Whether you’re in Rome for 24 hours or 24 years, it’s essential to know exactly what to order. There may not be anything spontaneous or whimsical about planning exactly what you’re going to eat in advance, but trust me what I tell you it is a critical feature of eating well in the Italian capital. A restaurant may have 50 menu items, but regulars go for the same dishes over and over…for a reason. Some places excel at one or more dishes to the point that there is no point in ordering anything else. And on that note, I present to you my meticulously researched list of essential Roman food eats.
Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto
Roman restaurant · Gianicolese
Rigatoni with pajata (suckling calf intestines) at Cesare al Casaletto. They don’t have them every day, but when they do, get them. But be sure to begin the meal with fritti (assorted fried starters) and end it with fegatelli di maiale (roasted pig’s liver) follwed by panna cotta.
Colline Emiliane
Italian restaurant · Trevi
Not only is the family behind Colline Emiliane incredibly nice and respectful of their considerable tourist clientele, they make the most delicious tortelli di zucca, pasta filled with pumpkin and dressed with butter and sage. Their meaty mains are lovely, too.
Panificio Bonci
Bakery · Trionfale
Pizza con la porchetta (Vito Bernabei’s porchetta on Bonci’s pizza bianca) at Panificio Bonci is one of the best things you will ever eat.
Bonci Pizzarium
Pizza Takeout · Trionfale
Gabriele Bonci’s Pizzarium is famous for the creative toppings on his pizza by the slice, but the classic slices — tomato with oregano and pizza with mozzarella — are the most deeply satisfying.
Ristorante La Tavernaccia Da Bruno
Roman restaurant · Portuense
The rigatoni with pajata at Tavernaccia da Bruno is fabulous and if they happen to have lasagna (a Sunday special that sells out fast), get it. I also love their wood oven roasted punta di petto (brisket).
Il San Lorenzo
Seafood restaurant · San Eustachio
The spaghetti with mollusks (sometimes razor clams, other times clams) at Il SanLorenzo are so delicious, if insanely expensive at €25 a plate. I’m a super fan, though not everyone loves how al dente they serve their pasta.
Armando al Pantheon
Roman restaurant · San Eustachio
I dream of the ajo, ojo e peproncino at Armando al Pantheon. And the gricia, too.
Forno Campo de 'Fiori
Bakery · Parione
Pizza rossa AND bianca at Forno Campo de’ Fiori and Antico Forno Roscioli are my breakfast, daily.
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
Italian restaurant · Regola
Burrata with semi-dried tomatoes, anchovies with butter, mortadella with Parmigiano Reggiano and rigatoni all gricia at Roscioli are the best. For more on how to do it up at Roscioli, read this post.
L'Arcangelo
Roman restaurant · Prati
Whether you’re at Arcangelo Dandini’s Supplizio or eponymous restaurant, you must try the rice croquettes. At Ristorante L’Arcangelo, follow these up with a plate of the world’s lightest gnocchi.
Osteria Bonelli
Roman restaurant · Tuscolano
I frequently and joyously travel across town to Tor Pignattara for Osteria Bonelli’s horse skirt steak.
Mordi e Vai
Deli · Testaccio
If you eat one meat dish in Rome, make it a sandwich with allesso di scottona (simmered brisket) at Mordi e Vai. It’s amazing with or without cicoria. If you have room, get a second panino filled with polpette di bollito (fried shredded allesso).
Piatto Romano
Roman restaurant · Testaccio
The cod with prunes, pine nuts and apricots at Piatto Romano is special.
Regoli Pasticceria
Pastry shop · Esquilino
The maritozzi con panna (leavened buns filled with whipped cream) at Regoli are classic.
Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria
Cafe · Regola
Rome’s best coffee is at the newly opened Caffe Roscioli. Their pastries–including martozzi con panna–are a delight.
Moriondo & Gariglio
Chocolate shop · Pigna
The marron glace from Moriondo e Gariglio are worth their weight in gold. These candied chestnuts hit shelves at Rome’s historic confectionery shop in the fall and when they’re gone, they’re gone, so get them quick.
