Best Restaurants in Rome to Suit Every Craving

Rome is famous for its ancient ruins, Renaissance art and Baroque fountains, but its food is just as important to the city’s identity. Traditional trattorias, neighbourhood pizzerias and historic dining rooms share the capital with vegan restaurants, panoramic rooftops and internationally recognised fine dining.

This guide covers the best restaurants in Rome for different budgets, diets and occasions. Among the best places to eat in Rome, you will find carbonara, cacio e pepe, Roman-style artichokes, creative vegan dishes, pizza by the slice and elaborate Michelin-starred tasting menus.

Exploring neighbourhoods such as Trastevere, Testaccio, Prati, Monti and the historic centre is easier without heavy luggage. Qeepl provides convenient luggage storage around Rome, allowing you to leave your bags or suitcases in a secure location before heading to lunch or dinner. Prices start from €4.39 per bag per day.

What Should You Know About Food in Rome?

Roman cuisine is defined by straightforward recipes and a strong respect for a relatively short list of ingredients. Pecorino Romano, guanciale, black pepper, eggs, seasonal vegetables and extra-virgin olive oil form the foundation of many familiar dishes.

The city’s four best-known pasta recipes are carbonara, made with egg, guanciale, pecorino and black pepper; cacio e pepe, based on pecorino and pepper; amatriciana, prepared with guanciale and tomato; and gricia, which resembles amatriciana without the tomato.

Vegetables also play an important role in traditional Roman cooking. Carciofi alla romana are slowly cooked with herbs, while carciofi alla giudia are deep-fried until crisp and are closely associated with the historic Jewish quarter. Other familiar dishes include saltimbocca, oxtail stew, tripe and seasonal puntarelle salad.

Lunch is generally served between 12:30 and 2:30 p.m., while dinner commonly begins after 7:30 or 8 p.m. Many traditional restaurants close between services, so arriving in the middle of the afternoon may limit the available choices.

A coperto or bread charge may appear on the bill, depending on the restaurant. Tipping is not obligatory in the same way as it is in the United States, although diners may round up the bill or leave a small additional amount for particularly good service.

Prices vary widely between pizza counters, neighbourhood trattorias and Michelin-starred restaurants. Any price examples below are approximate and may change over time.

Best Affordable Restaurants in Rome

Rome offers excellent value at traditional trattorias, pizzerias and informal restaurants, although popular establishments in central areas may still require advance planning.

1. Flavio al Velavevodetto

Flavio al Velavevodetto is a traditional Roman osteria built into the base of Monte Testaccio, an ancient hill formed from discarded amphora fragments.

The menu focuses on Roman classics such as carbonara, gricia, cacio e pepe, oxtail and seasonal artichokes. The large dining rooms and outdoor areas make it suitable for groups, but reservations are recommended during busy periods.

2. Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto

Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto is a neighbourhood restaurant west of central Rome known for traditional cooking and a strong selection of local wines.

Its menu includes fried starters, tonnarelli cacio e pepe, amatriciana, meat dishes and seasonal vegetables. The restaurant is away from the main sightseeing streets, but it remains extremely popular, so booking ahead is advisable.

3. Armando al Pantheon

Armando al Pantheon is a family-run Roman restaurant that has operated near the Pantheon since 1961.

The menu is centred on traditional dishes such as amatriciana, gricia, tripe, lamb and seasonal artichokes. It is not the cheapest option in this section, but its central location and careful cooking make it a relatively accessible alternative to formal fine dining. Reservations are essential.

4. Da Enzo al 29

Da Enzo al 29 is a small neighbourhood trattoria on Via dei Vascellari in Trastevere.

Its menu includes carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe, meatballs, oxtail and seasonal Roman vegetables. The restaurant does not accept reservations and seats guests on a first-come, first-served basis, so queues are common before lunch and dinner.

5. Pizzarium Bonci

Pizzarium Bonci is a celebrated pizza al taglio counter near the Vatican Museums, founded by baker and pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci.

Rectangular slices are sold by weight and topped with combinations that change throughout the day. Seasonal vegetables, cheese, cured meat and slow-cooked fillings appear on the light, airy dough. The final price depends on the weight and toppings selected.

Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Rome

Rome’s plant-based dining scene includes vegan interpretations of traditional pasta, vegetarian brunches, organic buffets and colourful fast-casual burgers.

1. Rifugio Romano

Rifugio Romano is a long-running restaurant near Termini Station that serves both traditional and completely vegan versions of Roman dishes.

