One of the most important tourist destinations in the world, Rome has a selection of enviable restaurants and a booming food culture. However, seeing how fastidious the Italians are about their food it’s best to know a little about the Roman food culture before you decide to dive into any of the culinary gems detailed below. The best restaurants in Rome can be divided into 3 major sections; budget or cheap eateries, mid-range restaurants and fine dining experiential restaurants.
In the fine dining section, you will find Ristorantes that have top-notch exclusive ambience. In the mid-range and budget section, you will find trattorias (small and family-run restaurants), pizzerias, Rosticcerias (which serve pre-organised meals), Tavola’s (fast food outlets) and Osteria’s (wine and simple food).
Wherever you go get used to a certain level of indifference on the part of the servers; it’s not rudeness, it’s just that Italians as a whole don’t play up to their customers especially if the latter are non-Italian. However small the eatery may be, expect to find a lot of gorgeously dressed slim-figured Romans around. The locals are very fastidious about their appearance so make sure that you dress up for your food journey here!!
Budget Category
Food as a rule is not that expensive in Rome….if you decide to solely survive on pizza, gelato and fried stuff. Most touristy so-called ‘budget eateries’ will have red (or some other bright colour) boards with a picture of a burger, fries and coke on them and serve degraded versions of typical Macdonald’s fare. Steer clear of them as none of these will let you experience the wonders of local Roman food that’s flavourful, not entirely unhealthy and easy on the pocket.
Some of these budget eateries may look ramshackle and have bad seating and the service may be less than great but the food always makes up for these shortcomings. More importantly, the names on this list are diverse so whatever your preferences may be they are sure to be met.
If you are specifically looking for budget restaurants and cafes that have great views of the city of Rome, historic sites or important landmarks, then go through Great affordable eateries in Rome with a view.
In Rome, it sometimes becomes difficult to differentiate between mid-range and budget places as they are all mostly smallish in size. However, in these budget eateries, it’s possible to get a lovely meal for two at less than 40 euros.
Vulio
Vulio is very near the Vatican and this makes it a convenient stop either before or after the monumental Vatican trip. It’s located in a smallish side street and isn’t a very big eatery though it’s incredibly popular. One of the best things they serve is bruschetta with their own homemade bread. There are even free olives and oregano-flavoured crostini handed out generously to diners.
This place serves Pulgiani cuisine that’s delicious and served in generous proportions…the wine is also from the Pulgiani region and pairs excellently with the food. Enjoy a lovely combination of olives, mozzarella, chorizo, ham, tomatoes, and pistachios on their rustic bread and down it all with some craft beer if you aren’t a big wine lover. Order the tasting platter that comes with 4 different halves of toasted bread and different toppings. The Parma ham toppings in particular were delish and so was the Mortadella salami.
The ambience is cosy though nothing much but this place offers healthy wholesome food at very reasonable prices at a great location. And a good break from all the pizza and pasta that floods Roma.
Pricing: about 16 euros for a lunch for two.
Timings: Open every day from 11.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m.
Address: Via Degli Sciponi 55, 200 metri dalla metro Ottaviano. Phone: +39 06 39733825. Website
Romolo e Remo
This unobtrusive, simple restaurant that’s incidentally named after Rome’s founder (Romulus) in the charming San Giovanni neighbourhood is hard to miss… there is always a waiting line outside. Like most budget eateries in Rome don’t come here for the ambience; just come for the food!!
For starters, you can try the primavera focaccia before moving on to a hearty pasta-based dish like the house speciality Romulo e Remo pasta or the Bolognese or the mixed Bruschetta or even the Rigatoni Carbonara. Peppered chicken steak, ham and cheese board, grilled vegetables and veal are all great. The stars of the pasta show are definitely Tagliolini Alla Crema Di Carciof (artichoke sauce) and Bugatini Alla Amatriciana (pasta in tomato sauce and pork cheeks). Pizza is also available and the portions are super generous.
