Rome's Best Local and Traditional Restaurants

SantoPalato offers iconic Roman cuisine with a contemporary touch, where traditional dishes are reinterpreted with modern flair. Known for its consistent, tear-inducing carbonara, this restaurant is also recognized for its innovative treatment of offal, transforming these lesser-known cuts into standout dishes. The menu at SantoPalato is a testament to chef Sarah Cicolini's dedication to quality ingredients and radical product quality, ensuring a memorable dining experience for every visitor.

Recommended by

Tom Jenkins

Food Writer – London, UK

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.

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Retrobottega serves fun and unexpected contemporary Roman cooking that pushes the boundaries of traditional cuisine. The restaurant is renowned for its creative use of excellent ingredients, particularly vegetables, and the modern twists it brings to classic dishes. With a focus on fresh pasta and a selection of carefully chosen wines, Retrobottega offers an innovative dining experience where every dish is a surprise.

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Margherita Bentivogli

Foodie – Milan, Italy

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

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Zia Restaurant is a cozy spot specializing in innovative Italian cuisine crafted by Chef Antonio Ziantoni. The establishment is known for its elegant and creative dishes that are deeply rooted in Italian tradition, with a particular emphasis on South Italian ingredients. The restaurant offers a tasting menu, allowing diners to experience a variety of dishes, and it is also praised for its interesting wine selection and professional service.

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Guglielmo Chiarapini

Chef – Viterbo, Italia

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.

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Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina is a classic osteria known for its pasta, charcuterie, and cheese. It's often described as a Roman institution that offers an impressive selection of cured meats, cheeses, and high-quality produce. The restaurant also features a deli and a wine bar, providing a diverse dining experience with a focus on authentic Roman and Italian cuisine.

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Ink Tanaka

Gluttonous Londoner – London, UK

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.

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Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 is a typical Roman restaurant known for its traditional dishes, including the popular egg yolk carbonara and artichoke in salsa. The menu is simple, focusing on the classics and incorporating seasonal ingredients. Despite not taking reservations, the quality of the food and the homely atmosphere make it worth the wait.

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Tara Montegriffo

@foodiefromgib Expert – Gibraltar, Gibraltar

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.

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Trecca - Roma is a modernized trattoria renowned for its "quinto quarto" dishes, a Roman culinary tradition that uses all parts of butchered animals, emphasizing a sustainable, zero waste approach. The restaurant is run by the Trecastelli brothers, who are deeply rooted in Roman traditions, offering authentic Roman offal cuisine alongside superb traditional pasta dishes like cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and carbonara. With a polite and proud service, a buzzy atmosphere, and an interesting list of natural wines, Trecca - Roma offers a slightly modernized take on traditional dishes in an informal setting.

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Merlin Labron-Johnson

Chef – Bruton, England

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!

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Armando al Pantheon is a family-run restaurant steeped in tradition, serving pasta and antipasti since 1961. The menu changes with the seasons, offering classic Roman cuisine that appeals to both locals and tourists. Their signature dish, a spectacular version of rigatoni all’amatriciana, is highly recommended, along with a deep exploration of their exceptional wine list.

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James Hird

Sommelier – Sydney, Australia

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.

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Marzapane offers a blend of sophisticated, innovative Roman cooking that focuses on enhancing authentic raw materials. The dishes are designed to draw out the essence of an ingredient’s flavor using fire and other traditional cooking techniques. The restaurant provides a relaxed atmosphere where each dish is a play on textures and flavors, combining local traditions with a contemporary approach.

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Mattia Galli

Sommelier – Rome, Italy

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!

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180grammi Pizzeria Romana is a place where you can experience the craftsmanship of pizza master Jacopo Mercuro, well-known for preparing round, thin, and crunchy Roman pizza. Based on customer recommendations, this pizzeria is noted for its top-notch Roman pizza, a thin and crusty delight which has earned it a place on the 50 Top Pizza 2022 list. The pizzeria's website indicates a commitment to the ancient tradition of Roman pizza, with a manual dough stretching process and long fermentation times, resulting in a pizza that is light in every sense.

Recommended by

Guglielmo Chiarapini

Chef – Viterbo, Italia

The best Roman pizza in Rome, and probably in the world.A pizzeria famous for Roman pizza, a thin and crusty pizza. This one is the best in Rome and also the best in Italy, and propably the best Roman pizza in the world. Also based on the 50 Top Pizza 2022 list being the first Roman pizzeria on the list, while all the other ones are Napoletan pizzas. So no jokes about it.

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Enoteca L'antidoto is a cozy wine bar, primarily focusing on natural wines and delectable small dishes. It stands out among other wine bars, thanks to its innovative approach of hosting pop-up dinners featuring chefs from around the globe. Known for its contemporary style, this spot is highly recommended for its impressive selection of natural wines paired with tasty bites.

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Tommaso Tonioni

Chef – Rome, Italy

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.

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Antico Forno Roscioli is known for its Roman style pizza and a wide variety of freshly baked pastries and breads. The thin pizza rossa is one of their many specialties, perfect for a quick lunch, breakfast or merenda. With a history dating back to 1972, this traditional Roman bakery continues to satisfy its customers with simple and authentic baking rituals, demonstrating its passion for the art of baking.

