One of the most visited cities in the world, Pomegranate may have restaurants that function as tourist traps, but it is undeniable that you can eat very well in the Eternal City. So, what the best restaurants in Rome ?
The answer may be this: the most classic ones. My tip for eating well in the Italian capital is to do a lot of research on the more traditional addresses many of them with over 100 years of history and recipes that are passed down from generation to generation. After all, repetition is excellence in the kitchen.
And remember: when in Rome, we dance to the tune of the Romans. In other words, we are in the land of cacio e pepe delicious and powerful recipe with lots of pecorino cheese and black pepper; carbonaras executed to perfection; and the irresistible Roman artichokes which arrive warm and melt in your mouth, soaked in extra virgin olive oil.
To help you with the task of eating well in the city, I have listed below: 10 traditional restaurants in Rome which are among my favorites. Enjoy your meal!
Check out the 10 traditional restaurants in Rome:
-
Nino’s Restaurant since 1934
O Nino It is one of those places I always return to in Rome, sometimes visiting more than once on the same trip. The restaurant has a traditional cantina feel and is located in the city center, a short distance from the Spanish Steps .
The cuisine combines Tuscan specialties with Roman traditions. On the menu, don’t miss the Roman artichokes, which are slowly cooked with extra virgin olive oil and wine and stuffed with spices. They melt in your mouth! The burrata is also delicious and the cannelloni is super special, enriched with ragu and béchamel sauce, served gratinated and stuffed with beef.
Nino’s Restaurant since 1934: Via Borgognona 11 – 00187 Rome, Italy / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12:30pm to 3pm and 7:30pm to 11pm; closed on Sundays and during the month of August / Reservations via site and by telephone: (+39) 06 6795676 or (+39) 06 6786752.
-
Trattoria Al Moro
Almost next door to Trevi Fountain The Trattoria Al Moro It is also a very traditional restaurant in the city that serves typical Roman food, with outdoor seating. The cool thing is that it is not uncommon to see the owner walking around the tables, attentive to the service and the food.
Speaking of pasta, the menu is full of delicious pasta dishes, such as tagliatelle with white truffle cream, spaghetti alla moro (a version of carbonara) and bucatini all’Amatriciana. In addition to the pasta, the restaurant has a great wine list, including half-bottle options – here I once ordered a great Brunello from the collection of Angelo Gaja, one of the most acclaimed names in Italian wine.
Trattoria Al Moro: Vicolo delle Bollette, 13 – 00187 Roma, Italy / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12:30pm to 3:30pm and 7:30pm to 11:30pm; closed on Sundays / Reservations by site.
-
Trilussa Tavern
A Trilussa Tavern is a landmark in the bohemian neighborhood of Trastevere . The restaurant dates back to 1910, meaning it has over a century of tradition, and the idea continues to be to preserve the flavors and recipes of the past, but with one foot in the present.
The restaurant is famous for its cacio e pepe, which is quite traditional, but I also recommend the pasta à la gricia, a version of amatriciana with white sauce, without tomato, and which also has pecorino and guanciale. Even Oprah and tennis player Novak Djokovic have been here recently.
Trilussa Tavern: Via del Politeama 23 – 00153 Rome, Italy / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 7pm to 11pm; closed on Sundays and between August 11th and 25th (summer holidays).
-
Ancient Weigh
Also in the region of Trastevere O Ancient Weigh has a tradition that dates back to 1922, and continues to be a family business. The restaurant serves typical Roman dishes, that is, think of various pastas in the most Italian ways possible and also a selection of antipasti and meats as main courses.
Spaghetti, schiaffoni, tortelli and tagliolini are just some of the pastas that can come à la cacio e pepe, carbonara and amatriciana. It is worth mentioning that the house has an open garden area, ideal for warmer and more pleasant evenings.
Ancient Weigh: Via Garibaldi, 18 – 00153 Rome, Italy / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, from 7:30 pm / Reservations via site.
-
Armando to the Pantheon
View this photo on Instagram
Glued to the Pantheon one of the most visited tourist attractions in Rome, the restaurant has been run by the Gargioli family since 1961. It is popular with trendy tourists, but also welcomes local lovers.
