Hi -- I'd like some recommendations for really special small restaurants -- not necessarily killer formal or expensive -- in Rome, and advice for getting off tourist track; we will be there for Easter this year. For example, if you lived in London, I'd recommend Primrose Hill, Hampstead, and a couple of tucked away spots in Chelsea, Pimlico, Belgravia. Would appreciate advice! Thanks. Missamericalondon

Try Gusto in the Oseteria (sp) district, or Sicilianbocca in The Prati. Both are fantastic, and were recommended to us by locals.

Enjoy!

I found a beautiful restaurant in Trastevere, Antica Pesa,Via Garibaldi 18. It was a few doors down from the apartment I rented. Not a tourist in sight,except for me and truly a lovely,delicious spot! They have a website,if you do a google search,you'll find it.

I'm just in the process of doing a trip report of 6 restaurants in Rome we found most interesting during our recent two month stay - hopefully will post it by the weekend.....but here's the headlines for one:

Hostaria Glass
Vicolo del Cinque 58
Trastevere

My husband writes:

"The most interesting food we had in Rome. Innovative, adventuresome, refined - while still retaining regional character and the restaurant's individuality."

I'm in pthe process of building a website with (very lengthy) descriptions of meals and pictures - will post soon.

Poshspice, when you said "Gusto in the Oseteria (sp) district" did you mean Osteria Gusto? As far as I know there's no district in Rome with a name like Oseteria, so that makes sense. Osteria Gusto, related to Ristorante Gusto, is on off of via del Corso not too far south of Pza. del Popolo. I haven't been, but I've read about it in many places -- supposed to be pretty trendy with an international clientele.

Great tips on special Rome meals; thanks.

I don't know about the "tourist track" thing but we ate at L'Orso 80 near Piazza Navonna and it was amazing. The place was almost full but I couldn't tell you if it was full of tourists or locals - -who cares??! The antipasta was to die for and you didn't need to order another thing.

Thanks!! Great tips. Hungry already.

Wish I could remember the name of this restaurant but Rick Steve's recommends it in his book on Italy. It is off the beaten path and almost exclusively locals. It is a 6 course meal (you don't get a choice) and very yummy and very cheap. The owner is the older woman who looks just like you would think your Italian Grandmother would look and she showers everyone with love. Great place. We loved it. Check out Rick Steve's book.

I can't believe that a place recommended by Rick Steves would not have lots of tourists!

I liked Gusto; it's a modern, hip kind of restaurant. Good food, but opposite us sat some people with two enormous dogs. I guess they must have been locals!
Another place I like is Dal Bolognese on the Piazza del Popolo. Completely different; old-fashioned Italian, very good food. Though it's been recommended often in Fodor's and other places, there were mostly Italian people there on our last visit.

This is probably not as romantic as you would like it to be, but we've hardly ever encountered tourists (we take care to do plenty of research and avoid eating in the same restaurants with other tourists) - Al Pompiere in the Jewish Quarters is a traditional Roman restaurant serving very good traditional Roman dishes.

I go to 'Gusto every trip to Rome. Its a "happening place", very modern and active. Romantic? Not IMO.

We found La Campana by accident one day and its amazing!!! Home style cooking and not a tourist in sight! The address: Vicolo della Campana 18 Rome 39-06 -686-7820

There are lots of ITALIAN TOURISTS in Rome, so how can you judge whether a restaurant is good or not based on whether “tourists” go there? If there are French tourists, but not American or UK tourists, does that make it a better restaurant?

Aren’t there good restaurants in your home town that tourists would also know about and go to? I live in Zurich, and have lived in Singapore, Hong Kong and New York, and there are definitely many restaurants that are excellent and are frequented by tourists and locals alike, so I don’t get the purpose of the “no tourists” question.

I agree that there may be neighborhood restaurants that only people living in the area would know about. However, this question is often asked by people who speak little or none of the local language and therefore could not go to a purely “local” restaurant anyway. (FYI, if there is a menu available in English, you can be assured that tourists have been or will go there.)

I'm also convinced that if there are no tourists there, the restaurant is either:
A) brand new
B) no good

With all the tourists in Rome, all the forums, guidebooks, and general word of mouth, it is IMPOSSIBLE to think that a really good place wouldn't have yet been "discovered" and "discussed" among tourists. It is well-heeled tourists who seek out the best places to eat. Don't be fooled into thinking that tourists have no taste and only eat at cheap places in the midst of tourist activities. That just "ain't" so.

"...neighborhood restaurants that only people living in the area would know about."

I believe that's what the OP is asking about when he/she mentioned about looking for "advice for getting off the tourist track."

"Don't be fooled into thinking that tourists have no taste and only eat at cheap places in the midst of tourist activities."

I've seen way too many advices in this board contradicting your statement.

If OP is looking for local advice, then OP needs to find a board frequented by Romans or Italian speaking expats living in Rome, not this board which is frequented by tourists primarily from the US.

I agree.

This board is generally very good in touristic places (sightseeing, hotels, travel logistics, etc.). But, it is not realiable as far as finding restaurants with good food in travel areas are concerned. One must definitely search specialized message boards for food and drinks.

Perhaps shouldn't be so hard on OP (who may be a newbie, judging from the mistake of posting her email) --

What she may think she wants is report of some lovely place one of us just tripped over. Or she may believe there are some Fodorite expats living in Rome willing to share the info.

I wouldn't be too optimistic, as others have pointed out; but I also wouldn't think it's that outrageous a question, either.