Hostaria Romana

Fantastic restaurant We arrived quite late in the evening without a reservation. It was not a problem for the staff and they asked us to wait a few minutes. As I watched the staff working I could tell they are a well oiled machine. Effortless service without any sign of pressure on the team. Absolute professionals. It wasn't long before we were seated at an impeccably laid table. Our cameriere treated us unbelievably well even though it was very late at night, very hot and at then of what must have been a long service. Nothing was a problem for him. Very kind, attentive and patient. What a fantastic first experience of the people of Rome. The food was delicious and not overly priced considering the high level of professionalism from the front of house and kitchen. There are a lot of places to choose from on Google maps in Rome but if you are looking for a quality dining experience at an honest restaurant then this is worth a visit. It was a great memory of my first visit to Rome. Thank you

In short, the third time we go to the restaurant, highly recommended! The best service we received in the restaurant, a large variety of dishes and drinks. It is possible to order a plate with a variety of dishes for starters from the buffet (highly recommended). The location is relatively convenient, the service is fast and pleasant and the price is average (depending on what you order). In summary, delicious and authentic food and excellent service.

What a great find! Spaghetti carbonara was the best I’ve ever had, just unbelievably full of flavor. The staff was so friendly and welcoming and helpful. They all spoke great English for us Americans too. Reservation’s made gut be a good idea during busy times. We cannot recommend this place highly enough!

We enjoyed a lunch at this small restaurant. We got a table inside and the service was good and cheerful and it was great to see that there were some locals eating lunch at the next table. We ordered some pasta (Grica and Amatriciana) and we enjoyed these dishes alot. So make sure to move a bit away from the most busy touristy streets of Rome and experience a more authentic restaurant at Hostaria Romana!

Everything was superb. We made a reservation in advance because it's so popular. I highly recommend doing that. It's as authentic as it gets you come to Rome to experience where the Romans eat. Yes there are tourists but this is the spot. Everything was tasty and great value for money.

We came here around 1PM but was asked to return at 2PM as they were incredibly busy. It was worth coming back! We ordered the Amatriciana and Cacio e Pepe and it was so divine. I loved that they mixed the pasta table side, emulsifying the sauce and really snacked the noodles around to give it texture? Anyway was so delicious would come back again.

Hostaria Romana is a must-visit for anyone craving real old Roman flavors! We’re from Georgia—trust us, we know good wine—and their homemade wine was outstanding (definitely ask for it!). 🍷The food was rich, authentic, and made us feel like we were dining in the Roman Empire. 😁 If Caesar had a favorite trattoria, this would be it!

We had arrived in Italy two days earlier and didn’t want to eat at tourist trap restaurants, so we found this place online. It’s a very simple, cozy spot where mostly locals eat. We got there right at 19:30, when it opened, and as soon as we sat down, a line started forming outside with people waiting for others to finish so they could get a table. That’s when you know a restaurant is good and the food is exceptional. I had a portion of carbonara that was the best pasta I’ve ever eaten, and for dessert, I had panna cotta, which was also incredible. I highly recommend this place if you're in the area, or even if you're not. Just make sure to arrive exactly at opening time to avoid the line, or better yet, book a table in advance.

Ask a local. Went on the advice of our hotel front desk who said that Hostaria Romana is her favorite restaurant in the neighborhood. They open at 7:30 for dinner and within 15 minutes were filled with diners with reservations. Lucky to be able to squeeze into an outdoor table in the alleyway patio for a fun family dinner. Started with the caprese salad. Somehow, the mozzarella, tomatoes and basil just taste so much better in Italy. Get the artichokes prepared two ways, fried and carciofi alla Romana. The artichokes cooked in white wine, garlic and olive oil is divine as is the fried artichoke heart. The fettuccine ai funghi porchini, or fettuccine with porcini mushrooms, was amazing. Pasta cooked al dente with the most delicious mushrooms. It paired nicely with the abbacchio alla cacciatore/Roman style lamb. The bread was also so fresh. Love the crust. Grazie to our waiter, Enzo, who made our first family dinner in Rome something special.

