Mapplr’s favorite restaurants and cafes in Rome

Rome is one of the best places in the world for food. Whenever I am in Rome, I go to the local markets (the Campo Fiori is my favorite) and buy artichokes, tomatoes, beans, rucola, cherries (we’re talking about summer). And there’s nothing like spaghetti alla carbonara or all’amatriciana at a local trattoria.

For this post, I asked my Roman friend, Gianandrea Facchini, founder of Buzzdetector and a restaurateur himself, to share his top restaurants and cafes. Since his list is more up to date than mine, I thought I’d publish it.

RESTAURANTS

(1) Ristoro degli Angeli: a cozy place in one of the most beautiful areas of Rome, Garbatella. The neighborhood was built between the 1920s and the 1930s by renowned architects. The restaurant owners organize a tour of the neighborhood every Sunday morning. The dishes are based on high quality ingredients (organic food).

Ristoro degli Angeli
Via Luigi Orlando, 2
Rome, Italy
+39 06 5143 6020
www.ristorodegliangeli.it

(2) Matricianella: in the real center of the city, behind San Lorenzo in Lucina square. Excellent cuisine, in the strict Roman tradition. Great wine list.

Ristorante Matricianella
Via Leone, 4
Rome, Italy
+39 06 683 2100
www.matricianella.it

(3) Duke’s: an unusual restaurant for Rome. Californian cuisine in the heart of Parioli neighborhood. Great place with excellent food and wine list from Napa and Sonoma. It’s the place for Romans to eat something different.

Duke’s
Viale Parioli 200
Rome, Italy
+39 06 806 62455
www.dukes.it

(4) Molto: on Viale Parioli but in a secluded spot. Fantastic dining experience in a design restaurant. Intriguing.

Molto
Viale Parioli 122
Rome, Italy
+39 06 808 2900
www.moltoitaliano.it

(5) Ar Galletto: the traditional place to eat in Piazza Farnese. The restaurant has been owned and managed by Giovanni and family for forty years. Eating outside in front of Michelangelo’s Palazzo Farnese is more than an experience. Roman cuisine.

Ar Galletto
Piazza Farnese, 102
Rome, Italy
+39 06 686 1714

(6) Cul de Sac: a corridor between walls lined with bottles of wines. Wide selection of cheese and pig meat (affettati like ham, etc) to go with various wines. Located just behind Piazza Navona at the beginning of Via del Governo Vecchio, where  shopping is a cool experience.

Cul de Sac
Piazza Pasquino (just off Piazza Navona)
Rome, Italy

(7) Bacaro: so romantic in a secluded street. Small and cozy. The risottos and home-made pastas are very delicious. Read my review of Il Bacaro.

Bacaro
Via degli Spanioli 27
Rome, Italy
+39 06 687 2554
www.ilbacaro.com

(8) Al Bric: to get into the restaurant, you pass through the cellar, marveling at the walls which are decorated with wooden boxes of the major wine producers across the world. The French and Italian cheeses are a must.

Al Bric
Via del Pellegrino 51 – 52
Rome, Italy
+39 06 687 9533

(9) Ristorante Dal Bolognese: a long-time favorite in the Piazza del Popolo. The restaurant attracts a chic, classically Roman clientele who are very well dressed and fascinating to watch. The food is impeccable! The menu is based on the traditional kitchen of Northern Italy. Read my review of Dal Bolognese.

Ristorante Dal Bolognese
Piazza del Popolo 1 – 2
Rome, Italy
+39  06 361 1426

(10) Gina: for lunch close to Piazza di Spagna and Villa Borghese. They can prepare a picnic basket for you so you can eat outdoors at the Villa Borghese, tres chic!

Gina
Via San Sebastianello 7/A
Rome, Italy
+39 06 678 0251
www.ginaroma.com

(11) Al Pompiere: close to the Sinagoga and the Tiber, tucked away in a side street, this restaurant, located in an old palazzo, specializes in traditional Roman dishes such as carciofi alla giudia, bucatini alla’matriciana, spaghetti carbonara and more.  Read my review of Al Pompiere .

Al Pompiere
Via Santa Maria dei Calderari 38
Rome, Italy
+39 06 686 8377
www.alpompiereroma.com

(12) Il Buco: close to the Pantheon and the church of Santa Maria sopra Minerva, this quiet, cozy restaurant tucked away in a sidestreet serves delicious Tuscan food such as tagliolini with black truffles. If you find yourself near the Pantheon around lunch or dinner, go to Il Buco. The wines are inexpensive and the service is excellent. Dishes are very reasonably priced. Read my review of Il Buco.

Il Buco Ristorante Toscano
Via di Sant’Ignazio, 7
00186 Rome
Italy
+39 06 679 3298

(13) Ristorante Nino: perfect place to have lunch (or dinner) near the Spanish Steps. Attracts enough loyal local clientele to make it a great people-watching place. Very delicious beans, pasta, meat dishes. Must try the finocchiona toscana (antipasti). Read my review of Ristorante Nino.

Ristorante Nino
Via Borgognona, 11
00187 Rome
Italy
+39 06 6795 676

CAFES

Caffè della Pace is behind Piazza Navona and close to Chiostro del Bramante.

Caffe della Pace
Via della Pace 3/7
Rome, Italy
www.caffedellapace.it

Sant’Eustachio is the place for the best coffee in Rome (and marrons glacés, too!)

Sant’Eustachio
Piazza Sant’Eustachio 82
Rome, Italy
+39 06 6880 2048
www.santeustachioilcaffe.it

GROCERY

Volpetti is a grocery wth an astonishing selection of food and wine. They deliver worldwide.

Volpetti
Via Marmorata, 47
Rome, Italy
+39 06 5742352
www.volpetti.com

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See also a list of my favorite hotels in Rome.