Round off with Tiramisu, espresso with Sambuca or have a bottle of their rather nice red house wine. This place serves everything right from breakfast to after-hour food. The portions are always large and they have this La Gara Challenge going on where if you eat 13 pasta dishes then the whole meal is free. The waitresses speak many languages with ease.
On the downside, the décor is a little shabby and the place looks worn out. The photos of local celebrities and soccer players on the walls do their bit to brighten up the ambience. A good example of a homely, affordable and honest neighbourhood trattoria. Plus, the San Giovanni neighbourhood is good to explore.
Pricing: 30 euros for a meal for two
Timings: 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM, From Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday first half though open for dinner later
Address: Via Pannonia, 22-26; Phone: 06 7720 8187. Website
Mizio’s Street Food
This isn’t a fancy place or even a place to target for a proper sit-down meal… there is hardly any indoor seating. What Mizio’s offers are huge drool-worthy sandwiches that are a boon for tourists and locals alike. The tourists are all reeling from too much fries, pizza and pasta and the locals are slowly waking up to some variety in street food….this is why Mizio is everyone’s favourite.
This is the perfect place to go and grab a huge sandwich from the store and then eat it on those charming rickety chairs outside or carry your stuff to the nearest fountain and then gobble it down heartily without bothering about manners. These jumbo-sized packages of deliciousness are guaranteed to keep you full for hours. Almost all the menu is delicious but if you have to choose then the Porchetta, and Spicy Salami are both excellent. The Sfogliatella, Mortadella pesto and the sun-dried tomato and cheese Panini sandwiches are also adorable, if you are feeling adventurous then the octopus pie with tomatoes and olives are a good option.
There are lots of variants of beer and cute little pastry cakes with gooey custard filling that taste quite good. The best thing about this place is the owners who are incredibly charming and patient and actually take pain in explaining the origin and specialities of their meats and cheeses.
Location-wise, it’s convenient as the place isn’t too far from the Colosseum and quite near Fatamorgana which specialises in heavenly Gelato. Via Degli Zingari has a lovely gipsy vibe about it.
Pricing: 20 euros for two sandwiches, beer and pastry
Timings: 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 a.m. Monday to Friday. 9.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday
Address: Via Degli Zingari 54 A Piazza Madonna dei Monti. Phone: 39 06 6400 8396. Website
Panino Divino
Panino Divino is an excellent Panincoteca and a Tapas Bar in the belly of Rome’s historic centre. As the name suggests the owner, cuisine and décor have a generous Spanish touch and if you are bored of Italian food then this is the place to come to. Apart from the Paninis, wraps, salads and focaccia that are pretty much staples in Rome, you will get Spanish salamis, cheeses, vegetables cured in olive oil and special dips/ chutneys from Spain’s Abruzzo region.
There is a nice Tapas and Pinchos section too and it’s hard to find better versions of authentic gazpacho and paella elsewhere in Rome. The wine stocked here has some non-Italian variants… they directly come from the Abruzzo (Spanish local producers) and from Salamanca Spain. All the bread is made in-house and is of excellent quality.
Of course, Panini Divino has divine Paninis… you can try any of the entrees from the menu but the Pinot Nero (ham, mozzarella, tomato) and Chianti (pecorino cheese, salami and salad) are special. Make sure to bring along cash….this place doesn’t accept credit cards.
The location is great as you can drop in here for some quick food and drinks after you are done exploring the nearby Piazza Navona and Campa di Fiori. Via del Paradiso is just a few blocks away too. This is the Prati neighbourhood and unlike the tourist-infused Borgo it can serve up a slice of genuine Rome with quiet boutiques, moms pushing baby carriages and locals gossiping on corners. Once the sun sets this is one of the best spots for celebrating apertivo hour.