B food for Rome. C atmosphere D service Average grade is a C. There's much better places to go.

Great family, good food and value. Lotsa locals. Been there 4 times, their veal scalloping is excellent, as are their roasted potatoes.

After a day of exploring Rome, and looking for a bite to eat, our hotel suggested coming to Hostaria Romana. It was a Friday night and we did not have reservations, but we managed to grab a small table located towards the kitchen region. A little hectic and bustling, I did not mind where our table was located, but I think most patrons would have been upset by the lack of view and ambience. All of that aside, our waiter was very kind and engaging. We started our meal with a delicious little complementary tasting of fried rice ball with cheese. I ordered the Amatriciana pasta while my mom ordered the carbonara - two of the "big four" in Rome. The pasta was put cooked perfectly al dente and fresh. And we both thought that they both had great depth and flavor. We weren't super hungry so each of our pasta dishes was the perfect portion and gave us a nice little taste of this restaurant. I would definitely recommend it if you find yourself in the area.

Went at recommendation of travel agent. Must be just because it has been around forever. If you are visiting Rome go somewhere else. Service was slow and didn't really understand English. Pasta was decent. Main courses were below average at best. Ambiance had cool marker signatures on wall but overall space, cramped and outdated. A skip.

I dined for lunch at Hostaria Romano recently looking for a light lunch. It is interestingly located in an alley and has outdoor seating along with an enclosed building outside of the restaurant which also has an indoor dining area, if that makes any sense. Here in Italy, restaurants in cities maximize all of the space they can. I was promptly seated and orders their Tuesday special pasta e fagioli €12 and added a mixed salad €6. While waiting for the food I noticed several business people lunching and that the restaurant had an upscale look and feel about it. First to arrive was the obligatory bread basket and a large cooked ball of rice and cheese that is an extra. I enjoyed both. Then the salad arrived with fresh greens and sliced cherry tomatoes. Adding a little oil and vinegar for flavor this salad was a quality one. The mixed salads in Italy are excellent and far better than in the USA in general. Then the bowl of soup appeared. While it looked different and tasted different than in the US, I still enjoyed it. This meal was exactly what I was looking for light and refreshing. I liked this restaurant and wished I would have ordered a more traditional meal so I asked for dolce and went with some panna cotta with caramel €6. It arrived a few minutes later and was very good. It was a pleasant and satisfying end to a very nice meal with the table service being prompt and professional. I like Hostaria Romano. It serves very good food in a nice atmosphere with an excellent waitstaff.

A1 experience and food. The carbonara and fettuccini was insane! DO NOT MISS OUT ON THE TIRAMISU! Best in the city. We have had a few. Service was excellent and the Ambiance was unusual but fun.

FIVE STAR ALL THE WAY! Our first night in Roma and my daughter found this restaurant. Our hotel concierge advised that people wait MONTHS for a table but we called and they made an accommodation for us since we wanted just as they opened. The most amazing and authentic Italian service and experience. Truly perfect. My daughter and I had to try so many items to include Caprese, the most delicious cache e Pepe,carbonara, an amazing most delicious and moist chicken dish with roasted and stewed tomatoes, succulent mushrooms, and Tiramisu, Panne Cotta, and gelato! We asked our waiter to suggest the wine and it was AMAZING!

We came to Hostaria Romana thanks to a recommendation by a local, who told us this was the place to try real Roman cuisine. We did not have a reservation as we just arrived that day and we came before they were even open. Before open time, a line of people (locals) was already waiting to be seated so that gave us hope. We were three and they were able to sit us outside as they were completely booked inside. The place is not big but cozy and looks nice. I forgot to take more pictures as we had not eaten since our flight landed! Our server was very polite and brought us three complimentary supplì. They were so good!! These little balls of rice with meat and cheese were delicious!!!!! I could eat thousands of them!!! We ordered some prosciutto and mozzarella. The prosciutto melted in your mouth and the mozzarella was super fresh and so tasty!!! We also ordered the bucatini all'amatriciana, carciofi alla Romana (forgot to take a picture), and seafood pasta. Everything was so delicious! Best meal I had in Rome by far! Outstanding!! If you come to Rome, this is the place to try out!!