The plant-based selection may include vegan carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe, lasagne, pizza and desserts. Its broad menu makes it particularly convenient for mixed groups containing vegan, vegetarian and non-vegetarian diners.

2. Ops!

Ops! is a completely vegan buffet restaurant in the Salario area.

Guests select dishes from a changing buffet and generally pay according to the weight of the plate. The selection may include grains, legumes, pasta, salads, cooked vegetables, plant-based proteins and desserts inspired by Mediterranean and international cooking.

3. Il Margutta

Il Margutta is a historic vegetarian restaurant and art space near Piazza del Popolo. It has served meat-free food on Via Margutta since 1979.

The restaurant offers vegetarian and vegan dishes made with organic and biodynamic ingredients. Its programme includes weekday lunches, weekend brunches and à la carte dinners, with art exhibitions forming part of the dining-room experience.

4. Buddy

Buddy is a fully vegan restaurant in the historic centre that reinterprets familiar Roman and Italian dishes without animal products.

The menu may include plant-based carbonara, amatriciana, pizza, pasta, burgers, salads and desserts. Its long opening hours make it a practical option for breakfast, lunch or dinner between sightseeing stops.

5. Flower Burger

Flower Burger is a fully vegan fast-casual restaurant known for colourful burgers served in naturally tinted buns.

The menu includes patties made from legumes, grains and vegetables, along with fries, sauces and dairy-free desserts. Its informal format makes it suitable for a quick and relatively inexpensive plant-based meal.

Romantic Restaurants in Rome

Rome’s rooftop terraces, historic hotels and intimate dining rooms provide memorable settings for anniversaries and special evenings.

1. Aroma

Aroma is a rooftop restaurant at Palazzo Manfredi with direct views of the Colosseum.

Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio combines Roman traditions with influences from Campania and contemporary techniques. The restaurant offers several tasting menus, including a vegetarian option, and holds one Michelin star.

2. Imàgo

Imàgo occupies the sixth floor of the Hassler Roma hotel above the Spanish Steps.

Its panoramic windows offer views across Rome, while the kitchen presents highly composed contemporary Italian tasting menus. Imàgo holds one Michelin star, and advance reservations are strongly recommended.

3. La Pergola

La Pergola is located on the top floor of the Rome Cavalieri hotel and is led by chef Heinz Beck.

The restaurant combines panoramic views, formal service and elaborate Mediterranean tasting menus. La Pergola holds three Michelin stars and remains the only restaurant in Rome with the guide’s highest distinction.

4. Antico Arco

Antico Arco is a contemporary Italian restaurant on the Gianicolo hill, close to the Botanical Garden and Villa Doria Pamphilj.

Its refined but understated dining room provides a quieter alternative to Rome’s grand hotel restaurants. The seasonal menu combines Italian ingredients with modern techniques, and the wine cellar contains an extensive collection of labels.

5. Il Pagliaccio

Il Pagliaccio is an intimate fine-dining restaurant in the historic centre led by chef Anthony Genovese.

Its tasting menus combine Italian ingredients with ideas and techniques influenced by the chef’s international background. The restrained dining room keeps attention on the food, and the restaurant holds two Michelin stars.

Are There Michelin Star Restaurants in Rome?

Yes. The official Michelin Guide currently lists 24 Michelin-starred restaurants in Rome and the surrounding area.

The selection ranges from traditional Mediterranean fine dining to contemporary international cooking, seafood-focused restaurants and panoramic hotel dining rooms.

Several of the most notable Michelin-starred restaurants in Rome include:

• La Pergola — three Michelin stars. La Pergola is led by chef Heinz Beck and offers elaborate Mediterranean tasting menus from the top of the Rome Cavalieri hotel.

• Il Pagliaccio — two Michelin stars. Il Pagliaccio presents internationally influenced tasting menus under chef Anthony Genovese.

• Aroma — one Michelin star. Aroma serves contemporary Italian cuisine from a rooftop terrace overlooking the Colosseum.

• Imàgo — one Michelin star. Imàgo combines panoramic views from the Hassler Roma with modern Italian fine dining.

• Per Me Giulio Terrinoni — one Michelin star. Per Me Giulio Terrinoni is known for contemporary, seafood-focused cooking near Via Giulia.

Other Michelin-starred restaurants in the current Rome selection include Acquolina, La Terrazza, INEO, Enoteca La Torre, Glass Hostaria, Achilli al Parlamento, Zia and Orma. Michelin distinctions may change with each annual guide, so diners should confirm the latest status before booking.