Rome
Rome's Best Date Night Restaurants
These are the top places for an unforgettable date night.
Considered by many as the cradle of Western civilization, Rome combines thousands of years of rich history with interesting culture and great food, making it the perfect place for a date night. In this article, we highlight some of the best places in Rome to go for a romantic night out, with restaurants like SantoPalato, Retrobottega and Roscioli Salumeria Con Cucina high on the list. Each place comes recommended by World of Mouth experts like Edoardo Celadon, Margherita Bentivogli, and Ink Tanaka, making sure that you only dine at the best places. Ready to discover Rome's best date night restaurants?
SantoPalato is a laid-back trattoria in Rome that honors the city’s culinary roots with a fresh, modern approach. The cozy, no-frills setting and zero-waste philosophy speak to a real commitment to quality and respect for tradition. Its thoughtful wine list and shifting specials keep things interesting for those craving an authentic yet updated taste of Roman dining.
Recommended by
Tear-inducing carbonaraMuch is made of chef Sarah Cicolini's treatment of offal in particular at Santo Palato, but me, I return for the carbonara which is sensational and brings me close to tears such is its rich perfection. A brilliant neo-trattoria reinterpreting Roman food - an essential stop in Rome.
Retrobottega is a small, modern restaurant in the heart of Rome known for its creative approach to Roman cooking. They focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and give special attention to vegetables. Communal tables in a relaxed setting make the overall experience feel welcoming.
Recommended by
Modern and creative italian cuisine, excellent ingredients, valorization of the vegetables Super lovely place in the heart od Rome, tiny modern space with a cool atmosphere and soft lights, final compositions of the plates in front of the shared tables, excellent raw materials, delicious flavors, vegetables are valorized in a creative way
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina is a well-loved Roman spot known for its lively atmosphere and impressive range of carefully chosen meats, cheeses, and gourmet goods. Guests appreciate the chance to pick up products from the deli or explore the notable wine selection. It’s a welcoming place for anyone looking to experience a genuine taste of Rome in a relaxed setting.
Recommended by
An institution. Excellent purveyors of cured meats, cheeses and fine deli products. Also serves up killer pasta. Not to be confused with the bakery or caffe (both just a few doors down and also excellent!), Roscioli Salumeria is an icon in its own right. You’d be well to stick to the cured meats and cheeses here - some of the finest in the city - and the pastas are generally a delight. Don’t bother with secondi. Seating is also key to a great experience. Book the tables upstairs in the deli (some people hate the hecticness but I found it rather charming and fun) or on the bar. If you’re stuck downstairs it’s a bit of a dud vibe. The burrata is possibly the best I’ve ever had and the mortadella with Parmesan is an absolute must. Book well in advance.
Zia Restaurant in Rome offers Chef Antonio Ziantoni’s fresh approach to Italian cuisine in a cozy, contemporary setting. The atmosphere feels comfortable yet refined, reflecting the chef’s attention to detail and the team’s youthful energy. Guests can expect an inviting space that balances tradition with a hint of modern flair.
Recommended by
My recommendation to anyone looking for a fine dining restaurant in Rome.Contemporary fine dining, perhaps one of the cleanest in Italy. I like their plating and the way chef Antonio sees fine dining, it's classy. The dishes are full of taste.
Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 is a cozy spot in Rome’s Trastevere neighborhood, known for its Roman classics and fresh, seasonal ingredients. You can’t make a reservation, so lines can get long, but many say the wait is worth it. Its small menu and friendly atmosphere keep both locals and visitors coming back.
Recommended by
A Roman institution in the heart of TravestreTraditional Roman dishes including the egg yolk carbonara & artichoke in salsa - very casual dining with no reservations. Da Enzo does not mess about, small menu & incredible dishes. Moving away from the tourist traps - authentic home cooking in a busy alleyway.
Marzapane in Rome offers a refined yet approachable take on Roman cooking, emphasizing open-fire techniques and high-quality local ingredients. The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, combining traditional warmth with modern touches. It’s a thoughtful balance of simplicity and innovation that invites you to explore new flavors in a comfortable setting.
Recommended by
Fire and research Marzapane is the perfect place to satisfy your deeper culinary cravings! The dishes are created to enhance small farmers, authentic raw materials and the most important thing in a kitchen: Fire.You will have a true food experience, every course is a perfect mix and celebration of simplicity, technique and research.Front of house team is friendly and skilled, they will take care of you during your journey and don’t forget to ask about their wine list to try a nice pairing and enrich every dish, playing with saltiness, spiciness and acidity with the right bottle of wine!