Rome's Essential Dishes
27 Places
Whether you’re in Rome for 24 hours or 24 years, it’s essential to know exactly what to order. There may not be anything spontaneous or whimsical about planning exactly what you’re going to eat in advance, but trust me what I tell you it is a critical feature of eating well in the Italian capital. A restaurant may have 50 menu items, but regulars go for the same dishes over and over…for a reason. Some places excel at one or more dishes to the point that there is no point in ordering anything else. And on that note, I present to you my meticulously researched list of essential Roman food eats.
Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto
Roman restaurant
Rigatoni with pajata (suckling calf intestines) at Cesare al Casaletto. They don’t have them every day, but when they do, get them. But be sure to begin the meal with fritti (assorted fried starters) and end it with fegatelli di maiale (roasted pig’s liver) follwed by panna cotta.
Colline Emiliane
Italian restaurant
Not only is the family behind Colline Emiliane incredibly nice and respectful of their considerable tourist clientele, they make the most delicious tortelli di zucca, pasta filled with pumpkin and dressed with butter and sage. Their meaty mains are lovely, too.
Panificio Bonci
Bakery
Pizza con la porchetta (Vito Bernabei’s porchetta on Bonci’s pizza bianca) at Panificio Bonci is one of the best things you will ever eat.
Bonci Pizzarium
Pizza Takeout
Gabriele Bonci’s Pizzarium is famous for the creative toppings on his pizza by the slice, but the classic slices — tomato with oregano and pizza with mozzarella — are the most deeply satisfying.
Ristorante La Tavernaccia Da Bruno
Roman restaurant
The rigatoni with pajata at Tavernaccia da Bruno is fabulous and if they happen to have lasagna (a Sunday special that sells out fast), get it. I also love their wood oven roasted punta di petto (brisket).
Il San Lorenzo
Seafood restaurant
The spaghetti with mollusks (sometimes razor clams, other times clams) at Il SanLorenzo are so delicious, if insanely expensive at €25 a plate. I’m a super fan, though not everyone loves how al dente they serve their pasta.
Armando al Pantheon
Roman restaurant
I dream of the ajo, ojo e peproncino at Armando al Pantheon. And the gricia, too.
Forno Campo de 'Fiori
Bakery
Pizza rossa AND bianca at Forno Campo de’ Fiori and Antico Forno Roscioli are my breakfast, daily.
Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
Italian restaurant
Burrata with semi-dried tomatoes, anchovies with butter, mortadella with Parmigiano Reggiano and rigatoni all gricia at Roscioli are the best. For more on how to do it up at Roscioli, read this post.
L'Arcangelo
Roman restaurant
Whether you’re at Arcangelo Dandini’s Supplizio or eponymous restaurant, you must try the rice croquettes. At Ristorante L’Arcangelo, follow these up with a plate of the world’s lightest gnocchi.
Osteria Bonelli
Roman restaurant
I frequently and joyously travel across town to Tor Pignattara for Osteria Bonelli’s horse skirt steak.
Mordi e Vai
Deli
If you eat one meat dish in Rome, make it a sandwich with allesso di scottona (simmered brisket) at Mordi e Vai. It’s amazing with or without cicoria. If you have room, get a second panino filled with polpette di bollito (fried shredded allesso).
Piatto Romano
Roman restaurant
The cod with prunes, pine nuts and apricots at Piatto Romano is special.
Regoli Pasticceria
Pastry shop
The maritozzi con panna (leavened buns filled with whipped cream) at Regoli are classic.
Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria
Cafe
Rome’s best coffee is at the newly opened Caffe Roscioli. Their pastries–including martozzi con panna–are a delight.
Moriondo & Gariglio
Chocolate shop
The marron glace from Moriondo e Gariglio are worth their weight in gold. These candied chestnuts hit shelves at Rome’s historic confectionery shop in the fall and when they’re gone, they’re gone, so get them quick.
Trapizzino | Testaccio
Restaurant
Trapizzini (especially doppia panna, chicken cacciatore and meatball) at Trapizzino are modern classics.
Agustarello A Testaccio
Roman restaurant
Roasted or grilled pajata at Armando al Pantheon or Agustarello isn’t for everyone, but these places do it right.
Trattoria al Moro
Roman restaurant
If you have lots and lots of money, you may enjoy seasonal mushroom dishes at Al Moro, one of the priciest places in town.
C'e pasta e pasta
Pasta shop
When I crave roughage, I visit C’e’ Pasta…e Pasta for concia and deeply roasted vegetables.
