Rome Food Guide
Spend 4 days eating my way through the city!
I recently spent a few days in Rome and dedicated the entire trip to eating my way through the city. My wife and I had both been before and had already checked off most of the big sights and historic landmarks, so this time it was all about the food. We compiled a list of recommended spots from friends, family, industry folks, and local Romans. Here’s everywhere we actually made it to:
Restaurants
Da Enzo al 29 — This spot came highly recommended. They don’t take reservations, so I suggest arriving 30–45 minutes before they open to snag a spot in the first seating — otherwise, expect a wait. It’s a casual, bustling place and fairly small, so you’ll be dining close to your neighbors. All of the classic Roman pastas were excellent. Don’t miss the burrata antipasto with fresh cherry tomatoes, and the tiramisù is also a standout.
Armando al Pantheon — Just steps from the Pantheon (we could actually see it from our table). Typically, restaurants near major attractions aren’t great, but this place is an exception. It’s family-run and reservations book up well in advance. We couldn’t get a res during our stay but took a chance by lining up 30 minutes before lunch one day and got lucky. Everything we ordered was incredible, but the amatriciana and the saltimbocca were the highlights.
Trattoria Da Teo — A local recommendation we couldn’t pass up. The room was full of Italians, always a good sign. They serve classic Roman dishes, and everything was great. We had the zucchini blossoms, rigatoni alla gricia, and gnocchi (served only on Thursdays). The mascarpone mousse with wild strawberries our waiter recommended might have been the surprise favorite — simple but so good. Was this the best meal of the trip? Maybe not, but we’d still absolutely recommend it.
La Pace Del Palato — We wanted to mix it up a bit from the traditional Roman spots, so we tried this place suggested by our hotel concierge. It’s a little more upscale but still approachable. The menu changes seasonally, but everything we had was excellent. There was a pasta with rabbit ragu on the menu when we visited — highly recommend if it’s available.
Taverna Trilussa — I’ll go back here every time I’m in Rome. The atmosphere, service, and food were all perfect. It’s a bit pricier than other more local spots, but not unreasonable. Located in Trastevere, and you’ll definitely want a reservation. We couldn’t decide on just one pasta, so we ordered three: the famous Ravioli Mimosa, Cacio e Pepe, and Amatriciana — all incredible. It’s also worth noting that the photo below is a half portion of the pasta, they are kind enough to split it for you if you’re sharing with someone else.
Pommidoro al 1890 — My wife found this place after reading that it’s Stanley Tucci’s favorite restaurant in Rome. We hesitated since it’s about a 20-minute taxi ride from the city center, but then a chef friend DM’d me on Instagram saying if there’s one place not to miss, it’s Pommidoro. So we went — and it ended up being our favorite meal of the whole trip. My Italian wife declared it the best pasta she’s ever had which was impressive she was able to say that with so much confidence. The staff didn’t speak English, and we were the only Americans there — always a good sign. We ordered the carbonara and amatriciana, but honestly, I’m sure everything on that menu is fantastic. If you’re up for a little trek, put this at the top of your list.
Street Food
Supplì Roma — The perfect grab-and-go snack while wandering around Rome. These are fried rice balls filled with mozzarella and sauce. We tried the classic (tomato sauce) and the cacio e pepe — both were fresh and delicious.
Trapizzino — A trapizzino is basically a cross between pizza and a sandwich: a focaccia-like bread pocket stuffed with different Roman dishes. We tried the meatball in red sauce and the chicken cacciatore (white wine sauce). Another perfect street snack.
Desserts & Pastries
L’Antico Forno — I thought this might be touristy since it’s right near the Trevi Fountain, but these were the best pastries we had in Rome. Definitely try the traditional Roman maritozzo (a sweet bun filled with whipped cream). There’s usually a line, so go early.
Gelateria La Romana — We didn’t have time to try every gelateria in the city, but this one stood out as the best of the ones we did try.
Two Sizes — The perfect way to end the night: a mini tiramisu in different flavors. I had the pistachio — very good.
Of course, we couldn’t make it to every place on our list, and a few spots were fully booked. Here’s what’s still on our list for next time:
Restaurants:
Roscioli
Piperno
Checco er Carrettiere
Ristorante Ambasciata d'Abruzzo
Osteria Del Sostegno
Da Fabrizio Al 56
Roma Sparita
La Amatriciana
Pizza:
Pizzeria Da Remo
Bonci Pizzarium
Emma
Forno Campo De’ Fiori
Antico Forno Roscioli
Overall, this trip was a great reminder of how incredible Rome is — not just for its history and architecture, but for its food. If you’re heading to Rome soon, I hope this list helps you get started. And if you have favorite spots I missed, let me know — I’m already thinking about what to eat next time.
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