Where to Eat in Rome: Restaurants and Typical Food

Where to Eat in Rome: Restaurants and Typical Food

Roman cuisine is one of the highlights of any trip to Italy. The city is famous for its pasta dishes — carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and gricia — as well as supplì (fried rice balls), pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) and artichokes prepared alla giudia or alla romana. Here are some of our favorite spots.

• Da Enzo al 29 – A beloved trattoria in Trastevere, known for serving some of the best cacio e pepe and carbonara in Rome. The portions are generous and prices are fair (around EUR 12-15 per pasta dish). Expect a queue, especially at dinner — arrive early or put your name on the list.
• Pizzarium Bonci – Gabriele Bonci's legendary pizza al taglio near the Vatican. The dough is light and airy, with creative seasonal toppings. You pay by weight, and a generous portion costs around EUR 5-8. Perfect for a quick and delicious lunch.
• Suppli Roma – A small takeaway spot in Trastevere specializing in supplì (Roman fried rice balls filled with mozzarella and ragù). A single supplì costs about EUR 2 — ideal for a street food snack while exploring the neighborhood.
• Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina – Part deli, part restaurant, this spot near Campo de' Fiori is perfect for a refined Roman meal. Their carbonara is exceptional, and the wine list is outstanding. Main courses range from EUR 15 to EUR 25. Reservations recommended.
• Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto – A bit outside the tourist center in the Monteverde neighborhood, but worth the trip. It is considered one of the best trattorias in Rome for traditional dishes like coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew) and rigatoni con pajata. Mains around EUR 14-18.
• Antico Forno Roscioli – A historic bakery near Campo de' Fiori, famous for its pizza bianca (white pizza with olive oil and salt). A piece costs just EUR 2-3 and it is the perfect Roman breakfast or afternoon snack.

Tips for Eating in Rome

Avoid restaurants with picture menus right next to major monuments — they tend to be tourist traps with mediocre food. Instead, walk a few streets away and look for places where locals are eating. Most Romans eat lunch between 12:30 and 14:00, and dinner rarely starts before 20:00. A coperto (cover charge) of EUR 1-3 per person is normal and not a scam. Tipping is not expected, but rounding up the bill is appreciated.