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Where to Eat in Rome: 10 Restaurants you Have to Visit
Where to Eat in Rome: 10 Restaurants you Have to Visit
There are cities you remember for their scenery, others for their monuments, and some for their food, but Rome is so special that anyone who visits remembers it for all three. A stroll through its streets can easily lead you to the scent of a freshly baked pizza, a hidden terrace tucked away down a cobbled alley near the Colosseum, or a table where a traditional recipe has been telling the city's story for generations. Because travelling to the Italian capital also means sitting down to eat and discovering its culture one dish at a time.
For many travellers, finding where to eat in Rome is one of the most important parts of planning a getaway. The local food scene becomes a parallel route to the tourist itinerary, a way to get to know the true Roman character beyond the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, or the Vatican. In Rome, every neighbourhood has its own flavours, and every restaurant holds recipes you'll want to discover on your trip to Rome.
In this guide by DoYouItaly, the car hire comparison site for Italy, we’ve rounded up 10 restaurants in Rome you absolutely have to visit if you want to enjoy an authentic experience. From traditional spots where you can grab a proper Roman pizza to more modern places that still keep that classic, homemade touch. These places represent the essence of a city where eating isn’t just a necessity, but one of the greatest pleasures of the trip.
If you're looking for where to eat an authentic Neapolitan pizza in Rome, this pizzeria is one of those places you definitely need to keep on your radar. While it might not always pop up on the massive 'best pizza in the city' lists just yet, it looks set to become a must-visit spot for Italian food lovers very soon.
Their menu blends traditional recipes with a more contemporary take on pizza. You'll find timeless classics that never disappoint, like the Margherita or Marinara, alongside more modern creations if you fancy trying something a bit different. The real stars of the show here are the Italian fried street food, the red- and white-base pizzas, and the calzones, all made to capture the true essence of Neapolitan cooking.
It's also well worth leaving some room for dessert, as they make their own homemade sweets to round off the meal perfectly.
This is easily one of our top recommendations for pizza in Rome if you want to swap the overcrowded spots in the city centre for something else. Since it's tucked away from the main tourist hubs, it's usually a bit easier to grab a table and enjoy a relaxed meal like a local.
- Location: Via Buonarroti, 32, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 6:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Can you imagine tucking into an authentic pasta carbonara in Rome with views of the Colosseum? At this popular trattoria, you can do exactly that while discovering some of the best pasta the city has to offer.
Over the last few years, this restaurant has earned a spot in plenty of food guides and travel blogs, and it's easy to see why: an unbeatable location, traditional cooking, and very reasonable prices for being just a few steps away from one of the most famous monuments in the world.
Their star dish is without a doubt their carbonara, prepared following the classic recipe with simple but incredibly flavourful ingredients. While it's the most popular choice, their menu also features other types of Italian pasta, as well as pizzas.
Just keep in mind that since it has become one of the go-to places to eat near the Colosseum, you can usually expect a bit of a queue, especially at peak times. Even so, it's well worth the wait.
- Location: Via Celimontana, 1, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Everyday from 12:00 pm to midnight
If you're looking for a place to eat near Piazza Navona, this restaurant is the perfect stop to enjoy a true staple of Italian cuisine: lasagna. Tucked away in one of the most charming areas of Rome's historic centre, it has become a highly popular choice.
While their menu offers various Italian pasta specialities, the real star of the show is their homemade lasagna, the very dish that has inspired hundreds of tourists to add this restaurant to their itinerary. It’s a traditional, flavourful recipe that’s perfect for refuelling after a day of exploring the Roman streets.
One of its biggest draws is the outdoor terrace. It's a lovely, charming little spot where it's well worth grabbing a seat to soak up the Roman atmosphere while you eat.
Although it started out in Florence and now has branches across several Italian cities, All’Antico Vinaio has also become a must-visit food spot in Rome for anyone wanting to try one of Italy's most popular bites: the filled focaccia.
Their concept is simple, but that’s exactly why it works so well. Here, you can choose from a variety of pre-designed focaccias or build your own by picking whatever ingredients catch your eye, from premium Italian cured meats to local cheeses and traditional specialities.
This spot operates mainly as a takeaway option, so you won’t find a traditional sit-down restaurant with tables. However, this makes it the perfect alternative for travellers looking to grab a quick bite to eat and keep exploring Rome as they stroll through the streets.
If you're looking for a quick lunch while out sightseeing, a focaccia from All’Antico Vinaio is an easy, delicious, and deeply Italian choice.
