10 Great Places to eat in Rome:

 

Armando al Pantheon

A pagan temple turned Christian church, the Pantheon has been sitting in the heart of Rome

for centuries and is one of the most popular tourist attractions. One of the city’s most authentic

restaurants is right around the corner, serving up a menu of timeless classics such as pasta

alla gricia (with guanciale, pecorino cheese and black pepper) and abbacchio a scottadito

(grilled lamb chops). The restaurant is so tiny that you’ll need to move your knife and fork in

motion with the people sitting at the next table in order to avoid bumping elbows. Be patient: Real estate is incredibly expensive in the area, and this is how the restaurant keeps its prices so reasonable. Salita dei Crescenzi 31, 00186 Roma; armandoalpantheon.it

 

Sforno

In Italian, “sforno” is first-person singular of the verb “sfornare,” meaning “to take out of the oven.” From the outside, it is easy to overlook this unassuming pizzeria, tucked away on a secondary street in the Cinecittà district (where the Roman movie studios are located). Daily specials are listed on the blackboard, from fritti such as zucchini flowers and crocchè, supplì and an outstanding carciofo alla romana (braised artichoke with garlic, parsley and mint). The carefully curated natural-wine and craft-beer selection is not what you’d expect from the pizzeria down the road. Via Statilio Ottato 110/116, 00175 Roma; sforno.it

 

Da Cesare al Casaletto

This nondescript trattoria looks a bit drab, if not run-down. And its very common name (“Cesare” is still going strong more than 2,000 years after the emperor who made it famous) might seem to confirm this looming suspicion. In recent years, though, this trattoria has come to be considered one of the best around. The long menu features all the classics of Roman cuisine, including the seasonal specialty rigatoni with pajata, a delicacy made with the intestines of suckling calf and a dish that only recently re-emerged after a 14-year ban connected to mad-cow disease was lifted. The impressive wine list, with a focus on natural wines, is curated by sommelier Leonardo Vignoli, who used to work in high-end restaurants before deciding that a great trattoria would be more fun. Via del Casaletto 45, 00151 Roma

 

Marzapane

For such a big city, Rome is pretty conservative in terms of food. Ethnic restaurants are few and far between. Yet the Romans fell in love fast and hard with this quaint little restaurant in the style of a Parisian neobistrot. Despite the chef being Spanish, the normally skeptical Romans didn’t even blink when Ruiz’s carbonara was voted one of the best in the city. It’s a tough reservation to get, so call in advance. Via Velletri 39, 00198 Roma; marzapaneroma.com

 

 

Roscioli

Really great cooking starts with the best ingredients, and the Roscioli family’s commitment to sourcing the best salumi and formaggi goes way back. The carbonara and gricia (rigatoni with artisanal jowl bacon, Pecorino Romano, Sarawak Black Pepper) are benchmarks for how these traditional dishes should be prepared. The impressive wine list includes rare bottles and old vintages. Via dei Giubbonari 21, 00186 Roma; salumeriaroscioli.com

 

L’Arcangelo

Not many born-and-bred Roman chefs could claim to know the city’s cuisine as well as Arcangelo Dandini, who authored a couple of books on the topic. Although still deeply rooted in tradition, his cooking is more modern and has a sense of humor (just like the chef himself), which is apparent in signature dishes such as foie gras torchon with candied melon, Maldon salt and Plasmon, a packaged biscuit beloved by many generations of Italian children. When booking, consider reserving a seat at the counter, where Arcangelo himself finishes off the dishes, sushi bar-style. Last year, Arcangelo opened Supplizio, a simple joint devoted to one of his specialties, supplì. The name is both a pun and a bit of a humble brag: “Supplizio” means “torture.” Via Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli 59, 00193 Roma

 

San Lorenzo

For a city known for its pasta and meat, it is perhaps surprising that so many locals would not hesitate to describe this elegant seafood restaurant as their favorite place in Rome. A big reason is the unrivaled quality of its fish. The crudi (raw fish) are perfect, as is the signature pasta with locally sourced fish. The vongole veraci (carpet shell clams) in the spaghetti come straight from Sabaudia, a pleasant seaside town south of Rome, while the anchovies in the Spelt Spaghetti with bread crumbs and ash-roasted peppers come from the island of Ponza. Don’t be intimidated by the formal appearance: This elegant restaurant offers warm, friendly service. In the warmer months, ask to be seated outside, at one of the tables in Via dei Chiavari, a scenic alley that is as Roman as it gets. Via dei Chiavari 4/5, 00186 Roma; ilsanlorenzo.it

 

Pipero Al Rex

In the age of the celebrity chef, it is quite rare to find a restaurant named after his maître. It takes a large personality for that. Enter Alessandro Pipero, an old-school restaurant man consumed by his love of the long-lost art of hospitality. The credit must be equally shared between him and chef Luciano Monosilio, whose cuisine cleverly combines a gourmet offering, such as gambero caffè e latte (coffee and milk shrimp), with crowd-pleasers like carbonara, here served by weight: It comes in all sizes, from just a forkful (50 grams) to a ginormous portion of 250 grams. Via Torino, 149, 00184 Roma; hotelrex.net/restaurant

 

 

Vineria Litro

This cozy bar in Monteverde Vecchio takes its commitment to natural wines extremely seriously, or Opt for one of revered mixologist’s Pino Mondello mezcal cocktails, such as the Mezconi, a twist on the classic Negroni with the smoky Mexican distillate replacing the traditional gin. Food, here, serves to complement the drinks, yet simple dishes such as bruschetta with butter and anchovies or battuta di fassona (beef tartare) are lovingly prepared with good ingredients. Via Fratelli Bonnet 5, 00152 Roma, vinerialitro.it

 

Al Ceppo

Al Ceppo offers a customer-centric dining experience, thanks to an extensive menu — a feature unceremoniously banned from “cool” restaurants, but a boon for regulars — and a subdued, timeless elegance. Dishes such as porcini salad, Parmigiano crumble and raspberry vinaigrette and veal sweetbreads with olive puree are flawlessly executed. The wine list is vast, classic and reasonably priced. Service is timely and professional without being cold. And it can be a real lifesaver for Sunday lunch, when many restaurants in Rome are closed. Via Panama 2, 00198 Roma; ristorantealceppo.it