The 25 Best Restaurants and Places To Eat in Rome in 2024
Sean Finelli
Planning your trip to Rome and want to know the best places to eat that aren’t tourist traps? You’re in luck! This list features the best restaurants in Rome from cheap eats to Michelin-starred restaurants.
Pro Tip: Planning what to do on your trip to Rome? Bookmark this post in your browser so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our guide to Rome for more planning resources, our top Rome tours for a memorable trip, and how to see Rome in a day.
The Best Restaurants in Rome For Authentic Food
It’s said that “Rome wasn’t built in a day” and the same is true for the top Roman restaurants. All the best spots to enjoy a good carbonara dish have one thing in common: they have been around for decades.
Handed down from generation to generation, the recipes are kept close to their chests. But they infuse this history into every dish so that you can enjoy a real culinary experience made with simple ingredients and deep feelings with every bite of pasta.
La Pergola is considered to be an institution of Italian dining. This 3-star Michelin restaurant has continuously earned its crown year after year. Let’s put it this way, there are just 142 Michelin restaurants with 3 stars in the world. Nine of those are in Italy, and La Pergola is the only one in Rome.
If you are looking for a fancy night out for a very special occasion, then you are in the right place. Dress nice, and bring your appetite and checkbook. This may be the best meal you ever have. It is definitely the best restaurant near the Vatican and also the most expensive so it is your choice!
This is your go-to quick lunch after a Vatican tour. Despite its location right across from the Vatican, this place is no tourist trap. In fact, locals love it.
The menu is written all over the wall on the left as you walk in. They make your panino in front of you with local ingredients like salami, truffle, and ricotta. They also have healthy vegetarian and vegan options for non-meat eaters.
And if you’ve heard of trapizzino, then this is the place to get it. Definitely a favorite spot to get a hearty bread-pocket full of Roman goodness.
Pro Tip: order your panino from the cashier and grab a ticket. They call your number when it’s ready.
Rome in a Day Tour with Colosseum and Vatican Museums
The best way to get your bearings all in one day. Visit the Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, and more with a licensed and fun English-speaking tour guide. They’ll add tons of insights and make the entire experience so much more memorable. Also, you’ll get a feel for the city so it’s great on one of your first days in the city. All admissions and transport included although there will be a lot of walking.
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Skip the Line Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel & St. Peter’s Basilica
One of our most popular Vatican tours since it is such an amazing value. Skip the line to get inside with a super-knowledgeable English-speaking guide that will bring the museum to life. Stories of the artists, popes, conspiracy, love, and of course tragedy! Admissions included.
€ | Take Away Dessert and Cafe | 33 Minutes from Vatican Museums
Pompi has consistently made the best tiramisu in Rome for decades. If you happen to eat lunch or dinner near here, skip dolce and have it here. Ask someone local to Rome where to get the best Tiramisù and nine times out of 10 they are going to say Pompi without hesitation.
They also make a great espresso or cappuccino. You could have your morning coffee here before your Vatican tour. The question is, would you crush a tiramisù at 7 am?
There’s supplì and then there’s supplì from Supplizio. You want the latter. These giant deep-fried croquettes will leave a lasting impression as the cheese oozes from that first bite.
With local flavors from amatriciana to carbonara, Supplizio ensures a true Roman street food experience. Perhaps best of all, you can sit inside the cozy shop on vintage furniture as if you were in the chef’s living room.
Or sit outside and people watch while you devour those indulgent supplì. Excuse me, while I step out to get another one for lunch…
This is considered one of the best pizza places, if not the best Pizza al Taglio in Rome. It is more of an institution than a pizza place. It is a bit of a hike from the Vatican Museums but worth it for a very creative post-Vatican tour quick meal.
It’s named Panificio Bonci after the owner, Gabriele Bonci. Panificio refers to it as a bread shop, which is literally the foundation of good pizza. This place is a must if you have the time to get over there during your sightseeing. It is the best pizza restaurant near the Vatican and possibly all of Rome.
You may or may not find what you call “pizza” here. In Rome, Pizza almost refers to the bread and not the tomato sauce and cheese melted on top. It takes time to understand it. Here you will find delicacies from another world—and damn good bread.
The restaurant, which is more of a palace, is named after Giuseppe Valadier. He was an architect who designed and outlined much of the area between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo.
This is the poshest area of Rome, and Casina Valadier is without a doubt the most extravagant place to dine. Be ready for a wonderful night out and be sure to wear your classiest attire. The food is amazing and so is the view. Casina Valadier is perched up on the edge of Villa Borghese, which makes it the best restaurant with a view near the Spanish Steps.
Yes, this is a Japanese restaurant—unexpected, I know. But it is a really cool restaurant with a great bar, beautiful interior design, and an incredible rooftop terrace. You don’t have to eat sushi in Rome, but it is worth a drink. And when you see some of the appetizers, you’ll probably end up ordering dinner.
