- Home
- Where to Eat in Rome - Our Guide
Where to Eat in Rome: Our Personal Guide to the City’s Best Local Eats
Golden, crispy, and full of flavour—these fried artichokes are the highlight of the Gourmetaly foodie tour in RomeWondering where to eat in Rome?
With so many restaurants, eateries, and pastry shops on every corner, it can be overwhelming—especially when you’re craving something truly Roman.
We visit Rome regularly and always try to find genuinely authentic places to eat, from family-run trattorias and signless bakeries to hole-in-the-wall pizza spots.
If you want to prepare a delicious pasta meal yourself, a Roman pasta class is a great choice—here are the ones that we love in Rome.
Below are the places we love to eat 😋 in Rome—and always return to for another great meal. We’ve grouped them by location, near the main sights around Rome.
Don’t waste your money on the wrong places to eat in Rome—follow our guide instead!
👉 Take a peek at some of the things we love to do in Rome, which we visit often.
Find your perfect stay in Rome!
Where to eat in Rome, Prati
Throughout the Prati neighbourhood, stretching north from the Vatican, you'll find some of the most authentic places to eat in Rome, as this is primarily a residential area.
From trattorias and eateries to pasticcerie, there is no shortage of great food spots. Here are some of our favourite places to eat while staying in Prati, along with suggested places to stay.
Alla Rampa dei Gracchi, Via dei Gracchi 90
This classic Roman restaurant in Prati, near the Vatican, serves authentic Italian food and is a local favourite at lunchtime.
We loved the carbonara, meat lasagne, Parmigiana di melanzane, and excellent saltimbocca alla romana, while the tiramisù is a must-try. With a great wine list and warm, attentive staff, it's the perfect place to unwind after a day of sightseeing. This restaurant is an ideal choice for eating like a local in Rome.
One of the best Roman food tours!
Pinsa 'mpò - Pinseria Romana, Via dei Gracchi 7
Our favourite street-food spot near the Vatican!
This small eatery serves freshly baked Pinsa Romana—an oval-shaped pizza made with a mix of flours and topped with fresh ingredients that change daily, from buffalo mozzarella and pesto to sausages and zucchini flowers.
Just point to your favourite slice, and it’ll be ready in 3–4 minutes, making it perfect for a quick lunch. Prices start at €6–8, and beer and soft drinks are available. Seating is limited, but takeaway is convenient.
Don’t miss the delicious supplì, either. We discovered this gem while staying at 🛏️ Eccelso Hotel.
Bonci Pizzarium, Via della Meloria 43
What sets Bonci Pizzarium apart is its creative toppings, top-quality ingredients, and thick, airy dough that’s crispy on the outside and soft inside. While prices are higher than average, the generous toppings make it well worth it.
We discovered Bonci Pizzarium 🍕 on a foodie walk with a Roman food tour and loved it so much that we returned later for more.
Located near the Vatican Museums, this popular spot is almost always busy, so expect to take a ticket and wait your turn. We especially enjoyed the pizza bianca topped with mortadella — one of our favourite street-food bites in Rome.
Sciascia Caffè 1919 - Mazzini, Via Sabotino 33
When you step out of Otto Rooms (where we had an amazing stay in May 2026), turn right and in one minute you’ll arrive at this place. The café has an authentic and vibrant atmosphere, with locals gathering together.
We loved their pastries (starting from €1.50) — cornetto con crema, pastries with pistachio cream, and many others. You can also come here for lunch or an aperitivo. It’s open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dolcemascolo Roma, Viale Guiseppe Mazzini, 84
This is a place to come for a pastry or a savoury snack, all nicely displayed in the vitrines. Everything looks very clean and tempting.
We bought a round puff pastry filled with cheese, ham, and tomato sauce called parigina for €6 (mmm, so rich, buttery, and very filling — a great light lunch).
We also noticed a selection of colourful macarons, maritozzi, and ice cream, but didn’t manage to try them this time. They also serve affordable lunches. The staff is polite and friendly. The place is open daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Hedera Gelateria, Borgo Pio 179
After exploring the Vatican, we recommend you stop by this charming place just a short stroll away. We sampled some of the best gelato in Rome here.
Their flavour selection is excellent, and we highly suggest the pistachio and dark chocolate combo. Besides gelato, don’t miss out on their authentic Sicilian cannoli or tiramisù. The service here is equally wonderful!
We came across Hedera by chance while wandering the streets after our early morning small-group tour of the Vatican 😍 (loved it so much!)
Where to eat near Piazza di Spagna, Rome
The are near the Piazza di Spagna is mostly touristic, but still you'll find good places to eat. We suggest you to skip the places on the main streets but go into tiny side streets where the best places hide. Here are the ones that we love the most:
Ginger, Spagna, Via Borgognona, 43-46
If you're near the Spanish Steps and craving something lighter, Ginger on Via Borgognona is a stylish spot focused on fresh, organic ingredients. We loved the octopus carpaccio with lime mayo and the grilled fish with cherry tomatoes, olives, and oregano, while their sandwiches are also excellent.
Popular with both locals and visitors, it can get busy, but it's well worth the wait. From 🛏️ Laurina 33, it's an easy walk, and you'll also find Ginger near the Pantheon and on Via del Corso.
