The Ultimate Guide To Rome - Part 1
Where to eat in the eternal city...
Rome, the bustling capital of Italy, is a city with so much to offer. Whether you’re planning a trip there solely for the food scene, for the immense amount of history you can find on every corner, or just for a summer getaway, Rome really does have something for everyone. It’s a foodie heaven with many historical dishes and the best bars for Aperitivo on every corner. It may be the capital city of Italy, but it still has a lovely laid-back feel and a relaxed vibe with cobbled streets, colourful alleyways and charming locals. Just be careful not to fall into tourist traps when in the main areas! I always recommend walking off the busy streets to find the best hidden spots away from the crowds and overpriced, very average food. So, in the next two newsletters I will be giving you my personal recommendations on where and what to eat & drink, where to stay and what to do in this beautiful city….
Starting with the food… (most importantly, of course!)
With this being my first time in Rome, my goal was to eat my way around the city and to try as much food as possible (in-between squeezing in lots of sightseeing too!). Obviously, it was impossible to try everywhere on my list but below are my must try’s for when you visit…
Must try dishes when in Rome:
Carbonara - Spaghetti Carbonara is a classic Roman dish which you’ll find in most (if not all) of the local restaurants (aka Trattorias). It’s a staple for a reason. You just can’t beat it. What better place to have it than in the capital of Italy.
Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe - Whilst this dishes ingredient list may be short in comparison to other pasta dishes, it is in no way inferior. ‘Tonnarelli’ refers to the shape of the pasta, which is a thicker, square cut version of spaghetti made with egg. Think creamy, peppery pasta. YUM!
Porchetta - A classic Italian delicacy; boneless pork roast seasoned with herbs such as rosemary and fennel. The pork is juicy and soft with a crispy exterior, often served as thin slices in sandwiches
Tiramisu - You’re in Italy, of course you’ve got to eat Tiramisu, needn’t I say more!
Gelato - Arguably Italy is the best place to enjoy gelato; it’s creamy in texture, with a great depth in flavour and made from quality ingredients. Just make sure to go to one where the gelato they’re serving isn’t bright blue and filled with artificial colouring.
Where to eat:
A new city can be incredibly overwhelming when trying to decide where to eat and I also find that everyone has different experiences in restaurants, therefore it can be really hard to decipher between recommendations. Below are the places that I visited during my time in Rome and my thoughts on whether they would be worth a visit again. I have categorised these into price brackets so that there is something for every occasion…
(To note, all restaurants / bars in this article are linked to google maps for your ease)
£ - Cheap
This is the perfect lunch stop or pitstop if you need refuelling between sightseeing (although don’t expect a seat as there is nowhere to sit down). It’s a ‘sandwich’ shop filled with quality Italian produce; meats, cheeses, grilled vegetables and different types of bread. I recommend getting the focaccia sandwich filled with Porchetta, creamy Stracciatella and pesto. The combination of salty Porchetta, warm crispy focaccia, creamy Stracciatella and the bright, fresh pesto is a match made in heaven. Top Tip: There will be a queue during the lunch time rush, so either visit in off peak times, or be prepared to wait (I promise it’s worth the wait though… this was so tasty that I actually went back twice!)
Some of the best porcehtta I've eaten Pomi:
The perfect afternoon sweet treat pick-me-up, expect delicious tiramisu to takeaway in many different flavours. I tried the classic, which was delicious, and then strawberry too. It may be a chain in Rome, but it’s very popular for good reason…
The classic tiramisu flavour (there are plenty of other exciting flavours to choose from though!))
££ - Mid Range
Osteria da Fortunata have 3 locations across Italy; Rome, Milan and Bologna. They’re a chain of restaurants that have gone viral on social media because you get to watch them make the pasta whilst you eat. I therefore wanted to visit and see what all the fuss was about - I went at around 10pm on my first evening in Rome and even then, there was a long queue. I ordered the carbonara, gnocchi ragu and ravioli with butter, sage and oil. The gnocchi ragu was my favourite and all the food I tried here was delicious, however if you don’t want to be waiting for a long time, there are many other alternatives in the area that are just as good.
