Top Spots to Eat and Drink in Rome

Who knows Rome’s restaurants better than the city’s food critics? After all, it’s their job to eat through the Eternal City, sizing up everything from bars to bakeries, no-frills trattorias to gourmet newcomers.

We asked nine food writers to share their top spots to eat and drink, creating an eclectic cheat sheet of must-try dining experiences in Italy’s capital city.

Massimiliano Tonelli – Director, Gambero Rosso

Radici
Enjoy a quick and delectable meal featuring Puglia’s temptations at this delicatessen. Moreover, it boasts an incredible gin selection. Not even locals know about this hidden gem yet.

Barred
Run by two brothers, with one in the kitchen and the other serving, this spot offers carefully selected natural wines from small producers. Each dish bursts with creativity—discover it before everyone else does.

Marigold
This restaurant brings a small slice of Scandinavia to Rome. Danish Sophie bakes the bread and viennoiseries, while Calabrese chef Domenico handles the savory dishes. Together, they create one of the most exciting dining experiences in the city.

Andrea Strafile – Munchies – VICE, Fine Dining Lovers

Bar San Calisto
This old-school bar in Trastevere is a local oasis. Elders sit and play cards while young people gather with friends. Their coffee granita topped with unsweetened whipped cream is legendary, and for drinks, I recommend a classic Peroni.

La Santeria di Mare
My go-to spot in Pigneto offers a fantastic selection of natural wines, an exceptional oyster bar, and satisfying bistro dishes. Don’t forget to check out the most beautiful bathroom in Rome!

La Punta Expendio De Agave
Experience a taste of Mexico with delicious food and superb mezcal cocktails. The psychedelic-themed cocktail bar downstairs adds a unique touch; this spot is already making waves in the culinary scene.

Luciana Squadrilli – GoTravelDaily Italia, Reporter Gourmet, Pizza on the Road, author of audio tour Testaccio: The Hearth of Roman Tradition

Seu Pizza Illuminati
The best pizza place in town. These pizzas have an airy, soft crust with toppings that are incredibly well-balanced. Don’t miss the vegetarian and vegan options featuring greens, roots, and tubers served up in a whole new light.

Marzapane
This culinary surprise of 2019 boasts a thrilling menu with impeccable finesse reminiscent of French cuisine. It’s a restaurant I can’t resist returning to time and again!

Open Baladin
A welcoming pub where you can unwind with a satisfying craft beer and a fuss-free burger alongside tasty crisps. I’ve found it to be the perfect place to de-stress for years.

Katie Parla – The New York Times, Food & Wine, Saveur, Eater, podcast host GOLA

180g Pizzeria Romana
Here, Mirko Rizzo ensures perfect fritti while Jacopo Mercuro expertly works the pizza oven. Their pizzas are made with 180g of long-fermented dough, stretched by hand and topped with both classic and creative ingredients for a deliciously crispy pizza romana.

Mercato Centrale
Begin at the western entrance of this expansive food hall, where Gabriele Bonci’s bakery serves pizza by the slice. For just €5, grab a glass at the wine bar next door. Make sure to try the chicken cacciatore trapizzino while you’re there—they’re a must!

Il Goccetto
This wine bar is adored by oenophiles, thanks to its great atmosphere and an extensive list of wines available by the glass—up to 30 at any time. Visit the cozy inner room where owners Sergio and Anna Ceccarelli showcase over 800 labels.

Pamela Panebianco – Agrodolce

Idylio by Francesco Apreda
The ideal place to treat yourself when you want a luxurious dining experience. Enjoy an aperitivo on their Divinity Terrace rooftop overlooking the Pantheon, or opt for the tasting menu where each dish surprises.

Proloco Trastevere
No one sources and selects their products as meticulously as Proloco. Here, you can indulge in a meat and cheese board, pizza, or traditional Roman dishes paired beautifully with a glass of wine. It’s a spot you will surely fall in love with.

Charlotte Pasticceria
Self-taught pastry chef Claudia Martelloni’s exquisite desserts and cakes highlight her artistry, stemming from her background in miniatures. If you’re unsure what to choose, the Tiziana is a must-try!

Tania Mauri – Cook_inc, Reporter Gourmet, Espresso, Pizza on the Road

Bonci Pizzarium
Renowned as the best pizza al taglio (by the slice) in Rome by Bonci, the so-called “Michelangelo of pizza”. With a soft, crispy crust, the options range from classic to innovative. Make sure to sample the dreamy suppli—deep-fried balls of risotto rice paired with tomato sauce.

Zia Restaurant
Zia’s team, young and passionate, delivers cuisine that honors traditions and ingredients, creating original dishes with influence from French cooking techniques.

Coromandel
Located not far from Piazza Navona, Coromandel offers a serene escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. Chef Ornella de Felice creates an excellent menu, boasting the best brunch in Rome on weekends.

Carlo Passera – Identita Golose

Il Pagliaccio
Chef Anthony Genovese’s two-Michelin star restaurant is perhaps the most creative in the city, featuring refined, innovative dishes infused with global flavors, particularly those from Asia.

Pascucci al Porticciolo
Whenever I land in Rome via Fiumicino Airport, I stop here. Chef Gianfranco Pascucci is one of Italy’s top seafood interpreters, and his wife, restaurant manager Vanessa Melis, excels in the dining room.

Glass Hostaria
Chef Cristina Bowerman’s restaurant is a leading reference for contemporary yet original Italian cuisine, infused with cosmopolitan techniques.

Floriana Barone – Luciano Pignataro Blog

Boccione
Located in my favorite neighborhood, the Jewish Quarter, Boccione is my favorite bakery in Rome. This cherished establishment has delighted patrons for over 250 years, famous for its sour cherry and ricotta pie—pure heaven.

180g Pizzeria Romana
Don’t leave Rome without trying this pizza romana! Located in the Centocelle neighborhood, it offers a reinterpretation of the classic, with extra crispy, hand-stretched pizza topped creatively.

L’Osteria Birra del Borgo
Near the Vatican? Luca Pezzetta’s Birra del Borgo is a reliable choice, with six different types of dough on the menu, including an innovative antifocaccia crafted with sourdough starter, toasted seeds, slow-cooked boar, BBQ pumpkin, and blueberries.

Andrea Febo – Agrodolce, Il Messaggero, Founder Radiofood, Gastronauta

Pianostrada
I have fond memories of evenings at the counter of this charming bistro. Despite its touristy location, you will leave satisfied regardless of what you order.

Zia Restaurant
This restaurant stands out as one of the best in Rome, with whimsical cuisine and a warm, welcoming staff. It offers gourmet food in the tranquil heart of Trastevere.

Trattoria Pennestri
This casual trattoria strikes a perfect balance between rich flavors and creativity, paired with an eclectic wine list. Every visit makes me feel right at home!