Recommended by

Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of Italy – Firenze, Italy

Quick lunch or breakfast or even merenda!The bakery of Roscioli.Amazing selection of breads and pizze (thin pizza rossa is their iconic one).Quick lunch or breakfast or even merenda!

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Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria is a top-rated pastry shop that also features a hidden communal table in the back room. Known for their awesome pastries, sandwiches, and other delicacies, it's a great place to relax or start your day. If you're looking for more than pastries, they also serve a selection of Roscioli salumi, pastas, salads, and a variety of Italian quality wines, all of which can be enjoyed at the communal table.

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Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of Italy – Firenze, Italy

Awesome pastries A great place to relax your tired muscles in a hot Roman day or to have a great start of the day.Sandwiches, pastries and more delicacies to be paried with coffee or drinks.

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Bonci Pizzarium is a pizza shop known for its pizza al taglio, a creation by renowned pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci. The shop is popular for its crispy based pizza topped with fresh, high-quality ingredients, some of which you might not have encountered on a pizza before. From the story of Gabriele Bonci's career, starting as a chef and eventually opening Pizzarium, it's clear that this is a place where passion for food and innovation in pizza-making come together.

Recommended by

Tom Jenkins

Food Writer – London, UK

A religious experienceLocated a short walk from the Vatican, Gabriele Bonci's Roman-style slice shop is where I found God in Rome. Incredible crispy based pizza al taglio topped with the freshest, highest quality products, some of which you may not have tried on pizza before (chicken comb?). Simply the best.

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RetroVino is an all-day dining spot offering a notable breakfast experience, a casual yet high-quality lunch and dinner menu. The restaurant places a strong emphasis on vegetable-based dishes complemented by a few daily specials. With an impressive wine selection to pair with your meal, RetroVino provides a remarkable gastronomic experience.

Recommended by

Edoardo Celadon

Founder, Most of Italy – Firenze, Italy

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.

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BARRED is an Italian restaurant that puts a modern spin on traditional dishes, focusing on fresh, seasonal ingredients. The establishment is run by two passionate brothers who emphasize real food, natural wines, and wild beer. With a constantly changing menu that stays true to its roots while exploring contemporary, clean, and international forms, BARRED is a spot where Italian cuisine evolves without losing its essence.

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Sara Berg

Food journalist – Malmö, Sweden

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.

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Piatto Romano is a traditional Roman trattoria nestled in the heart of Testaccio, known for its authentic and fresh dishes. Drawing inspiration from the seasonal offerings of the nearby Testaccio Market, the menu is often updated to feature unique, fresh vegetables that are hard to find elsewhere. Besides the traditional Roman dishes, Piatto Romano also caters to vegetarians with a diverse selection of vegetable dishes that go beyond the typical artichoke and cicoria.

Recommended by

Guglielmo Chiarapini

Chef – Viterbo, Italia

Trattoria with seasonal vegetable produce from the Testaccio Market.Piatto Romano translates to "a Roman dish". Piatto Romano is a fresh and authentic trattoria in the city center, in Testaccio, that's one of the most beautiful neighborhoods in Rome and one of the most authentic. It's really close to one of the most important markets in Rome, the Testaccio Market. They have all these unique and very fresh vegetables that you can't find anywhere else in Rome and they also cook traditional food using them. The menu changes very often based on the season. A perfect place to go when in Rome.

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Circoletto - Circo Massimo is a quaint bar known for its natural wines, beers, and delectable small dishes. It offers a relaxed atmosphere with an international vibe, ideal for enjoying aperitivo with a view of Circo Massimo. With no reservation policy and late-night service, it's a great spot to savor natural wines and taste their sometimes available smash burger, highly recommended by patrons.

Recommended by

Giuseppe Lo Iudice

Restaurateur – Rome, Italy

Nice vibe, natural wines, small plates, perfect for aperitivoLittle spot just in front of Circo Massimo, with a beautiful international vibe. Wide selection of natural wines, with a nice outdoor space. Beautifully executed small plates, just perfect for aperitivo. If you are lucky enough, they sometimes have their smash burger on the menu, the best I have ever tried in Rome. Makes you feel like you are in NYC, while you are looking at the Circo Massimo.

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Pierluigi is a well-established restaurant known for its fresh seafood and elegant outdoor seating area in Piazza Ricci. Serving customers since 1938, it offers a rich menu featuring seasonal seafood, fish, meat, vegetables, and herbs, served in an intimate and elegant indoor setting. Along with a wide-ranging wine cellar, Pierluigi also boasts an American-style cocktail bar, providing a complete dining experience.

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Saku Tuominen

CEO & Restaurateur – Helsinki, Finland

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.

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Trattoria al Moro is an age-old establishment offering a range of delicious pasta dishes and a wide selection of wines in a classic, old-school setting. The restaurant is renowned for its exceptional service, where knowledgeable staff serve a variety of Italian wines that perfectly complement their meals. With a history spanning over a century, Trattoria al Moro continues to serve traditional Roman cuisine with a modern twist, using only the freshest local ingredients.

Recommended by

Ben Shewry

Chef, Attica – Melbourne, Australia

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.

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