Rome Restaurants
 

I'm leaving for Rome in a week, and I'm looking to compile a list of people's favorite restaurants to try. Please let me know where you have enjoyed your meal. Thanks, Lisa

If you do a search, you'll find plenty, as I found the best recommendations for my trip to Rome by doing so.
My favorites in Rome, based on comments I found here, were L'Orso 80, famous for its antipasto, and Da Baffeto (best pizza).

I second L'Orso 80 (yes the antipasti) and I will add Myosotis (I think it is near Via D Coppelle not too far from the Pantheon)- the best aceto (balsamic vinegar) I have ever tasted and excellent food and service.
Also, Antico Moro in Trastevere- atmosphere, great food, and a taste of Trastevere.

almesq, do I just put in Rome restaurants in the search box, and I just see what comes up? Ok, I will definitely write down the ones you and Risab sent me. thanks.

Some current and useful threads:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34752849

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34743311

Have fun!!!

I believe I still have my research--consisting of helpful information I found here that I put into a word document. If you email me your email address, I'd be happy to send it to you.
You can email me at [email protected].

Andy

And yes, you can search for Rome restaurants, and you'll find plenty of threads.

Oldmyst:

Where in Rome will you be?

Only today I was compiling restaurant suggestions for my departure Feb. 28.

But no-one wants to go any distance in Rome to dine, when there are so many fine neighbourhood places.........

Tedgale, I am staying at the Albergo Del Senato by the Pantheon. I'm leaving the day before you. I don't mind going a distance to eat. I'll go anywhere for the experience of good food. I used to go to a good bookstore and sit with guidebooks and compile lists of recommended restaurants, and see if the same restaurant is listed in several books. Of course you also come across the issue of some highly starred restaurants being extremely and ridiculously expensive. I try to keep those to a minimum. In Venice a few weeks ago (haven't put my suitcase away!), I ate at Da Fiore, which was good, but worth the money? I don't know.

I am new to Fodors, and a little addicted, and I have found this site to be an incredible source of information for my planning. I plan to use the Fodorites suggestions. I also like to ask the concierge or the person at the front desk for good restaurants. But you run the risk of them suggesting restaurants that they are connected to, or they think will appeal to an American palate.

While studying in Rome during the summer of 2004, my friends and I found a wonderful restaurant near Largo Argentina which appears to be very near to your hotel. I don't remember the name of the place or the street, but it is directly behind the tram stop down a short alley (probably 300-400 feet). It is a very small restaurant with only room for maybe 30 people; therefore, reservations are recommended. There were only locals there which in my experience means better food and prices. Sorry I can't remember the name, but this is definately worth searching for if you like great food and a pleasant atmosphere. I plan to eat there when I go back this March.

Ah, I am jealous. Some my favorite memories of Rome are of fantastic meals. Some of my recommendations: Il Fico in a very small hidden piazza close to Piazza Navona. The address is 27 Piazza del Fico. Delicious inexpensive pasta and pizza (in the evening). Very crowded around 12:AM!

A mid-priced recommendation is Dal Bolognese at Piazza Del Popolo, 1. A very fashionista crowd, call for reservations, delicious bolognese sauce.

A high end recommendation is Agata E Romeo at Via Carlo Alberto, 45. I really loved my meal here. The food is a bit more inventive than your typical Roman meal. The recommendations for wine were amazing and the service was warm and wonderful.

Hi

My wife and I went to Rome last summer. Here is a link to my trip report where I have written a bit about Eating & Drinking in Rome: http://gardkarlsen.com/eat_drink_rome_italy.htm :-)

Regards
Gard
http://gardkarlsen.com - trip reports and pictures

<<While studying in Rome during the summer of 2004, my friends and I found a wonderful restaurant near Largo Argentina which appears to be very near to your hotel. I don't remember the name of the place or the street, but it is directly behind the tram stop down a short alley (probably 300-400 feet). It is a very small restaurant with only room for maybe 30 people; therefore, reservations are recommended. There were only locals there which in my experience means better food and prices.>>

Could this have been Santa Susanna? If so, I second your recommendation. Wonderful food and great prices. Well worth seeking out!

Here is an extract from my Rome trip report, March 2005:

"All the following are neighbourhood places just west of P.za Navona:

"Cantina del Vecchio, v. dei Coronari 30
www.cantinadelvecchio.it

"Absolutely first rate in its class. Dined there twice -- we REALLY wanted to go back, which is something we seldom indulge for fear of disappointments.

"No disappointment here. Service is really personable. Obviously a neighbourhood favourite. Smart-casual dress, clientele ditto. Lazio cuisine; "serious-about-the-food" but folks were having fun too.