Good food. Nice for an intimate dinner or large event! We did both! Service was quite good

The house appetizer platter with a variety of marinated vegetables, meats and cheeses was very good. Excellent service and definitely not a tourist trap. Plenty of locals enjoying their food. I didn't love the veal saltimboca - the meat was tough and chewy. Another diner said she returned three times for the veal, so maybe my piece was just off.

We ordered the oxtail and Osso Bucco dishes, hoping for local specialties. While the oxtail was tender, both tomato sauces for each dish were bland, and the meats lacked flavor. Very disappointing after tasting the intensity of the tomato sauces in Sorrento. We were recommended to this place by Rick Steve's guidebook, and our hotel's, but we would never recommend this to anyone.

It looks like they usually require reservations, but we're able to take us in and seat us immediately. The food was amazing! Best gnocchi i have ever had. The saltimbocca was perfectly cooked, and delicious. And the tiramisu was terrific. It was just the right sweetness, and their portion was generously large. They have a large selection of wines, and the Monepulciano we had was very enjoyable. If you are ever in Rome, I highly rerecommend you enjoy a meal here.

This is such a local gem! From the pasta to the meat to the vegetables we got on the side -- all outstanding!

April is Artichoke season, and we went here to have dinner after our Italian co-worker recommended the place. So of course, we had to try it! He is after all from Italy, so he knows where all the locals go, so when I asked him for recommendations. He booked us a reservation at this place, I knew it was going to be good. Did you know that their servers here clean and cut 250 artichokes a day? Yup. You heard that right. He said they show up early in the morning to do this daunting task. Quite impressive if you ask me. That seems like a lot of work, but they do it! Now that's dedication. He told us that this family-owned business has been here for over 40 years, and they are still up and running. We ordered a bunch of different items including the fried artichoke and Roman artichokes. Rome's artichokes are world-famous and very popular in the Roman cuisine. Unlike other artichokes, they are soft, and more importantly, they have no spine, and are super delicious. We also shared some antipasti and salad, The server gave us some complimentary suppli to try. Supplis are delightful snacks that hail from Roman cuisine. They are crispy treats consisting of a ball of fried risotto. The magic happens when you bite into the center: a gooey, melted mozzarella surprise awaits. For my main dish, I ordered pasta with funghi sauce. Delish! The service was excellent, and our waiter was very attentive. I highly recommend you book a reservation if you decide to come here. They fill up, and it's very popular with the locals.

They were kind enough to accept us without a reservation. House wine was good. Food was authentic and delicious but their portions were relatively small. Ambiance was pleasant.

Fast service, waiter was so nice and fun to chat with. We sat outside with the view of the Pantheon early morning, and the menu was a simple "American" breakfast if that's what you're wanting (eggs and what they call bacon) or traditional croissants. They also had baked goods inside to choose from.

First visited in Sept 2019 ... Dining solo had to reserve a day ahead ... understandable. Very busy with lotsa locals. Pasta was good, had the veal which also was good and was served with roasted potatoes which were Outstanding! Next time I may just have the potatoes! Sept 2021 went back again. Still a good amount of locals dining here, was lucky to get an outdoor table. Amuse bouche of a nice arancini followed by a plate of pasta alla gricia (the guanciale was sublime, wish I could get in the states). Main was a pork with crispy skin and more of their great patate. Hope to get there again this year. Ciao!

