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Stella's Rome Restaurant List

Stella from NY (Stella)

See the restaurant locations on our Slow Travel Google Map for Rome.

Near Piazza Navona

Osteria del Gallo, Vicolo di Montevecchio 27, 06-6873781
This is a charming, unassuming, classic Roman trattoria, tucked away on a quiet street away from the hustle and bustle of Piazza Navona. Try to get a table outside. The chef here is very sweet and enthusiastic - he came out of the kitchen to talk about my order, customizing things for a solo diner. The service is warm and friendly.

Ristorante Montevecchio, Piazza Montevecchio, 22/a 06-6861319
This tiny restaurant has inventive takes on Roman classics in a lovely, intimate setting. Everything here is done with great care and attention to detail. Be sure to make a reservation here; the dining room is the size of a postage stamp.

Ristorante Santa Lucia, Largo Febo, 06-8802427
This is my pick for a great seafood meal. The pastas are perfect, grilled scampi to die for, and lovely whole, roasted fish. It has a fantastic outdoor seating area, in the middle of the square, next to the pretty, ivy-covered Hotel Raphael. Twinkling lights are all around and there is plenty of lively people-watching.

Near the Pantheon

La Sagrestia, Via del Seminario 89, 06 6797581
I love this place and always go here for my Roman pizza fix. There is never a wait, the pizza is fantastic and the setting is sweet and simple. The food here is good too, they do a nice crispy artichoke, and you can get a small steak or some simple chicken dishes.

Myosotis, Via della Vaccarella, 3/5 06-6865554
I had such a wonderful meal here two years ago, I can close my eyes and still remember the grilled veal sweetbreads, drizzled with olive oil and a few drops of balsamico. They have a great wine list and really nice service, and are in a lively piazza that is great for people-watching, if you choose to sit outside.

Obika, Piazza Firenze, corner of Via dei Prefetti 06-6832630
This is a pretty cool place to worship all things mozzarella di bufala. The setting is funky and modern, and you can sit at the bar to have a small meal or plant at a table for a mozzarella tasting menu.

La Pigna, Piazza della Pigna, 06-6787993 and 06-6785555
This restaurant is a true gem and totally unknown by the tourist crowd; I am almost afraid to share it with anyone, so please keep it a secret! I had one of my best meals ever in life here, with a friend who lives in the neighborhood. Don't miss the antipasti, and let them choose for you; if puntarelle are in season, go for it!

In the Ghetto

Piperno, Via Monte de'Cenci 9, 06-68806629
This fabulous restaurant is not sitting on its laurels, despite its popularity. This is my pick for classic Jewish fare, especially the heavenly Carciofi alla Giudea. If the weather is nice, eat outside. Select a nice bottle of wine, and order multiple courses to share, and the meal will become epic. The waiters here are very knowledgeable, so take their advice, let them pamper you, and don't miss dessert.

Vinando, Piazza Margana 23, 06-69200741
I love this enoteca and restaurant, for many reasons. It is always open, from 10am to 1am, so it is a never-fail choice at odd times of the day. The menu is huge. You can have a number of small plates with your wine - yummy things to spread on toasted bread, platters of cheeses and cured meats, delicious salads and antipasti, fantastic pastas and secondi. Late at night, you may even catch the owner playing the piano and belting out a tune.

Il Sanpietrino, Piazza Costaguti 15, 06-68806471
This family-operated restaurant is great choice for a cozy dinner, just fancy enough to feel special, but still comfortable. The restaurant is at its best when serving honest, traditional food, but there are modern touches to the menu that can be surprisingly good. The seafood offerings are not to be missed.

In Trastevere

Da Lucia, Vicolo del Mattonato 2b, 06-5803601
Da Lucia is very old trattoria on a tiny, crumbling street in Trastevere, always hopping with excitement and activity. Diners here run the gamut - tourists mingle with neighborhood folks, young and old alike. The food is simple but excellent, and they are especially known for perfect Pasta all Gricia (guanciale, pepper and cheese). You definitely need a reservation; I was turned away without one on a Saturday night - duh!

Checco er Carettiere, Via Benedetta, 10, 06-5817018
Opened in 1935, this is one of the most beloved trattorias in the neighborhood, despite its renown. It is in the heart of friendly Trastevere, a comfy respite from the bustling, narrow streets that surround it. This proudly Roman place aims to honor the cuisine of the common man of the city, so expect the cooking to be heart-warming as well as belly-filling. Anything fried is really, really good. Nice wine list, too!

Pizzeria San Calisto, Piazza San Calisto, 9
If you are going to have pizza in Trastevere, go here. It is a no-frills place with excellent pizza, antipasti, salads and snacks, and beer on tap to boot! Sitting outside in nice weather is lots of fun. I am not giving you the phone number because you should never call a pizzeria. They are too busy to answer the phone.

