Fodorites: What is your favorite restaurant in Rome and why?

Good evening, Roma <BR>My vote for a favorite ristorante in <BR>Rome is the RISTORANTE NINI, via <BR>Borgognona, 11, near the Spanish <BR>Steps. We love their variety <BR>of food, and its preparation, but <BR>most of all their roman artichokes. <BR>Richard of Hickory Hills, Il...

It's been 20 years since my parents took me to Roma, but I remember a place called Peppone's. It was classic - we sat at long, family style tables with red and white checkered table clothes, there was a violin player, wine flowed freely, and the courses just kept coming. I specifically remember the dessert cart, and I'll never forget the Napoleon that I had there - I've never had any that good since that time! I have no idea where it was or if it's even still around - but the memory of the place has stuck with me from the time I was 11.

My favorite was a small, upscale place north of Piazza Navona called Il Convivio. Food was excellent, and service very friendly. We had the most amazing bottle of barolo I've ever tasted. And it was our first night in Italy, as well as our 10th anniversary. Its a meal I won't forget

Roma, <BR> <BR>My favorite restaurants for food are probably La Rosetta and Piperno. La Rosetta has fabulous seafood and Piperno is in the Ghetto and also had great food. Also had great artichokes at lunch at Da Giggetto also in the Ghetto. <BR> <BR>For a scenic lunch, I love La Terrazza at the top of the Eden. It's expensive but on a beautiful day, overlooking Rome from the outdoor restaurant is very special. <BR> <BR>I liked Il Convivio but it felt a little too much like a good New York Italian restaurant (I live there) - but the food was different and good.

Hello -- have enjoyed reading about the restaurants; I will be in Rome in March. The catch is I'll be traveling on my own; will it look strange for me to eat alone in Rome? In NYC I do it all the time but not sure of custom there. <BR>thanks for any reply!!

If I were in Rome this spring, if it were a beautiful night, if there was an event to comemorate and if I had $250+ to spend in a dinner for two, I would reserve a table in the La Pergola, on tops of Hotel Hilton. Why? a) because I've never been there and, b) the Gamberorosso guide says it's the best in Rome and among the 20 best in Italy (it has been a looong time since a Roman restaurant is able to make it to the top 20!) and the Gamebrorosso has never let me down So, my favorite restaurant in Rome is one I haven't been to <BR> <BR>I must have dined in more than 2 dozens of Roman restaurants. Among them, I had memorable occasion in a few where today a dinner for two would cost $150+ (Agata e Romeo, Il Convivio, Papa Giovanni, Checchino dal 1887). Would I return? Sure, I would be glad to if I'm invited ... I won't under my own steam! Why? If I'm spending this kind of money I want to experiment something new! <BR> <BR>I've also been to the Sabatini and Galeassi ... will I return? For sure! Are they my favorite restaurants in Rome? The service's right, the food's right ... but by no means they're my favorites (I would never go to either to sit inside). I'm attracted to Felini's Dolce Vita ambience of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Just to watch the youth at the steps of the fountain, palying music and singing, people go by and to have the marvelous facade of the church as a background, sitting on a privileged spot is wonderful. But I don't feel the urge to sit there when I'm still in the hotel. That's something that develops (not every time) when I get there and all tables outside are reserved. Fortunatelly there are some tourists that dine very early and by 9:30pm they're done. Even though they don't usually set a table twice in the same evening, it doesn't cost to talk them into doing an exception. <BR> <BR>But ... instead of waiting for a table to clear, why not stroll around? On our strolling we always find a place that looks "simpat" ... talk to the owner what's the best he has to offer and ... very rarely we're able to get back to the table we were waiting for in the Piazza ... so, my favorite restaurant in Rome has no name, it's surely in Trastevere, looks nice and ... <BR> <BR>Well, what about the restaurants we went to more than ONCE? Strangely enough, I found only two ... we went three times each to Richard's Nino in Via Borgognona and to Ed's (are you there?) Abruzzi. Why? because they're fun, nice service, very good food, close to where most people are lodged and ... as we say in Portuguese, one doesn't leave one's pants down! I guess, then, those two are my favorite in Rome. We would surely use them quite often if we lived in the city. <BR>Gosh .. better hit the post key! <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR> <BR>

Wanted to send this to the top because I am also heading to Rome and was looking for suggestions. By the way, thanks for all the advice on Scale Reale walking tours--we're all signed up and have had a couple of delightful e-mail exchanges with them. <BR> <BR>Would love to hear more restaurants in Rome that people love! <BR> <BR>Mary

Thanks all for your responses! Also wondering about rooftop restaurants with lovely or decent views that won't break my wallet. $100-$120 for 2 people is probably my limit (although my husband doesn't convert to lira well, so there may be room for a bit more!)

Some suggestions for Michelle. Several good Valentine ideas here.

Curious if anyone would recommend "Alfredo's" (home of Fettucini Alfredo) and if not why not. I have been reading a number of posts about eating in Rome over the last year and dont recall anyone tlaking about this restaurant. My guess is that it is probably a bit touristy because of its name etc. but I still wonder if the quality of food is good (especially the Fettucini Alfredo)?

Every year I go to Rome, and my favorite restaurant is Osteria dell'Ingegno. The address is Piazza Di Pietra 45. This is in the old Quarter and is a close walk to The Trevi Fountain. The restaurant is only 2+ years old, but it is a cool looking place that has colorful, funky artwork all over. When you enter, there is a wine bar with bottles to the ceiling. The chef worked in a few well-known NYC restaurants before returning home to open this place. The food is more neauveau Italian cuisine. Very creative and the presentation is wonderful. It is far from being a touristy spagetti & meatball joint.

I'm going to Rome in May and will take your collective advice. Still, if anyone has anything else to add (maybe a contemporary place that isn't touristy) <BR>Thanks!!

My absolute favorite in Rome: Costanza, in the Campo Di Fiori. The best "Zucca di Fiori" It's a cave-like location, and the only tourists there were myself and my two friends. The meal was just so delightful. We went back three nights in a row. Not very expensive. I want to go back!!!!

We loved the Ristorante Del Grappolo, wonderful food and service and too expensive. Go to Plaza del Republicca metro stop and go up Via Cernaia four blocks to Plaestro, it is on the corner. <BR>Enjoy!

Not too expensive, sorry. pp

My favorite is a place I found by accident in the antique district near Piazza Navona. Its called Antica Taverna. The service is personal, the food is Roman. Its one of those place I wish I would have gone back to a second time, regrets, regrets. <BR> <BR>There are a few of my other favorites on my personal websight! Check it out! <BR> <BR>http://home.earthlink.net/~richardab/index.html <BR> <BR>Its not completely finished yet but I have a bunch of info on restaurants in Rome. <BR> <BR>Follow the path; <BR> <BR>enter&gt;fly&gt;europe&gt;rome <BR> <BR>Thanks!

We were in Rome and ate at the following: <BR>Nino's by the SS for lunch: friendly staff and the food was very good. <BR>Pancrazio by the Campo di Fiori: on top of old ruins; we ate outside; it was very,very good and the staff most helpful. <BR>L'Orso 80: a few blocks from Piazza Navona: Best that we had. Food was great, the staff friendly and the place was filled with Italians. <BR>Osteria Marcello: by the Via Veneto. Most money spent on dinner but worth every dime. <BR>degli Artistes: just off the Pz. Navona. Simple, good food. Locals eat there as we were the only English speaking couple in the place. <BR>Just a short list. More later

to the top, for Pawrona