The 40 best restaurants in Rome, according to expert foodies

By Maresa Manara

There are thousands of places to eat in the Eternal City, but it’s not always easy to sift the best restaurants in Rome from the tourist traps. And we cannot stress this enough: carbonaras are not created equal. Whether it’s a hole-in-the-wall reinventing classic pasta dishes, a restaurant set in a former convent, or a sprawling food hall that lets you grab and go, we’ve got the lowdown on dining and drinking in the Eternal City. Read on for our picks for the best places to eat in Rome, no matter how long you're there, where you're staying, or what you may be craving for your next meal.

Let's be clear: the menu at Checchino dal 1887 is offal-tastic. So if eating animal innards isn't your thing, either head somewhere else or go for the vegetarian menu. Kick things off with the veal head served with citrus peel, then move on to the beef tripe cooked in pecorino, mint, and tomato sauce. Vegetarians will love the excellent pecorino-and-sage bruschetta and the spaghetti with artichoke cream, mint, and parmesan. The roast potatoes and chicory make for wonderful, flavour-filled sides, and the cup of cool, ever-so-wobbly panna cotta is a pleasing way to end the meal.

Address: Checchino Dal 1887, Via di Monte Testaccio, 30, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: checchino-dal-1887.com

Pro Loco Pinciano feels a bit like your stylish Italian friends’ holiday home, all farmhouse brick and stone, with an open deli stacked with cheese and jars of local jam, plus fat prosciutto hams dangling from the ceiling. It's not all for show: when you order a martini, the bartender garnishes it with a prosciutto slice. As for the menu, there’s something to suit every taste here, including crisp pizzas, bowls of pillowy ravioli, and platters of finely sliced cured meats.

Address: Pro Loco Pinciano, Via Bergamo, 18, 00198 Roma RMWebsite: prolocopinciano.it

La Tavernaccia is old-school Roman all the way. Start with the misto affettati, a plate of cured meats and cheeses. Next, go for rigatoni all’amatriciana – a mix of chunky pork in tomato sauce, topped with pecorino cheese – then move on to the main event, maialino al forno (suckling pig served with roast potatoes). Wash the entire thing down with a generous helping of house red and a palate-cleansing lemon sorbet.

Address: Ristorante La Tavernaccia Da Bruno, Via Giovanni da Castel Bolognese, 63, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: latavernacciaroma.com

Dishes at Altrove, a bright new addition to the largely residential Ostiense district, are inventive, but not overcomplicated. Lunch is a casual, canteen-like affair, with a choice of daily-changing meats, grains and sides. Even vegetarians, normally unlucky in this carnivorous city, will find something to like, with salads, soups, and cheese, plus fresh-from-the-oven bread. Come supper, the cosmopolitan menu offers creative takes on Roman dishes, such as ‘carbonara in giallo’ – a Roman carbonara with saffron, or shrimp ravioli in a coconut, ginger and lemongrass broth.

Address: Altrove Ristorante, Via Girolamo Benzoni, 34, 00154 Roma RMWebsite: altroveristorante.it

Cool and minimalist with Saarinen-style furniture and contemporary art, Seu Pizza Illuminati isn't your typical old-school pizzeria. The pies incorporate local products in nontraditional ways; even classics will surpass anything you've ever had. Keep an eye on the antipasti; the fritti and deep-fried tramezzino sandwiches are both delicious. It's no surprise that the chef has been winning award after award for his amazing and creative work in one of the best restaurants in Rome.

Address: Seu Pizza Illuminati, Via Angelo Bargoni, 10 - 18, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: seupizza.com

More smart-bistro and less old-school osteria, Osteria Chiana offers an energising menu of Roman classics, including an excellent tonnarelli pasta with cacio e pepe. But it’s the ever-changing seasonal dishes that are most inspiring, like the breaded lamb cutlet served with fried artichokes, or the meatballs with fresh tomato and arugula, served with a side of chicory. Save room for the tiramisu, which can be enjoyed outside in the garden on balmy summer nights.

