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$$$ | Trastevere |
Founded by three friends with a passion for wine and fine food, Antico Arco attracts diners from Rome and beyond with its refined culinary inventiveness. The location on top of the Janiculum Hill makes for a charming setting, and inside, the dining rooms are plush, modern spaces, with whitewashed brick walls, dark floors, and black velvet chairs. Its wine cellar houses over 1,200 labels, all nestled in the cantina carved into the ruins of the catacombs of San Pancrazio.
Piazzale Aurelio 7, Rome, Latium, 00152, Italy
Known For
- Changing seasonal menu
- Molten chocolate soufflé cake
- Extensive wine celler
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues., Reservations essential
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$ | Trastevere |
In the quieter part of Trastevere, the family-run Da Enzo is everything you would imagine a classic Roman trattoria to be. There are just a few tables, but diners from around the world line up to eat here—a testament to the quality of the food. Because it's so small and does not accept reservations, there's almost invariably a wait, so arrive early for a better shot at speedy service.
Via dei Vascellari 29, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Cacio e pepe (pasta with pecorino-cheese sauce and black pepper), carbonara, and other Roman classics
- Boisterous, authentic atmosphere
- Small space with long waits
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. and 2 wks in Aug., No reservations
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$ | Monti |
A short walk from the Roman Forum, this small Roman chain serves excellent gelato, including familiar favorites and adventurous flavors such as Gorgonzola, olive, and tobacco. A bench outside offers relief after a day of walking.
Piazza degli Zingari 5, Rome, Latium, Italy
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$$ | Testaccio |
It's everything you're looking for in a true Roman eating experience: authentic, in a historic setting, and filled with Italians eating good food at good prices. In this very romani di Roma (Rome of the Romans) neighborhood, surrounded by discos and bars, you can enjoy classic local dishes, from vegetable antipasto to cacio e pepe (said to be the best version in the city) and lamb chops.
Via di Monte Testaccio 97, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Authentic Roman atmosphere and food
- Outdoor covered terrace in summer
- Polpette di bollito (fried breaded meatballs)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Reservations essential
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$$$$ | Trastevere |
After 14 years in Austin, Texas, chef Cristina Bowerman returned to Rome to reconnect with her Italian roots, and her cooking is as innovative as the building she works in (Glass has received numerous recognitions for its design as well as its expertly executed cuisine). The menu, which changes frequently, features dishes like a standout steak tartare and lobster polenta with yuba.
Vicolo del 'Cinque 58, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Vegetarian tasting menu
- Plates inspired by Italy from north to south
- More than 600 types of wine
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon., Tues., and 2 wks in July. No lunch Wed.–Fri., Reservations essential
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$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
This rustic-meets-glamorous bistro attracts locals for its flawless execution of Roman classics (many served photogenically in metal cooking pans) as well as original dishes. Its bar is known among amaro connoisseurs for having the largest selection in Rome, and the bitter liquors are the stars of the expertly crafted cocktail menu.
Via di Ripetta 162, Rome, Latium, 00186, Italy
Known For
- Beautiful design
- Well-executed classics
- Extensive selection of amaros and great cocktails
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$ | Testaccio |
Run by a husband-and-wife team (she's Danish, he's Italian), this hip restaurant has a Scandinavian-meets-Italian design and menu. It draws a young, international crowd who come for the sourdough, cinnamon buns, and veggie-forward dishes. While brunch is the runaway favorite, the savory lunch dishes (served Wednesday to Friday) are standouts as well. All bread and pastries are baked in-house, ingredients are sourced locally, and only natural wines and specialty coffee are served.
Via Giovanni da Empoli 37, Rome, Latium, 00154, Italy
Known For
- Breads and other baked goods
- Weekend brunch
- Minimalist design
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., 3 wks in Aug., and 2 wks in Dec. No dinner
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$$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
In front of the American embassy and a favorite of the design trendoisie, Michelin-starred Moma attracts well-heeled businessmen at lunch but turns into a more intimate affair for dinner. The kitchen turns out hits as it creates alta cucina (haute cuisine) made using Italian ingredients sourced from small producers. The menu changes seasonally, but might include dishes like chamomile risotto with smoked eel, honey, and oregano or pumpkin cappelletti with amaretti and provolone cheese fondue. At lunch, the more casual bistro area has fresh pressed juices and made-to-order sandwiches.
Via San Basilio 42/43, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Pasta with a twist
- Creative presentation
- Affordable fine dining
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Sun. No lunch Sat., Reservations essential
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$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
This sleek wine bar and restaurant is just a short walk from the Spanish Steps, and its modern design looks the part among the fashion-forward streets. However, it's unique in that its owners collaborate with the Regionale del Lazio (the state within which Rome sits), so the menu showcases regional products—from the cheeses to the wines to the bottled water. Come for a glass of excellent Lazio wine, and share a plate or two if you don't want a full meal.
Via Frattina 94, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Chic contemporary style
- Excellent carbonara
- Extensive list of local wines
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon.
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$ | Piazza di Spagna |
The red-velvet chairs and marble tables of Rome's oldest café have seen the likes of Byron, Shelley, Keats, Goethe, and Casanova. Locals love basking in the more than 250 years of history held within its dark-wood walls lined with antique artwork; tourists appreciate its location amid the shopping madness of upscale Via Condotti. Drink your coffee at the counter for a much less expensive experience.
