A Very Subjective List of the Best Classic Restaurants in Rome

Issue #141

Ristorante Nino has been serving diners since 1934

It goes without saying that you can eat very well in Rome, but I think it’s a misconception among some travelers that just because you’re in Rome, you’re guaranteed to eat well. On the contrary, there are many tourist traps that serve mediocre food at jacked up prices because they figure the tourists who patronize them won’t know the difference—and in any case, they’ll never see them again. That’s why I always make an effort to seek out the longstanding restaurants that locals return to and encourage my readers to do the same.

This list is meant to highlight those places: the family-run trattorias and old school restaurants that have stood the test of time. I’ve been meaning to write this list for a while, but when a couple of my top tier subscribers who are planning a trip to Rome this summer asked me for restaurant recommendations during a video consultation and specified that they want to eat authentic food but “nothing fancy,” I knew it was time to heed the call.

Keep in mind that at places like these, you need to make a reservation. For the most part, traditional Roman restaurants aren’t in the business of turning tables, so even if you show up at 7:30 pm and see empty tables, the host might still turn you away because they have guests arriving at 8 or 8:30 pm and they know they won’t be able to get you in and out before those guests arrive. Once you’re seated, that table is yours for the evening. Meals here are meant to be leisurely, social events, so the waiter won’t bring you the check until you ask for it. That doesn’t mean he forgot about you. In Italy, it would be considered rude for him to rush you out.

Just want a quick bite? There are plenty of bars, cafés, pizzerias, and sandwich shops where you can get one without a reservation. When you want to sit down and enjoy a leisurely meal of authentic Roman cuisine, book a table at one of these tried and true spots.

La Matriciana is popular among locals

La Matriciana dal 1870

Stepping into this restaurant across from the opera house feels like being transported back to the 1930s, which is probably the last time the decor was updated. I love the Art Deco vibes, terrazzo floors, white tablecloths, and plates emblazoned with the restaurant’s name. This claims to be the place that introduced amatriciana, which hails from the town of Amatrice, to Rome.

Trattoria Da Danilo

A relatively recent addition to Rome’s dining scene, this homey trattoria feels like it could be much older thanks to its rustic decor. There are just a handful of tables on the ground floor and a few more in the basement. It’s known for its excellent carbonara and cacio e pepe, which is tossed tableside in a hollowed out wheel of cheese. Danilo, the owner, presides over the dining room while his mother cooks in the kitchen.