Testaccio

Long-time friends, Claudio and Alessandro wanted to open a traditional Roman tavern in the Testaccio neighborhood and serve the food their grandmothers used to feed them.

For some really great street food, stop here to pick up modernized Roman sandwiches called Trapazzini. Trapizzino is the namesake take-out place that invented them, and there are a growing number of satellite outposts sprinkled throughout the city. The chicken cacciatore is a must; there are a variety of meat and veggie-centric options.

Testaccio is a neighborhood known for being friendly with small-town vibes, and this no-fuss Italian spot is no exception. They boast some of the best cacio e pepe in Rome in a large, bright, brick-and-wood-lined dining room. Plus, it’s open seven days a week.

Serious serious Rome street food–at its absolute best. Sergio Esposito, a lively (you want what he's having) former butcher, creates epic, layered, Instagrammable sandwiches that as much an experience as they are a meal. And his approach is a mix of classic and inventive: Choose your favorite historic Roman dish, from buttery, tomato-y homemade meatballs to rich Picchiapò, and watch Sergio complement it between his homemade bread.