Pricing: about 25 euros for 2 sandwiches
Timing: open from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Saturday
Address: Via Del Paradiso 39, 00186 Rome. Phone: +39 328 948 1974. Website
La Gatta Mangiona (Pizzeria)
This is probably the best place in Rome to have authentic Italian Pizza. La Gatta Mangiona has featured on many TV shows so it’s sort of a holy grail for pizza lovers (both locals and tourists). The immense popularity of this place means that it’s always packed which is why it’s recommended that you reserve in advance. The name actually translates into “lazy cat” and the owner’s love for felines translates into the unique décor scheme. Cats are found all over the walls, menus, table cloths ….everywhere!!!
The pizza list has more than 30 entrees so it becomes difficult to choose what to order. Two of the best options are Pizza Margherita Della Gatta, Pizza Morollo, and Pizza Radicchio. Whatever pizza you choose you will surely appreciate the dough which is soft and chewy and has authentic Italian flavours….the flours are special and they are fermented really long.
Other dishes like the ricotta croquettes, beef ragu suppli, asparagus saffron suppli etc. are equally good. Vegetarians have options aplenty here as there are excellent dishes like fried mixed vegetables. Ingredients used are super fresh; the chef uses edible flowers, extra virgin olive oil, mackerel smoked to perfection etc. for conjuring up his dishes. Try pan-tossed courgettes, pesto and pecorino Romano cheese, dolce forte with ricotta, bruschettas, and salads… almost everything on the menu is excellent. People generally order craft beer here but the wine list is also good.
Another big advantage of this place is that the staff are friendly and speak nice English. The atmosphere is casual and the ambience reflects the charms of a typical trattoria.
On the downside, the location is a little dubious and a little far from the city centre… deep inside the Trastavere neighbourhood. Expect broken sidewalks and streets full of graffiti around. Also, these are unabashed gluten-ridden full fat cheese dripping pizza with generous salt contents so if you are on a diet then just don’t go. On the other hand, if you don’t believe in diets then leave some room for the Tiramisu.
Pricing: about 40 euros for a two-course meal for two
Timings: 7.45 pm to 11.30 p.m. every day
Address: Via F Ozanam 30-32, Monteverde. Phone: +39 06 534 6702. Website
Mid-Range Category
Rome is filled with family-run trattorias all fiercely guarding their secret recipes and serving their own versions of culinary heaven. There is fierce competition in the Roman food scene and every trattoria or even pizzeria has its loyal legion of followers. The names on this list are all definitely non-touristy and represent the cream of traditional Roman cooking with a few innovative versions.
In Rome you will find way fewer representations of other cuisines… like all Italians the Romans like to stick to their heritage and culinary customs which they believe are the best. A meal at any of the options detailed below are sure to leave to charm. In a typical mid-range restaurant in Rome, it’s possible to have a meal for two for under 80 euros.
Antica Trattoria da Pietro al Pantheon
A haven for truffle lovers, Pietro al Pantheon is famous for its black truffle pasta. Vegetarians should definitely order their Insalata Mista; it’s a delightful bundle of zucchini, carrots, tomatoes, cucumber, squash blossoms, arugula, anchovies and yellow peppers. Meat lovers will love the pasta with wild boar ragu and osso bocco and scallopini (pork).
Grilled calamari, roasted Porcini mushrooms, and Caprese salad are all excellent as is the house wine that’s only 10 euros a litre. This is probably one of the best places in Rome to have a conventional Maltagliati or Tonnarelli with some excellent biological Tollo. Finish off with some Tiramisu or some homemade chocolate cake.
The fact that this charming little restaurant lies just about 100 meters away from the pantheon on a sweet side street adds to its advantages. The ambience is cute, and quirky and though there isn’t much space inside, the walls are decorated with lots of pictures and prints. The rather antique-looking décor scheme goes well with the traditional cuisine that’s served here. Sitting outside is highly recommended but you would have to be really lucky to grab one of those few chairs.
