Hi-

Our first time to Rome and we are staying at a hotel near Spanish Steps, specifically Piazza Trinita dei Monti. Would you be kind enough to recommend some good restaurants and wine bars that you have enjoyed in the area. Many thanks for your good advice.

This one is popular with both tourists and Romans: Rampa (on Rampa Mignanelli). As you stand at the bottom of the Spanish Steps, it is to the right side, around the corner and back toward the hill that is at the top of the Steps.

Residenza Antica Roma
www.residenza-anticaroma.com

Via Del Tritone, 82
00187 Roma (RM), Italy
+39 06 42013647

...is on the other side but not too far

This is probably heresy - but, there is a good Chinese place right near the Spanish Steps. I can't remember the name, but I ate there while I was staying at the Hassler. I had been in Italy a couple of weeks and wanted a break in my diet from Italian (as much as I love Italian). I had lemon chicken that was very light and fresh tasting.

We had a wonderful meal at Il Gabriello near the SS. I think the tiny street that it is on runs parallel to Via Condotti. You walk down some stairs to the dining area. Some brothers own/run it and menu says the herbs are grown in their mother's garden.

Imago restaurant in the Hassler Hotel.
Its very romantic with a panoramic view of the city.

One of my favs in Rome near the Spanish Steps is:

Ristorante 34
00187 Roma/Via Mario de Fiori
Tel: 066795091

It is on a street one block over from the "steps' with cute shops, a wine bar next door,etc. The restaurant is VERY popular with tourists/regulars as the food is wonderful and reasonable. If you are not there by 730PM when it opens, then make sure that you have a reservation.

Favs there-seafood risotto,any pasta,grilled calamari,caprese salads and the BEST chickpea veggie soup.We always go there at least once or twice a month on our layovers!
I will look for some cards from our other favs in that area for you.

If you eat at the Hassler be sure to bring a large Santa-sized bag to hold your Euros

But the view is amazing.

Hi there,
We stayed right there in 2007. Click on my name and look for a Rome trip report - I have very specific information about quite a few restaurants in the area.
Good luck!

I respectfully disagree with the recommendation of Ristorante al 34. We've enjoyed meals there over several years, but on our last visit about a year ago we were really disappointed. The food was good and reasonably priced, but the entire restaurant staff was Asian. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it made for an atmosphere that was (for me) less than Italian. It reminded too much of home (L.A.) where the chefs at most of our moderately priced Italian restaurants are Mexican.

For an interesting recent article about Asian chefs in Roman restaurants, look at
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/07/wo...pe/07food.html

Jean-in regards to Restaurant 34,welcome to Rome and the rest of Europe and all of the immigrant population that is coming and working? While I enjoy the "traditional" Italian restaurant,I am finding more and more restaurants across Europe are employing different ethnic groups to work their stores and restaurants.Restaurant 34 is still great food,has the inside atmosphere of Italia so its on our crew list for dinners.
Another restaurant is NINOS which is a half block down from the steps-very 1930's,Tom Cruise and Katie had their prewedding dinner here.The food is good but also more expensive .
Word of Caution-the restaurants around the Steps are usually very touristy and overpriced so be sure to check out the menus beforehand.

We ate at Otello's pretty close to the Spanish Steps. It was wonderful. I suggest reservations. Your hotel will be able to direct you.

Enjoy!

I hate to say this, but I agree with Jean. Restaurant 34 was the site of our most disappointing dinner on a trip to Rome a few years ago. I, too, noticed that all the wait staff was South Indian, which would have mattered less to me if the food had been better.

Whenever I have stayed in this area of Rome I have been disappointed with the restaurant offerings nearby and always find myself wandering someplace else to eat. On our last night in the city a few years ago we wanted to eat near our hotel and thus, chose Restaurant 34. A mistake, for us.

....if you must eat in the immiediate area, there are at least two decent places on Via di Ripetta close to the Piazza del Popolo:

Trattoria al Gran Sasso

Buca di Ripetta

There is also a good pizza place on the street: Pizza Re.

Dutyfree, I agree that this is not a new or Rome-only phenomenon. However, if given a choice in Rome (where there are hundreds of choices), I'd rather dine in a restaurant staffed with Italians.

There is an amazing place called the International Academy of Wine just to the left of the Spanish Steps about a block or so and back from the street. They have a restaurant which has outdoor dining overlooking the spanish steps. They also offer courses in wine appreciation for as little as $25 They are associated with the Hassler hotel We had lunch at their restaurant overlooking the Steps and it was wonderful. Google the name and check it out.

I very much second both Buca di Ripetta and Pizza Re. Excellent.

In case you decide to go out of the immediate area, I will top my Rome Food report (2007) for you. This is NOT the visit in which we ate at Restaurant 34.



http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34931625

Thank you ALL for your kind assistance. Your advice is much appreciated.