Via dei Condotti 86, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Lavish historic design
- Perfect espresso
- Crystal goblets and high prices to match
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$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
At the left foot of the Spanish Steps, this family-run restaurant has catered to the refined tea and scone cravings of travelers since 1893. The blends are carefully designed and can be brought to your homey table accompanied by a tower of tiny sandwiches, a fully loaded salad, or a risotto dish. Linger over a slice of homemade cake, and ask the server about the history of the tearooms.
Piazza di Spagna 23, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Unique (and pricey) loose leaf teas
- Homemade scones
- Cozy, historic atmosphere
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues.
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$$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
There are plenty of options for good food at reasonable prices around the Trevi Fountain, but this large brasserie—open for lunch, dinner, and everything in between—is a great bet. Although it emphasizes seafood, the extensive menu has something for everyone, from salads to pasta and entrées. For lunch, the lobster roll is a fan favorite. The full bar has an impressive list of poured or mixed drinks.
Via delle Muratte 23, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Oyster bar
- Excellent carbonara
- Classic international cocktails
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$ | Trastevere |
With eclectic vintage decor, colorful mismatched tables and chairs, and free Wi-Fi, this low-key neighborhood hot spot lures lots of expats and American travelers. In the evenings, order an aperitivo and you can accompany it with a variety of small plates brought to you at minimal cost. The outdoor tables offer prime people-watching.
Via di San Francesco a Ripa 151, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Lots of vegetarian and vegan options
- Lively dining terrace
- Prime people-watching
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$ | Trastevere |
People from all over Rome come to this family-run bakery that's been turning out delicious desserts since 1920. Try the brutti ma buoni ("ugly but good") almond cookies or anything with chocolate or jam. Stefania runs the place with her daughters, Michela and Manuela, and says her fondest memories of the bakery are from when she was a child, watching her father operate the 1950s oven, still in use today.
Via della Luce 21, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Torta Sacher
- Savory snacks for an on-the-go bite
- Light-as-air profiteroles
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed mid-July–Aug., and Sun. in early July and Sept.
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$ | Trastevere |
The scent of cookies wafts out into the street as you approach this family-run bakery, where a small team makes sweet treats the old-school way in a massive oven bought in the 1960s. There are dozens of varieties of baked goods, mostly sweet but some savory. Try the brutti ma buoni and anything made with almond paste or covered in chocolate.
Via della Luce 21, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Old-school family-run bakery
- Dozens of varieties of baked goods
- Brutti ma buoni ("ugly but good") cookies
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed 2 wks in Aug.
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$ | Piazza di Spagna |
On chic Via del Babuino, the former studio of Neoclassical sculptor Antonio Canova and his student, Adamo Tadolini, is now an atmospheric spot for coffee or a snack. Opt for the budget-friendly option of taking your coffee at the bar while admiring the enormous plaster copies of the maestros' work, or pay more for table service and sit amid vast sculptures. Food is run-of-the-mill, but the setting is splendid.
Via del Babuino 150/A, Rome, Latium, 00186, Italy
Known For
- Museum-like setting
- Respectable aperitivo snacks for the price
- Slow and serious service
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$ | Trastevere |
Over a coffee or a cocktail, sit and gaze upon Santa Maria in Trastevere's glistening golden facade and the busy piazza rom a perch at Caffè di Marzio. The outdoor seating is lovely, but the interior is warm and welcoming, too.
Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere 15, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Prime piazza views
- Sunny outdoor seating
- American-style breakfast
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: 3 wks in Jan.
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$$$ | Piazza di Spagna |
With orario continuato, or nonstop operating hours (noon till late at night), this sleek spot in the Hotel d'Inghilterra caters to jet-setters and hotel guests. The creative global menu can mean international misfires, so it's best to select from among the authentic Northern Italian meat and Southern Italian seafood dishes such as boar with polenta, seafood soup, or classic pastas. The tempting outdoor tables are close together, but perhaps you won't mind eavesdropping on your luxurious neighbor.
Via Borgongna 4M, Rome, Latium, 00187, Italy
Known For
- Enviable outdoor seating
- Truffle pasta
- Signature Caesar salad with prawns
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$$ | Testaccio |
Literally carved into the side of a hill made up of ancient shards of amphorae, this upscale, family-run establishment has an exceptional wine cellar and stellar contemporary cocktails that incorporate traditional local ingredients. One of the first restaurants to open near Testaccio's (now long-closed) slaughterhouse, it still serves classic offal dishes—though the white-jacketed waiters are happy to suggest other options.
Via di Monte Testaccio 30, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Old-school Roman cooking
- Old-school Roman waiters
- Coda alla vaccinara (Roman-style oxtail)
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Mon. and Tues., Aug., and 1 wk at Christmas, Reservations essential
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$$ | Trastevere |
This always crowded pizzeria opens early and closes late, and in between it's packed with locals, tourists, and sports fans who know they can watch the Roma soccer team play on big, flat-screen TVs. The selection of pizzas is large, with delicious mains available as well. The coveted street-side tables are a great spot from which to view Trastevere's people parade. The service can be slow, so don't go for a quick meal.
Via di San Francesco a Ripa 158, Rome, Latium, 00153, Italy
Known For
- Mixed-vegetables pizza
- Sports-friendly atmosphere
- Long, leisurely meals
Restaurant Details
Rate Includes: Closed Tues. and 2 wks in Jan. No lunch.