This is a really cool place, and you will find yourself surrounded by locals and locals only. Great for a longer stay in Rome when you may get tired of carbs or for someone that comes to the city frequently.
This is probably the best cheap place to eat in Rome. A plate of pasta only costs €4 for an abundant portion, and it is in the ritzy Spanish Steps area. What’s on the menu, you ask? One of two kinds of pasta they decided to make that day.
Pasta comes in a plastic container with a fork, napkin, and plastic cup to take water out of a jug. They sell a glass of table wine for a euro or so extra. If you are in the area and it’s lunchtime, I recommend trying it—especially if you are on the go. It is an experience.
I used to have an office a block away, and I would eat lunch here almost daily. Mercato Monte D’oro is a tiny little lunch market and you’ll find a pasta place front and center when you walk in.
Order a pasta dish off the menu, which changes daily. Don’t be surprised if the ladies at the counter remember your face the next day. They are the greatest.
Do you love wine and cool restaurants? Ad Hoc is something you can definitely write home about. Enjoy a killer meal and an amazing bottle of wine in a super intimate setting.
The name defines the menu—changing often and with variations. The dishes are artistic, clean, and delicious. You can’t say too much or too little about this place. Make a reservation for the cabana room.
If you don’t want to sit in Piazza Navona, why not sit ON Piazza Navona? Terrazza Borromini translates to Borromini’s Terrace, and it is just that.
An amazing terrace overlooking Piazza Navona that feels practically tucked into the Church of Saint Agatha in Agony. If you twirl your pasta incorrectly the sauce could splatter and stain the church it’s that close.
The food is good and you’ll get incredible service. The bill will reflect the experience. I would eat here on a special trip. It’s a great place for a proposal or anniversary trip. If you’re in Rome on business, it would be the place to take clients.
This group of shops and restaurants are owned and operated by a few chefs with Michelin star backgrounds. However, you won’t get Michelin star prices here. Definitely more expensive than your average meal but really cool and worth the money.
The ambience of the restaurant is super modern with an open kitchen and prep area, which makes it the most creative place to eat on my list of the best restaurants near Piazza Navona. Come here for lunch or dinner with a big appetite and an open mind. Reservations are recommended.
Unforgettable Rome Day Trip to Pompeii and Sorrento
Join us on an adventure from Rome to Pompeii and stunning Sorrento with comfortable, round-trip transportation. Skip the line access with an expert guide and make the most of your time in Italy and leave all the details to us. All you have to do is enjoy yourself!
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Amazing Experiences
Pompeii and Amalfi Coast Tours
There are many options for your trip to the Amalfi Coast, whether you’re taking a full trip or just a day trip from Rome. You can even explore the most famous archaeological site in the world: Pompeii. The combination of plunging cliffs, history, and charm make the Amalfi Coast one of our favorite places in Italy.
I was introduced to Ai Tre Scalini on the first night that I moved to Rome full-time. If I was that lucky, you can be too! This is an awesome little enoteca/restaurant that serves a ton of great wine by the glass as well as a rotating menu of seasonal dishes.
If it’s lunchtime and I am in Monti (the neighborhood near the Colosseum), I am going to eat here. It is the perfect lunch spot for those who don’t have plans for the rest of the day. Eat lunch and drink your way to dinner.
This is a great little back-alley place to try if you have some time to sit down and have a glass of wine with your meal. They have outdoor seating and a great menu full of creative and colorful Italian dishes from all over the peninsula.
It is a great way to feel like you’re getting a Michelin-star meal without the price tag, so perfect if you want to take a special someone out and still have enough money to fly home.
It is tucked far enough away from busy Via Cavour that you won’t be trampled by street traffic and close enough to Cavour metro station that you could easily get to your next destination.
I would describe this as tacky-delicious. The restaurant is decorated as you’d expect an Italian restaurant in your home country to be decorated—but it is in Italy.
What they lack in decor, they make up for in food and prices. This little gem right in the center is always crowded and has really good food. It is also packed with Italian professionals that come here for lunch.
You probably won’t see as many locals at dinner since they likely don’t live in the area, but know that this place is loved by local business people.
Ristorante La Tavernetta 48 lies tucked away in the heart of Rome but is definitely worth seeking out. Go with their mussels in wine, herbs and chorizo, or the grilled lamb chops. You will understand after you eat here why this is one of the best restaurants near the Pantheon.
Ristorante La Tavernetta 48 is known for its excellent value and great attention to detail. The central air conditioning makes for a comfortable atmosphere, especially in the dreadfully humid summer months. Make a reservation—this is a dining experience you won’t want to miss.
The name of this restaurant is the small hole which is similar to the English saying “Hole in the wall.” The pizza is anything but that.
The restaurant is run by Romans, but to me, the pizza resembles a Napoletano-style pizza with a thick crust. They cook it in an oven that is over a hundred years old. I don’t know why that is important, but it always is.
