Italian food is amazing. From perfectly cooked pasta to crispy thin crust pizza, everything in this city is mouthwatering. For those of you traveling to the eternal city, here's a guide for serious foodies featuring some of my favorite restaurants and the best gelato.
Mangia! Mangia!
---Restaurants---
This is my favorite restaurant in all of Rome. Seriously everything on this menu is amazing but I would recommend the Amatriciana (like a bolognese with pancetta) or the Cacio e Pepe (the classic Roman Pecorino cheese and black pepper dish). The artichoke torte appetizer is also amazing. Reservations are definitely needed and the ambiance is a little dated but the walls are lined with pictures of famous people who have dined at Antica Pesa. It also has one of the most extensive wine lists in Rome.
The best Cacio e Pepe! in Rome! It is served in an edible bowl of parmesan cheese- yum! The big drawback for this restaurant is the service (boo). They are pretty dismissive of Americans and expect tips from non-Italians (usually people in Italy tip at most 10 percent). It is advisable to make a reservation as there aren’t many tables and they fill up quickly. I would also recommend the zuppli to start (fried risotto/cheese/tomato sauce balls).
Ah! Roscioli! This place is the best. The restaurant is so delicious (try the All'Amatriciana or Roman Meatballs), but my favorite thing about Roscioli is their wine and food tasting. This takes place Wednesday-Friday nights and is so fun. You need a reservation. The sommelier will pour a lot (read: minimum 10 types) of wine alongside delicious bread (Roscioli also operates a bakery down the street called Forno Roscioli) with cheese and meat. For dinner, you are served the famous All'Amatriciana and for dessert, you'll try the best tiramisu I've ever had. The whole experience is long and the sommelier is a bit eccentric but it was probably the most fun night I've had in Rome (big bonus was that the boyfriend was there!).
This place is really famous because Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise took their wedding party here one night. The food is so good and authentic italian. The white bean soup is their most famous and delicious dish but I also love the risotto (with mushrooms please!).
For a hip, fresh take on Italian food, try Ginger Roma. The Cacio e Pepe and All’Amatriciana here are really delicious as is the chicken with yogurt mint sauce and rosemary potatoes. For lunch, try the red rice salad. When dining with another person, consider getting the salumi e formaggi platter, which is an assortment of delicious roman cold meats and cheeses. This restaurant is open all day (meaning doesn’t close between lunch and dinner) and is open on Sundays (major plus).
One of the most famous tuscan restaurants in Rome. So yummy, especially the bolognese!
I love this local pizza place, which is very famous among Romans. It is super casual (think plastic chairs) but so authentic and delicious. My favorite pizza is made with pesto and potato, or the parmagiana (tomato sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, eggplant).
Known as the best pizza in Rome (my boyfriend agrees), and in my opinion probably the world. It is super authentic, inexpensive but kind of off the beaten path. Testaccio is a really hip area with fun nightlife and lots of young people. You have to put your name down to get a table as there are no reservations. Most people get a drink (either wine or beer) and drink it outside or at the park across the street while they wait. For parties of 4 or fewer it isn’t hard to get in even on a Saturday night after waiting around 20 minutes. The parmagiana pizza here is to die for as is there Marinara (pizza Rosso). Make sure you order a Pizza Rosso or else there is no tomato sauce!
This is a takeaway/by the slice pizza place literally on Campo de Fiori making it ultra convenient. It is really delicious and the cookies are amazing and authentic too too. Great for a snack or picnic lunch (you get to tell them how much you want, as it is by weight). The plain margherita is my favorite and the shortbread-jam cookies are so yummy too.
---Gelato ---
This is the most incredible gelato place in Rome! The flavors are amazing (I like the pineapple, chocolate fondent and the salted caramel with himalayan pink sea salt!). The shop is tiny but the whole concept behind their gelato is amazing. The gelato is served in cones that they first fill with liquid chocolate (you choose white or milk/dark) and then they put ice cream on top. After that you get a little bit of panna (like whipped cream but not as sweet) on top. The flavors of this amazing cream are classic (the best), vanilla, coffee or english cream. Finally, they dip a wafer cookie in liquid chocolate and put it on top. Heaven!
This is very similar to Come il Late but the flavors are a little different. The Ricotta and Pear is amazing!! Not as many fancy toppings, but a favorite artisan gelato place.
Basically the most famous gelato place in Rome. It is amazing but be prepared to wait in long lines to get your gelato (tip: skip the line and go straight to the cash register, the tourists standing in line are all confused. Pay first!!). The best flavors are nutella (seriously the richest and most delicious thing ever) and the champagne and strawberry (preferably together). SO GOOD.
The New York Times says this is the best gelato in Rome. Not sure if I would agree, but it is certainly great. It is a much fancier vibe (they have this little velvet rope out when they are closed). Best flavors are Hazelnut, Vanilla Bourbon and any of the fruit flavors/meringues. The chocolate is the only disappointing flavor I’ve tried.
Cute little shop in Trastevere. Really high quality gelato and by far the best panna (whipped cream) in Rome! Try the stracciatella!
Ciao!
xoxo