Travel

Rome Restaurants

Establishment neighborhood
La Matriciana
Via del Viminale, 44, Esquilino
This is an old school restaurant, in the equally old school, slightly gritty, Esquilino neighborhood. The story goes that around 1870 a lady migrated from Amatrice to Rome, and started cooking the bucatini famous to the region, on the very spot the restaurant is in today. Now run by the Crisciotti family, brothers Fabio and Mauro have stuck to the foods served in this space since the '30s. Aside from ordering the signature bucatini all'amatriciana, try something you would only ever see in Rome: puntarelle-inner stalks of Catalonian chicory, sliced super thin and tossed with anchovies and lemon juice.
Ginger Sapori e Salute
St. Eustachio Square, 54-55, Centro Storico
With several skylights, white walls and chairs accented with touches of rich wood, plus lots of additional lighting and greenery, Ginger is a bright and modern all-day restaurant in Roma Centro. It’s the kind of place where you can order both an acai bowl or a stack of organic pancakes for breakfast—there’s really something for everyone on their expansive, skewed-healthy menus. It’s a nice change of pace from pizza and pasta, if you’re looking for a break—although they have plenty of that here, too, plus a full wine menu. There’s another outpost in Campo Marzio.
Al Moro
Vicolo delle Bollette, 13, Trevi
Tucked into a narrow street just steps from the Trevi Fountain, Al Moro is a completely non-touristy respite nearby. With fresh ingredients collected from local markets each morning, the menu is two-page combination of the classics, seasonal fare (think: snails in an anchovy, chile, and mint sauce, available around the Feast of Saint John the Baptist in June), plus some inventive, off-the-beaten path dishes created over the course of the restaurant’s nearly century-long history. The dining room is fairly formal; definitely make a reservation in advance if you can. There are a few tables outdoors on the narrow patio, and a space to host a private dinner if you need.
Emma Pizzeria
Via del Monte della Farina, 28, Centro Storico
Opened just a few years ago by a young couple and members of Roscioli family, this restaurant serves incredible thin-crust pizza; toppings are sourced from Salumeria Roscioli, the area’s best deli counter, and the crust is from fourth-generation baker Pierluigi Roscioli. The light-filled space—owed, in part, to a great skylight—is wonderfully bright, modern, and air conditioned (there’s outdoor seating if you prefer, too). Bonus: it’s open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.