Ristorante Controluce

Such a kind owner, one of the first places that we felt welcomed at. Delicious food, peaceful, and intimate—quintessential Trastevere dining.

We had such a fantastic lunch here. The cacio e pepe was rich and delicious, and the rigatoni ragu was spot-on. The service was warm and attentive, which made the whole experience even better. I would absolutely recommend.

Cosy atmosphere with a quiet, rustic elegance, friendly service, and delicious Sicilian cuisine. If you are going as family or in a small group, ordering several dishes to share with the whole table is a great way to go. The savory Crème Brûlée appetizer was especially outstanding. The pear and Sicilian canoli desserts were also excellent, and the owner explained that the latter was her grandmother's recipe. The food and atmosphere would be especially appealing to travellers from Japan.

Lovely setting and wine was delicious but portions are extremely small (strange the Italians behind us got a much larger serving?) The starter of aubergine pictured below was €14 and said it came with bread…it was more like a stale crisp. The pasta dishes were very tasty and it may be down to personal taste but the pasta with gricia was so al dente it was hard. Really disappointed was so looking forward to the best food of my life in Rome but this was definitely not the place to find it…😔

Contoluce in Rome is an extraordinary dining experience. The whipped cod is a masterclass in texture and flavor, while the smoked spaghetti is a revelation, resonating with smoky, rich undertones. The ambiance is a perfect marriage of rustic charm and modern sophistication. What truly sets Contoluce apart is the owner—her passion and meticulous attention to detail are palpable, making each guest feel uniquely valued. An essential visit for any discerning palate in Rome.

Came here for a celebratory dinner. The service was ok. The food was either very good or terrible. My husband had the octopus and it was great as was the fried anchovies. My carbonara was one of the worse pasta dishes I’ve ever eaten anywhere. The pasta was way too hard, the sauce was too thick and the bacon was overcooked. I was so disappointed I just wanted to leave. I definitely won’t be back for the price.

I’ve been three or four times and it’s always a wonderful experience. Definitely of the best choices in Trastevere, where there are lots of touristy places. It’s frequented by locals and both the seasonal dishes and the Roman classics are absolutely delicious. One of the best dinners in Rome ever!

I am knocking my head on the wall for not having discovered this place earlier. What a change of air after being mostly exposed to heavy and windowless Roman trattorias. The owner, an ex bank director Raimondo and his elegant wife run this tastefully furnished refined restaurant with delicious dishes prepared by their originally Argentinian but a long resident of Rome lady chef Nicci. The owner says he serves original dishes reinterpreted the neapolitan way. All dishes have special touch like their fried heart shaped shrimps or eggplant with cheese or cod fish with chickpeas puree .I have to admit the service, although extremely kind and friendly, is a bit slow but it does not cost them a star because it is a worthwhile wait when the finished products reach your table and puts you in bliss. Chocolate caprese cake is served lukewarm with fresh whipped cream . It has a separate room which can be rented for events and also an outside seating arrangement on good weather days. It is on a quiet side street parallel to viale Trastevere and only half hour walk from Pantheon area.