For over 20 years, Pamela Lanier's Rome, Italy Travel Guide has been your connection to Rome's tourism community with invaluable details on local attractions, restaurants, shopping, museums, history, outdoor recreation and more.
Restaurants
Rome's visitor hubs are splashed with many restaurants aimed at catering to tourism wants. There are very reasonable prices to be found fitting every budget. Naturally you pay more in a tourist location like Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, and a Roman may not be impressed with the establishment, however your tastes and satisfaction determine whether it’s worth it – or not. The Centro Storico, around the narrow Via di Tor Millina and all along Via del Governo Vecchio, you'll find plenty of wonderful restaurants with outdoor seating. Campo dei' Fiori and Trastevere are also places where you'll be spoiled with choice.
There's nothing flashy about the Navona Notte pizzeria, which makes it ideal for visitors on a budget. There is a wide range of good, inexpensive pizzas, with no extras added to the bill, and the tables inside and out are usually full. Osteria del is a haven just off the busy lanes west of Piazza Navona, the Osteria serves classy slightly more expensive meals. Well-located for people watching, Ecce Bombo, on one of Rome's liveliest streets, has a good, varied menu. The Pastarito – Pizzarito has a number of franchaises around the centre of Rome, and although they have little atmosphere the service is swift and efficient.
Finally, if hob-nobbing in the limelight with Rome’s fashionable society, then you may wish to try either Target, Gusto Piazza August Imperatore, or Prado. Target, a smart restaurant with a restrained atmosphere on weekdays. It opens late, serves good house wine, and features cold dessert crepes, and orecchiette. Gusto, Piazza Augusta Imperatore, is a restaurant, pizzeria, wine bar and bookshop. Gusto is still a modest spot for Sunday brunch as well as serving good dinners and pizzas; Prado has a PA system which is used to request diners to move their double-parked sports cars. It's busy and buzzing, but prices are surprisingly normal (pizzas under ten euros) and the food is extremely good. A favourite with footballers!
Romans know their food. Watch for local establishments crowded with locals – the food will be terrific but these places can often be chaotic with long queues.