Delicious Roman classics find a home here, such as carbonara and saltimbocca alla romana. Also consider spaghetti alla gricia, penne all’arrabbiata, rigatoni all’amatriciana and rigatoni with veal tripe. The wine list is extensive and reservations are highly recommended.
Armando to the Pantheon: Salita de’ Crescenzi, 31 – 00186 Roma, Italy / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12:30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm, closed on Sundays and from 11th to 31st August / Reservations by site.
-
Dal Bolognese Restaurant
View this photo on Instagram
O From Bolognese is in the running for one of Rome’s favorite and best-known restaurants, not only among tourists but also among locals. There is a lot of talk about this place, but I can say that it continues to serve delicious food.
Fully People’s Square the timeless cuisine features Bolognese pasta as its flagship. If you want to try something else, my suggestion is the veal cotoletta, which leaves nothing to be desired. For starters, try the freshly sliced Spanish ham, which melts in your mouth, and the “de vento” pastry, which comes with the traditional zucchini flower stuffed with cheese and buffalo.
From Bolognese: Piazza del Popolo, 1 – 00187 Rome, Italy / Opening hours: every day, from 12:45pm to 3pm and from 7:45pm to 11pm / Reservations by phone (+39) 06 3222799.
-
Tullio’s Restaurant
With a classic profile, the Tullio is another address in the Eternal City that is worth putting on the list. This is because the house, located just a few steps from the Barberini Square and of the Via Veneto serves a delicious caprese and a taglioni with pecorino, guanciale and artichokes that is to die for. It is also worth trying the artichokes alla romana, always a good choice.
The family-run restaurant has its roots in 1950, when it opened as a small shop. Today it still serves seasonal specialties, such as fish and Florentine steak, and has a wine cellar with Italian and foreign labels.
Tullio’s Restaurant: Via San Nicola da Tolentino, 26 – 00187 Rome, Italy / Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12:30pm to 3pm and 7:30pm to 11pm; closed on Sundays / Reservations via site.
-
Happy Birthday to Testaccio
Felice a Testaccio is widely known for its cacio e pepe, the house specialty. The original recipe calls for 200g of tonnarelli pasta made with fresh eggs and flour, 70g of pecorino, 30g of grated parmigiano reggiano, two tablespoons of olive oil and ground black pepper.
Of course, other Italian delicacies also come into play, such as spaghetti alla carbonara and bucatini all’Amatriciana. It is worth noting that, in addition to Rome, the restaurant has also expanded to Milan and Turin.
Happy Birthday to Testaccio: Via Mastro Giorgio, 29 – 00153 Rome, Italy / Opening hours: every day, from 12:30pm to 3:30pm and from 7pm to 11:30pm / Reservations via site.
-
Trattoria Pizzeria Luzzi
An option close to the Coliseum and the Trattoria Luzzi opened in 1945 and still has a rustic atmosphere, with indoor and outdoor dining areas and tables with checkered tablecloths. The kitchen produces very traditional pasta dishes, and my tip is the pasta all’amatriciana.
Pizzas are also on the menu: the margherita costs around €6 (R$34.60) and the mushroom and prosciutto pizza costs €8.50 (around R$50).
Trattoria Luzzi: Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 88 – 00184 Rome, Italy / Opening hours: every day, from 12:00 to 00:00.
-
From Francesco
View this photo on Instagram
Da Francesco is a small osteria in the center, very close to the Piazza Navona . Opened in the 1950s, the restaurant honors the city – and the country – with its classic dishes, which include fettuccine alla gricia with black truffle and saltimboca alla romana (veal escalopes with prosciutto and sage).
In addition to the pastas, it’s the pizzas that really make this place a good stop for lunch. The round pizzas come out of the wood-fired oven and arrive at the table crispy in various flavors, from margherita to capricciosa.
From Francesco: Piazza del Fico, 29 – 00186 Rome, Italy / Opening hours: Monday to Sunday, 12:30 pm to 11:30 pm / Reservations via site.
Source: CNN Brasil
Johanna Foster is an expert opinion writer with over 7 years of experience. She has a reputation for delivering insightful and thought-provoking articles on a variety of subjects. Her work can be found on some of the top online news websites, and she is currently lending her voice to the world stock market.
