A tourist walking the streets of any given European city must avoid a few pitfalls. Carrying too much cash, for example; letting the lack of tap water dehydrate you beyond repair; perhaps being sprayed with that elusive water if you’re in Barcelona. Unfortunately, we at TABLE magazine can’t help much with those pitfalls. We can, however, help with the most egregious pitfall of all: falling prey to the tourist trap restaurant, where you find yourself paying out the nose for mediocre food ordered from menus plastered with pictures and printed in English. If wandering the streets aimlessly fails to bring you to the trattoria of your dreams, let TABLE step in as your local friend with an unbeatable list of recommendations of where to eat in Rome, like a local.
These six of the best restaurants in Rome are the hidden gems with menus on chalkboards and websites in Italian that give you an opportunity to explore a town just outside Rome. Some have traditional Roman food, and some are more innovative, merging tradition with ideas anew. All, however, use the freshest of ingredients to create their own masterpieces in their own ways. So, if you’re looking for where to eat in Rome, andiamo.
TABLE Magazine’s Guide to Where to Eat in Rome
Proloco Centocelle
Via Domenico Panaroli, 35, 00172
Pizza, pasta, meat and cheese are the specialties of this locally-sourced deli and restaurant located thirty minutes outside of the city center, in Centocelle. The mildly cluttered, rustic dining room is traditionally Italian without trying too hard to be. It’s perfect for families and small groups searching for where to eat in Rome. Squint to see the chalkboard menu and you can’t go wrong with its traditional Lazian offerings like pizza cooked in a sheet pan with pancetta, apples, and onions. For drinks, choose between local craft beers and a myriad of affordably priced wines from around Italy. And make the most of your chance to get outside the city by exploring the surrounding neighborhood with an after-dinner walk.
Menabò Vino e Cucina
Via delle Palme, 44 D, 00171
An elegant vision of a true Italian trattoria also in the Prenestino-Centocelle district, Menabò Vino e Cucina offers beautifully plated versions of traditional dishes. It’s neither overly homey nor overly designed. The brothers that own it have managed to create a casually chic, surprisingly airy atmosphere. All this is in a small space using rustic shelves and powder blue accents. Don’t miss their elevated takes on classics like Fusilloni con Pesto di Zucchine, and pair your meal with a selection from their extensive wine list. Reservations are always a good idea.
Taverna Trilussa
Via del Politeama, 23/25, 00153
Wood beams on the ceiling, wrought iron gates amongst tables, and an assortment of vintage paintings on the wall make Taverna Trilussa’s indoor seating area feel eclectic. The ivy-draped outdoor patio is its romantic redemption. Tucked away in the Trastavere neighborhood, expect traditional Roman pasta dishes theatrically served straight out of the pan, and meat and cheese plates that take up much of the table. Reserve in advance, be patient, don’t look too hard at the prices, and you will be rewarded with pasta deemed universally delicious.
Dar Parucca Biosterria
Via Macerata, 89, 00176
This Pigneto tavern is so traditional it doesn’t even have a website — just an Instagram page. It’s got fantastic tiramisu, traditional Roman dishes like pasta amatriciana, and owners that have a room-filling personality. But tradition does not make owners Luca and Alessandro compromise on quality. They source organic meat from two hours outside the city and vegetables from a workers’ cooperative farm. You won’t hear about it on many other “Where to Eat in Rome” articles. But, the fact that Dar Parucca Biosterria hasn’t quite been discovered makes it even more worthwhile.
Pesciolino
Via Macerata, 89, 00176
Walking into Pesciolino feels like entering a beautifully decorated submarine. All blue and gold and fish wallpaper, the tiny restaurant in the heart of Rome is perfect for a simple lunch, aperitif, or refined dinner. Depending on the season, try oysters served with lemon foam and black pepper or ribbons of fresh cuttlefish with tomato sauce. Pesciolino is on the more upscale end of this list, and alas, the menu does have English translations, but the extensive seafood selection, carefully sourced from the French coast, will not leave a palate unsatisfied.
Ristorante Santa Lucia
Largo Febo, 12, 00186
You might recognize the terrace of this ristorante from the classic lunch scene in Eat, Pray, Love. Its stint in the spotlight has done nothing to diminish its charm. Santa Lucia serves “flavor, tradition, character”; fresh oysters, tartare, rigatoni. Though it is located on one of the most touristy streets in the city, its courtyard, full of almost-too-small tables tucked behind Piazza Navona and surrounded by ivy, makes for a beautiful setting. Arrive early or make a reservation and prepare to practice your Italian like you’re Julia Roberts herself.
Story by Mitra Nourbakhsh
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