Italy is home to one of the world’s most beloved cuisines and if you’re visiting Rome, you are in for a treat as you can find many of the country’s best dishes and restaurants in the capital city. The incredible food is one of the many reasons I adore Rome. With so many restaurants to choose between, where should you start?

It can be tempting to just step into any random place after an exhausting day of sightseeing but sadly there are many tourist traps in Rome, notorious for overcharging customers and providing an underwhelming dining experience. It truly saddens me when people travel to Rome and have disappointing food, so I want to make sure you don’t have a single dud meal while you’re there.

I have spent a lot of time in Rome eating my way around the city and have compiled a list of my top-rated restaurants. At these eateries, you can find many of Rome’s classic dishes, like cacio e pepe, carbonara, and gricia, as well as other local delicacies you may not have heard of like coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew), carciofi alla giudia (Jewish artichokes), or trippa alla romana (tripe cooked in tomato sauce). The latter isn’t a fave of mine but my husband loves it!

You might notice that there is only one pizzeria mentioned on this list – that is because I have a dedicated post on the Best Pizzerias in Rome. I also have dedicated posts to the Best Gelato in Rome and the Best Cafes and Bakeries in Rome, so you will be spoiled for choice!

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La Tavernaccia Da Bruno (Trastevere neighbourhood)

Giulio Passami L’olio (Historic centre)

LABottega Pastificio con Cucina (Historic centre)

This casual lunch spot is one of my favourite places to try freshly-made pasta in the city centre. The menu at LABottega Pastificio con Cucina changes regularly, but there are typically a few familiar faces like cacio e pepe, carbonara, fettuccine with a parmigiano and zucchini sauce, and ravioli ricotta e spinaci. Everything I’ve eaten there is of an exceptionally high quality and full of flavour, so whatever is on the menu on the day will no doubt be delicious. There are a few tables to dine in, or you can order food to take away. If you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen, you can also buy uncooked fresh pasta to cook at your accommodation.  

Restaurant address & opening times. No reservations.

Ai Tre Scalini (Monti)

For those of you exploring the beautiful Monti neighbourhood, head to Ai Tre Scalini. This much-loved spot, with its eye-catching, ivy-covered façade, serves up tasty food, accompanied by a wide selection of craft beers and wine and a fun and lively atmosphere. Just 10 minutes walk away from Colosseo metro stop, Ai tre Scalini is also a great spot to stop into before taking a moonlit stroll around the city’s most famous sights.

Website. No reservations

Trapizzino (Multiple locations)

For some of the best street food in Rome, head to this famous spot for delicious trapizzini – airy and crispy pizza pockets stuffed with your choice of filling. There are usually around ten flavour combinations to choose from, but my favourite by far is the chicken cacciatore, which is beautifully soft and bursting with flavour. The parmigiana di melanzane is also sublime. Many people get a trappazino to take away, but there are a few tables available. They also offer suppli (deep fried rice balls) which are a tasty snack. With multiple branches all around the city, you will not be too far from trappazini deliciousness.

Website. No reservations. Multiple branches including Mercato Centrale Roma, Trastevere, Testaccio and Ponte Milvio.

Pasta Urbana (Monti)

One of my favourite places to eat in the beautiful Monti neighbourhood is Pasta Urbana. Located a stone’s throw from Cavour metro station, this small and casual eatery serves up excellent pasta dishes prepared using local products. In addition to the traditional classics, including a very tasty bucatini all’amatriciana, you’ll find dishes of the day, as well as desserts including tiramisu for those craving something sweet afterwards. Pasta Urbana is a great spot for a quick and easy lunch before or after visiting the nearby and spectacular Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore.

Website. Reservations possible online or by phone.

Masto (Testaccio)

Masto is a small family-run restaurant located just down the road from the legendary Testaccio market. The menu here, which is written in chalk on the outside to grab your attention, includes a great variety of mouth-watering dishes like lasagne al ragu, gnocchi alla carbonara, ravioli burro e salvia, and parmigiana di melanzane. I also highly recommend the excellent antipasto of cured meats and cheese served with honey and marmalade.

Wine lovers are well taken care of here too, as Masto offers a wide selection of bottles from across the country to suit all tastes. The proud owners are very helpful here and will explain what everything is and where the ingredients come from. With its delicious food, relaxed atmosphere, and friendly staff, Masto is a true gem in Testaccio. Booking is recommended as there are only a small number of seats inside, but during the summer months there is an outside seating area.

Restaurant address & opening times. Reservations possible online or by phone.

Mordi e Vai (Testaccio)

This food stall in the bustling Testaccio market is the perfect place to go if you want a tasty, filling panino Romanesco (Roman style sandwich). They offer a range of fillings based on classic Roman dishes, including their best-selling alesso di scottona con cicoria (braised beef brisket with bitter greens) picchiapò (a Roman dish of braised beef with tomato, onion, and carrot), veal carbonara or cacio e pepe, trippa alla romana (tripe), and meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. All of them are utterly delicious, so if you are travelling in a group, why not grab a few different ones to share?

