Rome’s food scene is known for its strong and contrasting flavours. This is thanks to the Romans, who ate cereals, legumes, vegetables, cheese, and meat with sauces made from fermented fish, vinegar, honey, herbs, and spices.
Popular modern day Roman dishes include bruschetta, porchetta, gnocchi alla romana (‘in the Roman manner’), pasta alla carbonara, crostata di ricotta, and many more.
However, it may be hard to find authentic Roman cuisine with the abundance of tourist traps throughout the Italian capital. Many Rome walking tours will take you past “Italian” restaurants that don’t serve fresh, seasonal, or Roman food.
This article will explore seven restaurants that offer you the chance to eat like a local in the Italian capital.
Armando al Pantheon
The Gargioli family has been serving pasta and antipasti from Armando al Pantheon since 1961.
The family-run joint in the heart of Rome’s city centre serves classic Roman cuisine that changes with the seasons. Their signature dish, a spectacular version of rigatoni amatriciana, is highly recommended.
Opening hours: 12:30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 10pm from Monday to Saturday.
Emma Pizzeria
The chefs at Emma Pizzeria use organic, local, and seasonal ingredients to create traditional Roman dishes such as amatriciana and carbonara. In addition, their highly rated pizza dough is made by famous chef Pierluigi Roscioli.
Located a short walk from Campo de’ Fiori, Emma Pizzeria serves a range of tomato and white base pizzas, calzones, bruschetta, deli meats and cheeses, croutons, craft beers, wines and spirits. The pizzeria also caters to vegans and vegetarians.
(Image Source: Emma Pizzeria)
Opening hours: 12:30pm to 3:30pm and 6:30pm to 11:30pm every day.
Trecca
Trecca is a simple, informal eatery in the Ostiense district run by the Trecastelli brothers, who are deeply rooted in Roman traditions.
The restaurant is renowned for its “quinto quarto” dishes. The Roman culinary tradition uses all parts of butchered animals, emphasizing a zero-waste approach. In addition, all ingredients are purchased directly from the suppliers, who are chosen based on their production methods, preferring small-scale breeders and farmers.
Alongside the authentic Roman offal cuisine, Trecca serves traditional pasta dishes and an interesting list of natural wines.
Opening hours: 8pm to 11pm from Sunday to Friday, and 1pm to 3pm and 8pm to 11pm on Saturdays.
Nuovo Mondo
Nuovo Mondo’s pizzas are considered to be the best in Rome. They are made in a wood-fired oven, and the bases are thin and crispy, which is true to Roman tradition. If you want something other than pizza, the restaurant also has a range of other Roman specialities, like rigatoni al sugo di coda (pasta with oxtail sauce).
The atmosphere in Nuovo Mondo is down-to-earth and unpretentious, just like its district and the locals, with street tables. In addition, all the desserts, including profiteroles and tarts, are made onsite.
Opening hours: 7pm to 12:30pm everyday.
Ragno d’Oro
Ragno d’Oro will make you feel like you’re eating in a rustic trattoria (small Italian restaurant) in the 50s or 60s. The food also stays true to older traditions – their amatriciana does not have “crisped” guanciale but rather soft, melted guanciale.
The casual environment, in the heart of Rome, serves typical Roman dishes such as carciofo alla romana (Roman-style artichoke), saltimbocca alla romana, and trippa alla romana, as well as a range of pizzas.
(Image Source: Ragno d’Oro)
Opening hours: 7pm to 11pm on Monday, and 12:30pm to 3pm and 7pm to 11pm from Tuesday to Saturday
Osteria Bonelli
Osteria Bonelli sits near the Museum of Santa Costanza, meaning you’ll have ancient Roman aqueducts as your backdrop.
Despite being on the city’s outskirts, this restaurant allows you to immerse yourself in authentic Roman culture while dining on seasonal dishes.
Opening hours: 12:30pm to 4pm from Monday to Saturday, and 12:30pm to 4pm on Sunday.
Mercato di Testaccio
Finally, if you want to try several local dishes whilst in Rome, head to Mercato di Testaccio.
The south Rome market offers Roman street food such as pizza al taglio, Roman-style artichokes, supplì, meatballs, and sandwiches. There’s even communal seating so you can eat alongside the locals.
Opening hours: 7am to 3.30pm from Monday to Saturday.