ROMA MENJAR

In a small alley away from the chaos of the area, Costanza is built inside an ancient Roman theater (Teatro di Pompei). Delicious food, great service. I love their pastas, but they also have delicious meat and fish dishes available. Mostly frequented by locals, prices are a little more on the 'high' side compared to other restaurants in the neighbourhood. Perfect for a special dinner!

Set in one of the most iconic corners of the Jewish Ghetto right next to the ancient Roman temple known as Portico D’ottavia, Giggetto has been serving traditional Roman fare since 1923. Start with their fried artichokes, fried baccalà (salt cod) and zucchini flower. On Thursdays don’t miss their Gnocchi

Sora Margherita is one of those places that should also be marked as a historic landmark other than a restaurant. Once you step foot inside, you will feel like you have stepped back in time. A brown paper sign that is barely visible on the outside, a handful of wooden tables covered by paper. the same cutlery from start to end, and a hand written menu which changes daily. If you don’t make a reservation be prepared to stand in line for a taste of their hearty Roman dishes like Cacio e Pepe, Pajata, abbacchio allo scottadito and Coda alla Vaccinara

I've been coming here for Sunday lunch with my family since I was a baby (say hi to Mauro the waiter for me!). Set right outisde the more touristy street of the Jewish Ghetto, make sure to try their deep fried artichoke (carciofo alla giudia) and tagliolini al limone (fresh noodles covered in a creamy lemon sauce)

If you like quiet, organised and calm, this is not the place for you. Think more like chaos, filled with locals, fast no frills service, and exceptional pizza. Ivo has been serving the neighbourhood with traditional thin crust pizza since the 60's, and over the years has expanded their menu to include delicious pasta and meat dishes. Their carbonara is one of the best in Rome

Seafood focused family owned restaurant in the heart of Trastevere. The owner is from the island of Sardegna, so you will be able to find some dishes that are typical to that region as well. Don't miss out on their spaghetti with vongole (clams) and bottarga (dried fish roe). Such a memorable pasta dish!

Another family favorite. Seeing food in this place feels like stepping back in time (in a good way). Classic menu, design from the 70's, nicely dressed waiters, dessert cart..etc Their Amatriciana is of course delicious, but they also offer seafood dishes which I often end up choosing because they are so good. When the season is right, they also have dishes with Porcini mushrooms and truffles. I love their poached pear with chocolate for dessert

Set at the base of the ‘Monte Testaccio’, Rome’s most famous mountain made of ancient Roman debris (you can actually see part of it on the ground floor of the restaurant). Come here for a taste of true Roman cuisine. I love starting with a few different starters and vegetable dishes to split between the table. For pasta, all their classics are incredible, especially the Gricia. Their meatballs and Tripe are truly memorable. I am warning you that portions are HUGE, so be prepared for a true Roman feast!

One of my favourite coffee bars in the city. Angelo the owner will greet you with a huge smile and if you go for a couple of days in a row, he will remember your name and order. A favorite with locals, this place is tiny so can feel crowded at times, but don't worry, it goes quickly so just wait for your turn. They have a few seats inside and outside, but you can also just stand at the counter like a true Roman!

Great coffee bar for breakfast, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. At lunch time they have a small food menu which includes pastas, vegetable and meat dishes cooked fresh every day. In the evening it's popular with a younger crowd who comes here to enjoy a glass of wine or a Spritz

I know it may sound weird, but you cannot leave Rome without trying a Pastrami sandwich from Bar del Cappuccino! This small coffee bar has been serving pastrami for over 50 years. A crunchy piece of pizza bianca is sliced open and covered with a thin layer of homemade mayo, mustard, lettuce, lots of pastrami and a few slices of pickles. Very much loved by locals for their lunch break, make sure to get here before peak lunch time to avoid a queue and hopefully find a seat in the very few tables available

A favorite with both locals and tourists! Delicious coffee and great place for both sweet and savory breakfast

I’ve been coming here since I was a baby, a true family favorite. Cosy, family-run restaurant hidden behind the Colosseum/Forum. They serve traditional Roman dishes but their menu always features several seasonal specials as well as more creative interpretations of classic dishes. Save room for dessert!

