Restaurants in Rome

Three Michelin stars, over 60,000 bottles in the cellar and breath-taking views mark this roof garden restaurant in the Rome Cavalieri as one of Italy's best. The chef, Heinz Beck, shapes the seasonal menu, creating inspirational dishes such as deep-fried zucchini flower with caviar on shellfish and saffron consommé. Reservations are necessary.

Founded in 1966 and regarded as Rome's finest fish and seafood restaurant, La Rosetta lies in a quiet street close to the Pantheon. The interior is simple yet elegant. Outstanding dishes are accompanied by superlative wines.

La Tavola, il vino e la dispensa, which translates to "The table, the wine and the pantry", is the pride and joy of Oliver Glowig, an internationally renowned Michelin Starred chef and ambassador of the Italian gastronomic culture. The restaurant occupies the first floor of Mercato Centrale Rome and showcases some of the chef's signature dishes, including Eliche cacio e pepe ai ricci di mare (eliche pasta with cheese, pepper and sea urchins) and Tortelli di coda vaccinara (tortelli pasta in oxtail stew).

Located in Rome's ancient Jewish Ghetto, Piperno is a classic wood-panelled dining room with an intimate alfresco patio. The crowd-pleasing menu has hardly changed since 1860, featuring all-time favourites such as Artichokes alla giudia (deep-fried artichoke) and Coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew). Fresh pasta is also made in-house daily.

Just off the Campo de' Fiori, this intimate, relaxed restaurant shows off the best of Italian regional cuisine in a decidedly touristy area. The interior is warm and inviting, ingredients are organic, and the bread and pasta are both homemade. Ditirambo does delicious desserts too that are worthy of an Instagram.

Foodies rave about this blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot, where chef Raul Natividad's short but perfectly executed menu offers a modern French twist on Italian cuisine - and for a reasonable price, too. The quirky interior is crammed with framed paintings and ornamental dishes; it's tiny, so book ahead if you can. 

In the trendy Pigneto district, east of Termini station, this street food diner serves up creative cuisine using wholesome ingredients. Popular dishes include potato ‘cups’, large bowls of diced, fried potatoes tossed with all sorts of ingredients from bacon and cheese to chicken curry and lime. Stay late for the live music.

Occupying an old railway dining hall inside Termini Station, this food market offers a wonderful combination of location, choice and price. There are 18 food shops on the ground floor offering classic Italian dishes such as Trapizzino (trademarked triangular pizza), a wide range of pasta dishes and refreshing gelato, among others. The first floor is home to the acclaimed Oliver Glowig's restaurant "La Tavola, il vino e la dispensa" (see the entry in the Expensive category).

There are two of these innovative mozzarella bars in Rome (the other at Parlamento), which pay homage to the delicious cheese delivered daily from Campania and Puglia. Minimalist decor makes it feel like a sushi bar, but with cheese instead of fish. Customers can eat at counters or tables.

A two-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain amid the hustle and bustle of central Rome, this busy restaurant serves delicious traditional Italian sandwiches and charcuterie platters. During busy times you may have to wait for a table, otherwise opt for a take-away.

Da Baffetto serves some of the best Roman pizzas in town. Popular with local celebrities and footballers, you’ll have to join the queue of devotees to get in. Try the fried courgette flowers to start, before moving on to classic Roman pizzas such as provolone cheese and speck.