KEY2

Best restaurants in Rome

Counters, dining rooms and neighbourhood favourites, chosen for the way they actually eat — not for how loudly they market.

La Pergola
KEY2 Pick

Fine Dining • $$$$

La Pergola

Heinz Beck's three stars on the Rome Cavalieri roof, with the whole city and St Peter's below.

Best for: Special Occasion

Da Enzo al 29

Roman • $$

Da Enzo al 29

Nine tables in Trastevere doing the four Roman pastas properly — queue or come at opening.

Best for: Lunch / Date Night

Da Francesco

Roman Pizzeria • $$

Da Francesco

A busy Piazza Navona-area pizzeria and trattoria popular with locals for wood-fired pizza and Roman starters.

Best for: Casual Dinner

Giolitti

Gelato • $

Giolitti

The 1900 gelateria near the Pantheon; get the marron glacé and walk it to the Trevi.

Best for: Family / Dessert

Il Pagliaccio

Contemporary Italian • $$$$

Il Pagliaccio

A two-Michelin-star restaurant near Campo de' Fiori from chef Anthony Genovese, blending Italian, French and Asian technique.

Best for: Special Occasion

Pizzarium Bonci

Pizza al Taglio • $

Pizzarium Bonci

Gabriele Bonci's standing-room slice counter near the Vatican museums — sourdough, wild toppings.

Best for: Lunch / Solo Dining

Ristorante Sanlorenzo

Seafood • $$$$

Ristorante Sanlorenzo

Raw fish and crustacean pasta in a Renaissance palazzo room above Pompey's old theatre.

Best for: Date Night / Special Occasion

Tonnarello

Trattoria • $

Tonnarello

Big, loud Trastevere courtyard trattoria — cheap Roman staples and a mandolin player who means it.

Best for: Groups / Family

Trattoria Da Danilo

Roman • $$

Trattoria Da Danilo

A neighbourhood Monti trattoria known among locals for oxtail and other traditional Roman offal dishes.

Best for: Casual Dinner

More Rome guides