So much better than even the reviews say. Must try the carbonara and the Roman lamb but the appetizers that they bring to the table gratis or the wonderful half bottle wine selections- this is a must hit restaurant. Simple and delicious. Chianti il Grigio was lovely. Wife had the pasta with clamps and she was very happy. I love this restaurant. Make a reservation as it fills up quickly and the second seating is 9:30pm. Absolutely loved this restaurant. Will be back

Very good food, service, and atmosphere! My wife and I walked here from our hotel as we were doing some sight seeing and this place did not disappoint. When our server found out it was our first day in Italy, they sent out a variety of dishes, on the house, for us to sample.

Excellent! Food, service, atmosphere Will definitely be back!! A must try when in Roma

Incredibly important to me not to go to tourist traps in huge touristy cities like Rome. This place is the real deal, family owned, business incredible service, and very cool dining rooms where you can actually write your name in marker with a message.. service was so friendly, the food was exquisite and fresh Tiramisu exquisite!! Do not miss!!

We had a wonderful experience at Hostaria Romana. We dined as a party of 3. The roast chicken with peppers had the chicken falling off the bone with the peppers melting into the sauce. The gnocchi with pomodoro sauce was the lightest and fluffiest gnocchi we've had since arriving in Italian (enjoyed gnocchi 3 times with different sauce preparations). Last dish with the fresh seabass, with sides of spinach and roasted vegetables. The recommended wine was delicious and we've continued to drink it since introduced by our waiter. He was very warm and charming and added to the overall experience. We were fortunate to get a last minute reservation and so worth it!

Our favorite restaurant during our time in Rome! We've eaten here twice in three days! Their caprese insalata, fried and Roman artichokes, and carbonara are our favorites! Service was friendly and attentive. Do yourself a favor and do not miss eating at Hostaria Romana! My tip for the day is: In Rome you have to ask for the check. I was told they will not just bring the check to you even if you look to be finished eating, because it is considered rude.

We were two couples for dinner with a reservation at 7:30pm (probably early by Italian standards). But we were seated promptly by a very congenial waiter and hostess. We enjoyed tasty pasta entrees and wine for a very reasonable price. We sat outside along a walkway/alley. That was ok until a street person distracted us and stole a mobile phone that was sitting on the table for literally 10 seconds. It wasn't the restaurant's fault at all. Just be very aware of your possessions and surroundings in a big city. . Otherwise enjoy this restaurant and the beautiful city of Rome.

Outstanding, authentic food in a tucked away location. The employees were welcoming and provided great service. The pasta was delicious.

Very casual setting. I had the chicken dish which came out with the chicken skin on it. Not accustomed to eating my chicken like that. It was hand boned also. Had to ask for our bill three times, which didn't seem that abnormal in Rome, but elsewhere it is. My wife had the spinach and ricotta ravioli. This was three large pieces with a bland tomato sauce on it. Was not that tasty.

Make a reservation and they will feed you and treat you like family. I ordered a glass of wine, soup, shared a spaghetti carbonara, a mixed grill, fresh pineapple for dessert and had a coffee. Keep in mind when we sat down at our table we were given complementary bread, rice croquettes and bean dish with sausage. To say I was full is a bit of an understatement. The service was great, the waiter was warm and friendly and made a big effort to ensure our comfort. He made us laugh and was very patient when we took a while to pick our dinner options. The food was good and served promptly. The prices were great and we laughed about how we spent more for dinner in Austin Texas.

Excellent restaurant! One of our best meals in Italy. Did not have a reservation but got to the restaurant at around 6:55 right when they opened, and barely got a table. Definitely go early!! They managed to squeeze us in and we had a great time. A great atmosphere and authentic food. A must go when in Rome!!

We went here on the recommendation of our hotel with friends and everyone in our party enjoyed it. Tasty drinks too.