Brillo Restaurant, Via della Fontanella 15, Via del Corso 11/13
At the top of Via del Corso, this place offers a lovely interior, great staff, and tasty food. You can come here for anything — from maritozzi for breakfast to lunch dishes like pasta, saltimbocca, seafood risotto, or a whole pizza.
You can also grab a warm pizza bianca with mortadella any time of the day (a large slice cost us €9). Plus, they serve delicious gelato. The staff here is incredibly friendly.
We eat here after the LIV Tours golf cart tour of Rome, which ends near the Spanish Steps. It’s only a 5-minute walk from there.
Where to eat near Piazza Navona, Rome
Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s most beautiful and lively squares, surrounded by elegant streets, historic landmarks, and plenty of places to eat.
While many restaurants around the piazza cater to tourists, a short walk away you'll find excellent trattorias, pizzerias, and gelaterias serving authentic Roman cuisine. Here are our favourite places to eat near Piazza Navona.
Rosamunda's, Via dei Coronari
When you leave Piazza Navona at the northern edge and turn into Via dei Coronari, you’ll find this place serving some of the best pizza al taglio in Rome, with a perfectly crunchy yet fluffy dough base and high-quality ingredients.
Beyond the pizza, the supplì are also simply delicious—we tried both the classic and the cacio e pepe versions.
There are several bar tables where you can enjoy pizza by the slice, along with drinks like water and soda. They heat it up until it’s hot and crispy, and it’s absolutely delicious.
Prices are reasonable considering the very central location, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.
👌 More Tasty Roman Adventures
Where to eat near Campo de' Fiori, Rome
The area around the Campo de' Fiori is a true historic centre. Eating here is easy with many family-owned venues, serving delicious pastas, baked goods, and other authentic Roman dishes.
I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza, Via dell'Arco del Monte, 98
I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza is a charming Sicilian pastry shop near Campo de’ Fiori, perfect for a sweet breakfast or afternoon treat. They’re especially known for freshly filled cannoli, along with other traditional desserts like cassate, cornetti, and Minne di Sant’Agata.
Everything we tried was delicious and very affordable, and it’s also a great place to pick up edible souvenirs like amaretti, croccanti, or pistachio spread.
Where to eat near Via Veneto / Barberini / Villa Borghese
The area around Piazza Barberini and along Via Veneto is a highly touristy area, but you’ll still find many great restaurants, pizzerias, and gelaterias, mostly on side streets. As you walk north of Via Veneto, the area becomes more residential.
We stayed here a couple of times and found these places to eat.
Al Forno della Soffitta, Via Piave 62
We discovered this cosy pizzeria/restaurant, not too far from Piazza Fiume and Villa Borghesse, when staying at 🛏️
Magica Luna Hotel. It's a hidden gem!
We tried here Neapolitan pizzas with a perfect crispy crust and soft interior. They are huge, more than enough for full lunch or dinner. They serve also various pastas, risottos, salads, hand-cut hams (served with warm homemade bread), desserts like tiramisù.
The prices are reasonable, and the staff is extremely attentive and easy to communicate with. We'll be back here for sure! A restaurant not to be missed if you like real Italian cuisine.
Colline Emiliane, Via degli Avignonesi, 22
Tucked between the Trevi Fountain and Piazza Barberini, Colline Emiliane is a traditional Roman trattoria serving authentic Emilia-Romagna cuisine.
The food is classic Italian at its best, with fresh pasta made on-site that you can often watch being prepared.
Highlights include a mixed platter of cold cuts (culatello, coppa, ham, squacquerone, Parmesan, and mortadella mousse), plus rich pasta dishes like tagliatelle, tortellini with ragù, and passatelli in broth.
We haven’t tried it ourselves yet as it was closed during our visit, but it’s high on our Rome food list.
Nearby, we can recommend 🛏️ The Radical Hotel Rome, where we had a great stay.
Faro - Caffè Specialty, Via Piave 55
We found this spot with a cosy vibe after a nice stroll from the elegant Galleria Borghese. It’s perfect for a cappuccino and cornetto (the pastries are irresistibly fresh and yummy). Their maritozzi are so soft and tasty!
There's a variety of coffee options to choose from. The friendly and welcoming team here makes this spot a fantastic choice for breakfast or a sweet treat after lunch or dinner. Plus, the prices are reasonable!
Where to eat in Testaccio, Rome
Testaccio is off the usual tourist path, so you won’t end up here by chance. Come here to experience truly authentic Roman cuisine, served in traditional trattorias and local eateries. It’s one of the best areas in Rome for honest, no-frills food.
Flavio al Velavevodetto, Via di Monte Testaccio, 97
Not far from the Testaccio market and nestled into the slope of Monte Testaccio — the hill made from millions of ancient Roman terracotta shards — Flavio al Velavevodetto draws a mostly local crowd.
They come for beloved Roman staples like fried meatballs, carciofi alla romana, and a standout cacio e pepe. The service tends to be relaxed, so embrace the slow pace and settle in for an unhurried meal.
For dessert, don’t miss the handmade ciambelle al vino — crisp little wine cookies traditionally dipped in red. Be sure to reserve ahead by phone or email to avoid missing out.
You may also like
- Rome in Spring: Why It's Best Time to Visit
- Best Pasta Making Classes in Italy
- Visiting Rome on a Budget
- Exploring Rome in One Day
Within this webpage there are some affiliate links for products and services. For more details click here.