The neighbourhood’s food market, it caters to both locals (you can catch them shopping for food between 8am-2pm) and students grabbing lunch (there is an architecture school nearby). While it’s fun to walk around the various stalls and check out the fruits, vegetables, seafood, meat and bread, this is also a great place to try some of Rome’s best street food: sandwiches at Mordi e Vai, pizza at Casa Manco and fried goodies at Food Box

This is a traditional Roman restaurant, but eating here is also somewhat of a history lesson. The menu always has interesting vegetable dishes that vary continuously based on the season, I am always surprised by the many things I have never tried/heard of. Apart from the classics, they also have many offal dishes (most were invented in this neighbourhood, so you need to try them!) and dishes that have been slowly disappearing from most menus like ‘Minestra di Broccoli e Arzilla’: a soup fo broccoli, pasta, and a type of fish local to the coast near Rome

This neighbourhood trattoria checks off all the musts for old-school Roman dining: bare brick arches, friendly (but not too friendly) waiters, brown wooden walls and an antipasto trolley where you can help yourself to a plate of vegetables, cured meats, cheeses..etc While most items on the menu are great, they are obviously known for their Amatriciana, and if you order it a waiter will come by to tie a bib around your neck in preparation for all the tomato sauce splatters

Not to be confused with the Giolitti near the Spanish Steps, this old fashioned bar has been serving the locals in the neighbourhood delicious gelato for many years. Don't expect fancy flavours here, but classics like zabaione and stracciatella

Lo Scopettaro translates to 'the broom maker', and legend says it actually used to be a broom shop, and the wife used to cook lunch for his husband who was hard at work, and the smell of the food used to attract clients inside the shop, which later transformed into a restaurant. Open since 1930, Lo Scopettaro has very few tables covered in checkered tablecloths and a menu filled with Roman delicacies. Their Gricia and Carbonara are some of the best in the city

Very small family owned trattoria in a small cobble-stoned alley tucked away from the crowds. Very small menu, it almost feels like eating in someone's home. They usually have all the classic Roman pastas available, plus a couple specials of the day. Meat and vegetable dishes also available. The menu is handwritten daily on a blackboard, the staff is super friendly and will help you navigate the menu

Very old fashioned trattoria that really hasn't changed much since the 50's. They do not take reservations so try and come on a weekday, and be prepared to wait in line for about 30 min if you show up at peak meal time. I love their old fashioned menu which includes a special dish for each day of the week

Invented in 2008, Trapizzino quickly became one of Rome's most loved street food items. Trapizzino is a play on words that comes from the union of the words tramezzino (the Italian triangular-shaped sandwich found in most bars) and pizza. It's a triangular 'pocket' of pizza, crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, stuffed with traditional (and non) Italian and Roman recipes. Some of my favourites include Pollo alla Cacciatora, Trippa alla Romana and Tongue with salsa verde

Great coffee bar for breakfast, with both indoor and outdoor seating available. At lunch time they have a small food menu which includes pastas, vegetable and meat dishes cooked fresh every day. In the evening it's popular with a younger crowd who comes here to enjoy a glass of wine or a Spritz

One of my favourite coffee bars in the city. Angelo the owner will greet you with a huge smile and if you go for a couple of days in a row, he will remember your name and order. A favorite with locals, this place is tiny so can feel crowded at times, but don't worry, it goes quickly so just wait for your turn. They have a few seats inside and outside, but you can also just stand at the counter like a true Roman!

I know it may sound weird, but you cannot leave Rome without trying a Pastrami sandwich from Bar del Cappuccino! This small coffee bar has been serving pastrami for over 50 years. A crunchy piece of pizza bianca is sliced open and covered with a thin layer of homemade mayo, mustard, lettuce, lots of pastrami and a few slices of pickles. Very much loved by locals for their lunch break, make sure to get here before peak lunch time to avoid a queue and hopefully find a seat in the very few tables available