Best Diners in Italy

"There’s a reason Le Mani in Pasta is always packed (make sure you book in early) – it’s the ultimate Roman osteria experience. Its speciality is seafood, where whole lobsters are cracked open over al dente pasta, and sea bass carpaccio comes topped with delicate slivers of truffle. There’s no denying the food is fantastic, but the service is something else."

"Via dei Genovesi, 37 (Trastevere) Tue – Sun 12pm – 3.30pm, 7.30pm – 11pm €€-€€€ristorantedipescetrastevere.roma.it. This osteria in the Trastevere neighborbood isn’t just one of the best traditional restaurants in town, it’s also one of Rome’s best seafood restaurants. An informal osteria on two floors with an open kitchen and a friendly service."

"Get ready for a real traditional-style trattoria experience. And make super sure you have a reservation, this place is always packed. The second you step foot inside Le Mani in Pasta, you’re wrapped up by a warm and informal atmosphere, typical of a Roman osteria."

"Rome’s foodscape can be dazzling so let's start with a classic: this small, unshowy trattoria in an unheralded corner of Trastevere rarely disappoints with its old-time decor, friendly staff and reliably hearty Roman cooking. This might be the place to try the city’s staple pasta, the silky cacio e pepe (just cheese and pepper), or maybe the polpette (meatballs in tomato sauce). Either way, locals love this place, so expect to wait for a table."

"For traditional Cucina Romana (roman cuisine), you can't go past Da Enzo. It's literally a hole-in-the-wall with maybe about 10 or 12 tables which means you'll have to line up for one and for a while at best. But it's worth the wait and then some."

"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."

"A stone’s throw from the Campo de Fiori, and just a few blocks from Rome’s iconic Pantheon and Piazza Navona, the area surrounding Ditirambo is simply abounding with Rome’s fantastic history. Soak up the city’s greatest landmarks while dining in style at this restaurant. The personal service and somewhat rustic style of the interior gives Ditirambo an intimate and cozy atmosphere."

"A short stroll from Campo de' Fiori, Settimio al Pellegrino serves a limited menu of conservative Roman classics to a loyal local clientele. The dining room is made up of two small rooms, one of which looks into the kitchen where the chef Teresa cooks up a storm, while her husband Mario schmoozes the dining room. There are a handful of first courses and mains to choose from: fettucine with meat sauce, gnocchi with tomato sauce (Thursdays only), trippa alla romana, polpette alla piastra (grilled meatballs), and involtini (meat rolls)."

"Walking into Settimio al Pellegrino feels a bit like stepping into Rome’s golden dolce vita heyday; there are a handful of tables, a couple of Roman posters on the walls, and a tiny kitchen where owner Teresa stirs vats of pasta as Mario, her husband, ferries orders back and forth. Crowd-wise, it’s all regulars, many of whom have been coming here since they were children. Now they bring their children’s children."

"The unadorned and old-fashioned ambiance of one of the very great restaurants in Rome is not just theatrical. Just like the decoration, also the Roman food of this popular restaurant in Garbatella working-class neighbourhood perfectly reflects tradition. The usual dishes like cacio e pepe, amatriciana and carbonara are on the menu alongside other treats of the Roman cuisine like rigatoni pajata pasta, and abbacchio scottadito lamb."

"The trendy leftwing Pigneto neighbourhood has its share of inexpensive eateries where locals gather for rustic sustenance and wine. Since opening in February, I Porchettoni has fit right in. Long wooden tables and benches, where diners eat communally, fill the brightly lit store dining room, which is modelled on a fraschetta, a traditional country tavern popular in Rome's suburbs."

"Only a few steps away from the magical Villa Sciarra, Osteria Poerio (formerly known as Osteria Mangiafuoco) warmly welcomes you with its menu of traditional Roman, fish food as well as creative dishes. If you are craving something different than the usual Roman tradition, try the “disassembled” courgette flower with buffalo mozzarella, anchovy sauce and Kataifi pasta."

"The Canova Tadolini Museum is a combo restaurant and museum in one. The restaurant is adorned with sculptures and artwork from Neoclassical sculptors Antonio Canova and Adamo Tadolini in what was Canova's former studio space. The museum's restaurant is known for serving traditional Roman classics, like spaghetti alla carbonara and tonnarelli cacio e pepe."

"By now, the Orange Tree Garden on the Aventine Hill has become a little bit famous. If you haven’t been, by all means, head over there!. The Giardino degli Aranci, or Orange Tree Garden, on the Aventine Hill, is a favorite for many."

"VinAllegro wine bar located in the famous area of Trastevere, where you can find many bars and restaurants with Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican food. The price for the aperitif is 10 euro with 5 euro for the second cocktail/beer/glass of wine. It is famous for its food choice for “happy hour” and friendly ambiance with great service."

"This warmly lit space welcomes its guests with an incredibly generous aperitivo buffet. Here you can also try tasters of dishes in their own right. From lasagna to omelettes, pasta to rice salads – there is plenty to snack on!"