This is a very popular restaurant so it’s likely to be packed and full if you don’t book well in advance. However, the waiters are gracious enough to serve chilled glasses of Prosecco while you are waiting for your table. On the flip side, like most Roman restaurants this one too subtly differentiates between its Italian and non-Italian diners.
Pricing: around 60 euros for a meal for two
Timings: Open every day from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 a.m.
Address: Via dei Pastini 125, Phone: + 39 06 678 9940. Website
Osteria Della Suburra
Osteria Suburra is not a bit touristy though it stands in a very touristy neighbourhood. There are usually long waiting lines if you don’t come with a reservation but the waitresses will sometimes serve you a free glass of wine while you are waiting.
The conventional Roman-style artichokes will make you want to scrape up every bit of juice on your plate. The pasta-based dishes like carbonara gricia, penne arrabbiata, gnocchi Bolognese and Roma favourites like mussels in white wine sauce are superbly made. If you want to experiment with true blue Roman food like lambs’ brains or snails cooked Roman style then this is the place!! The less daring dishes like rigatoni alla pajata and trippa (liver) alla romana are also excellent.
The décor is definitely outdated and at best can be called homely and though they have outdoor seating the place tends to cramp up pretty soon. There is not much leg space either inside or outside. The menu is available in multiple languages and service is adequate though not exactly friendly. This is a small family-run place and they make their own house wine (average), bread (great) and pasta (excellent). The cakes are homemade too and the Tiramisu is definitely a winner. The house wine is cheap at 8 euros a litre and they have a good selection of other labels too including craft beer.
The location is the Monti neighbourhood near the Coliseum so reaching it is not a problem… suits tourists looking to lunch on the way back from Coliseum or the Palatine hill. Look out for the Fonata Del Catecumeni nearby.
Pricing: about 70 euros for two people including an appetizer and the main course.
Timings: 12.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. 7.30 p.m. to 12.00 a.m. Tuesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday
Address: Osteria Della Suburra. Via Urbana 67-69. Phone: +39 06 486531. Website
CiPASSO
CiPASSO has made a name for itself for serving up delicious Italian meals in a beautiful setting at a moderate expense. This is not a large restaurant and can seat only about 30 odd people inside.
The appetizer selection is so good especially the crostini’s, polplette, zucchini flan, a selection of suppli and the cheese boards that you may end up stuffing yourself with all of them and not get to the main course. That would really be a tragedy because the main entrees like lasagne, charcuterie, meatballs and cheese board, burrata, steak tartare, beef carpaccio and smoked swordfish are all delish. Round your meal off with dessert ricotta that has chocolate-covered pears or a pane cotta dessert.
It’s not possible to reserve a table here so it’s purely first come first served. This place is hugely popular so arrive early to grab a seat. In fact, come at 7.30 p.m. and enjoy a drink outside while waiting for your dinner table. The staff is polite, friendly and attentive. People with large appetites may have an issue with this place… the plate sizes are small and the menu can be called light and flavourful. In fact, including some options for heartier eaters may have been a good idea.
Pricing: 70 to 90 euros for a meal for two including wine
Timings: open every day from 1 p.m. to 12 a.m.
Address: Via dell’Orso, 71, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. Phone: +39 06 89274020. Facebook Page
Ciao Checca
If you are ever tired of pizza, pasta and fried food while in Rome then this is the place to come to. Ciao Checca is a dedicated member of the slow food movement that focuses on health benefits, ecological friendliness and farm-to-table sourcing. Every container and piece of cutlery that you will find inside the restaurant is compostable/recyclable and the food selections have plenty of vegan and gluten-free entrees. There are no food additives, no chemical agents and no microwaves.
The pasta alla checca here has been called ‘heaven on earth’….a delightful concoction of raw tomato, garlic, basil, olive oil and delish mozzarella. Another winner is the lentil soup with foichi di stracciatella and house bread along with the taglioni with pine nuts and pesto. And if you are craving for burgers then this is the place to have a good old patty melt cheeseburger. There is a decent drink menu with craft beer and organic wine and fruit smoothies.
