The Best Restaurants In Rome To Try In 2026

2nd Apr 2026

Written by:

Rebecca Keating

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Rome’s dining scene is exactly what you’d hope for—and then some. Think old-school trattorias dishing up time-honoured recipes, neighbourhood institutions that haven’t changed in decades, and a deep love for traditional cucina Romana at every turn.

But it’s not all classics. Alongside those iconic spots, you’ll find a new wave of contemporary bistros and polished fine dining restaurants bringing a fresh perspective to the city’s food scene. From long, leisurely lunches to late-night plates of pasta, these are the best restaurants in Rome right now.

Trattoria Pennestri

Via Giovanni da Empoli, 5, 00154 Rome

Best restaurants in Rome at Trattoria Pennestri with a bowl of creamy pasta, basket of bread and bottle of wine Image credit: Trattoria Pennestri | Facebook

Set in the creative, slightly industrial pocket of Ostiense, Trattoria Pennestri brings a fresh take to the classic Roman trattoria. The space strikes that sweet spot between warm and polished, with an atmosphere that feels lively without ever tipping into chaotic.

The menu leans into traditional flavours, with a seasonal approach that keeps things interesting. It’s thoughtful without being overworked, with dishes that balance familiarity and a few subtle twists. The wine list is just as strong, with plenty of options by the glass and a focus on smaller producers.

Make sure you leave room for dessert—the sweet and salty chocolate mousse, infused with rosemary and served with Sardinian flatbread, is widely considered one of the best in the city.

Moma

Via di S. Basilio, 42, 00187 Rome

Best restaurants in Rome at Moma with a delicately plated dessert and sauce being poured over Image credit: Moma | Website

Moma is one of those rare spots that manages to do two things very well. On one side, there’s a more relaxed bistro offering—modern, easy and ideal for a casual meal. On the other, a Michelin-starred dining room that takes a more elevated approach, with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients and carefully composed dishes.

The menu changes regularly, but expect excellent, ingredient-led combinations that go well beyond the usual—there’s the likes of chamomile risotto with smoked eel, rabbit ragù with black lemon or tortellini filled with game and chestnuts. It’s creative but always grounded in flavour, with a clear focus on quality produce across each plate. Tasting menus are available if you want the full experience, paired with a strong wine offering, or you can opt for a shorter à la carte visit depending on your pace.

Zia

Via Goffredo Mameli, 45, 00153 Roma

Best restaurants in Rome at Zia with a crispy, vanilla filled flan being cut in half Image credit: Zia | Instagram

Zia is a much-loved Michelin restaurant in Trastevere run by a husband-and-wife team, serving up a contemporary take on Italian fine dining. At the centre of it all is chef Antonio Ziantoni, whose cooking builds on classical foundations while introducing more imaginative, unexpected elements.

The menu moves with the seasons, shaped by close relationships with small producers and a focus on quality ingredients. You can go à la carte or settle in for one of the tasting menus (five or seven courses), where the kitchen really gets to show its range.

The space itself, designed by New York-based Anton Cristell, mirrors the approach in the kitchen—elegant, understated and thoughtfully put together across two levels. And if the vanilla flan is on the menu, you’re in for a treat—simple in theory, but executed with serious precision, from the crisp pastry base to the perfectly set custard.

Roscioli Salumeria

Via dei Giubbonari, 21, 00186 Rome

Eating at Roscioli is a must while you’re in Rome. Just steps from Campo de’ Fiori, this deli-restaurant hybrid is one of the city’s most well-known spots, combining a traditional dining room with a counter stacked full of cheeses, cold cuts and pickled goods.

The menu covers Roman classics, but it’s hard to go past what’s coming straight from the deli itself. It’s busy and in high demand, so booking ahead is essential.

If it’s available, order the tagliatelle with mutton ragù from the Lucanian Dolomites—rich, comforting and worth planning your visit around. And whatever you do, finish with the tiramisu.

Enoteca La Torre

Lungotevere delle Armi, 23, 00195 Rome

Image credit: Enoteca La Torre | Instagram

Set within Anna Venturini Fendi’s Villa Laetitia, Enoteca La Torre is one of Rome’s most impressive dining rooms—grand, detailed and very much a destination in itself. The space is all stained glass, chandeliers and ornate finishes, with a sense of occasion that starts the moment you walk in.

In the kitchen, chef Domenico Stile brings a Southern Italian influence to the menu, with standout ingredients like buffalo milk cheeses, Sorrento lemons and fresh seafood appearing throughout. For the full experience, opt for the seven-course surprise tasting menu, curated by the chef. It’s firmly in special-occasion territory, both in atmosphere and price, but one that delivers from start to finish.

Armando al Pantheon

Salita de' Crescenzi, 31, 00186 Rome

Any list of the best restaurants in Rome will point you here—and for good reason. Armando al Pantheon is one of the city’s true classics, sitting just steps from the Pantheon with a reputation that’s drawn everyone from locals to the likes of Stanley Tucci.