Address: Osteria Chiana, Via Agri, 25, 00198 Roma RMWebsite: osteriachiana.it

Cesare is a trattoria specialising in Roman cuisine, and it nails the classics; the starters, pastas, and mains get so much attention, in fact, that the excellent pizzas can be often overlooked. But take it from us: Share a paper-thin, delightfully crispy pizza rossa (a 16-inch round pizza brushed sparingly with tomato sauce and drizzled with olive oil, then baked in a wood-burning oven) as a starter. And don't sleep on the excellent fried starters like eggplant croquettes and shredded beef balls.

Address: Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto, Via del Casaletto, 45, 00151 Roma RMWebsite: trattoriadacesare.it

Santo Palato is exactly what a Roman trattoria should be: unassuming outside, bright and welcoming within. The tiny kitchen opens onto the dining room to give you a peek at the setting where chef Sarah Cicolini works her magic. The small menu's packed with gems; depending on what’s fresh at the market that day, you might see comforting bowls of pasta with chickpeas or the most satisfying plate of mezze maniche pasta carbonara. The mains are more inventive: chicken with pork, hazelnut and truffle stuffing, or beef fillet with lime and radicchio. Wash it down with some house red.

Address: SantoPalato, Piazza Tarquinia, 4 a/b, 00183 Roma RMWebsite: santopalatoroma.it

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Agustarello is something of an institution in Testaccio, a former slaughterhouse district that's now one of Rome's edgiest neighbourhoods. You'll jostle for elbow room with hungry locals to get a table – but that’s part of the fun. Like the best Roman restaurants, dining here is so much more than a meal: It’s about comfort, a reassuringly traditional menu, and company. Don't be surprised if you make friends with the table next to you.

Address: Agustarello A Testaccio, Via Giovanni Branca, 98, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: facebook.com

The menu at Piatto Romano may not be fancy, but it nails all the classics, serving gnocchi on Thursdays – when it’s traditionally eaten in Rome – and fish dishes on Fridays. The seafood is excellent, from the salt cod cooked with dried fruits and onions – a must – to the mix of fried prawns and calamari, when it's on the menu. But the star is the more meaty, milk-fed pajata: fat pasta tubes in an intestine-based sauce. Desserts are simple but good: market-fresh strawberries sprinkled with sugar or slices of still-warm ricotta cake.

Address: Piatto Romano, Via Giovanni Battista Bodoni, 62, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: piattoromano.superbexperience.com

Luciano Cucina is a next-gen trattoria that's colourful, stylish, and open. Chef Luciano Monosilio elevated carbonara from its humble origins into an art form, and the quintessentially Roman dish takes the limelight here. But the rest of the pasta, which ranges from classic to contemporary, is just as wonderful. To drink, there's wine on tap, craft beer, and designer water. The staff is a well-organised crew that can anticipate your every move and make spot-on suggestions.

Address: Luciano Cucina Italiana, Piazza del Teatro di Pompeo, 18, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: lucianocucinaitaliana.com

A light-filled former cafeteria that's now a wine bar and restaurant with sleek orange-tiled floors, polished timber tables, and shelves filled with jars of jam and homemade antipasti. It's the perfect place for a midweek date night: the dishes are smart and picture-perfect, drawn from a menu that changes nightly and features seasonal charmers like handmade gnocchi with lamb ragu and squash blossoms and risotto with Castelmagno cheese and pear; and the wine list is a selection of Italy's best carefully curated to pair with the food. The servers are true gems – ask them about the list of 150 types of cheese to prove it.

Address: Taverna Volpetti, Via Alessandro Volta, 8, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: tavernavolpetti.it

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Da Francesco is ideal for a quick lunch, thanks to the perfectly crisp pizzas that go in and out of the oven like hotcakes. But the place also has a surprisingly strong offering of Roman dishes with a twist. Start with the octopus carpaccio, served with drizzles of piquant extra virgin olive oil and a generous helping of parsley. Next up, go for the fettuccine alla gricia, made with lashings of black truffle, followed by saltimbocca alla Romana.

