Destination
Type of Restaurant
Type of Meal
Editors Pick
Read MoreAl Pompiere
A neighborhood favorite in Rome’s Jewish ghetto, Al Pompiere beckons with an old-world atmosphere and classic Roman cuisine. The white-tableclothed dining room is the perfect place to enjoy traditional dishes like fried squash blossoms, porchetta, spaghetti carbonara and bucatini all'amatriciana
Read MoreArancio d’Oro
You won’t find many tourists at this casual trattoria located in a quiet side street in Rome’s Historic District. All pasta is handmade, and gluten-free options are available. The staff is also unpretentious and friendly.
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreBabette
This restaurant, named after the film Babette’s Feast, is recommended by fashion designer Soledad Twombly, who suggests it for lunch when you can get a table in the leafy courtyard.
Read MoreBiscottificio Innocenti
Located on the narrow streets of Trastevere sits Biscottificio Innocenti, a neighborhood staple, run by the Sesto family since the 1920s. Already from the outside, customers are lured in by the irresistible smell of butter and powdered sugar. The interiors...
Read MoreCaffè Capitolino
The terrace of the Caffarelli palace at the Capitoline Museum, is a good spot to know about if you’re touring the Colosseum and are in need of a quiet, calm break for lunch. Separated from the panoramic terrace with sweeping city...
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreCanova
As Paris has Café de Flore and London has the Wolseley, so Rome has Canova. A grand, historic watering hole in a prime location for watching the world stroll by and to enjoy a cup of coffee, morning pastry, sandwich...
Read MoreCesare al Casaletto
This trattoria is the passion project of a local foodie couple and has become one of the city’s best classic eateries, as well as a favorite of Indagare Insider Katie Parla (read more of her Rome favorites in our Q&A)....
Read MoreDa Fortunato
Open since 1975, Da Fortunato has long been a favorite thanks its old-world atmosphere, terrace that offers views of the Pantheon and classic Roman fare. The eatery is known for its large menu of traditional dishes including fritto misto, baked...
Read MoreDa Remo
The best place in town for authentic thin-crusted pizza romana, Remo is a Testaccio institution, with a prime location on the district’s main piazza. You can sit at wonky tables balanced on the pavement, or in the cavernous interior, overseen...
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreDal Bolognese
A favorite of Rome’s jet set, Dal Bolognese has an unbeatable view right onto Piazza del Popolo, so it comes as no surprise that the restaurant is always booked. Arrive early (8:15pm is their first reservation) to get a table....
Read MoreDal Pollarolo 1936
If you are looking for the best thin crust pizza in central Rome, head to Dal Pollarolo. This simple and unpretentious Roman trattoria features a simple, rustic atmosphere, but the pizza is arguably some of the best in the city. If...
Read MoreEmma
Situated in Rome’s historic center, the uber-cool Emma serves excellent thin-crust Roman style pizzas in a huge, industrial-style space. In addition to pizza, the menu includes a range of fried appetizers and cured meats and cheeses, as well as an...
Read MoreFiordiluna
This Travastere gelateria doesn’t look like much, but its smooth, creamy gelato may well be the best the city currently has to offer. A sign on the door explains where the ingredients come from (hazelnuts from Sorrento, coco form Madagascar),...
Read MoreFlavio Al Velavevodetto
In-the-know locals flock to Flavio for some of the best Roman specialties to be had. The simple white stucco façade buzzes with families and couples, spread over two outdoor spaces and two cozy interior rooms. The menu is available only...
Read MoreGelateria del Teatro
Tucked in a back of a cozy courtyard, a short stroll—but seemingly miles away—from bustling Piazza Navona, this lovely gelateria is famous for its many original, artisanal flavors, including some made with red wine, others featuring herbs like sage. It’s...
Read MoreGelateria La Romana
Dating back to 1947, Gelateria La Romana serves traditional gelato flavors crafted from the original recipes. There are five locations across the city (and many more around the world), but the original is in the historic center.
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreGinger Sapori e Salute
Though just minutes from the Spanish Steps, Ginger, a self-proclaimed Roman “bistro” is a haven from the heat and crowds of the Centro Storico. A white minimalist interior becomes alive with the color of fresh organic produce, meats and cheeses...
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreGiolitti
At this wonderfully old-school caffè-cum-gelateria, you first pay for however many scoops you wish, then, armed with a little white receipt, you can order at the delicious homemade gelato. Don’t try it the other way around; you will simply be...
Read MoreGirarrosto Fiorentino
If classic and old-world is what you're seeking for your meals in Rome, do not miss this elegant restaurant located in the center of the city, just a few minutes stroll from the Borghese Gardens. The wood paneled dining room...
