Best 10 restaurants in Rome for eating pizza and Italian foods

Italian culture and food go in hand in hand, just like bread and butter. Italians are famed for reaching the extremes of the “Larger than Life” lifestyle, and to that end, they take dining very, very seriously, often prolonging each session 2 to 3 hours.
Italy is the world’s fifth-largest tourism destination; naturally, Rome is host to a significant, if not all, of these incoming tourists. Should you find your way to the Eternal City and Rome’s attractions, you absolutely should not miss the best restaurants in Rome that we will learn about today!

#1- La Pergola Restaurant In Rome

We start the list with the premier restaurant in Rome and the only Roman restaurant that bears Michelin’s magnificent three stars. La Pergola is located at the very center of Rome, on top of the grand Cavalieri Hotel, and has a diverse menu on the offer, featuring traditional Roman cuisine and international dishes. As a result, La Pergola is well received by the local and international tourists alike. La Pergola uses a host of antique paintings from the Cavalieri collection as decoration, which gives the interior a classy and chic atmosphere. Simultaneously, the large windows showcase the Italian capital’s breathtaking skyline, with a stunning view of the Saint Peter Basilica.
The restaurant’s head chef is the German 3-star gourmet specialist, Heinz Beck, a chef with a lasting legacy in the Mediterranean style. Known for his innovations and experimentality, he will ensure you a sufficient dining experience in Rome’s heart.
Make sure to book a reservation beforehand as the restaurant and its menu are in great demand, and it is virtually impossible to find a place without a reservation. It is also located at Alberto Cadlolo, 101, 00136 Roma RM, Italy.

#2- Mirabelle

The Mirabelle is placed on the 7th floor of the magnificent Hotel Splendide Royal, one of the best hotels in Rome. Here you will experience one of Rome’s most elegant terraces. From this terrace, you will get a breathtaking and unobstructed view of the city and all the historical landmarks within it from the Pantheon to the Saint Peter’s Basilica.
The Executive Chef Stefano Marzetti and Food and Beverage Director Luca Costanzi jointly direct the restaurant matters, and the results are nothing short of amazing. In addition to their la carte menu, there are three tasting menus at your disposal, including Rome’s current completely gluten-free menu consisting of five delectable courses. The classic style of the interior and the live piano performance give the restaurant a certain “posh” feeling, perfect for a chilling afternoon.
Make sure to reserve your place just like La Pergola, and remember that there is a mandatory dress code to be followed for men during nighttime; trousers and shirts are a must, while flip flops, shorts, and sleeveless shirts are not allowed. Mirabelle is situated at di Porta Pinciana, 14, 00187 Roma RM, Italy.

#3- Da Enzo

There are few, if any, that can match the expertise and experience of Da Enzo when it comes to the traditional Roman cuisine. Da Enzo is family-run and only features 12 seats, so you have to wait in the line for a considerable time, and also, more likely, you’ll be dining alone. However, all of that will go when you are flooded with different classic Roman pasta dishes like the Carbonara, Amatriciana, and Cacio e Pepe and their local offal dishes like tripe and braised oxtail (Coda Alla Vaccinara).
Due to the smaller amounts of available seats and strict reservation policies, Da Enzo is best suited for lone travelers and hardcore foodies. They do not want to miss the unique Roman cuisine experience at any cost.
Da Enzo only accepts reservations for the 19:30 window, which removes the chance of reservation for lunch. You can find it on Vascellari, 29, 00153 Roma RM, Italy.

#4- Retrobottega

Retrobottega is one of the busiest and popular restaurants in Rome these days. It is located right in the center of the city, just minutes away from the Pantheon. Retrobottega has only 26 seats in its modern-style interior; again, you’ll have to book to get yourself a seat. The venue has two dining spaces that are formed around the open cooking area, so not only do you get to taste the exquisite menu, you can also see it being cooked before your very eyes. The lead chefs are Giuseppe Lo Iudice and Alessandro Miocchi, whose artistic, minimalist style of preparation and seasonal approach has sparked great interest and feedback in Europe’s cooking community in recent years.
You can choose from the menu or a unique 5-dish degustation featuring two starting courses, a first and second course, and dessert. On the main course list, you’ll find practically anything from cuttlefish to pigeon; however, you should go for their new 20 bites degustation, which allows you to taste the entire menu in one course! The dessert is a magnificent course to be had here with an almond, licorice, and raisin delight or the unique chocolate and salted caramel dessert on the offer. It is located at Della Stelletta, 4, 00186 Roma RM, Italy.

#5- Glass Hostaria

Glass Hostaria is the brainchild of the Italian chef Cristina Bowerman. The one Michelin star chef spent more than a decade in the United States and returned to Rome to make the exquisite Glass Hostaria in Rome’s Trastevere enclave in 2004 ever since the Hostaria is a known distinct approach that it employs regarding Roman cuisine.
Chef Bowerman is well known for her unorthodox, bold, and modern style of cooking, a style that is also reflected in the interior design of the restaurant, with many pieces of metal decoration and contemporary art.
Some of the more unique and innovative dishes courtesy of Chef Bowermanare are Rabbit-stuffed tortellini, green curry and peanuts, and coconut sauce.
The restaurant is often overflown with local and international crowds. It has a vibrant and upbeat vibe, which goes well with the modern and contemporary mindset behind it.
Glass Hostaria also provides a remarkable 25 percent discount if you are under 25!
It is situated at Vicolo del Cinque, 58, 00153 Roma RM, Italy.

