Family Dining in Rome?
Dec 21st, 2006, 06:53 AM
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Family Dining in Rome?
Hi - I am looking for suggestions of family friendly restaurants in Rome. Will be traveling with 4 children (ages 5-20) in March and its our first trip to Italy. There are so many restaurants to choose from, I'd greatly appreciate suggestions! Thank you.
Dec 21st, 2006, 07:23 AM
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I'm not an expert on Rome, having just been there once last May, but I observed many restaurants where families were eating. I felt the dining in Rome to be less 'stuffy' than some of our restaurants in the States.
Here's one place we liked, from my trip report. And the neighborhood it's in was jammed with little restaurants that appeared to be favorites with locals:
"Later, for dinner, we headed back toward a restaurant where my daughter had eaten earlier that semester. It’s very casual and good, called the Maccheroni Ristorante at Piazza delle Coppelle, 44, phone 06 68307895. It’s very popular with locals and gets very busy. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is lively and interesting. About 47 EUR for two, with one-half liter of house wine."
Another, slightly more upscale, restaurant we liked was: "Il Matriciano, on Via dei Gracchi, 49- 61. (Reservations advised—phone 063213040, or 063212327) It’s perfect for a more special dinner, but certainly not over-the-top. For three people dining, we paid just 103 EUR, which included a liter of house wine. We shared two appetizers, and two of us had veal dishes, one had just spaghetti. We each enjoyed coffee and dessert. It is a very, very friendly and pleasant place. We completely enjoyed it." It seemed like a place where kids would be welcomed, too.
Have fun in Rome!
>-
Here's one place we liked, from my trip report. And the neighborhood it's in was jammed with little restaurants that appeared to be favorites with locals:
"Later, for dinner, we headed back toward a restaurant where my daughter had eaten earlier that semester. It’s very casual and good, called the Maccheroni Ristorante at Piazza delle Coppelle, 44, phone 06 68307895. It’s very popular with locals and gets very busy. The service is friendly and the atmosphere is lively and interesting. About 47 EUR for two, with one-half liter of house wine."
Another, slightly more upscale, restaurant we liked was: "Il Matriciano, on Via dei Gracchi, 49- 61. (Reservations advised—phone 063213040, or 063212327) It’s perfect for a more special dinner, but certainly not over-the-top. For three people dining, we paid just 103 EUR, which included a liter of house wine. We shared two appetizers, and two of us had veal dishes, one had just spaghetti. We each enjoyed coffee and dessert. It is a very, very friendly and pleasant place. We completely enjoyed it." It seemed like a place where kids would be welcomed, too.
Have fun in Rome!
>-
Dec 21st, 2006, 07:32 AM
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All but the most expensive restaurants in Roma are family friendly. Generally speaking, I find it more useful to collect restaurant recommendations in Rome based on proximity to my hotel and proximity to the sights I want to see.
Rome is not an easy city to get around, and when you are tired and hungry, it is often best to stop at the nearest place where the food smells good and the people eating look happy rather than try to track down a restaturant some distance away just because it was recommended to you on the Internet.
Italians eat a high-fat snack between 5 and 7pm (like gelato or pizza) and then don't sit down to a real dinner until 8pm. With a 5 year old, that might be tough. Another reason to make finding restaurants near your hotel a priority is that its often good to return to your hotel around 5pm for a nap, before heading out after 8 for dinner nearby.
Rome is not an easy city to get around, and when you are tired and hungry, it is often best to stop at the nearest place where the food smells good and the people eating look happy rather than try to track down a restaturant some distance away just because it was recommended to you on the Internet.
Italians eat a high-fat snack between 5 and 7pm (like gelato or pizza) and then don't sit down to a real dinner until 8pm. With a 5 year old, that might be tough. Another reason to make finding restaurants near your hotel a priority is that its often good to return to your hotel around 5pm for a nap, before heading out after 8 for dinner nearby.