Expect simple café-style décor with whites and wood notes, a cosy selection of books and quirky accessories.
The Ciao Checca promotes slow and healthy street food and does that in a cute and friendly way that guarantees re-visits. The Pantheon and the Trevi are nearby too.
Pricing: About 50 euros for a meal for two
Timings: Mon to Tuesday from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. From Wednesday to Saturday 9.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. Closed on Sundays
Address: Piazza di Firenze 25, Rome. Phone: +39 06 68300368. Website
Pizzarium
In Italy, there is a huge difference between Pizza and Pizza al taglio. Unlike Pizza that’s served whole, Pizza Taglio is sold by weight and usually, the person over the counter will hold a knife over a giant pizza and you can specify the exact amount of pizza you need. Pizza al taglio at 18 euro/kg is a bit too expensive as any Roman will tell you….after all, Al Taglio Pizza is the ultimate comfort food found at every street corner, local market, tourist hub and basically everywhere else in Rome. Of course, unless the pizza is coming from Pizzarium in which case the premium price is totally justified. Gabriel Bonci the owner is a celebrity in his own right and his famous creative combinations have got Romans and tourists raving.
His outlet Pizzarium is no-frills… customers are actually found leaning against the counter and wolfing down their pizza. Gabriel’s secret technique of slow-dough making is what makes the base perfect. Try eclectic versions here like parmesan with figs, mozzarella with pancetta and pumpkin cream, chilli paste with goat cheese and arugula or stick to traditional like focaccia with rosemary and sea salts.
Lasagne Pizza, Polpo e Patate (potatoes and octopus), Porchetta (potato pizza stuffed with roast pork), white truffle with leek, and artichoke with ricotta are some of the hot sellers. You will get lots of variants of organic wine and local Italian drinks like Amalfi Lemon Gazzosa here.
The location is convenient as it’s near Vatican City just next to the Cipro metro station. This shop is small but you will immediately recognise it by the huge line that always snakes outside. You will need to take a ticket and wait for your number to be called and then choose what pizza selections you want before the counter people warm it up and give it to you along with your choice of drinks.
Pricing: 50 euros for 8 pieces of pizza and drinks.
Timing: 11 am to 10 pm every day.
Address: Via della Meloria, 43, 00136 Roma. Facebook Page
Fine Dining In Rome
With more than 20 Michelin starrers the Roman fine dining landscape has started looking better than ever. If you go seriously craving gourmet world food then treating your senses at one of these sophisticated experiential restaurants is in order. These are places attached to big hotel chains and have giant reputations and an equally giant waiting list so make sure you book well in advance. Usually, you will need to book a table at the following restaurants at least a month in advance and dress up nicely for your visit.
Dining at a Roman fine dining restaurant can cost anywhere upwards of 150 euros for a meal for two.
Aroma
Eating at Aroma is an incredible experience. You get to dine atop the stunning 17th-century Palazzo Manfredi and then stare out at the Colosseum and if you get to watch the sunset too then that’s like luscious icing on a delish cake. Another great option is to do the Colosseum tour and then lunch at Aroma and admire what you have seen from a distance. The ambience is refined and discreet as befits a Michelin starrer. The menu is very inventive. The relatively short wine list needs additions though its contents are of commendable quality.
As with any luxury restaurant opting for the tasting menu is great because then you can sample maximum dishes. The sommelier is very attentive and will suggest the right wines with the bits of gastronomic heaven. A typical tasting menu will contain mini portions of lamb stuffed ravioli with pepper sauce and ricotta cheese, cod marinated in beets, onions and carrots, venison loins with crumble coffee and pine air, dessert and soufflé along with glasses of recommended wines.