Address: Da Francesco, Piazza del Fico, 29, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: dafrancesco.it

A glossy food hall with artisanal Italian products and restaurants, Rinascente Food Market is high-end gastro-shopping at its finest. The selection is creative yet slightly overwhelming – there's a ton of variety here, and it can be hard knowing where to start. Whatever your taste, though, it's an ideal place to grab a quick, albeit upscale, bite while shopping. If you're looking to refuel, any of the outposts will do; if you want a view, head straight up to the rooftop.

Address: Vinascente Food Hall, Via del Tritone, 61, 00187 Roma RMWebsite: rinascente.it

Chef Tommaso Venuti may be lauded for his culinary prowess, but he’s also a dab hand at design, having studied architecture at university. His minimalist style is reflected in Almato, which he helped design. The space itself is pared back, with plenty of pale wood, blue steel, and sharp lines. The lighting is soft, and the message is clear: you’re here for the food. With seating for just 28 people in the working-class district of Prati, this fine dining establishment is consistently packed, delighting a local, mostly Italian crowd who are excited to try Chef Tommaso Venuti’s boundary-pushing, multi-course land-to-sea menu. The a la carte menu focuses on a land-to-sea journey, starting with appetisers such as scampi, radicchio and roots or foie gras, chestnuts, and red berries. The pasta available includes daikon tagliolini, but don’t leave without trying the standout risotto with orange zest and bitter Modica chocolate. The mains include creative combinations that work surprisingly well, such as the prettily plated duck, purple potatoes and lavender, and the lobster and artichoke, which is infused with rum. Alongside the a la carte menu, there are tasting menus that change monthly.

Address: Almatò, Via Augusto Riboty, 20/c, 00195 Roma RMWebsite: almato.it

Whether you enter directly from Piazza della República or go through the newly-renovated Anantara Palazzo Naiadi, there’s a distinct air of exclusivity here. Perhaps it’s the fact that there’s only space for 28 covers, or maybe it’s the low lighting and hushed tones. Some diners are hotel guests, but there’s a bigger-than-expected mix of locals who got their name on the reservation list early, keen to sample Executive Chef Heros De Agostinis’s much-anticipated creations. Cooking delves deep into his family history, with a mix of Abruzzo and Eritrean cuisine that we rarely see on menus in Italy. Start with the green curry risotto with scampi and lime. Then move on to the black cod saltimbocca with vin jaune sauce, or the grilled lamb cutlets served with artichokes and a mint and yoghurt sauce. Some dishes are downright exceptional, like the turbot, parsley roots, and black truffle. Don’t leave without trying the raspberry and rhubarb souffle.

Address: Ineo, P.za della Repubblica, 46, 00184 Roma RMWebsite: ineorestaurant.com

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Sarah James

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Tucked just within the city walls, between Garbatella and Re di Roma, Dogma is making Piazza Zama a veritable dining destination. A relative newcomer to the Roman restaurant scene, this seafood grill from chef Gabriele di Lecce and sommelier Alessandra Serramondi has been making waves since it opened in 2022. The design is minimalist, with white walls and black tables, but the buzzing, tightly packed space and clattering of plates feel decidedly Roman. Di Lecce’s tight menu is traditional Italian with a contemporary twist. Everything is cooked on the grill, from a prettily-plated starter of anchovies with almonds and chicory to the cod fish, served with grilled chard and drizzled in honey from Casaletto in Campagna. The first courses of pasta change depending on what’s fresh that day – a recent visit featured fettuccine with shrimp and charred courgette, and spaghetti with scampi and a sprinkling of hazelnuts. Even the desserts are made on the grill – the unusual take on tiramisu is particularly special.

Address: Dogma, Piazza Zama, 34, 00183 Roma RMWebsite: ristorantedogma.com

Mercato Centrale is a real blockbuster: 18 artisanal food stands line the perimeter of the Cappa Mazzoniana, in Termini Train Station, a monumental hall with 100-foot vaulted ceilings. There are a lot of choices: pizza by the slice, burgers, trapizzini, and more. The crowd is busy and boisterous. Some patrons are killing time before catching a train; others are grabbing a bite before an evening out and about in Rome.

