Restaurants

We compiled a list of restaurants you might want to try during your stay.

Just a side note: most restaurants right off the bigger piazzas or big tourist attractions are not really recommended for a meal. But they are quite delightful if you want to sit and enjoy the view while having aperitivo. Make sure to avoid a place if there are no Italians sitting there though! If it's vetoed by the locals then it's probably not that good.

Restaurants near the church

Roman cuisine a short walk away (open for lunch):

Da Fabrizio al 56: Roman dishes in a quaint red-checkered table cloth trattoria.

L'Osteria della Trippa: Some heavier Roman dishes.

Good for sauntering in with your morning suit or fascinator and a short walk away (open for lunch):

Elementa Bar & Bistro: inside a lovely hotel with a quiet garden.

Bistrot Parraiso: lunch on their rooftop terrace or on their little patio next to the Botanical Gardens.

Places for a quick bite

Antico Forno Roscioli: Suppli, pizza al taglio...it's basically Roman street food but within a boutique store.

Antica Salumeria: Right off the Pantheon's Piazza this place not only sells cured meat but you can also ask for a panino (an Italian sandwich). Choose from the pre-made ones or ask for a custom made one from a selection of cheeses and hams/salami of your choice.

Lookout for a pizza al taglio place. There are plenty of these around Rome serving thin crusted pizzas with different toppings.

Good trattorias for authentic Italian

Matricianella: You really can't get more Roman than this. You will get more than your usual carbonara - try their other pasta dishes with artichoke or cow's tail and their lamb.

Da Enzo al 29: Very basic trattoria in Trastevere serving simple but good dishes. Nothing fancy. Be prepared to wait a bit for a table - it's rather famous.

Taverna Trilussa: A bit of a fancy trattoria - a lot of famous people have also dined here but it still remains "low key" with pasta dishes being served in copper pans.

Dine with a view

Cielo: With it's striped parasols and gorgeous views near the Spanish Steps this is a great place for a fancy Roman lunch.

Divinity Restaurant and Bar: Near the Pantheon with a relaxed atmosphere. It has music and doubles into a lounge-bar in the evenings.

Bulgari's La Terrazza: We recommend booking ahead of time. But the hotel has other little areas that are relaxing and cute. Near the Ara-pacis monument, it has a modern Roman feeling.

Options for food intolerances

Gluten free

Da Cesare: There is gluten free pasta and sauces and choices for all!

Lactose free

Rome has a lot of dishes without diary. Even a good carbonara is diary free (it looks creamy but there is no cream in a real carbonara).

Vegan and vegetarian

For vegetarians - Rome has some excellent vegetable dishes. Stuffed pumpkin flowers with cheese (fiori di zucca), roman style artichoke (carciofi alla romana), and even pasta and risotto dishes without meat.

For vegans - pizza dough is purely vegan in Italy and can be a great choice if paired with some vegetable options. A lot of pizza choices don't include cheese so you can go for tomato sauces or simply go "bianco".

Gelato, Cafes & Bars

Gelati

Fatamorgana: There are various locations for this all natural ingredient ice-cream. Ice cream is always freshly made.

Giolitti: An old institution in Rome, various flavors. Get your coffee, gelato or small pastries (pasticcini) here.

Coffee

Sant'Eustachio: Purely go there for the coffee and do it the Roman way - drink your coffee standing at the bar.

Giolitti: An old institution in Rome. Get your coffee, gelato or small pastries (pasticcini) here.

Sensorio Lab: A new take on Italian coffee and close to Piazza del Popolo.

Bars

Literally any restaurant, bar or coffee shop off a Piazza for people watching.

But some favourites are:

Bar del Fico: Quirky and tucked away behind Piazza Navona.
Ciampini: Elegant and great for people watching after some shopping on Via del Corso.
Caffe delle Arti: Lovely spot for a drink after a day of walking in Villa Borghese and touring the Modern & Contemporary Art Museum.