A La carte is also good and the Wagyu Kobe beef and sea bass, pasta with prawns, tempura prawns with cinnamon mist, and veal are all cooked to perfection. Whatever you do, don’t forget to explore the linguine truffles. If you are feeling a little experimental then try the gin-infused Iberian pork and quail-enhanced green risotto. The dessert selection is equally tempting and you can choose stellar like salted caramel ice cream, or chocolate with pears.
On most days diners are given free samplings of the excellent house bread and olive oil, amuse bouche, chocolates, mini dessert etc. The Roman-born chef Di Lorio chef has this habit of sending complimentary dishes to diners who are truly appreciative of the restaurant. The restaurant supports sustainable ecology… many popular kinds of fish including tuna have been completely removed from the menu. The entrée selections keep changing seasonally so there’s always a lot of variation.
The concierge is very helpful with wine pairings, taxi bookings, and complimentary starters and even treats guests with free Prosecco and cake on special occasions. Visitors with restricted mobility might have to struggle to climb the flights of stairs after the lift ride in order to reach the rooftop restaurant and bar. The toilets can only be reached after a stair of flight too.
The aroma holds one Michelin sir and a 5-star diamond award from the American Academy of Hospitality Sciences. While the view here may be the best restaurant view in Rome, in summer lunches the sun can be intense enough to be uncomfortable.
Rome is getting modernised very fast but there are ruins (Ludus Magnus…the barracks for the gladiators) next to Aroma so nothing is going to get built here; that’s a welcome assurance for the magnificent views here.
Pricing: 180 euros for the tasting menu
Address: Via Labicana, 125 – 00184 Roma. phone. +39 06 97615109. Website
La Pergola
La Pergola is in Rome Cavalieri luxury hotel that’s a Waldorf Astoria property so you can automatically expect impeccable standards. Add to this the prestige of being the first and the only 3 Michelin star holder in the Eternal City and you will begin to understand the covetous position of this restaurant.
Once inside you will be fascinated by the décor that includes wall-to-wall carpeting in the old-world style and a terrace that snakes around the whole dining space. The Cavalieri is a giant hotel on top of the Vatican City Monte Maro and the La Pergola is on the roof in an exquisite garden setting with sweeping views of Roma.
The choice of menus is apt to be confusing; there is even a water menu and an olive oil menu and there are choices of as many as 6 salts. Their wine cellar has more than 53,000 bottles.
And if you are truly looking forward to indulging then try their 9-course tasting menu. A typical offering will have marinated fish with pomegranate snow, scallops carpaccio on grains of amaranth and blackened corns with ginger oil, Crayfish Tempura with fried calamari cream, water garden, Cod cooked in garlic oil with cannellini beans, fagottelli la pergola, venison fillet with edible autumn flowers and a dessert offering. The texture, colour, presentation, taste and combination of all dishes define the word ‘perfect’. Imagine having a mini garden of herbs wheeled to your table as you sip on herb tea after your meal while sampling petit fours discreetly hidden in the drawers.
La Pergola prides itself on its foie Gras… they serve a light liquefied version of it complete with gras powder. The fagotelli (pasta dish) is one of their signature things; it’s absolutely perfect pasta with perfect parmesan. Another entrée you should be looking out for is ‘The Sun’ …it’s a passion fruit dessert that looks too good to devour.
The service is faultless though some of the waiters may seem haughty. Chef Heinz Beck is a celebrity in his own right and has his own fan following. Despite much to the chagrin of the Italians, this German guy has been voted the best Italian chef year after year!! Think of La Pergola as a destination and not just a dining place. You can take the menu card home as a souvenir after your meal. If the chef is in a good mood maybe you can even take a selfie with him.
Just to drive home the point about how good they are with food….the eggs benedict, red velvet cake and Waldorf salad were invented here.
Needless to say dress up at La Pergola; evening dresses for women and dinner jackets for men are recommended.
