Trattoria al Moro, Roma | ©Kars Alfrink/flickr
Al Moro
This classic restaurant is old-school dining at its finest. A favorite of La Dolce Vita’s Federico Fellini, Al Moro serves upscale Roman fare in an intimate trattoria. With its wood-paneled interior and 1920s retro vibe, it is a much praised restaurant that caters to Rome’s upper crust. Try the fettuccine with white truffles.
Al Moro, Vicolo delle Bollette 13, +39 06 678 3495
Vineria Il Chianti
You can’t get much closer to the Trevi Fountain than Vineria Il Chianti, which is just two streets away from the landmark. The menu focuses on Tuscan specialties, such as Fiorentina steak and crostini with various sauces, though you’ll also find Roman delicacies and a pizza list. Both indoor and outdoor seating is available.
Vineria Il Chianti, Via del Lavatore 81, +39 06 678 7550
Hostaria Romana
This homey restaurant is a great place to enjoy Roman classics such as cacio e pepe and amatriciana in a laid-back setting. The walls are covered in signatures and messages from previously well-fed patrons. To start off your meal, order the house antipasto that includes mozzarella, ricotta, olives, beans, sauteed veggies and some frittata. Save room for dessert which is also excellent.
Hostaria Romana, Via del Boccaccio 1, +39 06 474 5284
Colline Emiliane
Colline Emiliane brings specialties from the Emilia-Romagna region to Rome: think pumpkin ravioli, tagliatelle with bolognese sauce and thinly sliced Parma ham. This is comfort food at its finest.
Colline Emiliane, Via degli Avignonesi 22, +39 06 481 7538
Antica Birreria Peroni
This cozy pub is a great pit-stop for lunch or dinner to taste the city’s classic cuisine and enjoy the eponymous Peroni beer. Order the Peroni Gran Riserva, a double-malt beer with a medium body and fruity finish.
Ristorante Il Falchetto
A delightful restaurant tucked away in the middle of all the action, Il Falchetto has a tasty menu of modernized dishes. You’ll find a wide range of options here, including a fish menu; everything is beautifully presented and you’d do well to opt for one of the tables outside beneath the veranda.
Piccolo Buco
For a tasty pie, look no further than this tiny spot that will certainly satisfy your cravings for a wood-fire oven pizza. Piccolo Buco serves a number of pastas and meat dishes though the stand out is definitely the pizza, with a perfectly fluffy and chewy crust and flavorful toppings.
Piccolo Buco, Via del Lavatore 91, +39 06 6938 0163
Terre e Domus
With its prime position in front of Trajan’s Column, this sleek wine-bar bistro is a great choice for lunch, when you can admire the incredible backdrop through its large windows, though the ruins in the evening are aglow and equally alluring for an after-dinner passeggiata. Just steps from Piazza Venezia (and a short stroll from the Trevi Fountain) it is an exceedingly central, and yet often overlooked, hidden gem. Local ingredients reign supreme here and the menu changes seasonally.
Sofia
This quaint restaurant is classy, modern and romantic, with lots of flower decorations and a tantalizing menu. It serves inspired dishes such as swordfish tartare with papaya and pear risotto with quail confit, providing a welcome departure of traditional fare served elsewhere in the city. Everything is as flavorful as it is beautiful: finish your meal with the chocolate molten lava cake.
Sofia, Via di Capo le Case 51, + 39 06 8987 3857