Address: Mercato Centrale, Via Giovanni Giolitti, 36, 00185 Roma RMWebsite: mercatocentrale.it

Maledetti Toscani’s elegant all-white space is surprisingly warm, thanks, in part, to the ever-revolving doors that bring crowds to this restaurant every evening. While not game-changing, the menu is consistently good. All the Tuscan classics are here, some with a Roman slant: on one visit, you might see gnocchi with tripe ragu, or pici pasta with fresh anchovies. But if you plan to order big, we’d recommend skipping the pasta and going straight to the main event: the grilled Fiorentina steak.

Address: Maledetti Toscani, Via Monte Pertica, 45, 00195 Roma RMWebsite: maledettitoscani.com

Fratelli Mori is an upgrade on the neighbourhood osteria, but still rustic with wooden, family-style tables, an open kitchen and pantry, and Roman poetry calligraphed all over its walls. This is Roman dining at its best: simple, but not rough around the edges, with quality dishes made with love. Whether you're looking to host a family reunion or get a crew of old friends back together, this is the place. It's fun, it's friendly and totally fuss-free.

Address: Osteria Fratelli Mori, Via dei Conciatori, 10, 00154 Roma RMWebsite: osteriafratellimori.it

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You'll need to reserve a table at this moody hot spot in advance. The kitchen turns out thoughtful, poetic dishes that push culinary boundaries, and the best way to understand it all is by going for one of the no-holds-barred tasting menus. Expect seasonality, creativity, and traditional ingredients, but don't expect typical Roman dishes. Chefs Giuseppe Lo Iudice and Alessandro Miocchi are so dedicated to sourcing local products that they often spend their mornings foraging for goodies in the forests and fields just outside the city.

Address: Retrobottega, Via d'Ascanio, 26A, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: retrobottega.superbexperience.com

A cosy, no-frills osteria that’s somehow minimally decorated yet warm and inviting, with pale wooden floors, pendant lighting, and chalkboard room dividers. They get busy, so book well in advance, or you could find yourself waiting for up to two hours. The second courses are where the menu really shines – the veal saltimbocca, wrapped in prosciutto and topped with crispy sage, is the best we had, the meatballs in white wine a close second. There are hearty sides of roast potatoes, topped with rosemary and sea salt, sautéed, garlicky chicory, and the oft-underrated wild agretti, which tastes like a mix of chives and samphire. The sweet stuff is all made on-site, from the warm crostata tart with fresh ricotta and sour cherries to the crème brûlée. If you can’t face dessert but want to linger, the flaky, buttery, ciambelline rings are ideal for dipping in a glass of dessert wine.

Address: Lo'steria, Via dei Prati della Farnesina, 61, 00135 Roma RMWebsite: facebook.com

53 Untitled is a recent addition to the Roman dining scene, and indicative of a new generation of Italian eateries: tiny, and effortlessly charming. It’s almost impossible for a space this size to feel empty, but it doesn’t feel boisterous either. The menu reflects owners Cecilia Moro and Mariangela Castellana’s passion for natural wines and ales, served with an extensive tapas menu that incorporates Roman cuisine with Spanish-style plates. Pairings are innovative and, at times, downright unusual. Here, cacio e pepe is served as a risotto with pepper, shrimp and lemon zest. Jewish-style artichokes are fried to tradition and then spiked with aioli, anchovies, and matcha. Traditionalists will enjoy the cheese boards, featuring a daily-changing selection of Italian and French cheeses, or the Cantabria anchovies, served with house-made brioche.

Address: 53 Untitled, Via del Monte della Farina, 53, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: untitledrestaurant.com

This unassuming trattoria is just a four-minute walk from the Trevi fountain, but you won’t spot tourists here. Its proximity to Italy’s political headquarters means, come midday, it’s where Rome’s movers and shakers come for big bowls of handmade pasta, plates of cold cuts, and the softest, tastiest Roman artichokes imaginable. The space itself is deceivingly large, with three adjoining rooms and a busy open kitchen where the restaurant’s namesake – pasta – is all handmade on-site. There’s space for a few tables on the cobbled street outside, too, perfect for people-watching. The restaurant itself has charm in spades – we were on our way to another restaurant, but Maccheroni’s warmth, ease, and piping hot bowls of pasta drew us in – try anything from the creamy cacio e pepe tonnarelli to the ravioli with zucchini flowers. There's no one who wouldn't like this place. Go on any day, with anyone.