L’ANTIDOTO is a cozy wine bar in the heart of Trastevere that pairs small, simple plates with mostly natural wines. It occasionally hosts pop-up dinners, inviting chefs from around the world to share their cooking. The relaxed, welcoming vibe makes it a comfortable spot to enjoy food and wine in Rome.
Recommended by
This tiny and cozy place is located in the heart of Trastevere, natural wines and good food are the focus of this wine bar.There are many wine bars in Rome, but L'Antidoto plays another league.Flaviano the owner, was the first to start a series of pop up dinners, inviting chefs from all over the world. In my opinion, a real and unique experience, tasting natural wines and amazing food. A touch of European approach in one of the most beautiful districts of Rome.
Retrovino is an all-day spot in Rome that offers a relaxed place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. They highlight a vegetable-focused menu with a few daily specials, feature a memorable coffee ritual, and carry a solid wine selection.
Recommended by
Breakfast + lunch + dinner + wine = remarkableAn alternative impressive breakfast, one of the most impressive coffee rituals, a casual but high quality lunch and dinner menu, vegetable focused with a few daily proposals, a remarkable wine selection.Nothing more to add I guess.
Barred in Rome offers an evolving take on Italian cuisine, using fresh ingredients sourced from the local market. They also feature natural wines and wild beer, reflecting a straightforward and inviting approach to good food and drink.
Recommended by
Evolving the Italian cuisine. Fresh ingredients from the market in Rome and in good company. Two tattooed brothers show that it is possible to evolve the Italian cuisine without making it stupid. Ingredients are fresh from the market in good company.
Colline Emiliane is a family-run spot in Rome that has been honoring Emilia Romagna traditions since 1931. They make their pasta by hand and follow recipes passed down through generations, creating a relaxed, welcoming setting. The focus on simple, time-tested techniques gives the restaurant a genuine feel that invites guests to experience a slice of local culinary heritage.
Recommended by
Lento Vineria con Cucina is a recently opened spot in Rome that stands out for its warm hospitality. Although slightly outside the city center, its welcoming atmosphere and excellent selection of food and wine make it worth the trip.
Recommended by
Trecca – Roma offers a modern take on traditional Roman nose-to-tail cooking in a lively, welcoming setting. Founded by two local brothers who value sustainability and natural wines, it celebrates offal-based dishes while embracing the city’s culinary roots. The friendly service and relaxed vibe make it a warm spot to experience genuine Roman flavors without fuss.
Recommended by
Modern Trattoria in RomeExcellent modern trattoria run by a super young team serving offal, pasta and other traditional Roman dishes. Great wine list too. Highly recommend the starter of rabbit offal and the Amatriciana pasta!
Armando al Pantheon has been serving traditional Roman cooking since 1961 and is loved by both locals and visitors. The restaurant’s cozy atmosphere and changing menu highlight seasonal ingredients without any fuss or gimmicks. It also happens to be just steps away from the Pantheon, adding to its timeless charm.
Recommended by
Timeless Authenticity and mass tourism don’t often go together but over several visits this summer I have fallen in love with this restaurant all over again. Cucina Romana at its very best not tricked or enhanced just executed with a deft assured touch. The pasta dishes scream Rome and the antipasti are other worldly. Saltimbocca of your dreams is a must as is a deep exploration of the wine list guided by the restaurants exceptional wine team. Quite a gushing review yet I feel could be more so we ate the menu over our visits and can genuinely endorse the entire document !! A must visit for me when in the eternal city. Forza Romana.
Trattoria Pennestri is a modern trattoria in Rome’s Ostiense neighborhood that balances tradition with innovation. They work closely with local producers to serve food and wine in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant’s team places guests at the center, offering a relaxed yet genuine dining experience.
Recommended by
Cool modern trattoria serving Roman food with a modern approach. A cool modern trattoria serving very good Roman food. Their sweetbread is probably one of the best I've ever had. They have a young staff serving mostly organic wines.
Bistrot64 in Rome takes a fresh look at Italian cooking, blending classic local flavors with a modern, pared-down style. Its cozy, minimalist interior creates a relaxed atmosphere that feels both international and familiar. A team of enthusiastic professionals focuses on seasonal produce and genuine flavors to offer a simple yet thoughtful dining experience.
Recommended by
An Italian DelightBistrot64 is a minimalist, modern Michelin star restaurant based in the beautiful city of Rome. The restaurant offers a variety of menu options designed to suit a range of hunger levels as well as budgets. The menu showcases modern Italian cuisine boasting the likes of superb pasta, scrambled egg with parmesan and black truffle, Iberian pork and desserts exhibiting white chocolate, passion fruit, coconut and almond. Bistro64 is certainly worth the visit.
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