Pricing: the 9-course gourmet tasting menu is 220 euros. You need to email at least 2 months in advance to reserve a table
Timing: Tuesday to Saturday. 7.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m. Restaurant closed in January and February
Address: Rome Cavalieri. Waldorf Astoria Hotels and Resorts. via Alberto Cadolo 101, Rome. Website
Imago
The Michelin starrer Imago is perched on the 6th floor of a fantastic five-star hotel (Hassler). It’s situated on the top of the Spanish steps right at the belly of Centro Storico, so location wise things couldn’t have been more perfect. The tables are beautifully spaced out and offer privacy as well as an intimate feel. Huge floor-to-ceiling paintings, soft music, and beautiful windows all create a lovely ambience.
The chef Francesco Apreda (who has worked in top restaurants in London and Japan before) blends together Italian conventional food with internationally-sourced ingredients and modern techniques to create truly priceless plates. A typical tasting menu has sea essence vegetable soup, foie gras and dry fruit, sea scallops with black truffle and bread, octopus, olives and potatoes from Gaeta, Parmesan pasta, and Risotto Marinara, Tagliolini Pasta with sardines, Baked Clay Gilthead Filler, spicy duck, sweet mozzarella etc.
Everything is wonderfully prepared but the Foie Gras with its dry fruit medallion and cannolo wrapping with a note of wasabi ginger sauce is simply wonderful. The chef plays up his Japanese influences nicely and the chocolate box that comes as a sweet surprise, at last, has strong Japanese notes. The sweet mozzarella is a nod to the hometown of the chef and is beautifully balanced in terms of taste and presentation.
The view is amazing… you can look out at the rooftops and domes of Roma. You need to book at least 1 month in advance…they have a long waiting list. Formal dresses and dinner jackets for men are recommended.
Pricing: 200 euros for the tasting menu
Timings: Open every day from 7.00 p.m. to 10.30 p.m.
Address: 6 Piazza della Trinità dei Monti, Phone: +390669934726. Website
Ristorante Crispi 19
Don’t be fooled by the unassuming façade of Crispi 19; inside it’s a whole new story. This place defines the name ‘historical restaurant’….it has been running since 1873 and antiquity seeps from the original 19th-century ceiling to the vintage floors. There are some interesting sketches that cover some of the whole walls and there are some quirky old-school aquariums. The ambience is charming, and intimate and looks better after sunset when the candles bathe the whole place in a warm glow.
This is a sophisticated family-run place presided by Chef Fabio Manusco who combines vintage recipes with an imaginative twist. Some of the rave-worthy mains are the Royal Mediterranean fish’s fantasy, ravioli stuffed with veal cheeks, Crispi 19 Tuna Tartare, and grilled tuna with Sesame. Vegetarians can try the Potato brick and Burrata cheese. However, what the Crispi 19 is best known for is fish… try the 4-course/7-course fish tasting menu to know why. And the dessert presentations have to be seen to be believed…they are all Instagram-worthy.
The food here is marvellously good but one probably cannot say the same about the service; it’s mediocre to say the most. Waiters need to be trained better for recognising finer things like placement of silverware, serving food and wine at the correct temperature etc. However, the chef does present the food beautifully; plating quality is equivalent to a Michelin starrer. There are lots of options for gluten-free diners too.
Sometimes they give away secret recipes of the chef, small olive oil bottles, speciality salts etc to the guests… that’s a nice touch.
The downside is that the wine choices are pretty limited; you basically get choices of a couple of reds, whites and blushes. Pretty much every trattoria and pizzeria in Rome offers a similar variety so the expectations from a high-end place like this are bound to be higher. Location-wise, it’s excellent as it’s sandwiched between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish steps.
Pricing: about 150 euros for a meal for two
Timings: 12.30 p.m. to 3.00 p.m. 7.00 p.m. to 11.00 p.m. Open every day
Address: Via Francesco Crispi 19 RM, Centro. Near the Trevi Fountain. Phone: +39 06678 5904. Website
A travel addict. Still celebrating the day when he quit his high-profile corporate job to pursue his passion for travel writing.