This place gets BUSY!!! Seriously, make a reservation otherwise come right before they open and try to get a seat. We were lucky that even though we didn't have a reservation we got there right before they open at 7pm and they were able to seat us. They did have the restaurant full with the reservations by the time we ordered our food so that says something. I guess if you make rezzies you can choose to sit inside where there's AC? We had a seat outside in this makeshift patio. My husband and I were actually trying to have a quick meal (which is very tough in Italian restaurants) but we had tickets for a night tour at the Coliseum so we were in a bit of a rush and didnt order a ton of food. They gave us complimentary arancini and they were the BEST I've had. The cheesy risotto was cooked perfectly and it was the perfect start to our meal. I got the buccatini which was simple yet light enough where I didnt feel like I was going to be in a food coma. Though it was a quick dining experience it was well enjoyed.

We were seated at 7:30 pm and our food did not arrive until 9:00 pm. I know meals are slower and savored more here in Italy, but 90 minutes to get our food? Very poor. The table behind us was turned while we waited and the second group received their food the same time we did. As for the food - my noodles were undercooked - not even al dente - they practically crunched when I ate them. When they prepared the spaghetti al carbonara for two people at our table, they put one serving in a clean bowl and served the other in the bowl they mixed the noodles, egg & bacon in. Would not recommend this place to anybody and we regret wasting 2 hours of our time here in Rome at this place. Left a bad taste in our mouths!

Excellent food in Rome. We arrived as soon as they opened for lunch and knew we were onto something when there were several other people also waiting in line before the doors even opened. We were given complementary bread and what appeared to be a fried mozzarella ball. Both were very good! The mozzarella ball was a little cold in the center though. For my entree I ordered the lamb and my friend got the caccio e pepe. Her pasta dish was phenomenal and my lamb dish was great as well. Service was efficient and friendly. I'd definitely come back!

The absolute best restaurant not just in Rome but in Italy and probably in the world. Beautiful restaurant with white lights which feels like an Italian home with the decor (family photos, oils/pots/pans on the walls). Delicious food and friendly (and hilarious) staff. We did not have a reservation and although they were packed, they welcomed us like family. Homemade fresh authentic Italian food. Highly recommended.

We had seen Hostaria Romana on two lists of the best trattorias in Rome, and it didn't disappoint. We both had Carciofi Alla Giudia and Bucatini Amatriciana. They were terrific. The Amatriciana here has a less crispy guanciale than we're used to, but it's great. We also saw waiters mixing bowls of Cacio e Pepe and Carbonara that looked pretty amazing. Hostaria Romana is also known for great antipasti (including sardines, breaded onions, salty fried artichokes, sautéed eggplant, a celery/mushroom/baby artichoke salad, potato croquettes, firm ricotta, and sautéed zucchini). We weren't hungry enough for starters when we were there, and the pasta portions are pretty large, but the antipasti looked amazing. It's a bustling restaurant with great service and a really pleasant atmosphere.

THIS PLACE IS FOOD-COMMA WORTHY! First tip, make a reservation or arrive there and find a spot. In my expirience, they were already booked, nonetheless we arrived there at 9:30 PM and we luckly found an open spot. So do not worry or stop visiting because they are already booked. Everything is made from scratch. I recommend you to listen to your waitress' recommendations and try everything, specially the Cacio e Pepe, which is the best I had in Rome. The house wine is fine and delicious, highly recommended. The service and eviroment is nice and cool.

First thing first: get a reservation. Then enjoy the delicious pasta and meats, served by a waiter with lots of humor. He tricked me by bringing a tiny amount of the food on a big plate and asked me how much parmesan I wanted in it. Too polite to express my shock, he and my wife had a good laugh at my expense. Then the real dish arrived and it was great. We had a very good dinner.

Absolutely amazing food and service. Highly recommend! The staff was so accommodating and kind, we will be back next time in Rome.