- Location: Piazza della Maddalena, 3, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Everyday from 10:30 am to 10:00 pm
Located inside Termini Station, Mercato Centrale is one of those food spots that's well worth jotting down for your trip. Its strategic location makes it the perfect option if you've just arrived by train, have a layover, or are simply looking for a place to get a great meal without straying too far from the centre.
This food market brings a huge variety of culinary options together under one roof, with Italian cuisine firmly in the spotlight. You'll find everything from traditional dishes to international flavours, with stalls serving up fresh pasta and local specialities alongside burgers, seafood, salads, pastries, and plenty more.
As well as being a brilliant lunch or dinner spot near Termini, it's also well worth a visit in the morning. One of its absolute highlights is the café, where you can start your day like a true Roman with a cappuccino and a cornetto al cioccolato, the classic Italian breakfast.
- Location: Via Giovanni Giolitti, 36, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Everyday from 7:30 am to 11:30 pm
If there is one neighbourhood where Roman food culture is truly an experience, it's Trastevere. Nestled among its charming streets is Ivo a Trastevere, a classic pizzeria that has become a must-visit spot for lovers of Italian food.
Their speciality is Roman-style pizza, featuring a thin, light, and crispy crust that pairs perfectly with simple yet incredibly flavourful ingredients. On their menu, you'll find everything from the most traditional options to unique creations that are perfect for discovering new flavours.
Alongside the pizza, it’s well worth trying some of the classic Roman dishes on offer, perfect for dinner in one of Rome's most vibrant neighbourhoods. If you're looking for where to eat in Trastevere, Ivo is a truly authentic experience.
- Location: Via di S. Francesco a Ripa, 158, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 7:30 am to 11:30 pm; Sundays from 12:00 pm to 3:53 pm and 6:00 pm to 12:30 am
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If you're looking for the perfect spot to enjoy the finest authentic Italian produce, Cantina dei Papi is the place to go. With several locations across Rome, this restaurant has become famous for its spectacular Italian taglieri (charcuterie boards), one of the best ways to discover the country's traditional flavours all on one platter.
Alongside their famous taglieri, Cantina dei Papi also serves up a wide variety of paninis packed with fresh ingredients.
Another great thing about this place is that you don’t just have to sit down for a meal; you can also buy their cheeses, cured meats, and other Italian delicacies to take home as souvenirs from your trip.
If you want a change from the usual pasta or pizza while in Rome, Cantina dei Papi is a must-visit to explore a different, highly authentic side of Italian food.
- Location: Via della Scala, 71, 00153 Roma RM, Italy / Via della Scala, 67, 00153 Roma RM, Italy / Via della Panetteria, 34A, 00187 Roma RM, Italy / Via della Panetteria, 42A, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 10:30 am to 11:30 pm; Fridays and Saturdays from 10:30 am to 12:30 am
Trastevere takes the spotlight once again with Otello, a trattoria that perfectly captures the spirit of traditional Rome. Their menu brings together some of the greatest Italian classics, with a special focus on time-honoured Roman recipes. Pastas, homemade dishes, and local specialities make up a selection designed for anyone wanting to discover Rome's gastronomy with zero fuss.
But if there is one pasta dish you absolutely must try at Otello, it is their Carbonara.
- Location: Via della Pelliccia, 47/53, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 5:30 pm to 11:30 pm; Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 12:00 pm to 11:30 pm
When it comes to where to eat pizza in Rome, there are a few names that pop up time and time again, and Pizzeria Baffetto is undoubtedly one of them. This spot has earned a legendary reputation thanks to its thin and crispy pizzas, crafted in the most traditional Roman style.
Their secret lies in simplicity: a great dough, quality ingredients, and recipes that strictly respect the essence of Italian pizza.
Keep in mind that since it's one of the most famous pizzerias in the city, it gets busy, especially around dinner time. Even so, the bustling atmosphere is all part of the charm.
- Location: V. del Governo Vecchio, 114, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday from 12:00 pm to 3:53 pm and 6:00 pm to midnight
To eat like a true Roman, you can't miss a stop to try the famous pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice), one of the most popular ways to enjoy this dish in the city.
At Fratelli Trecca, you'll find this characteristic version done perfectly: slices of pizza cut exactly to the size you want, making it ideal for a quick bite to eat while you continue exploring Rome.
- Location: Via dei Cerchi, 55, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
- Opening hours: Everyday from 12:30 pm to 5:00 pm
If you want to discover all these restaurants and move around Rome with total freedom, hiring a car in Rome with DoYouItaly is the most convenient way to explore the city and its surrounding areas without having to rely on public transport.