"Around the corner: simpler but still very good Osteria del Pegno, vicolo di Montevecchio 8
Tel/fax: 06 68 80 70 25

"Finally: Ristorante Montevecchio, Piazza di Montevecchio 22a
Tel. 06 68 61 319
Well-known and well-loved by guidebooks (see Frommers). We expected full house and lots of tourists but quite the contrary. Very simple room on a tiny square.

"Excellent food: I cannot quite describe this but...You know how you can TELL when a chef or owner has absolute confidence in the menu and the food and generally just KNOWS what he is doing? That is Montevecchio. Plus, when there was a negligible delay in getting us our bill, we were offered our choice of liqueur on the house (we had said nothing -- it was just a grace note)

"Also noted in the neighbourhood but we did not get around to sampling them. So based on close scrutiny of the menu and the room I would say these "merit your attention/ investigation":

"Santa Lucia: largo Febo
www.santalucia-bartolo.com
Just west of P.za Navona; beautiful rooms

"Pierluigi: Piazza de'Ricci, 144
www.pierluigi.it
Recommended with urgency and conviction by a nice lady in our building; it is on Via Monserrato near P.za Farnese

Just have a look at what I've posted today in another thread: http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34757496

Buon appetito!

Pietro Valentini's near the Pantheon is a small gem. The owner is an entertainer. Food is excellent,

Alert him if anyone in your party is celebrating a birthday or anniversary. Make a reservation as seating is limited.

wow! thanks everyone. My printer keeps running out of paper!! I am sure looking forward to the dinners. Regards, Lisa

I have 2 for you:
Guilo's of the Via Gulia on the Via De Barchetta.

And the best I know of in Rome;
Ditirambo just off the Campo di Fiore.

http://www.ristoranteditirambo.com/about_us_eng.htm

Does Pietro Valentini's have any outdoor seating? This sounds like it might be a nice place to celebrate my mother's birthday dinner in Rome next month. Is it a casual place or is it more upscale?

Having posted all my faves in the P.zza Navona area, I will now ask:

What about the Spanish Steps area, where I will be staying in a week?

Any (further) recommendations I can use? We can walk to the Pantheon area but I'd like to eat close to our base sometimes.....

I'm still raving about the Ristorante der Pallaro, which you can walk to from the Pantheon area. It was our #1 favorite restaurant in Italy, voted on by the whole family.

It is family-owned, family-run. One price for a multi-course meal of home-made food including wine and dessert. In June 2004 the price was 20 euros each. I have seen other people giving this restaurant good reviews more recently.

We enjoyed sitting inside, where the Italian-speaking regular customers were seated. (That's just where we happened to be seated!) Also from the inside you can observe the Italian family at work with all the fresh ingredients. You can't see where they are cooking, but you can see part of the preparation process.

Other than on-line friends, I found the best resource for restaurants was Rick Steves Italy guidebook. Good food, good atmosphere, good prices using Rick STeves book for restaurants.

In every case, when we tried to select a restaurant randomly, it turned out to have worse food for higher prices! Bring your list with you.

All are in Spagna and Via Veneto area: La Capriccioso on the Corso near Via Condotti; Otella della Concordia on Via Della Vite near Piazza del Populo, both very reasonable; and Fiorentina (best Anitpasto della casa and Steak Florentine) near the Borghese, bit more $$ but worth every Euro.. Mangia bene!

THANKS: I'm printing and putting in my "travel pack" for next week's trip.

Some corrections: Otello Della Concordia is on Via della Croce not Via Della Vite; and correct name for Fiorentina is Girarrosto Fiorentina on Via Sicilia. La Capricciosa is located at Largo dei Lombardi, 8 - 00186 Rome - Italy. tel 066878636 near Via Condotti.
Hope this helps. I plan on going to Rome again March 9th so Thanks for refreshing my memory too !

Albergo del Senato is a great location, and there are two mid-priced restaurants in the immediate neighborhood that are delicious and so easy on the feet after walking all day.

One is Armando al Pantheon on Salita de Crescenzi. The hotel desk can point the way, or simply walk out the door and walk straight across the piazza to the news kiosk that is opposite the hotel on the other side of the Pantheon. There you will find Armando al Pantheon. It is best to make a reservation.

Another good bet is Osteria del Sostegno, tucked away in a courtyard at Via Delle Colonnelle 5 (and its open on Sunday nights). A reservation is also a good idea.

Also worth seeking out is Lo Zozzone, which is a 24 hour take-away shop just off the Piazza Navona at Teatro Pace 32. It serves up cheap and delicious pizza bianca, which is a kind of freshly made foccacia that you can eat plain or topped with sliced meats or tuna or olives. It is so good. Often if you have a huge lunch, a sandwich like this and drink, while you sit at the fountains of the piazza, is bliss.

Thanks for all the restaurant recommendations!