After our first night in Rome, we wised up and planned a little ahead for dinner the next day. We unsuccessfully got a table at Hostaria the night before, but easily made a reservation for dinner the next night. When we got to there, we walked past all those people that didn't have a reservation and we were promptly whisked away to our table. Ambiance: They sat us downstairs in the separate room, and our table had a sign with my name printed on it. VIP baby! As per usual, the tables were extremely close together and you basically had no privacy. Luckily we had an end table, so we only had one neighbor. The aesthetic of this place was a little confusing. Their settings and white table cloth tables made it seem kinda classy and old-world Italian, but then they just had writing all over the wall. It basically looked like graffiti with all the signatures from guests over the years. Service: The service was lightning fast, more efficient than rushed. We decided on our order pretty quickly, and the food came out right away. I swear we were in and out within the hour. There was a couple at the table next to us already there before we were seated, and we were eating our second pasta before they even put in their appetizer. I guess we still haven't adapted to the Italian pace of savoring a meal haha. Food: I was conflicted because I read great things about both their cacio e pepe and carbonara, but we learned our lesson about over-ordering the night before, so we settled on just two dishes this time. Spaghetti alla carbonara - The carbonara was so good, probably one of my favorite carbonaras out of all the ones we tried in Rome. The noodles were definitely better, like they were made from scratch, and they were cooked more al dente. Then the sauce was richer and you could really get that egg yolk flavor and texture. The only average part was the amount of bacon you get in it, although the flavor was bold enough to taste in every bite. Saltimbocca alla romana - The saltimbocca was tasty too, just a little on the salty side. There were two veal cutlets wrapped in prosciutto with a light sauce, and it came with a handful of fries too, so it was like an Italian version of steak frites. It was also a pleasant surprise that they gave us arancini to start and chocolate hazelnut biscotti to finish, as house gifts. Overall, Hostaria Romana was one of our favorite meals of the trip. The carbonara was the best out of them all (even better than the often overhyped Roscioli). The rest of their menu looked solid as well, so next time I'll have to try their other specialties, like the cacio e pepe.

So we went to this restaurant at 845PM without a reservation. The host told us to come back at 930PM. Thank God I watched him write our name for that reservation. We come back at 925PM and there was a massive line and we were seated after we told our name. Three groups of people who sat after us had their order taken and appetizers and drinks out berore our order was even taken. On top of that, all the other tables and two other tables after we finished our meal got their bread within minutes of sitting down. We finally had our order taken 20 minutes in and received our bread after 45 minutes when we were wrapping up our meal. The carbonara was okay but the pasta was not al dente, the mushroom fetuccini was okay, and the veal was alright as well. The food was so-so and the service was down right atrocious. Maybe if you're a local or white tourist they might treat you better as all the other parties I've observed. I dont know for sure if it was that but I was not mistreated at all the other restaurants I've eaten at Rome. Avoid at all costs.

This place was right by where I was staying while visiting Rome. Make a reservation here in advance. The food was amazing here! I had the fettuccine with Gorgonzola cheese. It was so simple and light and worth every bite. I also had the fried prawns and squid. Again, this dish was perfect! It was lightly fried to perfection. I ended my meal with Tiramisu was the best I have ever tasted, better than any I have tried in the US. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone that I know visiting Rome.

The pope eats here Apparently the popes eaten here. His photo is on the wall. The walls are filled with graffiti which is a bit of a weird vibe but cool nonetheless. This is the epitome of home cooking. The food was delicious. Large menu with lots of options. The tables have casserole dishes with sides that are prepared. They give you more than you've ordered so you can literally try more food. The service was great! We had an anti pasta platter of the house to start and fried artichokes. I'd recommend both. For the meal our son had raviolis which was delicious. We had cacio e Pepe and veal saltimboca. Both were great. No complaints. We had our 16 month old traveling with us. They were very accommodating with him which is important for parents. They gave him breadsticks and fed him upfront. I'm glad we got there early. We didn't have reservations. Make them! We arrived right when they opened and they luckily squeezed us in. Follow us on Instagram @sebastianfashionicon

Dined here a few nights ago with friends. I have to admit I wasn't sure what to expect at first sight. But this was, hands down, one of the best (if not the best) dining experiences during our visit to Rome. It's cozy in all the right ways. We felt like we were visiting someone's home. Even more so when dish upon dish was brought out for us to try. We left more than satisfied. While a the food was great, the Florentine steak was the highlight of our meal. Way too much for even two people so we shared. The staff were warm and so hospitable and prices were very reasonable. I highly recommends king a reservation in advance.