The spread: carbonara, ragu, butter-sage A charming little restaurant situated near the river with welcoming staff and delicious traditional food. I visited for dinner and ordered the Caprese salad, braised artichoke (Roman style), carbonara and pici alla amatriciana (a tomato sauce made with guanciale and pecorino Romano cheese). For dessert I had their tiramisu which was SO good. I loved all the dishes here, but if I had to pick a favourite the pici alla amatriciana was the perfect combination of salty guanciale, rich tomato sauce and thick bites of pasta. I would happily come back to this restaurant; the low-key atmosphere was just what you want for an evening meal and the staff were incredibly attentive. It’s a great spot for a hearty bowl of pasta and delicious house wine.
Located in the historic centre of the city, it’s very easy to miss this place completely, as it’s tucked down a narrow street. Once you’re inside, you’ll be guided through a small labyrinth of rooms to find a free table. It’s a family run establishment that has been open since 2005 with a very welcoming team of staff. I visited for lunch and ordered the carbonara (which was beautifully rich and creamy) and the aubergine parmigiana which equally as delicious and the perfect meal to refuel my body after a busy morning of sightseeing. This place is definitely worth a visit in my opinion.
A simple family run trattoria in the heart of Trastevere. Perfect for a quick lunch and bite to eat. It’s a small but very busy restaurant with seatings inside and out, and you will likely have to queue for at least a short period of time, but the footfall is so high that they’re very good at doing a quick turnaround and you won’t be waiting long before your food order is on your table ready to eat. I ordered the fried artichoke which was incredibly moreish (I could have easily eaten at least 2 to myself), Polpette al Sugo (meatballs in a tomato sauce) and pasta al Sugo di Coda (rigatoni pasta with tomato sauce, oxtail and raisins). The Sugo di Coda was tasty, but I probably wouldn’t order it again as it didn’t blow me away. Next time I would order the carbonara because I got very envious of the people around me who were eating it and it looked delicious!
£££ - Expensive
Imàgo is a 1 Michelin star restaurant run by chef Andrea Antonini, situated in the Hassler Hotel (at the top of the Spanish Steps). The first thing you’ll notice about this incredible restaurant is the view. It must have one of the best views of Rome and our seating was timed perfectly with the sunset. I was given the option between 2 menus and chose the project 2025 which focused more on the experimental side of Andrea’s cooking. My whole experience at Imàgo was fantastic and the food was delicious. Each dish was paired with wines from across the region and I was incredibly impressed by their choices, each a new tasting experience with paired perfectly with the food. My personal favourite of the menu would have to be the ‘Milanese style squid’ which was a dish that looked and tasted like risotto but was made completely from squid (even the rice) - SO cool. If you’re after a fine dining experience focusing on Italian cuisine, then this restaurant is a must try.
Just a few shots of the delicious food and stunning view
As I said earlier, it was impossible to try everywhere I had on my list, so below are some other places that I didn’t get a chance to visit, but will be sure to try the next time I am there:
Nino:
An intimate restaurant with Tuscan roots. The menu focuses on the combination of Tuscan and Roman specialities and produce to create delicious seasonal dishes. Opened in 1934, it’s been run by the same family ever since!
A hearty local restaurant with a rustic bar and chilled vibes, serving up delicious Roman dishes. It has very cool interiors, a wine list with over 1,000 labels and a lovely outdoor terrace - what’s more to like!
Located in a quiet square just off the busy streets. Expect a welcoming atmosphere, with tasty traditional dishes based of seasonality and quality of ingredients. The perfect spot for an authentic lunch or dinner
A note on dinner timings - Growing up in the UK, we are used to eating dinner pretty early when compared to other European cities. Therefore, don’t forget that Rome is no different to the rest of Europe with their later dinner seatings. If you’re after the best atmosphere in restaurants make sure to book after 8pm, at the earliest!
In The Ultimate Guide To Rome - Part Two, we delve into all things aperitivo, where to stay and what to do…
POV you find me in your suitcase in Rome
Love da Enzo!