Wondering where locals eat in Rome? Italy is known as the country of gastronomy and the Italian capital is filled with great dining options, ranging from Michelin-star restaurants and locally loved hosterias, to cafes, pizzerias and gelaterias.
So whether you are looking for a pasta carbonara near the Colosseum, vegan food near the Vatican or a pizza near the pantheon, here is our complete guide to where locals in Rome eat, for all tastes and budgets.
For a complete insight into Italian cuisine, join our food tours in Rome.
Contents
Where do locals eat near the Vatican
Where do locals eat near the Colosseum
Where do locals eat in Trastevere
Where do locals eat near the Spanish Steps
Where do locals eat near the pantheon
Where do locals eat near the Trevi Fountain
Where do locals in Rome eat in Testaccio
Where do locals eat near the Vatican
Il Segreto
Il Segreto is a local restaurant located close to the Vatican Museums entrance.
The menu features gourmet sandwiches, fresh salads, avocado toasts and fruit juices.There are plenty of options for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free.
Address: Via Candia, 71, 00192 Roma RM
Pizzarium
Pizzarium is considered the best pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice) in Rome. It opened in 2003, in the Roman neighborhood of Prati close to the Vatican City.
The owner is famed bakerGabriele Boncione of Italy’s most famous pizzaiolo, known as the ‘Michelangelo of pizza’, recommended by countless food writers and bloggers.
Popular toppings include tomato with oregano and potato and mozzarella, as well as more creative choices such as fig with prosciutto, mortadella with crumbled pistachio and30-month-old Parmigiano Reggiano and Buratta with smoked salmon
Address:Via della Meloria, 43
Dino & Toni
Dino and Toni is a localy loved hosteria, offering simple, authentic Roman cuisine. Toni is the chef and Dino serves the customers.
There is a menu however it’s usually easier to allow Dino to order for you. Starters include pizza, bruschetta and fried food. Mains are pasta and meat dishes, with oxtail and tripe being popular choices.
Address:Via Leone IV, 60
Al Giardino del Gatto e La Volpe
For authentic Roman cuisine, head over to the family owned restaurant Al Giardino del Gatto e La Volpe. Head chef Angela makes handmade melt in you mouth dishes such as gnocchi and ravioii. Don’t miss the Roman-style pizza and tiramisu.
Enjoy your meal sat outside in the gorgeous courtyard garden.
Address:Via Buccari, 14,
See our post for a complete guide to the best restaurants near the Vatican.
Where do locals eat near the Colosseum
Li Rioni
For thin and crispy, Roman style pizza near the Colosseum, head over to Li Rioni pizzeria. Also try the fried antipasti especially thesuppli.
From Li Rioni, you could head over and explore the neighborhood of San Giovanni, which is popular residential area for shopping.
Address:Via Santi Quattro, 24
La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali is an iconic restaurant, widely agreed to be one of the best restaurants in Rome, located in the neighborhood of Monti.
Highlights from the menu include artichockes (both Roman and Jewish style), as well pasta and meat dishes, such as veal, tripe, lamb, beef and chicken.
The white chocolate souffle with strawberries is sublime.
Address:Via della Madonna dei Monti, 9
Ai Tre Scallini
Ai Tre Scallini is locally loved wine bar in Monti neighborhood. You’ll find Romans eating and drinking here at all hours.
It’s noisy, lively with a fun atmosphere, where the crowds spill out into the streets. Good food available should you wish to eat.
Address:Via Panisperna, 251
Colline Emiliane
Colline Emiliane is a locally loved restaurant specializing in food from the Emilia-Romagna region.
They are famous for their handmade pasta, with popular choices on the menu including tagliatelle alla Bolognese, lasagna with spinach and ragu and the Tortelli di Zucca, (stuffed with pumpkin then finished with butter and sage)
Try to save room for the lemon meringue pie for dessert.
Address:Via degli Avignonesi, 22
See our post for a complete guide to the the best restaurants near the colosseum.
Where do locals eat in Trastevere
Peppo al Cosimato
Open since 1960, Peppo al Cosimato is the most popular restaurant where locals eat in Rome , specializing in seafood and handmade pasta.
Their Neapolitan style pizza, is baked in the oldest wood-fired oven in the neighborhood.