The owners are from the Trevi Fountain area, which is rare because nobody lives there, and they have saved us all from tourist-trap armageddon. This is my number one Trevi Fountain pick for a great, cheap, and fun meal.
Photo courtesy of I Sofà Bar Restaurant & Roof Terrace
€€€ | Rooftop Dining
Located on top of Hotel Indigo, Sofà Bar Restaurant is simply cool. They have a great rooftop terrace with tons of seating. The rooftop is just high enough that all you can see is a sea of terracotta roofs. Something the average tourist never gets to see.
The food is great and so are the prices (volume-wise). It is a cool place to impress your date or travel companion.
€€€€ | Contemporary Roman | Outdoor Patio | Seafood
What a restaurant. Assunta Madre sits on Via Giulia, arguably Rome’s most prestigious street, loved by locals. It is in the center but somehow always quiet. The restaurant, which serves mostly seafood, is known for its always fresh array of fish sitting in the doorway.
Will you find tourists here? Nope. What you will find is amazing seafood and Rome’s top elites dining here nightly. A firm favorite of stars like Francesco Totti and Italian movie stars and singers, they go for seafood and ambience.
You could easily spend €150 per person if you start drinking great wine and eating oysters, but you also could have a nice meal for €50 to €60 here. If you are traveling with a group of fun people with some change to spare, this is the place.
In the summer, this bar/restaurant opens up to the end of Via Giulia and the bar is beautiful. They have excellent reviews online and prices appear to be pretty reasonable. Stop by for a drink around six-ish and you’ll probably stay for dinner.
You can dress up or go casual. It is right on the border of Trastevere on the Campo de’ Fiori side of the river, just steps from Ponte Sisto. Go for the environment and stay for the food.
This little takeout dessert shop is trying to take a run at Pompi for the best tiramisu in Rome and it is doing pretty well. The name ZUM sounds like something from the far east, but don’t be caught off guard. It stands for Zucchero, Uva, and Mascarpone (sugar, egg, and mascarpone), which are the three foundational ingredients in a great tiramisù
In all fairness, the desserts are less traditional and more innovative. Besides the great coffee and tiramisu you get here, they have amazing pastries as well. They have a tiramisu bar and a few seats to sit down and enjoy your dessert before you are back on the road.
This restaurant arguably sits on the border of Trastevere and Monteverde. It earned a Michelin Plate for its fantastic dishes and presentation. You are unlikely to see other tourists in this restaurant as it is a local favorite—for those who truly love to eat!
You’ll want to take a taxi there unless you’re looking to be really hungry by the time you reach the top of Gianicolo. Walking down, however, is worth it as you’ll pass by Acqua Paola and into Trastevere.
Rightfully translated as “Hands in the Pasta,” Le Mani in Pasta is one of the best restaurants to try in Trastevere. Actually, this must be one of the best restaurants in Rome! Each of their mouth-watering dishes is unlike anything else you will try in Rome.
While this ristorante is famous for its fish, they also serve traditional Italian pasta and meats. Le Mani in Pasta has guests wanting to abandon their forks and eat with their hands because of their adventurous meals and tasty desserts.
We recommend trying a classic Italian pasta dish, cacio e pepe. If you trust the waiters, you might be in for the best meal of your life!
€€ | Family Friendly | Traditional Jewish-Roman Cuisine
Traditional Jewish-Roman cuisine and a cool atmosphere make Pompiere a contender for your Jewish Ghetto lunch or dinner. It is a little more low-key than Nonna Betta or Sora Margherita, which may make it a better choice for those who don’t want the hustle and bustle.
If you are looking for a more elegant lunch or dinner and a table outside, Piperno is great. It is considered “high-end”, but not over-priced. The food is possibly the best quality Jewish cuisine in Rome as higher prices normally signal higher quality ingredients.
You can sit inside or outside and be waited on by professional white-jacket waiters at this lovely jewel in the Jewish Ghetto. It is an old-school formal experience that you won’t soon forget!
Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum and Palatine Hill
This is our most popular Colosseum tour due to the incredible access to non-public areas like the underground chambers. All admissions are included and it is lead by an English speaking licensed guided and Colosseum expert.
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Privileged Entrance Arena Floor Colosseum Tour with Roman Forum
You’ll enter the Colosseum through the back door entrance avoiding lines and crowds which is ideal! You’ll step through the Gate of Death and your English speaking Colosseum guide will bring the stories to life. Next, on to the Roman Forum. All admissions are included.
Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
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Peter Crymble
We have been to da Enzo several times. Always good. Best meatballs and oxtail ever. Travelling again hopefully next year to Trastevere for a week of Roman food. Love it.
We have been to da Enzo several times. Always good. Best meatballs and oxtail ever. Travelling again hopefully next year to Trastevere for a week of Roman food. Love it.