Restaurant address & opening times. No reservations. You may need to queue but service is very efficient.

SantoPalato (Appio-Latino)

For a slightly different and modern take on traditional Roman fare, head to this laidback trattoria in the San Giovanni neighbourhood. First opening in 2017, SantoPalato is a relative newcomer to the Eternal City’s food scene, but has gained a reputation for its creative dishes, such as the delightful polpetta di coda alla vaccinara (a breaded and fried oxtail meatball with lovage, peanut, and cacao powder). SantoPalato has a regular menu, which includes some well-loved classics, as well as a specials board that changes regularly based on what is available at the market.

Website. Online reservations possible.

Colline Emiliane (Historic centre)

Even if you don’t have the chance to visit the Emilia-Romagna region during your time in Italy, you can get the opportunity to try authentic cuisine from Emilia-Romagna at Colline Emiliane. Here you’ll be treated to some of the most famous dishes in Italy, including tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle alla bolognese, and lasagne verdi alla bolognese – each of which are made from freshly rolled pasta. I highly recommend sharing the antipasti (assorted starters), which includes mortadella di bologna, parmigiano reggiano, gnocchi fritti, and other regional delights. It’s a little pricey here, but the quality more than makes up for it.

Website. Accepts reservations by phone.

La Sagra Del Vino Di Rovazzani Valentino (Balduina)

This rustic trattoria in the Balduina area (just west of Prati) is a great place to go if you want traditional Roman cuisine, served in a very local environment. On the menu you will find all of the famous Roman pasta dishes, as well as delicious and well-prepared secondi, like coda alla vaccinara, pollo alla cacciatora, and trippa al sugo. They also have very good vino della casa that is served directly from the barrel, all at an incredibly good price. End your meal with some cantucci e vin santo, which are biscotti (biscuits) dipped in a traditional Italian dessert wine.

Trattoria La Sagra is a little off the beaten track, so expect a very local atmosphere. Service here is a little – let’s say – surly, but that only adds to its rustic charm. 

Restaurant address & opening times. Accepts reservations by phone.

Trattoria Pennestri (Ostiense)

Opened in 2017, this relative newcomer to the Rome restaurant scene is already a firm local favourite. Located near Piramide metro station in Ostiense (my old stomping ground), Trattoria Pennestri is for those wanting a break from the classic trattoria dining experience and looking for something a bit more modern and innovative. Trattoria Pennestri is all about blending traditional Roman dishes with contemporary twists, with a focus on high quality seasonal ingredients. The menu here changes regularly, but rest assured that whatever is on offer will be of an incredibly high standard. There is also an excellent selection of natural wines on offer. The dining space is warm, welcoming, and informal.

Website. Reservations possible online or by phone.

Trattoria da Cesare al Casaletto (Monteverde Nuovo)

Located on the road of its namesake in the Monteverde Nuovo district, Trattoria da Cesare al Casaletto is the perfect trattoria to visit if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the tourist crowds. There are plenty of delectable things to try here, from pasta dishes to meat and seafood mains, but many of the standout dishes can be found in the fried section of the menu! Some must have include the indulgent gnocchi fritti su crema di cacio e pepe, crocchette di melanzane all’arrabbiata (aubergine croquettes in a spicy tomato sauce), polpette di bollito (fried meatballs of braised veal), and the fantastic calamari fritti (fried squid) served in a paper cone. 

It may be a bit of a slog to get to, but this much-loved restaurant is well worthy of your time. Try and get a seat in the spacious, vine-covered area for a truly relaxing dining experience.

Website. Accepts reservations by phone.

Top Food Tours in Rome

If you’d like some help navigating Rome’s incredible food scene, I suggest joining a food tour. Here are some well-rated tours for different budgets:

• Guided Food Tour in Trastevere (Discover popular foodie spots in Trastevere, washed down with Italian wine from the Lazio region)
• Guided City Food Tour by Vespa and Tastings (Explore Rome’s food scene and neighbourhoods from the back of a Vespa!)
• Winner 2024 Food Tour: Campo de’ Fiori, Ghetto & Trastevere (Award-winning tour with 15 food samples, and 3 quality wine tastings)
• Guided Food and Wine Tour with 20+ Tastings (Explore the charming Trastevere neighbourhood by visiting local restaurants, a bakery and wine bar).
• Trastevere or Jewish Quarter Street Food Tour (A great low-cost option! Choose which area to explore – Trastevere and Tiber Island or Jewish Quarter & Campo dei Fiori)
• Food Tour with Unlimited Food and Barolo Wine (Unlimited samples and wine, including Roman pizza, al dente pasta, truffles, cheese, cured meats, aged balsamic vinegar, street food, and gelato)