Dec 21st, 2006, 08:07 AM
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Nessundorma, I am really bad with directions. I believe the Maccheroni may be near the Pantheon, but I could be wrong. Do you know where the Piazza delle Coppelle is? All of Rome is a wonderful blur in my memory!
Il Matriciano is near the Vatican, I believe.
Re: when they're closed, I don't know that either. It was my first visit to Rome and I was with my daughter who had studied in Florence that semester, so was blindly following her! I imagine they don't open till about 7 p.m., as you suggested above.
I also agree with your idea that the OP have dining options that are flexible, so they aren't schlepping across Rome to one particular restaurant and passing by a dozen other wonderful restaurants.
>-
Il Matriciano is near the Vatican, I believe.
Re: when they're closed, I don't know that either. It was my first visit to Rome and I was with my daughter who had studied in Florence that semester, so was blindly following her! I imagine they don't open till about 7 p.m., as you suggested above.
I also agree with your idea that the OP have dining options that are flexible, so they aren't schlepping across Rome to one particular restaurant and passing by a dozen other wonderful restaurants.
>-
Dec 21st, 2006, 08:16 AM
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That's OK, Maureen. I just did a google and came up with the Machheroni's website (www.ristorantemaccheroni.com) and this review:
"Italy's most popular dish worldwide, is also the name of this distinctive restaurant at Piazza delle Coppelle, in the heart of one of Rome's most ancient neighbourhoods and just a stone's throw from piazza Navona and the Pantheon. The restaurant has maintained and emphasized the delightful details of its rustic structure, for an ambience that is inimitably welcoming and warm. Maccheroni's menu offers true, traditionally homemade Roman cuisine, as well as Italian regional specialities. Its wine list includes house wine, Chianti, and Italy's finest labels.
address: piazza delle coppelle, 44
Lunch: 13.00 - 15.00 Dinner: 20.00 - 24.00 Open every day
+39 0668307895
www.ristorantemaccheroni.com
You remembered correctly that Il Matriciano is near the Vatican. I found this review that recommends it highly for kids:
"After their tour of the Vatican or St. Peter's, many savvy Roman families head for the Ristorante Il Matriciano, Via dei Gracchi 55 (tel. 06-3212327). It's not fancy, but the price is right, and in summer you can opt for a sidewalk table. Let your kids feast on good, reasonably priced homemade fare that includes such crowd pleasers as ricotta-stuffed ravioli. At the next table you're likely to see some priests from the Vatican dining."
"Italy's most popular dish worldwide, is also the name of this distinctive restaurant at Piazza delle Coppelle, in the heart of one of Rome's most ancient neighbourhoods and just a stone's throw from piazza Navona and the Pantheon. The restaurant has maintained and emphasized the delightful details of its rustic structure, for an ambience that is inimitably welcoming and warm. Maccheroni's menu offers true, traditionally homemade Roman cuisine, as well as Italian regional specialities. Its wine list includes house wine, Chianti, and Italy's finest labels.
address: piazza delle coppelle, 44
Lunch: 13.00 - 15.00 Dinner: 20.00 - 24.00 Open every day
+39 0668307895
www.ristorantemaccheroni.com
You remembered correctly that Il Matriciano is near the Vatican. I found this review that recommends it highly for kids:
"After their tour of the Vatican or St. Peter's, many savvy Roman families head for the Ristorante Il Matriciano, Via dei Gracchi 55 (tel. 06-3212327). It's not fancy, but the price is right, and in summer you can opt for a sidewalk table. Let your kids feast on good, reasonably priced homemade fare that includes such crowd pleasers as ricotta-stuffed ravioli. At the next table you're likely to see some priests from the Vatican dining."
Dec 21st, 2006, 08:17 AM
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I consider myself a pretty good trip planner, but I made one bad mistake when it came to restaurant recommendations: I printed out a bunch from here, but didn't have real addresses. I stupidly thought that the directions "just a few blocks off the Piazza Navona" would be sufficient to find the place! Of course, when I got there, I saw that there are about 10 streets that feed into the Piazza Navona, and each of those connected to numerous little streets...I had no way to find the places, except dumb luck.