#6- La Terrazza

While there are entries on this list that offer magnificent views, La Terrazza certainly takes this to a whole other level. The restaurant is located at the top of the glorious Hotel Eden, so guests can enjoy the beautiful Roman skyline as they feast on the variety of dishes that the Michelin-starred restaurant offers. Head chef Fabio Ciervo uses the very best Italian produce and the finest ingredients to prepare Italian classics. His style is described as having unique alterations while maintaining the traditional tastes associated with these dishes.
However, what distinguishes Ciervo is his obsessive attention to details and the manner of serving each course. His signature dishes include the stupendous veal broth ravioli with horseradish; and kalamata pasta with steamed oyster, coconut, and rocket.
The dessert is the quintessential part of the La Terrazza experience, as its menu is co-created by Angelo Musa, the pre-eminent chef of Hôtel Plaza Athénée in Paris. Musa and Ciervo worked closely to bring the very best desserts in a single menu to Rome. In the dessert department, few can successfully match the quality of La Terrazza, not only in Rome but in all of Europe. You can find it Via Ludovisi, 49, 00187 Roma RM, Italy.

#7- Osteria Da Fortunata

This traditional Roman style dining place has an authentic way of making plates of pasta—daily homemade fresh pasta, from the ladies cooking it from the kitchen to your plate. Theirs especially is ravioli with ricotta cheese and basil in fresh tomato sauce and amatriciana. In case you want to avoid the long waiting queue, better reserve in advance!
It is a cozy place where you can meet the locals at weekends.
It is located at del Pellegrino, 11/12, 00186 Roma RM, Italy.

#8- Seu Pizza Illuminati

It is Italy we’re discussing on this list, so we must discuss pizzas. One of the youngest and most talented pizza chefs, Pier Daniele Seu, widely regarded as the Michelangelo of Pizza, has made his dream come true. He has opened a pizzeria of his own in Rome.
Seu Pizza Illuminati represents a new generation of pizza chefs. This modernity is also reflected in the interior design, with grey-blue walls, well-designed lights, and modern tables and chairs.
Their pizzas are also the real deal. The dough is among the thinnest and lightest available on the market; the toppings benefit from precisely selected raw materials in beautiful pairings that work very well. For instance, in Margherita Gialla pizza, he does this with pairing yellow cherry tomatoes, provolone, and mint; in the Magica pizza, with different tomato types, anchovies, peanuts, basil, oregano, and orange zest.
Seu is a fan of challenges and innovations, so don’t be surprised when stuff like chicory, yellow tomatoes, walnuts, and cocoa powder make their way onto your Pizza 🍕 !
Seu Pizza Illuminati is considered one of the top ten best pizza places globally and offers Pizza’s Roman-style authentically and enjoyably possible. It is located in Via Angelo Bargoni, 10 – 18, 00153 Roma RM, Italy.

#9- Alcazar Hostaria

Where the Alcazar Hostaria currently serves food from around the world, nowadays used to be the location of the vintage Alcazar Live Cinema. In 2016 it shut down. The locals were in rage over losing their favorite local cinema; however, they were treated to a pleasant surprise when the new owners decided to renovate the old cinema into a bistro! They went about this quite carefully and prudently as the interior maintains many cultural elements of its past, with live music on the old cinema stage. The Hostaria itself is placed on the top floor, overlooking the iconic scene.
Down below features a multi-purpose area that acts as a live music stage and occasionally reminds us of the good old days. They’ll sometimes put on a vintage movie to watch on the big screen. It is the perfect spot for cinema lovers and foodies to unite and spend a beautiful night and enjoy an exquisite dinner.
Red shrimp Carpaccio and the Roman amatriciana stand out in the starters menu, while the raspberry wild boar pasta and the pork belly with lentil steal the show in the primary course department. It is situated at Cardinale Merry del Val, 14b, 00153 Roma RM, Italy.

#10- Pierluigi

Pierluigi has specialized in Mediterranean seafood since 1938. Its location allows you to dine amid an atmosphere that takes you back to the Renaissance’s origin days. The Pierluigi’s reputation and quality need no introduction, as it has been host to some of the world’s most high profile people during its existence.
It underwent a significant overhaul in 2010 and brought the already well-established restaurant to the top of the Roman culinary world.
Since 2014 the staff has been led by the young prodigy chef DavideCianetti. He is known for his emphasis on the exclusive usage of the freshest produce and ingredients. Some dishes must be ordered during the reservation as they take too long to be prepared, a prime example being the Pierluigi classic beef fillets cooked for more than 24 hours in lemon juice and then served with thin slices of carpaccio.
Pierluigi offers the ultimate “posh” experience for foodies that crave seafood above all. As with all the high-end entries on the list, don’t forget to reserve your place beforehand!
Pierluigi is situated at Piazza de’ Ricci, 144, 00186 Roma RM, Italy.

We hope you enjoyed the top 10 places to eat in Rome. Also, don’t forget to check our other article about the top wedding venues in Rome if you are planning your marriage ceremony in Italy.