Must Try in Trastevere
Mimi e Coco Trast
@sarahparker
Everything here is absolutely incredible. The lasagna, in particular, was a standout. They have another location in Old Rome, but this one is worth the wait for a table.
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Otello
@sarahparker
Another spot that justifies the hype and positive reviews. Try going at lunch to avoid long waits. The spaghetti with meatballs is to die for.
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Ristorante Il Ciak
@sarahparker
If you're looking for a great steak, this is the place. You select your cut, and the chef grills and slices it right in front of you. Their pasta dishes are also excellent if you’re not a meat lover.
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Supplì Roma
@sarahparker
Expect a line, but it's worth it. Our food tour brought us here, and they clearly knew the best spot for Suppli. It was fantastic, and so is the pizza.
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Ristorante La Canonica Roma
@sarahparker
Great chicken alfredo, and the twinkly lights at night are such a vibe. Perfect spot in the heart of Trastevere with minimal waiting
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Food Box
@sarahparker
Great spot for suppli if you want a more local experience without the wait. Absolutely delicious, but a little out of the way.
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Best Restaurants in Old Rome/Colosseo
Caffè Doria
@sarahparker
Beautiful courtyard atmosphere with fantastic service, perfect for grabbing a bite away from the crowds. We recommend grabbing a reservation for lunch after touring the Colosseum for a much-needed break from the hordes of tourists.
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Aroma
@sarahparker
Ideal for a romantic date night. Make a reservation ahead of time and spend the evening at a table with an unbeatable view overlooking the Colosseum. Be warned: Expect a hefty bill, this was the priciest restaurant we went to in Rome with a set menu, but if you want a luxury date night it's perfect.
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Dai Senatori
@sarahparker
Some of the best pasta we’ve had in Rome, and it's still somewhat undiscovered, allowing you to escape the crowds and get in without a reservation hassle-free (honestly pretty unheard of in Rome)
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Reserva Restaurante y Cocteles
@sarahparker
Although we love Italian food, after weeks of it nonstop we were looking for something to mix it up. This Latin restaurant offers a great brunch, and their tacos are amazing! Dinner menu also looked incredible.
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Crazy Pizza Rome
@sarahparker
Technically this restaurant is further north near the Spanish steps. Although it is a bit of a tourist trap and not the best pizza in Rome, it is FUN. Perfect spot for dinner with friends before going out on the town.
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47 Circus Roof Garden
@sarahparker
Amazing rooftop restaurant if you want a view. We just stopped for cocktails and small bites, and it was great.
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Overrated Food Experiences
We would recommend avoiding any food tours or cooking classes in Rome despite their popularity.
We took a cooking class at PummaRe' (linked below) and we didn't think it wasn't worth it. If you do choose a cooking class be sure that the place teaches you more than just how to make pasta noodles (we didn't even make the sauce) and that they have the facilities to cook the food separately otherwise you won't even eat what you made, just a bowl of pasta everyone in the class touched. We've taken cooking classes in other places that were much better and more informative.
If you really want to learn to cook pasta I would recommend an online class you can do at home - we love the recorded classes from Salty Seattle for a fun and creative pasta date night.
We also advise against a food tour unless you're short on time. The one we did was fun, but ultimately you try pasta, meatballs, suppli, pizza, and gelato... all of which are easy to try on your own (and you likely plan to try them all already). Unlike other cities where you try foods you may never have been exposed to, the menu in a Rome food tour is pretty basic. It would be perfect though if you want to taste everything Rome is known for but only have a couple of days.
If you do want to try a food tour, we would recommend choosing a more local geared street food tour where you might try some more unique dishes like the one below.
Overrated Restaurants
Tonnarello
@sarahparker
Despite having over 70,000 reviews and social media fame, this was some of the worst food we had in Rome. The line is crazy long (I'm talking 1-2 hours plus), and while the pesto was okay, the lasagna and meatballs were subpar. Check the link below to see our experience.
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Dar Poeta
@sarahparker
Known for its pizza, and it was okay. We just felt there are many other places in Rome that do it better.
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Gelato Tips
When it comes to gelato, it’s hard to go wrong, but if you want authentic gelato, here are some tips:
Beware of bright colors. Bright colors are a sign of color additives or the use of “flavor gels” and commercial juice mixes instead of natural ingredients.
Take a close look at how the gelato is stored. If it's piled high to grab your attention, they've liked pumped air in to make it voluminous instead of flavorful. Look for simple metal tins, and bonus points if there are lids to ensure it's being kept at the proper temperature. Below are a couple of our favorites:
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