Try their pizza Franky, named after their pizzaiolo, topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella, yellow and red datterini tomatoes, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
Address:Via Natale del Grande, 9
See our post for more locally lovedrestauraunts in Trastevere.
Seu Pizza Illuminati
Seu Pizza Illuminati pizzeria, named after Pier Daniele Seu,was voted 7thbest pizzaiolo in Italy. The slow dough fermentation, gives the crust a crunchy yet slightly chewy finish.
The menu is divided into 3 sections of gourmet pizza, each with creative flavors and seasonal toppings; regular, old school and Seu.
From the Sue pizza section a popular choice is the tartara, comprising of tuna tartar, burrata, pistaccio and lime.
Aside from pizza, the menu offers delicious starters, including, eggplant and tuna meatball, fried cod fillet and suppli.
Address:Via Angelo Bargoni, 10-18
Pizzeria Ai Marmi
Ai Marmi is Trastevere’s go-to pizzeria for Roman-style pizza. Here you can be sure to eat some of the best pizza in Rome, with the restaurant consistently busy with locals.
From the open kitchen, enjoy watching the pizzaroili kneading and stretching out the dough, then tossing and spinning pizza in the air.
Popular choices are the Margherita, the 4-cheese pizza, consisting of mozzarella, groviera, Parmigiano Reggiano and gorgonzola, as well as the bresaolo with rocket salad.
Address:Viale Trastevere 53 -59
Glass Hostaria
Glass Hosteria is the only two-Michelin star restaurant in Trastevere, owned by celebrity chefCristina Bowman,
The menu comprises of beautifully presented dishes with a twist. The restaurant interior is comfortable and modern, with impeccable service. Without question the best place to eat in Trastevere for fine dining.
Address:Via Vicolo del Cinque, 58
Otaleg
Otaleg gelato is made with all natural produce with the highest quality ingredients. Their must try flavors include Turkish pistachio and Tuscan chocolate.
Address:Via di San Cosimato 14
See our post for a complete guide to the best restaurants in Trastevere
Where do locals eat near the Spanish Steps
Ginger Sapori e salute
Freshness is key at Ginger Sapori e Salute, a healthy eating restaurant located at the end of Via Condotti by the main shopping street Via del Corso.
The menu features fresh salads, homemade soups and pasta dishes.
There is large selection of upliftingfruit juices and vitamin filled smoothies to quensh your thirst and raise your energy levels.
Address:Via Borgognona, 43-46
Pompi
For Italy’s favorite dessert, Pompi is Rome’s most popular tiramisu vendor providing theperfect “pick -me-up.”
Aside from the classic tiramisu,non-coffee lovers can choosealternative flavors including banana and chocolate, strawberry or pistachio flavors.
If you are not in the mood for tiramisu, Pompi has a variety of chocolates, pastries and gelato to savor.
Address:Via della Croce, 82
Ad Hoc
Ad Hoc is a romantic restaurant with awarm cozy atmosphere located by Piazza di Popolo, offering traditional Roman food with a twist.
Try or the 3-way pasta carbonara with guanciale, porcini mushrooms and black truffle shavings, or the ravioli filled with cacio e pepe and asparagus.
See our post for a complete guide to where to eat near the Spanish Steps
Where do locals eat near the Pantheon
Armando Pantheon
Armando Pantheon is one of the best places to eat in Rome satisfying locals and tourists with traditional Roman cuisine, friendly service and good prices.
Popular choices from the menu include the classic Roman pasta dishes, saltimbocca alla Romana (veal, prosciutto, sage and white wine and butter for the sauce) as well as trippa alla romana (tripe simmered with tomato, mint and pecorino.
Address:Salita de’ Crescenzi, 31
Sant’Eustachio il Caffè
Sant’Eustachio il Caffè, is one of Rome’s most popular cafes known for its home-roasted beans.
Take your coffee standing at the bar as the locals do, or take it to go and enjoy in front of the Pantheon.
Try theRomeo and Julietconsisting of chocolate, coffee mousse and whipped cream.
Address:Piazza di S. Eustachio, 82
Frigidarium
Frigidarium is a popular gelateria located a short walk form the Pantheon. Locals line up for a large choice of delicious flavors, at good prices with generous portion sizes.
Try the dark or white chocolate topping, poured over the gelato.
