The Best Pasta Restaurants in Rome

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

Proloco is an authentic restaurant in the heart of Trastevere in Rome. They serve traditional Roman food, but at they same time they are really ”up to date”. Every ingredient they use comes from small producers of the Lazio region. One of these rare ingredients is Conciato di San Vittore, a cheese that is prepared in a prison by incarcerated women. All these local ingredients are available thanks to Vincenzo Mancino, the owner of Proloco Trastevere.

A true Roman institutionPierluigi a true Roman institution was founded in 1938. It has always been and still is, one of the best know fish restaurants in the city. It can be a bit touristy especially during the summer (with high-profile clients ranging from Obamas to Zuckerbergs) and is both expensive & overpriced. But at the same time, it has its own charm that is hard to deny. It has one of the nicest terraces in Rome and even if the food is nothing spectacular, it is fresh, simple & well made. Especially during the winter, the inside rooms have a stylish 50s feel.

Home is where your stomach feels goodJust five minutes walk by the ancient Roman Walls you will find in the heart of this characteristic neighborhood a little treasure called Epiro. Chef Michele De Chirico loves to choose high quality raw materials from local markets to create and refresh traditional dishes for a 360° food experience, Matteo Baldi and Dante Cogliandro will guide you on this journey, telling you everything about the food, Matteo, and Italian, French and Slovenian biodynamic wines, Dante. Their Fettina Panata, veal breaded cutlets, and Maritozzo are both a must eat here, you can’t leave Epiro if you didn’t try these two dishes!

Wonderful pasta & wine in an old school environmentWhat a wonderful place this is – truly an essential Rome experience with the best pasta of my life. Old world feeling that anything modern cannot touch. Great service with knowledge and personality and a wonderful list of wines from across Italy that brilliantly compliments the food. The highlight of my recent trip to Europe.

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.

A wonderful and charming Italian traditional restaurant with authentic and delicious food. The wine list an ”Italian Bible” with all relevant and smaller regions. Steps down, there is a stunning wine cellar (with a beautiful private dining room that can be separately reserved). The owner is happy to show it to guests. The owner continues 3rd generation traditions since 1957. Book well in advance.