With a wealth of Michelin-starred establishments offering creative and surprising interpretations of international, Mediterranean and traditional Roman cuisine, gourmet-lovers will be overwhelmed with choices for fine dining in Rome.
Ambiance is in abundance, and the combination of stunning rooftop terraces, charming historical interiors, stylish modern establishments and magnificent views of the Eternal City make for truly memorable dining experiences.
LA PERGOLA (AT ROME CAVALIERI)
This acclaimed restaurant is the culinary star of the city, the only Rome restaurant to have earned three Michelin stars and a favorite of the international jet set.
Located at the elegant Rome Cavalieri hotel, La Pergola’s striking interior dining space is furnished with rare antiques and beautiful art from the hotel’s impressive collection, including magnificent paintings, tapestries and bespoke hand-blown glass pieces. It also features enormous windows, which showcase heart-stopping views of Rome. Extraordinary, innovative Mediterranean dishes – underpinned by fresh ingredients and a chef with an adventurous and passionate approach to food – are complemented by a wine cellar containing 53,000 bottles from 1888 to the present. For an unsurpassed, truly Roman summer experience, dine alfresco on the terrace in front of the twinkling panorama of the city. After-dinner drinks can be enjoyed in the exclusive adjoining Cigar Lounge, where vintage liqueurs are served.
IMÀGO (AT HOTEL HASSLER)
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Michelin-starred Imàgo, the star of the fine dining scene at the prestigious Hotel Hassler, offers superb Italian cuisine with inventive international touches from a creative and award-winning young chef.
As you indulge in the restaurant’s sophisticated seasonal dishes the exceptional 6th floor location provides a spectacular rooftop panorama of ancient Rome, for a breathtaking dining ambiance.
IL PAGLIACCIO
This elegant, intimate Roman favorite is the only double-Michelin-starred establishment in the city.
It offers clever Italian fusion in a sophisticated contemporary setting and, with space for just 28 diners, it’s always an exclusive gourmet experience. With an impeccable culinary pedigree and a central Rome location, Il Pagliaccio is the perfect place for a business dinner – private dining is available for eight to ten people.
AROMA (AT PALAZZO MANFREDI)
The rooftop of the Palazzo Manfredi hotel hosts the sumptuous and stylish dining experience Aroma, where fresh, sophisticated blends of traditional Roman and Mediterranean flavors come with show-stopping views of the Colosseum.
While the sleek and elegant interior dining space offers a refined, welcoming ambiance, Aroma has to be experienced alfresco, with a superb evening repast on the candlelit terrace and the night-lit Colosseum seemingly almost close enough to touch.
TUNA
An exceptionally chic spot on Rome’s famous Via Veneto, stylish seafood establishment Tuna has a bold, elegant all-white interior and a menu dedicated to the freshest produce of the Mediterranean.
With a refreshing contemporary ambiance, imaginative and refined dishes and a carefully-selected wine list, Tuna is a unique and rewarding choice for dinner in Rome.
MIRABELLE (AT HOTEL SPLENDIDE ROYAL)
The Hotel Splendide Royale’s signature 7th floor restaurant offers magnificent views of the Vatican Gardens and the Villa Borghese, along with expertly-crafted, Michelin-starred cuisine.
The interior is stylish and elegant with huge windows to showcase the panoramic view. The restaurant’s stunning terrace offers one of the most atmospheric dining experiences in the city, taking in iconic Roman monuments and green spaces from an unrivaled vantage point.
FORTUNATO AL PANTHEON
Frequented by politicians of many persuasions, the comfortable tables are not crowded and the service is friendly but very professional. The menu is classic Italian cooking and every day there is also a list of the chef’s suggestions offering simpler dishes like meatballs with artichokes. The general menu offers classic pasta like spaghetti alle vongole and in season they serve delicious tagliolini with white truffles and fresh funghi porcini. The fresh fish is chosen with care and prepared in all the traditional ways and the chef also has a masterly hand with the top quality meat. There is a good wine list and a reasonable house wine. In warmer months there are tables set outside.
DITIRAMBO
This small restaurant near Campo dei Fiori is lively and inviting with its beamed ceilings and stone arches. It is rather dark so it’s best in the heat of summer or when the weather is bleak outside. The good varied menu combines Roman specialities like cacio e pepe (pasta with pecorino romano sheep cheese and black pepper) with interesting innovations like thin slices of crisp potato with cheese fonduta (fondue) and slivers of black truffles. The little aubergine timbales and specialities from other Italian regions are very good. There is an excellent wine list with fair prices and an unusually good selection of half bottles. Signora Antonia comes in each day to make the fresh pasta for the restaurant and she is also responsible for the delicious desserts on the menu.
IL CONVIVIO DI TROIANAI
The Troiani brothers, Massimo, Giuseppe and Angelo opened Convivio at its original address in Via dell’Orso in 1990. Today it is regarded as one of the best restaurants in the city. It is a place for special occasions with its elegant rooms and beautiful tableware. The menu is an exciting mixture of old and new. Many of the traditional Roman favourites are given a new twist, such as “new style” boneless oxtail with celeriac puree, and Angelo combines seasonal ingredients with panache in his new creations. This is great designer food and people are encouraged to order a series of half portions to create their own tasting menu. Most of the great wines are present on the wine list and Massimo is happy to suggest different glasses of wine to go with each dish ordered.
LA TAVERNACCIA
Family-run, frequented mainly by locals and cheerfully chaotic, but the service is warm and friendly and the food is good Roman fare. Start with garlic bruschetta served with prosciutto, sliced by hand, and then try one of the excellent traditional pastas. This is a place to order family-style lasagna when available and then one of the prepared main dishes, although the grilled meat and fish are equally good. Vegetables in season are on the menu and there are a few homemade desserts. The wine list is small, but carefully chosen with fair prices. At dinner, the pizzaiolo is busy working away at his corner oven. The summer sees tables outside on the pavement.
TOSCANO
As the name suggests this is a Tuscan restaurant, and it serves some of the best meat in the capital. A chilled glass cabinet stands at the entrance, hung with massive pieces of meat. There are many dishes on the menu but most customers choose the grilled beef, which can be accompanied by fagioli al fiasco, dressed with prize-winning olive oil, or thinly sliced fried potatoes and Roman artichokes standing on their head. Starters include hearty ribollita or faro soup and the long Tuscan pasta, pici, while in season the tantalizing aroma of tagliolini al tartufo bianco issues an almost irresistible invitation. Wines from all regions are listed and you can finish with a good homemade dessert. In summer there are tables outside.
ROMA SPARITA
A gem tucked away in one of the most beautiful piazzas in Trastevere, surrounded by fading ochre and terracotta buildings. As the name suggests it is a survivor of a side of Rome that has almost disappeared and represents an oasis in a desert of bad food. In summer the tables are set out in the piazza and one can sit with a glass of wine enjoying the simple dishes of la cucina romana. The menu is short but most people come for the delicious cacio e pepe pasta, made with pecorino cheese and black pepper, served on a crisp shell of Parmigiano and the cozze alla marinara – mussels with garlic, chilli pepper and a hint of tomato.