The restaurant is in an excellent location its really nice and calm the service was excellent and the staff also, it a was really clean and friendly place the food was amazing and the prices are reasonable really recommend it only problem is that they made a mistake in the check but they corrected it and gave us a 3€ discount all in all amazing place

My first pasta experience in Rome and it was awesome! I ordered the Spaghetti with Eggs and Bacon. It was really good but pretty salty so be ready for that. Also the bacon was crunchy and packed with flavor! Overall a really great dish with a little too much salt - but I'd get it again! My wife got the spinach ravioli and she loved it. I'd get a reservation before you go. It's a small space and seats get filled really quickly.

Excellent service! I went on a Saturday night without reservations for one. Had to wait about 30 minutes, but it was fine. They were working HARD.! Service was good; much better than what I was afraid of from reading reviews of service abroad. English-friendly. Had the tortellini in broth, spaghetti alla carbonara, and roast lamb. A lot of extras too (from what I understand as others uneaten food). Food was good, tortellini and veal were excellent. Probably the best tortellini I've had.! I could tell it was made fresh as the pasta itself tasted not-dried and boiled. The filling was a good amount and the tortellini itself wasn't too doughy. The roast lamb was super tender and extremely tasty. I could taste the flavor deep within the meat as if it had been marinated. Unfortunately after the spaghetti carbonara I was too full to finish the lamb.

An "oh my god!" eatery. Quintessential Roman dining experience. Portions are beyond huge. A couple can easily make the entire meal from the 12 euro antipasti collection with some bread and a dessert. Snooty fancy food this ain't. Hearty pastas, meats, fishes. Seasoned boldly. Presented nicely. Big pasta dishes and meat dishes are in the $15 euro price range. 10 page wine list. Bottle prices from 20 euro and up. If you practice reasonable ordering a couple can eat and drink to satisfaction for 65 euros. Service folks are engaging & helpful. Almost all speak a modicum of English. 3 Dining rooms. The atrium up front and above is the brightest and least claustrophobic feeling. Even here though elbow room is at a premium. From opening till closing time this place is packed to the rafters. Reservations are a must if you want a specific time.

This place is a joke If you're American. They will completely ignore you and place your order far after everyone around you. We were seated at 915, but did not even receive our first course until 1015. Both tables around us were seated 20-30 minutes after, but had their desserts before we received our first plate. We ordered the same first plate, and when our food was received, it was very clear, only one plate was made, and the bowl was used to dump food from one plate to another, but charged for two. Menu also severely lacked from other places,very simple and bland. Not sure how this place has received so many good reviews, but save yourself the trouble, and go somewhere they show you respect.

So this dinner started out awkward. We made a reservation, but this tiny eatery was packed when we arrived and the entryway had nowhere to stand and I wasn't sure if all the people crammed into it had reservations or what the deal was. When I finally got someone's attention we were seated at a table merely 2 inches if that away from another table, so yeah it felt like having dinner with strangers. The tight quarters and the chaos aside, the dinner just got better and better. Our waiter was so friendly and entertaining and really had fun playing jokes on the British couple next to us. Everything we ate was superb. For 1st courses I went with the carbonara and for 2nd courses we got the Roman Chicken which tasted like it had been slow cooked for hours to fall off the bone tenderness, and the veal saltimbocca..so flavorful and delicious. For dessert you must try the tiramisu, save room for this! Even the table white wine I had was stellar. If you can put up with the chaos, noise, and very little personal space, it is definitely worth it to eat here!