Seems like I've read posts that say that all of the restaurants near the Colleseum are bad/tourist traps. What other areas should be avoided?

Anywhere within a few blocks of the Vatican. If I were starving & about to pass out, I would walk as far as I could to get away from there! I was a sucker & paid something like 19 Euros for 2 pieces of pizza, a fruit plate, and a coke! The buffets are also mad traps. Actually, inside the Vatican museums, you can get a nice meal, so eat in there if you are touring the Vatican.

Around the major piazzas, most restaurants that are right on the square will be higher than if you go one or two blocks away. Just read the menus, and walk around until you see some locals actually eating at a place.

I was just about to post a question about eating at the Vatican. We are taking ain Icon tour that starts at 12:45 pm. I'd like to climb the tower at St. Peters, then eat an early lunch, then take the tour. Sounds like it will be hard to find something decent to eat.

Missypie, I have been to some lovely restaurants some blocks from the Colleseum. I am sorry I tossed all my information after I moved some years ago (before I knew about Fodors).

I agree with amp, walking and seeing restaurants where the locals eat is a good sign. Often seeing the various dishes diners are enjoying, smelling the aromas etc. really helps in finding restaurants you should enjoy.

tledford,

Planning a trip to Rome and Florence in the Fall. After reading your trip reports, I am even more excited about my trip!! Thank you for sharing.

Missy, other people have posted about good places near the Vatican. I'm just saying that I really got scammed twice, because I didn't do my homework, and was stuck starving, so I gave in to the nearest place! I know there are some places around there, and since you are doing your homework, we'll find you somewhere decent to eat. I had a nice meal a few blocks down towards the river, but have no idea what it was called. So, maybe post another thread about the Vatican area, and see what happens..

Missypie, You'll have a very hard time finding a decent place to eat if you want to have lunch before joining a tour at 12:45. Most Roman restaurants open - very reluctantly - at 12:30, and the Romans start strolling in at 1:00.

You'd probably be best off grabbing a bite in the cafeteria or whatever on the roof of St. Peter's.

AMP322, I couldn't agree more. We had an interesting experience at a small Trattoria a block or two from St Peter's. The name of the place seems to be ROMANELLA (at least that's what the sign said) and it is on the Borgo Pio.

We had just gotten into Rome and wanted to grab a quick bite so we choose this one over the other 6 or 7 on the same block. The food was mediocre. This was unfortunate, but what was more unfortunate was the slimeball move they pulled on us. They not only told us that the tip was not included in the price, but they also added 10 Euro to the bill saying that it was tax. There is no tax.

Now I'm not an idiot. I realize that with 7 other places on that block and a hundred within walking distance, the odds of us returning to the restaurant was nil, so they make it a point to rob the tourist. So, buyer beware. If you are looking for a nice little place to eat, a stones throw from St Peter's, this is one to avoid.

In the vatican area there are two good restaurants: Tre Pupzzi and Dino & Tony's Hosteria so don't avoid that area totally.

More restaurants to avoid:

Any that posts a plasticized menu outside in English.

Any that is in a neighborhood but is empty at 9:30 at night.

Any that has a man standing out front clutching at you and telling you to come in and try it.

Any that has a big sign outside that says "real spaghetti and meatballs".

missypie,

I realize you are asking about restaurants to avoid, but this might be helpful information. I have not eaten at this places, but they are on my list for June. If any other Fodorites want to critique this list, please do so. I have no problem cutting any restaurant from this list if it is a tourist trap.

Also, I have a list for the Colosseum area if you want me to post them.

Vatican:
Dino & Tony’s, Via Leone IV, 60. (this street is right off Viale Vaticano). Great for lunch.

Vatican:
Castel Sant’Angelo (museum) near the Vatican. You pay an admission to the museum, and you can have lunch on their roof-top restaurant. It is supposed to have a fabulous view of Rome.

Vatican:
Trattoria Dino, Via Tacito, 80. off Via Crescenzio. Tiny place opens only for lunch. Jammed with Romans on their lunch break. Good menu, and inexpensive.

Vatican:
Alfredo e Ada, Via dei Banchi Nuovi, 14. Tel. 06-6878842. Closed weekends. A hole-in-the-wall across the river from Castel Sant’Angelo. NO MENU. Everyone adores Ada, and she serves whatever they are cooking for the day. This kind of place is fast disappearing from Rome. Paper on wooden tables. No coffee, even if you beg. Fixed 15€ per person. No credit cards.

Vatican:
Sicilianbocca, Via E. Faà di Bruno, 26. Tel. 06-37358400. No-nonsense Sicilian restaurant. Pasta with eggplant tomato sauce and aged ricotta cheese. Outside seating in garden. Very reasonably priced. Closed Sundays. Credit Cards.

Oh yeah - the restaurants with guys posted outside dressed up in Vatican guard costumes who act really friendly & ask you if you'd like some gelato... now watch out!! They somehow know you are starving, hot, and tired, and try to suck you into their rip off establishment. There were even locals eating at the one that I went to, but they were obviously relatives or friends who were being fed for free!

That's funny -- I was just looking over my guidebooks for Rome and noticed a few recs near the Vatican which I'm not planning to use. Time Out Rome, in particular, has a few recs that look reasonable.

I also looked at Mimi Sheraton's recent rticle, which I didn't find particularly useful. But one or two of her recs are near the Vatican.

http://travel2.nytimes.com/2006/03/2...el/26rome.html

Interesting about the cafe atop Castel Sant’Angelo. Does anyone know if it's any good?

I also recommend Dino and Tony's and Trattoria Dino near the Vatican. I've been to both and they are excellent. Also near the Vatican is Dante Taberna Gracchi which is great. I've enjoyed many meals at Alfredo e Ada, unfortunately, it has recently closed.

When I lived next to Castel Sant'Angelo (in the 1970's) we would take the Sunday paper and have our capuccino and cornetto breakfast on the terrace of the Castello. The Vatican staffers (mostly prelates), researchers at the Archives have been eating at Roberto (aka Il Passetto del Borgo) for years...food is good compared to others in the Borgo Pio & Vatican area. Check out Castroni and Franchi on Cola di Rienzo for quick lunch, sandwiches and takeaway. Excellent! More insider info on Rome on www.elegantetruria.com

We went to a place that I think was close to the Vatican. At least we ended up there after our visit. Alfredo de San Pietro. I'm sorry I can't remember where it was but the food was delicious and reasonable.

Grinisa--thank you so much for recommending the restaurant Perilli on Via Marmotta in Rome. We did not expect to find it so easily. Our lunch there was wonderful!

Hi Nini--so glad you enjoyed it!

Grinisa,

Thank you for the information about the closing of Alfredo e Ada restaurant. I believe a Fodorite recently posted a trip report and this restaurant was mentioned as having good food, and I was looking forward to eating there.

Good things don't last forever.