Foodies should pay a visit to the Jewish Neighborhood where to taste the dishes of the Roman-Jewish tradition such as the famous carciofo alla giudia (deep fried artichoke), the fiore di zucca fritto (zucchini flower fried in tempura with anchovies and mozzarella) and the filetto di baccalà fritto (codfish fried in tempura).
Classic roman street foods are the Roman Pizza, thin and crispy as opposed to Naples' which is tall and soft and the supplì (fried rice ball with tomato and mozzarella but some can have veal meat); pizza bianca con mortadella (focaccia bread with mortadella pork meat) prepared in bakeries (forno); tramezzino (triangular soft white bread filled with different ingredients). Panino con porchetta is roasted spicy pork meat in a rosetta (rose-shaped roman bread) typical from Ariccia town.
An authentic roman pastry is the maritozzo (soft brioche filled with fresh whipped cream) that you can find in some bars and pastry shops or of course you should try the Italian gelato served with two or three flavors with optional panna (whipped cream) on top or also at the bottom of the cone asking for cono doppia panna.
Authentic italian restaurants/trattorias are normally loyal to these times:
12.30-15 lunch time, 19.30-23 dinner time.
Italians eat after 1pm and 8 pm so if you want to find a table and the kitchen quiet just go at 12.30 and 19.30. Better to reserve on Friday evening, Sat and Sunday.
A meal in Italy means time to share with family and friends so no waiter will bring the bill until you ask for it. Tipping is at one's discretion and if you liked the service just leave a couple euros p. p. on the table: waiters will appreciate.
Buon Appetito!
Piazza Venezia
Antica Birreria Peroni Via S.Marcello 19 (classic roman dishes in the historical and noisy italian brewery. open 12-midnight; closed on Sundays)
La Cabana Via del Mancino 7
(informal and local. 12-15;19-23. closed on Sundays)
Trastevere
Ai Spaghettari Piazza San Cosimato 58 (a feeling of old Rome since 1896 in a lovely local square; reservation required on weekends)
Supplì Via di S.Francesco a Ripa 137 (supplì, crispy pizza and more in an informal location. open all day but not on sundays)
La Gattabuia Via del Porto 1 (quality and tradition in a 17th century papal jail. open for dinner only; on Sundays lunch & dinner)
Spirito Divino Via dei Genovesi 37
(restaurant in an ancient sinagogue)
Gelateria del Viale Piazza G.G.Belli 9F open everyday 10 to midnight (excellent gelato in a little cosy place)
Il Maritozzaro Via Ettore Rolli 50 (check opening times on google)
Monti (by the Roman Forum)
Taverna dei Fori Imperiali Via della Madonna dei Monti 9
(typical roman trattoria in the historic centre; open 12,30 to 3 - 7.30 to 10.30.
closed on Tuesdays)
Grazie a Dio è
Venerdì Via dei Capocci 1
(wood oven pizza & local dishes-only dinner)
Hostaria al tettarello Via dei Capocci 4
(wood oven pizza & traditional dishes-only dinner)
Flor Via Cavour 337 (gelateria. try the brioche with gelato!)
Colosseum & Roman Forum
Hostaria Isidoro Via S. Giovanni in Laterano 59 (roman & Italian classics in a 16th century convent. Open everyday from 12 to 11 pm)
La Naumachia Via Celimontana 7 (roman dishes, good wine and crispy pizza. open everyday from 11 to midnight)
Massenzio Largo Corrado Ricci 2 (roman cuisine, woon oven pizza, fish. Closed on Wednesdays)
Jewish Neighborhood
Sughetto Via del Portico d'Ottavia 1C (traditional jewish-roman cuisine. closed fri evening & sat lunch)
Sora Margherita Piazza delle cinque scole 30
(extremely informal and welcoming; few tables, go early)
Forno Boccione Via del Portico d'Ottavia 1 (famous bakery where to taste
the classic pastries of the roman-jewish tradition such as the delicious pizza di beridde or ricotta and cherry pie)
Alice Kosher Via del Portico d'Ottavia 7 (ideal for a quick fried artichoke, supplì and pizza topped with kosher-control ingredients)
Vatican
Arlù Borgo Pio 135 (pasta here is all home-made)
Cresci Via Alcide de Gasperi 17 (bakery and modern restaurant by St Peter's)
Trapizzino Via Vespasiano 2 (fast and tasty sandwiches with many different fillings. open everyday 11am-2am)
Pizza Amalfi Via dei Gracchi 12
(high and soft Southern pizza)
Pantheon
Armando al Pantheon Salita dei Crescenzi 31 (typical roman dishes; closed sat evening & sunday; reservation required)
Hotel Minerva Piazza della Minerva 69 (roof terrace overlooking the dome. drink and light meals)
Tazza d'oro Via degli Orfani 84 (historic cafè; try the granita al caffè con panna)
Cremeria Monteforte Via della Rotonda 22 (small and cozy craft Gelateria; closed on Mondays)
Campo dè Fiori
Osteria da Fortunata Via del Pellegrino 31 (home-made pasta made in front of you)
Roscioli Via dei Giubbonari 21 (famous for its cold cuts, steaks and long wine list)
Antico Forno Roscioli Via dei Chiavari 34 (since 1824 the historic bakery of Rome where to taste authentic pizza, suppli and local dishes)
Forno Campo dè Fiori (bakery. try the pizza)
Filetti di baccalà Largo dei Librari 88 (best fried codfish. open 17.30-23)
Piazza Navona
Da Francesco Piazza del Fico 29 (classic roman dishes and thin and crispy pizza. open everyday 12-15.30, 19-24.30)
Risotteria Melotti Via della Vetrina 12A (risotto and rise academy; open everyday 11-23)
Chiostro del Bramante - Caffè Bistrot Via arco della Pace 5 (open everyday from 10 to 8 pm; it serves modern dishes in the famous cloister designed by Donato Bramante in 1500; recommended for lunch)
Gelateria Quinto Via di Tor Millina 15 (small shop with VIP pictures around)
Spanish Steps/Via del Corso
Casa Ripetta Passeggiata di Ripetta 33 (elegant and tasty dishes in an informal atmosphere)
Caffè Canova-Tadolini Via del Babuino 150
(former studio of the sculptor Canova. open 8am-midnight. drinks & meals)
Venchi Gelateria 1878 Via del Corso 335 (best choco-gelateria in town)
Pompi Via della Croce 82 (best tiramisù)
Trevi
Hostaria Romana Via del Boccaccio 1 (one of the few authentic osterias left in this part of the city. Right in front of the building in Via Rasella where on March 23rd 1944 the nazi troops were bomb-attacked by the partisans and fired back towards the windows. Marks have been left and still visible.