SO...if someone recommends a place you'd really like to try, google or check somewhere to try to find an actual street address. Also pay attention to any days of the week the place is closed...we trooped a pretty good distance on a Monday only to find that the restaurant was closed on Mondays.
SO...if someone recommends a place you'd really like to try, google or check somewhere to try to find an actual street address. Also pay attention to any days of the week the place is closed...we trooped a pretty good distance on a Monday only to find that the restaurant was closed on Mondays.
Dec 21st, 2006, 08:19 AM
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One more thing. Our family ended up at quite a few pizzarias. I've read on this board and elsewhere to order one pizza per person, because the crust is so thin. We did that the first time. The only one who came CLOSE to finishing his pizza was DS15, who eats A LOT. So you can share, unless someone is VERY hungry.
Dec 21st, 2006, 08:19 AM
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As for Ristorante Il Matriciano's vital statistics:
Hours Daily 12:30-3pm and 8-11:30pm
Address Via dei Gracchi 55
Location Near Vatican City
Transportation Metro: Ottaviano
Reservations Reservations required
Phone 06-3212327
Prices Main courses 9€-17€ ($11-$20)
Credit Cards DC, MC, V
Season Closed Aug 5-31
Hours Daily 12:30-3pm and 8-11:30pm
Address Via dei Gracchi 55
Location Near Vatican City
Transportation Metro: Ottaviano
Reservations Reservations required
Phone 06-3212327
Prices Main courses 9€-17€ ($11-$20)
Credit Cards DC, MC, V
Season Closed Aug 5-31
Dec 21st, 2006, 08:44 AM
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Der Pallaro
Largo del Pallaro 15, Tel: 06 6880 1448
Wonderful food and service. Home-cooking, hearty dishes by Mamma! They love kids here...
Ecce Bombo
Via do Tor Millina 22 (just off Piazza Navona), Tel: 06 68803469
Good pizzas and pasta dishes in a nice setting and inexpensive. Kids can even walk around as it's on a pedestrian only street.
Largo del Pallaro 15, Tel: 06 6880 1448
Wonderful food and service. Home-cooking, hearty dishes by Mamma! They love kids here...
Ecce Bombo
Via do Tor Millina 22 (just off Piazza Navona), Tel: 06 68803469
Good pizzas and pasta dishes in a nice setting and inexpensive. Kids can even walk around as it's on a pedestrian only street.
Dec 21st, 2006, 09:45 AM
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Insalata Ricca is a great choice for families with children and a great value. These very extensive menu has somewthing for everyone: salads, pizza, pastas, etc. Quality and freshness are tops. There is one near Campo dei Fiori and another near Piazza Navona.
http://www.linsalataricca.it
http://www.linsalataricca.it
Dec 21st, 2006, 12:15 PM
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I loved 'Gusto on Piazza Agusto. They have a lunch buffet, pizzas and a fancier restaurant upstairs. It's big bustling place right across from the bus stop. It is also a shot walk from Piazza del Popolo or the Spanish Steps.
Dec 21st, 2006, 03:44 PM
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I second the recommendations for Der Pellaro and Gusto (Piazza Augusto Imperatore 9), and also want to recommend Zucca Gialle (Via de Governo Vecchio 86/87 - near Piazza Navona). We had an excellent meal there with pizza, carpaccio and pasta. It was a bargain as well - 39.50 euros for the 4 of us - amazing!! (I'm sure that incl. one glass of wine and sparkling water).
I agree with what others have said that kids are pretty much welcome anywhere. Also, second missypie's recommendation to get the actual address. Having a rough location will be no help at all when you get there.
I agree with what others have said that kids are pretty much welcome anywhere. Also, second missypie's recommendation to get the actual address. Having a rough location will be no help at all when you get there.