Not Far From the Colosseum

Trattoria Monti, Via di San Vito, 13a, 06-4466573
Trattoria Monti has been discovered by tourists in a big, big way. At lunch time, they wait outside for the door to open and can't seem to sit down fast enough. Why? They have heard about the warm, friendly service and fantastic menu that features specialties from Marche. A super-nice family owns and operates this special restaurant; one of the handsome sons will likely wait on you. Don't miss the terrific house Verdicchio. If you want to have dinner here, make a reservation for sure.

Agata e Romeo, Via Carlo Alberto 45. 06-4466115
This would be my pick for a dressed-up, special dinner in Rome. It is a beautiful restaurant with a creative, refined menu that is a blend of both the old and the new. There are a la carte offerings, as well as a special tasting menu. Let them guide you with your wine and you will not be disappointed. I would make a reservation here, for sure. It is the kind of place that is so special, it makes you feel special too. Well-deserving of a Michelin star.

Hostaria da Nerone, Via delle Terme di Tito 96, 06-4817952
If you are anywhere near the Colosseum, this is your choice for a great Roman meal. I always want pasta, pasta and more pasta here, especially the Spaghetti alle Vongole.

In Testaccio

Checchino dal 1887, Via di Monte Testaccio 30, 06-5743816
This Testacccio restaurant needs to be on your list, too! They specialize in traditional Roman cooking as well as the dishes of the "quinto quarto" of the cow - the intestines, tails, feet, and other interesting parts you may or may not be familiar with. Don't let that put you off, they have a huge menu with something for everyone. After you order, relax and take not of the special touches of service around you, especially with the wine.

Volpetti, Via Marmorata 47, 06-5742352
Ok, not a restaurant, but a fantastic food shop that is legendary in Rome and well worth the trip to the neighborhood. Operated by two brothers, both butchers from Norcia in Umbria, you will find the best cured meats in the city, fantastic cheeses, excellent prepared foods, and plenty of advice on how to enjoy it all properly. Fantastico!

Gelato

I am not a gelato snob. I get it at any place that makes it fresh and "all'artiginale." A favorite in the Centro Storico is, Giolitti, at Via degli Uffici del Vicario 40, not far from the Pantheon. This is a must-visit stop, not only for the great gelato, but for the bustling activity around you.

Another great gelateria not far from the Trevi Fountain is San Crispino, Via della Pannetteria 42. They want you to enjoy their exquisite gelato in the proper context, and will not mix flavors that don't go well together. Try the ginger-honey, it is sublime.

I also love Al Settimo Gelo, via Vodice, 21/a, in Prati; I had the best strawberry gelato, ever, there.

Coffee

Hands-down, the best coffee in Rome in my opinion is at Tazza D'Oro, right by the Pantheon. Others will tell you St. Eustachio, but I do not agree.

If you are near the Campo di Fiori, try Bar Farnese, on Via dei Baullari; they are the sweetest people, ever, and their cornetti are always fresh and delicious. But no worries - all the coffee in Rome is darn fantastic, even at average places!

A few other choices, and some enoteche

Please visit Antico Forno Marco Roscioli, on Via dei Chiavari, near the corner of Via dei Guibbonari. The bakery has the best pizza bianca and pizza marinara you will ever try. They have an entoeca/restaurant a few meters away on Via dei Guibbonari, where Via dei Chiavari meets it. You can have an excellent, full meal in the back, or just some wine with cheese and cured meats. This is a great place to get some cured meats, cheeses and wines to take home as well.

'Gusto is a mini-empire not far from Piazza del Popolo, at Piazza Augusto Imperatore 9, and Via della Frezza. There is an upscale restaurant, an osteria, a cheese shop, an enoteca, a pizzeria, and a fantastic kitchenware emporium. I highly recommend a visit to the emporium - great gifts for yourself, and afterwards you can try at least one of the food offerings.

Vino Garage, Via di Monte Giordano, 63, not far from Piazza Navona, is a new hot spot. They highlight sparkling wines and hand-cut proscuitto from various regions of Italy, and make great aperitivi, plus there are other noshes and wines to try.

Buccone, Via di Ripetta, 19-20 is a restaurant and a wine-bar, very inviting with tall stacks of bottles encased in dark wood. It is near the Piazza del Popolo, and is a great place for an incredible selection of wine and a mixed platter of meats and cheeses after a visit to the Galleria Borghese; walk through the park, down to the Piazza and reward yourself with some relaxing time here.

Cul de Sac, Piazza del Pasquino, 73, is my favorite Roman wine bar. Wine is crammed into every available inch of space, and the knowledge of the staff is apparent as they guide you through their selections. The food is quite good too! I could spend hours and hours there. In fact, I have spent hours and hours there.

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