent, traditional, informal restaurant and pizzeria, perfect for lunch or a casual dinner, with great dishes and very reasonable prices.

Map (Beside the Colosseum) https://g.co/kgs/5HWbLbm | Website: https://www.trattorialuzzi.it/

Naumachia – a firm favorite of mine for well over 20 years now, this is an excellent casual yet welcoming restaurant great for lunch or dinner. Very popular with locals as well as foreigners, it has a loyal crowd of local office workers coming for lunch so you know the standard and authenticity is there!

Map (Colosseum area) https://g.co/kgs/LiqPY1e | Website: https://www.naumachiaroma.com/

Best restaurants near the Vatican

The area near the Vatican has some lovely restaurants perfect to fill up before or after your visit.

Lume Osteria alle Scalette – lovely, delicious restaurant with a refined yet welcoming atmosphere and an excellent wine list. Kids are welcome but check the menu first as dishes are on the slightly elaborate side.

Map (Vatican area) https://g.co/kgs/iWDFAeA | Website: https://www.lumeosteria.it/

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La Soffitta Renovatio – an excellent restaurant with great gluten free options, with a good variety of Italian staples dishes and pizza.

Map (Vatican area) https://g.co/kgs/WbSy3rB | Website: https://lasoffittarenovatio.com/

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Pastificio Borghichiana a tiny place with delicious pasta, ideal for lunch on pretty Borgo Pio. Kids are welcome but there is no space for strollers.

Map (Vatican area) https://g.co/kgs/9JtqfK8 | Website: https://www.facebook.com/ArtigianiDellaPasta/

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Il Sorpasso is a delightful, refined yet informal place with indoor and outdoor places, ideal for lunch.

Map (Vatican area) https://g.co/kgs/ywYEVva | Website: https://sorpasso.info/home-page/

Best restaurants Trastevere

Trastevere is well known as a foodies destination and finding good food here is easy! The places I like the most in this area are:

Da Enzo al 29 – a classic, very popular place, it always have a line outside as it doesn’t accept bookings, but if you can get in, it’s a great place for uncomplicated, proper Rome cooking.

Map (Trastevere) https://g.co/kgs/7px2TKn | Website: https://www.daenzoal29.com/

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La Gattabuia – delicious restaurant with traditional atmpshere and hisoric setting, perfect for dinner with Rome traditional staples.

Map (Trastevere) https://g.co/kgs/pjb5jkD | Website: https://lagattabuia.it/

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Tonnarello is very much on the tourist track but wow their food is good! Few tables are available for bookings but the majority is first come first served. Worth standing in line to get a table!

Map (Trastevere) https://g.co/kgs/bRjzGcx | Website: https://tonnarello.it/

Best Gelato in Rome

• Gunther Gelato (Pantheon / Navona area) https://g.co/kgs/DCpDY3J

• I Gracchi, several locations: City Center https://g.co/kgs/hfpxquY Prati: https://g.co/kgs/kqrLg2b University area: https://g.co/kgs/kqrLg2b

• Otaleg (Trastevere) https://g.co/kgs/risHD3e

• Fata Morgana, several locations. City center https://g.co/kgs/eRd4AAm Trastevere: https://g.co/kgs/u4HdfJZ

• Cremilla (Vatican) https://g.co/kgs/aMaqJUp

Best Pizza in Rome

Piccolo Buco (Trevi): tiny place with high crust pizza

Seu pizza Illuminati (temporarily closed for renovation)

Best American breakfast

If you area craving pancakes and waffles, in Rome you need to look for places serving American Breakfast.

Look at:

• Barnum (city center) https://g.co/kgs/tVXzhHp and

• Homebaked (Vatican) https://g.co/kgs/35LHjHM

And find a few more tried and tested addresses in my guide to American Breakfast in Rome.

Best Pizza to go

For pizza to go, I love Alice, which you find in several areas of Rome. Find addresses here.

Great markets in Rome for a quick bite

Rome has some lovely markets with fresh pruduce but also cooked meals you can eat on the spot or bring home. Good addresses to have are:

• Mercato Testaccio https://g.co/kgs/GHB6TZA
• Mercato Nomentano https://g.co/kgs/mT3PuVu
• Mercato Trionfale https://g.co/kgs/EdsT5mm
• Mercato Italia https://g.co/kgs/3EYJHqU

Best carbonara in Rome

For me, the best places for carbonara specifically in Rome are:

• Mimi e Coco (City center) https://g.co/kgs/3EYJHqU | Web: https://www.mimiecoco.com/en/homepage/
• Renato e Luisa (City Center) https://g.co/kgs/i93ZLgf | Web: https://renatoeluisa.it/

Best Cacio e Pepe

A classic, but absolutely top

• Felice a Testaccio https://g.co/kgs/Q4Phk8k | Web: https://feliceatestaccio.com/

Best Amatriciana

• Armando al Pantheon https://g.co/kgs/RvFqtMT Web: https://armandoalpantheon.it/

Where to eat in Rome for a rooftop dinner with a view

Terrazza Les Etoiles (Vatican) Web: https://www.terrazzalesetoiles.com/
Oro Bistrot (City Center) Web: https://www.orobistrot.it/

I hope you enjoyed this essential guide and it helped you plan where to eat in Rome. You may also like my where to eat in Florence and Where to eat in Venice guide!