Address: Maccheroni, Piazza delle Coppelle, 44, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: ristorantemaccheroni.com

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Sarah James

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Eleanor Aldridge

It's impossible not to eat carbonara in Rome, and most locals will say they'll never tire of the city's most beloved pasta. Enter Eggs, which has a dozen variations. Served in a glass jar, the original with guanciale is quite possibly the best we’ve had in Rome; and don't sleep on the hen eggs, emptied and filled with ingredients like caviar, chives, and potatoes or salted egg nog and black truffle. Save room for the crème brûlée served in tiny glass pots, or go for the decadently sweet zabaglione, served with wafer-thin biscuits to scoop it all up.

Address: Eggs, Via Natale del Grande, 52, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: eggsroma.com

Good restaurants in Trastevere can be hard to come by these days, but upon entering Da Teo, all signs point to us being in the right place. Don’t come here expecting anything more (or less) than Roman classics – albeit perfectly executed. Start with the crispy, salty, utterly delicious zucchini blossoms (handily priced per piece), followed by one of the pasta dishes – if you’re here on Thursdays, go for the gnocchi; otherwise, their spaghetti with fresh tuna, capers, and olives is particularly good. When it comes to the mains, the lamb chops are done scottadito-style – which translates to ‘burn your fingers’ – so grilled and perfectly bite-sized. The chicken and pepper stew was well-received, as was the side of baked potatoes and skillet-fried chicory. The dessert list is small; we’d go for the house special of mascarpone mousse with baby strawberries dusted in icing sugar.

Address: Trattoria Da Teo, Piazza dei Ponziani, 7A, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: facebook.com

From the off, it’s clear that Enotica L’antidoto is very cool. The warmly-lit interior is lined with brick arches and exposed cement walls, all covered by the original beam roof. It’s exactly the kind of place you go for a bottle or two of organic natural wines with friends, alongside a creative menu of small plates. This is a local crowd who live in and around Trastevere; fashion types discussing their day over dinner; a couple in yoga outfits catching up over a bottle of organic red from Puglia, mats tucked away in the corner. The team run monthly chef residencies, so there’s always someone new coming up with a creative new menu. Dishes are made to pair with the wines: there are figs wrapped in delicate slices of lard and savoury tarts with olives, fennel and green beans. On our visit, it was the very un-Italian fried egg sandwich that had everyone talking, pressed as it was between two slices of toasted sourdough with rocket and anchovies. Even if you’re not ordering food, there’s a bag of complimentary bread and cultured, salted butter to go with your wine.

Address: Enoteca L’antidoto, Vicolo del Bologna, 19, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: enotecalantidoto.com

Everyone who knows about food in Rome is talking about Pulejo right now. There are two main demographics here: local foodies who are serious about their next meal, and curious tourists keen to experience this one-starred Michelin restaurant. Everyone’s eating in hushed tones, all their attention focused on the meal at hand. Chef/owner Davide Pulejo’s menu leans into the classics, like ravioli with tomato and roasted red pepper with parmesan, capers and oregano, but there are more modern touches here, too, like the eel, grilled and topped with apple and watercress oil or the duck served with chestnuts and sea urchins. You can order a la carte, but we’d go for the 5- or 7-course tasting menu. The desserts are decidedly decadent – don’t leave without trying the rosemary cake, laced with mandarin and vanilla.

