The best restaurants in Rome for eating like a Roman (updated 2025)

A picturesque little eatery located on a quieter street in Trastevere, Da Enzo is one of the more characteristic trattorias in Rome and draws a crowd for its simple, honest fare and handful of outdoor tables. Eating here feels like a family gathering, with abundant portions expertly prepared. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu – from carbonara and meatballs to braised artichokes and tiramisu – but show up early, or you’re in for a long wait.

Time Out tip: Da Enzo doesn’t take reservations so be sure to arrive at least 30-minutes before opening to snag a table.

Address: Via dei Vascellari 29, 00153 Rome

Opening hours: Daily from 12-3pm and 6.30-10.30pm, closed on Mondays

Expect to pay: Around €30-50 per person without drinks.

Traditional Roman pizza is served paper-thin with charred edges and fragrant ingredients in the heart of Testaccio. This historic, no-frills pizzeria is Rome in a nutshell; gritty, delicious, brusque but friendly, all at once. It’s only open in the evenings, and it fills up quickly, especially on weekends, so show up early to snag a table. The rice supplì and potato croquettes make for excellent starters.

Time Out tip: Grab a drink at L'Oasi della Birra nearby before heading to dinner, and show up early. Da Remo doesn’t take reservations.

Address: Piazza di Santa Maria Liberatrice 44, 00153 Rome

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 7pm–12am, closed on Mondays

Expect to pay: Around €10–15 per person without drinks

With its cosy interiors and warm service, Trattoria Pennestri is the kind of restaurant that invites you to linger and enjoy a leisurely meal with good company. Like the ambience, the menu is rustic but refined, with a curated selection of inventive dishes that make the most of the season’s ingredients. The wine list is also wonderful, with an ample selection by the glass. Save room for one of the city’s best desserts: a sweet and salty chocolate mousse served with Sardinian flatbread and infused with rosemary.

Time Out tip: This is a popular spot, be sure to call ahead to snag a table.

Address: Via Giovanni da Empoli 5, 00154 Rome

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 12.30-3pm and 7:30-11pm, closed on Sundays and Mondays

Expect to pay: Around €40 per person without drinks

Located at the end of the 8 tram that snakes its way through the Trastevere neighbourhood, Cesare al Casaletto’s location outside the city centre hasn’t dampened its popularity among tourists and locals alike. This casual trattoria is the go-to for Rome’s many food writers, bloggers and passionate eaters, thanks to its familial atmosphere and delicious dishes. Order the fried gnocchi served on a melted cacio e pepe sauce, and don’t shy away from the (don’t be afraid) minty Roman tripe and oxtail – it’s near-perfect. 

Time Out tip: Start with the mixed antipasti platter – it’s a great way to sample several of the kitchen’s standout fritti.

Address: Via del Casaletto 45, 00151 Rome

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 12.30-3pm and 7.30-11pm, closed on Mondays

Expect to pay: Around €30-40 per person without drinks

This is everyone’s favourite pizzeria, so book ahead for these decadent Neapolitan pies. Seu Pizza Illuminati is refreshingly contemporary, with neon lights and a minimalist décor that will appeal to all, and offers dozens of mouthwatering pies, from classics like Margherita and marinara to more creative varieties featuring ingredients like licorice, shichimi togarashi and eggnog. The fritti (fried starters), are an excellent way to wet your appetite before digging into the main course.

Time Out tip: Save room for the sweet dessert pizzas, from Pina Colada to pistachio and berries.

Address: Via Angelo Bargoni 10–18, 00153 Rome

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 7–11pm, closed on Mondays

Expect to pay: Around €20 per person without drinks

Founded by Stefano Callegari (the mastermind behind Trapizzino, #14) Romanè is a modern trattoria that puts a fresh spin on classic Roman cuisine. The original location on Via Cipro serves traditional fare with a contemporary touch, while its newer counterpart across the street expands the menu with an array of seafood dishes. Both locations are decorated with Italy’s charming hand painted ‘piatti del buon ricordo’: collectible plates from the 1970s that commemorate the country’s most beloved restaurants.

Time Out tip: Romanè is an excellent stop before or after a visit to the Vatican Museums.

Address: Via Cipro, 106, 00137 Roma

Opening hours: Daily, 12pm-11pm 

Expect to pay: Around €30-40 per person without drinks.

A Michelin star establishment, Moma offers a stellar dining experience with special-occasion prices to match. Named after the Metropolitan Museum of Art, it’s located right in front of the US Embassy and attracts a business crowd that enjoys expertly executed dishes. You’ll find thoughtful re-interpretations of classic dishes alongside modern plates, like ravioli filled with cod and caramelized onions and chestnut flour lasagne with vegetables and cheese, all appropriately plated like works of art.

Time Out tip: You can order dishes à la carte, but the tasting menu is a highlight.

Address: Via di San Basilio 42, 00187 Rome

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 12.30-3pm and 7.30-11pm. Saturday from 7.30-11pm, closed on Sundays

Expect to pay: Lunch tasting menu is €75, dinner is €110. Wine pairing is extra.

Testaccio is widely considered the best neighbourhood for Roman cuisine, and this eatery is its unrivalled star. With retro checkered floors, white tablecloths, and a tantalizing array of traditional dishes, the old-school restaurant makes a perfect leisurely weekend lunch with family or a romantic choice for a gourmet dinner. Cacio e pepe is Felice a Testaccio’s signature dish; this tangle of spaghetti, melted cheese and black pepper comes freshly tossed at the table for you.

Time Out tip: Order the cacio e pepe – it’s finished tableside and lives up to the hype.

Address: Via Mastro Giorgio 29, 00153 Rome

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 12.30-3pm and 7.30-11pm, closed on Sundays

Expect to pay: Around €30-40 without drinks

A new wave of traditional Jewish-Roman cuisine reigns at Santo Palato (literally: sacred palate), where abundance is a must. Meat features prominently on the menu of this modern trattoria, and offal is a must-try. The restaurant promises a holistic approach to cooking that refuses waste and is set on lifting and updating authentic central Italian recipes. And if you fancy a vino (why wouldn’t you?), the cantina sports over 800 wines. Make sure to reserve a table in advance for this place.

Time Out tip: Overcome your fears and try offal here – there’s no better spot for it. 

Address: Piazza Tarquinia 4a, 00183 Rome

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 12.30-3pm and 7.30-11pm, closed on Sundays and Mondays

Expect to pay: Between €20-30 without drinks

Set within Anna Venturini Fendi’s magnificent Villa Laetitia, Enoteca La Torre captures the essence of la dolce vita. This high-end restaurant serves artful plates that complement its grand setting: helmed by Domenico Stile, who hails from Campania, you’ll find Southern Italian ingredients like buffalo milk cheeses, Sorrento lemons and fresh fish featured on the menu. For a real treat, opt for the seven-course surprise tasting menu selected by the chef. Just be warned, if you hadn’t guessed already, Enoteca La Torre is for special occasions. Its double-Michelin-starred menu comes with a (hefty) price – tasting menus range from €180-€220. But when in Rome, eh?

Time Out tip: Visit at lunch when you can really admire the beautiful dining room.

Address: Lungotevere delle Armi 22, 00195 Rome

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 7.30-10.30pm,  closed on Sundays and Mondays

Expect to pay: Around €200 per person