It’s a small space, with just 14 tables, so booking ahead is essential—or be prepared to wait it out. The menu is all about traditional Roman cooking, done properly. If you’re only ordering one thing, make it the carbonara—rich, simple and exactly how it should be.

Barred

Via Cesena, 30, 00182 Rome

Best restaurants in Rome at Barred with a cake, vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce sitting on an antique style green patterned plate on a dark green background Image credit: Barred | Instagram

Run by two brothers, Barred brings a contemporary, produce-driven approach to Rome’s dining scene, with a menu that shifts regularly depending on what’s in season. It’s a step away from the city’s more traditional spots, with a focus on fresh market ingredients and combinations that are a little wild but totally work.

You can stop by for brunch or dinner, with dishes that move between comfort and something a bit more surprising—kimchi grilled cheese, shakshuka with labneh or roasted potatoes with cacio e pepe sauce. It’s relaxed, experimental and always changing, which keeps things interesting. The drinks list spans an extensive selection of wines from across Europe, alongside ciders and beers if you’re after something more casual.

Nannarella

Piazza di S. Calisto, 7/a, 00153 Rome

Best restaurants in Rome at Nannarella with a bowl of tonnarelli pasta and meatballs and a glass of red wine Image credit: Nannarella | Instagram

Nannarella is one of those classic Trastevere spots that keeps things simple and does it well. The menu is rooted in traditional Roman cooking, with generous plates and a steady stream of locals and visitors settling in for long, lively meals.

Tonnarelli is the standout here—their signature long pasta—alongside Roman staples like saltimbocca, lamb and meatballs. There’s also pinsa (Roman pizza) on offer if you’re after something lighter, plus aperitivo options that make it just as easy to stop in for a drink and a few bites.

Pinsitaly Trevi

Via della Panetteria, 12, 00187 Rome

If you’re already at the Trevi Fountain, wandering over to Pinsitaly is the next logical move. It’s an easy, well-located spot that works just as well for a quick bite as it does for a more relaxed sit-down meal.

While pinsa is the headline—light, airy and made fresh daily with that signature crisp-meets-soft base—the menu goes well beyond pizza. The pasta offering is a big draw, with Roman staples like carbonara and cacio e pepe prepared the traditional way, using quality local ingredients that really let the flavours speak for themselves.

Nerone

Via del Viminale, 7A, 00184 Rome

Nerone is the kind of charming, no-fuss spot you hope to stumble across after a day of sightseeing. It’s well-loved for a reason, with a rustic interior and a menu built around family recipes that keep things comforting and familiar.

Start with grilled marinated vegetables, then move on to classic Roman pastas before getting stuck into the dish we all need—Nonna’s meatballs. It’s hearty, generous and exactly what you’re in the mood for after walking half the city. Finish with tiramisu, plus an espresso or limoncello and call it a day.

Tre Scalini

Via Panisperna, 251, 00184 Rome

Best restaurants in Rome at Tre Scalini with a bowl of pasta with clams in focus, a bowl of pasta in the background and a glass of wine Image credit: Tre Scalini | Instagram

Right near Piazza Navona—but refreshingly not a tourist trap—Tre Scalini is where locals still return to. Tucked behind an ivy-covered entrance, it feels instantly Roman, with a rustic interior that sets the tone from the moment you walk in.

Originally opened as an inn back in 1815, it’s long been part of the neighbourhood fabric, and today blends that history with a lively, gastropub-style feel. Expect a long wine list, Italian craft beers and the occasional live music, alongside generous platters of cured meats and cheeses that are perfect for sharing.

The menu sticks close to Roman tradition, with classics like carbonara, amatriciana and coda alla vaccinara done well, plus the house-famous tartufo (truffle dessert) if you’re in the mood for something sweet. It’s well-priced, always busy and exactly the kind of place you hope to find in this part of the city.

Osteria Barberini

Via della Purificazione, 21, 00187 Rome

Best restaurants in Rome at Osteria Barberini with a bowl of pasta covered in truffles set against a Roman fountain background Image credit: Osteria Barberini | Instagram

Not far from Piazza Barberini, this osteria is all about one thing—truffles. If you’re even remotely into it, this is your spot.

The menu builds around that signature ingredient, with dish after dish showcasing its rich, earthy flavour. Think cheesy lasagne with truffle, creamy pasta loaded with it, or a risotto that doesn’t hold back—yes, yes and yes. It’s indulgent in the best way, but still centred in traditional Roman cooking, with a few classic dishes and seafood options rounding things out.

The space itself is cosy, with a handful of indoor rooms and some outdoor seating, and the aroma alone will pull you in before you even sit down. It’s a go-to for truffle lovers and one that more than lives up to the hype.