Address:Via del Governo Vecchio, 112
PizzeriaDa Baffetto
Located by Piazza Navona, Pizzeria Da Baffetto offers Roman-style pizza, great prices and efficient service.
They use a wood-burning oven, making thin, crispy pizzas, slightly burnt on the edges. A popular choice is the diavola consisting of tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella from Caserta and spicy salami.
Address:Via del Governo Vecchio, 114
Salotto 42
Located in between the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon is Salotto 42, one of Rome’s best bars, with a cool atmosphere, attracting a stylish crowd.
Locals sip on co*cktails facing the 2nd century ruins of theTemple of Hadrian.
Address:P.za di Pietra, 42
Where locals in Rome near the Trevi Fountain
Trattoria Al Moro
Trattoria al Moro is one of the most authentic Italian restaurants in Rome; a favorite with locals and tourists.
It’s third generation open since the late 1920’s, approaching close to one hundred years in service.
The menu offers something for everyone, including Roman classics such as oxtail andcacio e pepe. Don’t miss themouth-watering desserts.
Address:Vicolo delle Bollette, 13
Proscuitteria Cantina dei Papi Trevi
A great place to eatfor gourmet sandwiches and cheese and meat platters, located in between the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.
This place is definitely a little treat to savor, often popular with locals, as well as one of the highest listed places to eat in Rome on Tripadvisor.
The irresistible platters are filled with curedmeats, cheeses and vegetables, available in a variety of sizes. Pair your food with an Italian craft beer or a fine wine.
Address:Via della Panetteria, 34A
Piccolo Buco
Piccolo Buco is one of the oldest restaurants near the Trevi fountain, satisfying locals and tourists since 1916.
They use high quality flour from Piedmont calledMulino Marino, sea salt from Brittany and a cold pressed olive oil. The dough is allowed to rise for 48 hours, creating their signature large crust pizza.
Address:Via del Lavatore, 91
Il Ristoro dal Patriota
Located by the Trevi fountain, Il Ristoro dal Patriota is one of the best places to eat in Rome, tucked away in a little courtyard offering excellent food and service.
Popular options on the menu are the pasta dishes including cacio pepe, spaghetti carbonara and bucatini all’amatriciana.
Sit outside to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy people watching.
Address:Piazza Accademia di S. Luca, 76
See our post for more on where to eat near the Trevi fountain
Where do locals eat in Testaccio
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Flavio al Velavevodetto remains a firm favorite in the Testaccio neighborhood forcucina romana.
Head chef Flavio de Maio keeps the locals coming back with Roman classic dishes such as fried artichokes,abbacchio(roast baby suckling pig) with potatoes and broccoli as well as polpette di bollito(Roman beef croquettes)
Address:Via di Monte Testaccio, 97
Trapizzino
Trapizzino is the innovative Roman street food, created in 2009 by pizza chefStefano Callegari. Trapizziono is one of the most popular places where locals in Rome eat.
“Trapizzino” is a play on the words pizza and Tramezzino (Italian for triangle sandwich)
A trapizzino is a triangular-shaped soft pizza bread, filled with slow-cooked gourmet ingredients, such as Roman artichokes, burrata with anchovies chicken cacciatore, oxtail,meatballs and eggplant Parmigiana,.
Don’t miss the suppli on offer, with options including original, pumpkin and courgette flowers.
There is agood selection of craft beers and fine wine to choice from.
There are 3 other Trapizzino venues in the city;Trastevere,Prati andMercato Centrale(Termini station)
Address:Via Giovanni Branca, 88
Locally loved Roman food markets
Visiting the food markets in Rome, is one of the best way to get in touch with local culture and customs.
Trionfale Market
The Trionfale market is the largest food market in Rome, with 275 stalls spread over 6.000-sqm of floor space, located in the residential neighborhood of Prati, close to the Vatican City.
It is known as the ‘mercato di populari,’ meaning the market for the locals, where often you will see mothers picking out groceries for their families, or local chefs running around with their shopping lists.
The market is one of the favorite venues on theTaste of Trionfalefood tour.
Address:Via Andrea Doria, 41
Hours:Mon – Sat 07:00 – 14:00
Find your closestfood market in Rometo pick up some fresh produce.
Hope you enjoyed our blog on where locals eat in Rome.
For more information, email us or visit ourRome Travel Guide.
