Features > Best Of Travel > Five Best Restaurants in Rome
The cobblestone streets of the Eternal City swarm with restaurants, but a wealth of options doesn't always guarantee good food. While the fresh ingredients and cultural attention to proper cooking ought to lead to consistently good results, tourist traps often take advantage of tourists' faith in the Italian culinary system to serve bland fare at exorbitant prices. But these five restaurants are the real deal – in style, atmosphere, and of course, food.
1) Pier Luigi, Piazza dei Ricci
Although curious tourists now frequently flock to this upscale classic, located on a scene pedestrianized piazza near the Campo dei Fiori area, the local clientele – Rome's greats from actors to diplomats to Italian government officials – remains loyal, and with good reason. The food is phenomenal, made all the better for its simplicity: rather than meaningless “innovation,” the pastas, seafood, and meats here are allowed to taste of their natural flavor. When that flavor comes from fresh Italian produce, the results are splendid. The staff is especially friendly, and quick to recognize a regular.
2) Settimio's, Via dell'Arancia
This trendy restaurant near Piazza del Popolo and the Corso is known for its influential businessmen and fashionable glitterati who dine here at lunch and dinner alike. The food is slightly more creative than at Pier Luigi, but still retains a sense of being “proper” Italian food, rather than over-innovative “fusion” cuisine. Ideal for people-watching.
3) Scarpone, Via di San Pancrazio
Less expensive than the first two, Scarpone is located in the charming, leafy residential area of Monteverde Vecchio. Sporting a spacious indoor room and a lovely, large garden, Scarpone is an ideal family restaurant, with delicious food (try the risottos!) that is refreshingly unfussed. The antipasti bar is also legendary, with an enormous selection of cold goodies that can serve as an appetizer or, for those who can't resist their pleasures, a main meal.
4) Trattoria La Moretta, Vicolo della Moretta
Simple and inexpensive, this charming checkered-tablecloth establishment near the Tiber River – with a lovely outdoor seating area onto the quiet piazzetta – is an ideal spot for a tranquil lunch. The fettuccini with porcini mushrooms is amazing, but the place's real star is the enormous risotti ai crema di scampi. Be warned: their bread basket of warm, fresh-baked flatbread, might just fill you up before the meal.
5) Perilli, Via Mamorata
If you're a brave eater, willing to try Roman specialties (which involve, shall we say, the less common parts of animals), come to this Testaccio staple. Anywhere in the Testaccio neighborhood has excellent traditional romanesco fare, but Perilli is famous for its osso bucco, tripa alla romana, and other organ-meat dishes.
By Tara Isabella Burton
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