Photo by Jolie Goodson, courtesy IndagareRead MoreIl Caffè
For a glimpse into the chic Bulgari Hotel Roma, a visit to the casual Il Caffè on the ground floor is an ideal spot for a traditional Roman lunch, aperitif or coffee. Located near the historic Piazza Augusto Imperatore, the...
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreIl Gelato San Crispino
One of Rome's most famous gelaterias, San Crispino serves up creamy concoctions in such flavors as balsamic gelato, a heady mix of heavy cream, sugar and the caramelized sweetness of balsamico, pink grapefruit and whiskey cream. There are no cones;...
Read MoreIl Matriciano
For a less touristy (and less pricey) alternative to Piazza del Popolo’s Dal Bolognese, head across the Tiber to Il Matriciano for al fresco dining and old fashioned Roman cuisine. A few blocks north of the Vatican, the restaurant is in...
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreLa Buvette
This cafe within walking distance to the Spanish Steps is a perfect spot to greet the day with a cappuccino and cornetto (Italian croissant). It's equally fun for lunch if you can score one of the tables on the street...
Read MoreLe Mani in Pasta
This tiny eatery in Trastevere is a pitch-perfect Roman dining experience. The no-frills dining room is small, tables are pushed so close together that you have to make friends with your neighbors, and the kitchen is located behind a glass...
Read MoreMordi e Vai
For those in search of delicious street food in Testaccio market, Mordi e Vai does not disappoint. This low-key joint serves some of the best brisket sandwiches in the city.
Read MoreNeve di Latte
Located about a 20-minute walk from Vatican City, Neve di Latte implements uber–high-quality ingredients (including milk from a biodynamic producer) in its artisanal flavors. One of the most beautiful gelaterias in Rome, Neve di Latte boasts light pink walls, gold...
Photo by Sydney Lapin courtesy IndagareRead MoreOtaleg
With some of the best gelato in Rome, Otaleg (gelato spelled backwards) is a cozy spot in Trastevere created by well-known gelataio Marco Radicioni. The shop serves up delicious classics like dark chocolate and pistachio, alongside more unusual (yet still...
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Panella l’Arte del Pane
This gorgeous bakery and cafe (Paris’ Ladurée meets Poilâne) is a Roman classic and a great place to start if you are touring the Colosseum, which is a 10- to 15-minute walk from Panella. There are some small tables outside,...
Photo by Elise Bronzo, courtesy Indagare TravelRead MorePierluigi
On a quiet side street not far from the bustling Campo de’ Fiori, Pierluigi is a great casual restaurant that serves delicious salads, pastas, grilled fish and meats. In warm weather, there are tables outside on a serene piazza. It’s...
Read MorePizzarium
Another famous Roman take-out spot, Pizzarium is located in walking distance to the Vatican. There’s no table service and there are only a few benches outside, though locals who come for the fluffy pies with such organic toppings as wild...
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreRistorante Dillà
The half-Italian, half-English owner of the beloved La Buvette, chef Andrea Misseri, has opened what he calls "an Italian tavern in central Rome," between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo. The comfort food—delicious cacio e pepe and carbonara pastas—and...
Read MoreRistorante Nino
No longer a secret address, Nino continues to serve reliable Tuscan specialties. The scene is slightly more upscale than your average Roman trattoria and service can be hit-or-miss. Indagare Tip: It's best to ask your concierge to book your table...
Read MoreSant Eustachio Caffè
Sant Eustachio has Rome’s most famous cappuccino, served at a long 1930s zinc bar near the Pantheon. Order at the busy counter and people-watch while you're drinking this pick-me-up. Afterwards, walk to the nearby church of San Luigi dei Francesi which...
Courtesy Santo Palato, Rome.Read MoreSantoPalato
Occupying a somewhat nondescript dining room in the off-the-beaten path Appio-Latino quarter, SantoPalato is helmed by chef Sarah Cicolini, who serves up classic trattoria cuisine. With tiled floors and mismatched plates and silverware, the restaurant feels homey, and the dishes,...
Photo by Melissa Biggs Bradley, courtesy IndagareRead MoreTrattoria al Moro
In a hidden location, on a narrow cobblestone street near the Trevi fountain, this authentic trattoria is one a favorite of Alberto Moncanda, the owner of three boutique hotels. “Al Moro, is a well-known trattoria; well-known for its delicious food...
Read MoreTrattoria Monti
For an authentic trattoria experience, head to this thirty-year-old neighborhood mainstay, where regulars dine on giant egg-filled ravioli. The current owners inherited the place from their parents and carry on serving both Roman specialties and dishes from the Marche region....