Address: Pulejo, Via dei Gracchi, 31, 00192 Roma RMWebsite: pulejo.it

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This is old-school, genteel Italy at its finest. There’s a lot of dark, heavy wood, contrasted by floral wallpaper and big brass mirrors, making the already expansive space seem even bigger. Behind the bar, bow-tied baristas pour traditional Neapolitan coffee two ways: cappuccino and espresso. They’ll stretch to a macchiato if you ask nicely. Stop by any time before 10 in the morning, and you’ll find waiters in white waistcoats ferry plates piled high with glistening pastries, fresh from the oven, to bourgeois Romans. Some are seated outside, ensconced with a newspaper, and piazza views over Hadrian’s Temple. Everything is made in the kitchen, from delicate Neapolitan flaky pastries filled with lemon zest and ricotta, to plump doughnuts oozing with golden custard. The croissants come plain, or filled with pistachio cream or Nutella. There are also handmade chocolates, including orange peel dipped in chocolate and an impressive selection of boozy truffles. Come lunchtime, there’s a decent selection of light counter meals, available to eat in or takeaway. The menu changes daily; we recommend the vitello tonnato and zucchini parmigiana with a side of couscous salad.

Address: Gran Caffè La Caffettiera, P.za di Pietra, 65, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: lacaffettieraroma.it

It can be easy for modern osterias to follow a distinct design pattern that feels too modern and out of place in a historic city like Rome. Trecca is just four years old but manages to feel exactly like a young Roman restaurant should: spacious and inviting. There’s a brown-tiled checkered floor, pendant lighting and marble-topped tables – with an ancient Roman terracotta sink thrown in, for good measure. This short, well-thought-out menu is full of supremely delicious creations. Start with the fried chicken comb, which is crunchy and perfectly salted. Follow it up with the suckling veal intestine skewers, tossed in breadcrumbs and skewered with rosemary, or keep to familiar territory with the pork belly and a side of radicchio. If off-cuts make you queasy, you needn’t worry: the pasta keeps mostly to tradition (carbonara, amatriciana), but the taglioni pasta with chicken livers and butter is the standout. But, quite frankly, Trecca isn’t where you go to play it safe. They do those off-cuts far too well. If you’re going to try them, do it here – there’s a section on the menu for ‘refined palates’ (aka the brave ones). Or don’t bother with the menu and ask the waiter for his daily recommendations instead. You won’t be disappointed.

Address: Trecca - Roma, Via Alessandro Severo, 220, 00145 Roma RMWebsite: trecca.superbexperience.com

Forget sticky bowls of carbonara and goopy meat dishes – this is modern Italian dining in one of the best restaurants in Rome. Roscioli’s menu is fresh and inspiring, with delicate plates like smoked swordfish carpaccio and king prawns made with burrata cheese and mullet eggs. There’s even a buffalo mozzarella tasting menu, available with pata negra or Cantabrian anchovies. Nearly 3,000 wines line one side of the wall, watching over a store-length counter piled high with all sorts of edible goodies, like creamy Italian cheeses, cold cuts, and homemade preserves in oil.

Address: Roscioli, Via dei Giubbonari, 21, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: salumeriaroscioli.com

Dining at Nonna Betta is a charming affair. The artwork depicts life in Rome’s Jewish ghetto, and wrought-iron lanterns cast low, intimate light over polished timber tables. All the recipes were developed in-house, so expect glorious home-style kosher dishes like beef-stuffed agnolotti and tagliolini with dandelion greens and mullet roe. This is the best place in Rome to try Jewish-Roman-style artichokes (they’re spiked with chilli and deep fried, in case you’re wondering). The lunch deals are decent, too.

Address: Nonna Betta, Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 16, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: nonnabetta.it

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Sarah James

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Eleanor Aldridge

The food at Da Bucatino is completely, utterly Roman. Skip the antipasti, which can err on the dry side, and go for the rigatoni with melt-in-your-mouth entrails or the seafood risotto, which is consistently good. The chicken cacciatore, cooked Roman-style with bell peppers and tomatoes, is big enough for two, but don’t let that stop you from ordering the light, spongy tiramisu for dessert.

