New Year Eve dinner in Rome - any experience?
 

We'll be in Rome on the New Year Eve (for the second time). Last time we chose Fantasie di Trastevere teatre/restaurant - it was nice but this year we would prefer to have New Year Eve dinner closer to the hotel (near Piazza della Reppublica and Via Venetto)in some nice restaurant with great food - it's the main point. Any experience??
thank u in advance

I'm hoping you'll get lots of replies to this post since I have nearly the same concern. We too will be in Rome for NYEve but staying closer to Pz. Navona. I need to book a restaurant soon. On this or another site I saw high praise for Maccheroni on Piazza della Coppelle and they have a fun website, but I'd sure like more suggestions. Would you please give more info on the Trastevere place you went to last year? Also any other helpful info about Rome on New Years--we've been there before but not for New Years. Thanks.

aliche, my favorite restaurant in that area is Margutta

http://www.deliciousitaly.com/ristor...p;regione_id=7

And their website:

http://www.ilmargutta.it/margutta_en...&Itemid=28

My last night in Rome will be new year's. It would be nice to do one of these restaurants.

to Julie


I still hope to get some info from those who have such experience...but... people mostly name their favorite restaurants while the main point is 'a New Year Eve dinner in a restaurant'.
I know that some good restaurants close after Christmas for a short holiday, besides this year the 31st of December is Sunday - Italians really like their days off)) and many nice restaurants are closed on Sundays.
I'll wait for some more time and if there is no advices here I will ask my hotel (Marcella Royal) concierge.

As for my New Year Eve experience in Rome - Fantasie di Trastevere - it was a pleasant dinner and show with some Italian folk and opera songs and music, rather funny atmosphere and different people. Many kids. Food was just ok but I was ready to this because the price was average. The WORST thing was that it was absolutely impossible to take taxi after the dinner (at 2 AM) - huge crowds of people on taxi stops and many people walking along the street. It was rather cold and I got flue because I was wearing just a silk dress and a velvet jacket (didn't expect I wouldn't take a taxi).
The only variant I have for this year - dinner at some hotel like St. Regis or Savoy or Bristol - but its VERY pricey and I am not sure whether it is worth.

Aliche, thanks for the info. especially about the taxi problems. I think I'll contact my hotel (which doesn't have it's own restaurant, so I'm assuming I can get some real info) for suggestions in the area.

Topping in hope of getting more information. I sent a request to my hotel to contact any of four places nearby and book whichever comes through with a dinner for 100 euros or less. Have yet to hear back after 5 days and am getting nervous. Has anyone seen info on packages or offers for the night? Help much appreciated.

Hi again, Julie

it's a funny thing - my hotel didn't answered also!
but I've already ordered New Year Eve dinner at Westin Excelsior about 2 weeks ago.
I have seen NYEve packages only at hotels' restaurants and some upscale restaurants like Enoteca Carpanica etc. but of course all of the are more expensive. Besides 31/12 is Sunday - and many of places are closed.

theese places usually do NYEdinner
-Da meo Patacca(Trastevere)
-Nuova Stella
- Antico Moro
-La Tana dei Re Ristorante
-Capricciosa Ara Pacis (most budget I guess)

Have a nice trip!!!

New year's Eve is a night when many Roman families will be dining out and special menus that cater to the tastes of locals will be on offer. They are multi-course afffairs with some specialities of the region,like lardon and honey, pigs's trotter slow-cooked with lentils. Yes, children will be present and yes, these meals will end very late (well, after midnight). This is the tradition of the area.

I rather suspect the lack of response of various hoteliers/restauranteurs is because tourists may find some of the pacing and offerings of these set-meals awkward, and they may have had problems in the past with the mix of locals and tourist on this one night of the year. This is the one time that I would recommend a hotel dining room for the traveler who is not both patient and gastronomically adventurous.

Hey! I'll see you all there! We too will be in Rome on New Year's Eve but after reading the post about taxis, maybe it is better to find a restaurant near our hotel (Campo di Fiori). I hope it isn't too late! Any suggestions?