Colline Emiliane Via degli Avignonesi 22 (traditional Bolognese cuisine including home-made pasta, lasagna, tortellini and Lambrusco wine-closed on Mondays-reservation suggested)
Termini
Mercato Centrale Via Giolitti 36 (large selection of restaurants, trattorias and typical Italian dishes inside the station in a modern architecture. open from 8 to midnight)
Roberto's Via Cavour 49 (elegant restaurant & wood oven pizza; closed on Sat & Sun)
La gallina bianca Via Rossini 9 (trattoria and pizzeria)
Pasticceria Regoli Via dello Statuto 60 (one of the best pastry shop where to taste the traditional maritozzo and others; closed on Tuesdays)
Ostiense
DoppioZero Via Ostiense 68
(best aperi-dinner in town)
Al Biondo Tevere Via Ostiense 178
(1914 historical trattoria with river view)
Testaccio
Mercato Testaccio Via Franklin
(6am-2pm. best food market)
Da Felice Via Mastro Giorgio 29
(renowned roman trattoria since 1936; reservation suggested)
Il Grottino Via Marmorata 165 (specialized in pizza but offers some roman classics; open for dinner only, close on Tuesdays)
Flavioalvelavevodetto Via di Monte Testaccio 97 (exquisite food & roman amphoras..)
Garbatella
Er Panonto Via Cravero 10
(best crispy pizza in a very roman atmosphere)
Tanto pè magnà Via G. de Jacobis 9
(classic roman dishes)
(easy roman trattoria)
Al Grottino del traslocatore Largo delle sette chiese 2
(family-run trattoria in a natural grotto)
L'isola dei sardi due Vicolo della Garbatella 9
(typical Sardinian specialties)
Ostia Antica
Arianna al borghetto Via del Forno 11
(genuine trattoria in the medieval Borghetto)
Monumento Piazza Umberto I 8
(restaurant since 1884 who hosted hundreds of VIPs)
Lido di Ostia: the port of Rome
Arcobaleno Beach Lungomare Toscanelli 181 (front beach, wood oven pizza and fish specialities; ideal for families)
Antica Hosteria Sociale Via delle Baleniere 203 (roman dishes served inside the pine grove)
Michelino Fish Piazza Anco Marzio 2 (quality and kitchen view)
Capitan Libeccio Lungomare Duca degli Abruzzi 84 (sea-style restaurant in the tourist port, sea view)
La Vecchia Pineta Lungomare Lutazio Catulo 4 (elegant restaurant famous for being Fellini's favourite place; sea view)
Tivoli
La Sibilla Via della Sibilla 50 (elegant restaurant since 1720 by an ancient temple and a terrace looking down the Aniene river; closed on Mondays)
Castelli Romani: the eastern volcanic area
Pietrino e Renata Via generale R.Lordi 70, Genzano (rustic and for barbecue lovers)
L'Aricciarola Via Borgo S.Rocco 9, Ariccia (rustic tavern open all year)
La Selvotta Via Selvotta 43, Ariccia (inside a forest where to taste local genuine dishes. open everyday Apr-Oct)
Bucci Via de Zecchini 31, Castelgandolfo (informal, local and with lakeview)
Authentic eastern suburbs (metro c)
Osteria Bonelli Viale dell'acquedotto alessandrino 172 (lively family-run trattoria with art retrò furniture)
Il Coccio Via dei meli 34 (tripe, carbonara and other roman classics in a very roman district where to see portions of ancient roman aqueducts)
Le buone maniere Via Tor dè Schiavi 77 (dinner only. bruschettas, supplì, fried fingerfood and an incredibly large selection of pizza. Italian commercial and craft beer, to spend an Italian evening)
Exclusive & Panoramic Views
Hotel Forum Via Tor dè Conti 25/30 (overlooking the Roman Forum; open lunch/dinner/aperitif)
Hotel Bernini Bristol Piazza Barberini 23 (amazing panoramic restaurant The Flair on the 8th floor overlooking Rome's Skyline. Special price menu for lunch mon-fri)
Aroma Via Labicana 125 (top floor with Colosseum view)
Hotel Minerva Piazza della Minerva 69 (roof garden serving drinks and light meals overlooking the dome of the Pantheon)
Casina Valadier Piazza Bucarest (elegant 19th century building by the Pincio Terrace in Villa Borghese)