Address: Da Bucatino, Via Luca della Robbia, 84, 00153 Roma RMWebsite: dabucatino.it

Without hyperbole, Pizzarium is one of Rome's most important and influential places for food. Even though it serves pizza by the slice, a traditionally humble fast food, owner Gabriele Bonci has elevated it to an art form here. The simplest toppings are best, so go for the potato and mozzarella, onion, or tomato pies. At lunchtime, there are suppli' (rice croquettes) right out of the fryer, but avoid them later in the day when they have cooled – unless, that is, the staff will fry them to order.

Address: Bonci Pizzarium, Via della Meloria, 43, 00136 Roma RMWebsite: bonci.it

Hygge – in Rome? With Marigold, you sure bet. The joint restaurant, bakery and microbrewery has a Scandi sensibility with simple tables, beautiful homemade pottery, and wildflower arrangements. Owners Sofie Wochner and Domenico Cortese are adherents to local, sustainable food, and whether you're here for brunch, lunch or a simple breakfast pastry, the food is like episodic poetry. Like the design, the menu is minimalist – just a few ultra-seasonal dishes – so order whatever you see.

Address: Marigold Roma, Via Giovanni da Empoli, 37, 00154 Roma RMWebsite: marigoldroma.com

Piperno is pretty old-school in its décor – polished wood-panelled walls, platters full of fresh fruit, chandeliers – and that formality extends to the service. Ever-courteous staff, enrobed in white jackets and bowties, welcomes you to your table like you’re nobility. Start your meal with some oh-so-Roman fried potato croquettes and suppli, then head straight for a first course in the form of potato gnocchi in creamy fontina cheese, plus a seafood risotto for good measure. The main game is all about seafood.

Address: Piperno, Via Monte dè Cenci, 9, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: ristorantepiperno.it

Condé Nast Traveller

Sarah James

Steve King

Eleanor Aldridge

Trattoria Da Danilo is like a postcard – exactly what you envision a typical Roman trattoria would look like. The charming room is crowded with wooden tables covered with checkered tablecloths; the walls are decorated with vintage photos. Serious food lovers flock from all around Rome – and the world – for the legendary carbonara here, which, like the cacio e pepe and amatriciana, is the dish's purest expression. After one meal, you'll be forever ruined on all future versions.

Address: Trattoria Da Danilo, Via Petrarca, 13, 00185 Roma RMWebsite: trattoriadadanilo.com

You'll find a mix of locals and international gastronome types seriously perusing Armando el Pantheon's menu, deep in contemplation, one assumes, of the feast to come. Sure, there’s chatter, but everyone’s pretty focused. It's plain they're determined to savour every bite. We can't say we blame them. Kick things off with a bruschetta topped with tomato and milky burrata cheese, then move on to a plate of fettuccine pasta with porcini mushrooms, or stick to the old Roman favourite, cacio e pepe (a creamy sauce made from pecorino and pepper). Come mains, the chargrilled lamb chops, if they have them, are bite-sized pieces of meaty goodness.

Address: Armando al Pantheon, Salita de' Crescenzi, 31, 00186 Roma RMWebsite: armandoalpantheon.it

Kick things off at Da Enzo with an order of sourdough bread and ricotta. The pasta is all very good, but it’s the mains that truly dazzle. Don’t miss the polpette (meatballs), a dreamy mix of beef, mortadella ham, and pecorino cheese served in a thick tomato sauce. Grilled garlicky eggplant makes for a perfect side dish, as does the steamed wild chicory, dressed in lemon and extra virgin olive oil. For dessert, the tiramisu is always a winner, but we also love the pistachio gelato – it's the best you'll ever have.

Address: Da Enzo, via dei Vascellari 29, RomeWebsite: daenzoal29.com

Antico Arco is one of the city’s most popular places to eat, so you'll definitely want to book ahead. It may be a white-tablecloth kind of place, where suited-up waiters scuttle between hushed tables – but that doesn't mean it's stuck-up. People who love real-deal Roman classics will appreciate how well it's executed here, whether you're going for the seven-course tasting menu (with wine pairings, of course) or sampling from the à la carte dishes.

Address: Antico Arco, Piazzale Aurelio, 7, 00152 Roma RMWebsite: anticoarco.it

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