My favourite places to eat in Rome!
Rome has undoubtedly some of the best food in Italy but can be overwhelming in choice of where to go! I’ve been to Rome a number of times in the past few years and each time I visit I add to my list of favourite foodie spots. Of course, this doesn’t even scratch the surface of incredible places you can go to but I thought a succinct list of my top spots would be helpful for you on your next trip to the eternal city!
LUNCH SPOTS:
Santa Lucia Ristorante - You’ll recognise this spot from the movie “Eat, Pray, Love” on Julia Roberts’ last evening in Roma when she orders the entire meal in Italian. It really is as romantic as it looks in the movie, tucked away just off Piazza Navona and set on a little courtyard, it’s the ideal spot for a long, leisurely summer lunch filled with crisp white wine and delightful pasta. Don’t miss trying out Roman artichokes, they serve them in a variety of ways!
Matricianella - I remember heading to this spot as Luca and I hopped off the plane as soon as we got to Rome (our last trip before covid hit!!!) and went for lunch at Matricianella. Here you will rub shoulders with politicians and business people having their lunch, it’s a classic Italian trattoria. I got the amatriciana and it was excellent!
Roscioli - One of the most famous sandwiches in Rome is a roasted pork sandwich, or a “panino con porchetta”, and no one does it better than Roscioli. This spot is ideal if you’re looking for a quick lunch on the go. It is both a deli and a restaurant, so you can order yourself a panino at the deli counter and carry on with your walk through the city. It’s a very popular spot for Romans as well so get there around midday to avoid long lunch queues!
Cugino - The Hoxton recently opened in Rome and I’ve been dying to check out Cugino, their casual eatery. If you find yourself craving an avocado on toast (because sometimes that’s just what you need on a Saturday morning!) then head to stylish Cugino for their brunch - you won’t be disappointed!
Marigold Roma - This place is both a bakery and a restaurant (and actually supplies Cugino at the Hoxton with all their baked goods). It’s located a little out of the way from the centre of Rome, but if you do find yourself there, pop in for a casual lunch and delicious cup of coffee.
La Dispensa dei Mellini - This lunch spot is super local and understated. Located just off the river Tiber towards the neighbourhood called Prati, it’s full of Roman business people enjoying their lunch break. Inside the decor is that of a very typical Italian trattoria, so we weren’t expecting much but WOW we had the best carbonara EVER!! It was so, so good. If you fancy a casual lunch with a great glass of wine and the most delicious carbonara, head here!
Circoletto - Although I haven’t tried this spot myself, it’s been mentioned as a great lunch spot near Circolo Massimo for something other than a plate of pasta. Here at Circoletto you can enjoy casual dishes such as pastrami sandwiches and fried seafood, as well as natural wines and craft beers. It’s a great option if you need a little lunch spot after you’ve strolled through the Roman forum!
SNACKS:
Il Trapizzino - A friend introduced me to Trapizzino located in Trastevere on my recent trip to Rome and I still dream about the sandwich I had. A Trapizzino is essentially a panino crossed with a pizza - so delicious. The dough is perfectly crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy on the inside. They fill them with things such as tomato and meatballs, baked aubergines, mozzarella and so on. It’s probably one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten!
Giolitti - This spot is Rome’s most famous gelateria for a reason - the ice-cream is phenomenal! In Italy you order your ice-cream from the cashier and take your receipt to the counter to choose your gelato. Italians love ice-cream after lunch around 4pm or as a late night post-dinner treat so grab yourself one straight after lunch to avoid the long queues that usual form outside (they are part of the buzz of Gioliti too as well to be honest!)
Pastificio Guerra - Want to try pasta just like a nonna would make? Well look no further than Pastificio Guerra. They make pasta daily in simple takeaway portions, it’s nothing fancy, just a simple plate of pasta to enjoy on your stroll through Rome. Priced at €4 a portion, this is ideal for visiting Rome on a budget!
APERITIVO:
Terrazza Borromini - Fancy aperitivo overlooking the rooftops of Rome? Head to the Eitch Borromini rooftop. It’s located just off Piazza Navona and boasts some of the most magical views of Rome.
The Court - Nestled in the Manfredi Hotel, the Court is a fantastic spot to enjoy aperitivo with iconic Colosseum views. My friend Whitney took us there on our last trip to Rome and it really is as cool as it looks in photos. They’ve recently launched a new cocktail menu thanks to their in-house mixologist Matteo - try the Court Margarita and thank me later, I still dream of it now!
St Regis, Rome - Ever wondered what it would feel like to step into Ceasar’s Roman palace? Well the lobby at the St Regis in Rome comes pretty close to that. It’s located a little bit further out of the centre of Rome, but if you’re after a very suave aperitivo vibe, head to the St Regis for aperitivo on a Thursday or Friday night. We felt like we were at a private party in someone’s roman palazzo, it was fabulous!
CASUAL DINNER:
Felice a Testaccio - This is the most famous spot in Rome for carbonara or cacio e pepe? The atmosphere is very casual and crazy, just as you would expect a local roman eatery to be. Don’t miss ordering the cacio e pepe though, they prep the pasta for you at your table and it is utterly delicious! (Also make sure you book as this place is very popular!)
Tonarello - This is a local spot located in Trastevere and is a great place to try one of Rome’s traditional pastas, bucatini all’amatriciana (it’s a tomato-based pasta with a hint of chilli and bits of guancale bacon).
Osteria da Zi Umberto - I still remember the first time I had ever eaten Amatriciana pasta (my favourite ever pasta) it was here at Osteria da Zi Umberto. I thought I had died and gone to heaven! Ironically this spot is really just a typical Italian restaurant, nothing over the top and special, but often those places truly are the best! This is an ideal spot for a casual lunch or dinner, located in Trastevere.
Ivo a Trastevere - OK, I’ll admit it, Roman pizza is not my favourite (Roman pizza is thinner and crispier, whilst Neapolitan pizza has crisper fluffy crusts but is juicier in the middle), but if you’d like to see what a roman pizza is really like, check out Ivo a Trastevere. It’s a very casual pizzeria but does classic roman pizzas so you can sample one for yourself!
FORMAL DINNER:
Casa Copelle - Luca took me for dinner here a few years ago and it was SO wonderful and romantic! This is the place to impress your loved one. They have a menu of exceptional quality food and wine that changes seasonally. Book in advance, this place is very popular.
Cipasso Bistrot - I had this spot on my list for a while and it did not disappoint. Cipasso offers modern Italian food which is ideal if you’ve done quite a few trattorias and fancy trying out the classic dishes with a bit of a twist. The wine was excellent and we enjoyed the burrata for starters, which was just divine.
Il Marchese - Classic, stylish and traditional. That’s the vibe I would describe at Il Marchese. Walking past, the interiors and buzz of the restaurant lure you in. Enjoy one of the four classic roman pastas there (carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe or Tricia) with a big glass of wine for a glorious dinner in Roma.
I will forever be adding to my favourite Roman spots but for now these are my go-tos! I hope it helps you on your future trip to the eternal city where you come back with a full heart and a full stomach!!
