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What We Ate in Rome: Our Favorite Restaurants, Gelato & Coffee
- Mar 6, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: 1 hour ago
One of the best parts of visiting Rome is the food. From fresh pasta and wood-fired pizza to creamy gelato and strong espresso, the city is full of incredible places to eat. During our trip to Rome we tried several small restaurants, gelato shops, and espresso bars around the city. Some of the places we found intentionally, while others we discovered simply by wandering around Rome’s neighborhoods. Below are a few of our favorite spots we tried during our visit.
Our Favorite Places to Eat in Rome
Gustaría Al 17 Roma (Trastevere)
Gustaría Al 17 Roma is a small casual restaurant located in the Trastevere neighborhood, known for its lively streets and great food scene. The staff here were incredibly welcoming and patient while we tried to navigate the menu. We started ordering in our broken Italian, and the man behind the counter quickly realized we weren’t from Italy. He kindly offered to explain each dish, joking that his English wasn’t great (although it was perfectly understandable).
He carefully described the ingredients in several dishes, offered recommendations, and even checked if we had any dietary restrictions.
We ended up ordering:
Two servings of classic meat lasagna
A supplì (fried rice ball with tomato sauce and mozzarella)
A potato croquette
Everything we ordered disappeared in minutes. The supplì was easily our favorite one we tried while in Rome, with a crispy outside and gooey cheese center. If you're exploring Trastevere and looking for a quick, satisfying meal, this is a great stop.
Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale (Near the Vatican)
Borghiciana Pastificio Artigianale was one of our favorite meals of the entire trip.
This tiny restaurant sits just a short walk from St. Peter’s Basilica, and it’s incredibly popular. The dining room only holds a handful of tables, and there is no official waitlist. If the restaurant is full, you simply line up outside and wait for a table. We actually tried twice to eat here.
On our first attempt around 5:00 PM, the restaurant was already full. The next day we arrived shortly after opening, but every table had already been taken. The owner came outside and told us the entire room had just sat down and it would be at least an hour wait. He jokingly suggested we go explore St. Peter’s Basilica and come back later, promising he would save us a plate. When we returned an hour later there were several groups waiting in line outside. As we joined the back of the line, the owner spotted us and jokingly said we were late before bringing us inside.
While waiting on small stools near the counter, we pre-ordered our meal so it would be ready when a table opened.
We ordered:
Meatballs
Pesto gnocchi
Meat ravioli
Tiramisu
Every dish was fantastic, and the tiramisu was one of the best we had in Rome.
The staff were incredibly friendly and loved chatting with guests about where they were visiting from. If you’re able to get a table here, we highly recommend it. Just keep in mind that there is a small charge for bread, which is common in many Italian restaurants.
Trieste Pizza (Near the Colosseum)
Trieste Pizza is a casual pizzeria located between the Colosseum and Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, making it a convenient lunch stop while sightseeing. The restaurant has a simple setup. You order at the counter and wait for your name to be called when your pizza is ready. There’s plenty of seating inside, and we had no trouble finding a table.
The staff were friendly and helped explain the menu while we decided what to try.
We ordered:
A Margherita pizza
A spicy pepper pizza that was one of the day’s specials
The pizzas were personal-sized and very reasonably priced. Our large Margherita pizza cost only €7, making it one of the most affordable meals we had in Rome. If you’re exploring the Colosseum area and want a quick, tasty, and inexpensive meal, this is a great option.
Fiordiluna
Fiordiluna is a small artisanal gelateria in Trastevere that serves a wide variety of homemade gelato flavors. One important thing to know before visiting: they are cash-only, so make sure you have some euros with you.
The prices were very reasonable. We paid under €10 for two large cups of gelato, each with up to three flavors.
Our favorite flavors were:
Pistachio
Venezuelan chocolate
If you're wandering through Trastevere after dinner, this is a great place to stop for dessert.
La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro
Located just steps from the Pantheon, La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro is a busy and well-known espresso bar. When we visited around midday there were about 10–15 people in line, but the line moved quickly. Inside, the café operates with a classic Italian espresso bar system.
First you order and pay at the register. Then you take your receipt to the bar where the barista prepares your drink. Most people stand at the bar to enjoy their coffee before heading out, which keeps the line moving quickly. We were in and out in about ten minutes, paying less than €5 for a double espresso. The espresso was strong and perfect for a quick midday energy boost while exploring the city. They do offer outdoor seating with table service, but keep in mind that prices are higher if you choose to sit outside.
Things to Watch Out for While Visiting Rome
Like many major tourist destinations, Rome has a few common scams visitors should be aware of. Most of them occur near major landmarks such as the Trevi Fountain, the Pantheon, and the Colosseum. We never personally had any issues during our trip, but being aware of these situations can help you avoid problems.
Pickpocketing
Pickpocketing is one of the most common concerns in busy tourist areas.
A few simple precautions can help reduce your chances of becoming a target:
Keep phones and wallets in front pockets, not back pockets
Avoid placing valuables on tables
Be cautious with backpacks in crowded areas
Some travelers also choose to use slash-resistant travel bags or small zipper locks.
The key is simply making it more difficult for someone to quickly grab your belongings.
Friendship Bracelet Scam
This was the scam we saw most often near the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.
Someone may approach you holding several braided bracelets and start a friendly conversation. They will then offer to tie a bracelet onto your wrist as a “gift,” before asking for money. The bracelet is not actually free. A firm “No thanks” and continuing to walk is usually enough for them to move on.
Fake Petitions
Another common tactic involves someone approaching with a clipboard asking you to sign a petition or donate to a charity. These are usually distractions used while someone else attempts to pickpocket you. The easiest solution is to politely decline and keep walking.
Fake Paintings
In busy tourist areas we also noticed vendors selling watercolor “paintings.” Many appear to be hand-painted but are actually printed reproductions with paint added on top.
The same paintings appeared repeatedly around the city, which is a good sign they aren’t original artwork.
Menus Without Prices
One final thing to watch for is restaurants that do not list prices on their menus. This sometimes allows establishments to charge inflated prices once the meal is finished.
If a menu doesn’t show prices, it’s usually best to find another restaurant.
Helpful Italian Phrases for Ordering Food
Before visiting Rome we spent some time learning a few basic Italian phrases. While many people in Rome speak English, it can still be helpful to know a few polite expressions.
Some simple phrases include:
Hello: Ciao
Good Morning: Buongiorno
Good Evening: Buonasera
Thank You: Grazie
Please: Per favore
Goodbye: Arrivederci
Final Thoughts on Eating in Rome
Rome is truly a fantastic city for food lovers. Whether you're sitting down for fresh pasta near the Vatican, grabbing a quick pizza near the Colosseum, or enjoying gelato in Trastevere, there are incredible flavors everywhere. Some of our favorite meals came from small, family-run restaurants where the staff were eager to share their recommendations and stories. If you’re visiting Rome, don’t be afraid to explore different neighborhoods, try local specialties, and step into smaller restaurants you come across while wandering the city. You never know when you might stumble upon your favorite meal of the trip.
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