Top Rome Restaurants | Dream by Luxury Escapes

Rome’s trattorias, rooftop terraces and Michelin-starred dining rooms all have one thing in common: a devotion to flavour woven through history. Whether you’re introducing the kids to their first cacio e pepe, raising a glass against the Colosseum’s golden glow or celebrating a milestone over eight artful courses, Rome offers a table for every occasion.

Read on to discover some of the best Rome restaurants to add to your next Italian escape. 

Best family-friendly Rome restaurants 

Da Enzo al 29

A beloved Trastevere institution run by the di Felice family since the 1980s, da Enzo glows with lemon-yellow walls, checkered tablecloths and stacked wine bottles. Think naturally leavened sourdough, polpette of beef, mortadella and pecorino in a thick tomato sauce, fried zucchini flowers and pistachio gelato. Expect queues, but staff are known to offer drinks and pasta samples while you wait. The casual atmosphere and outdoor sidewalk tables make it family-friendly, creating a lively communal feel that works well for families who don’t mind the hustle and bustle. 

La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali 

Just steps from the Roman Forum, this family-run trattoria has been serving handmade pasta and seasonal Roman classics for decades. The interior is cosy and candle-lit, but what really sets it apart is the personal touch: family members still work the floor, greeting guests and recommending their favourite dishes like they’re letting you in on a secret.

Pizzeria da Baffetto

Near Piazza Navona, this no-frills pizzeria has been packed since the 1960s. The Roman-style thin-crust pizzas emerge blistered from the wood-fired oven, to then be topped simply with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh herbs. The lively, crowded tables make it feel like a communal dinner party, perfect for families who like a bit of chaos with their meal. The atmosphere and simple pizza focus means kids can enjoy authentic Roman pizza without fussy dining expectations.

‘Gusto 

‘Gusto is an all-day Roman dining destination serving breakfast through to weekend brunch in an upmarket yet relaxed setting. Classic Lazio specialties like carbonara and cacio e pepe headline the menu, alongside street food favourites and rotisserie selections. The impressive 350-label wine cellar spans regional Italian varieties to international selections, which pair perfectly with authentic Roman dishes.

Best Rome restaurants with a view 

Aroma 

At Aroma, a single glass wall frames the Colosseum so perfectly that it feels almost cinematic. This Michelin-starred restaurant is headed by chef Giuseppe Di Iorio, whose team crafts refined tasting menus using seasonal Italian produce. Top picks are lobster risotto, coffee-infused rack of lamb, or duck with apricots and spring onions. Dine on the terrace at sunset for Rome’s most photographed dinner. 

La Pergola 

High above Monte Mario, La Pergola is Rome’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant. Heinz Beck’s tasting menus weave Mediterranean ingredients into art on a plate, supported by one of the most extensive wine cellars in Europe. Service is choreographed to perfection, and the cityscape views stretch all the way to the Vatican dome. 

Terrazza Borromini 

Occupying the 17th-century Palazzo Pamphili, this rooftop offers an unmatched perspective over Piazza Navona. The menu reimagines Roman classics – think squid-ink risotto with cuttlefish or slow-braised lamb shank – while the soft pergola lighting and open-air setting make every dinner feel like a celebration. 

Special occasion restaurants in Rome 

Il Pagliaccio 

Two Michelin stars, 28 seats and chef Anthony Genovese’s signature fusion of French technique and Italian soul. Tasting menus here are journeys through texture and temperature, from zucchini, caviar and stracciatella to oxtail, seaweed and candy floss. 

Glass Hostaria 

In the bohemian streets of Trastevere, Cristina Bowerman’s Michelin-starred restaurant is all glass, steel and clean lines – a sharp contrast to the winding streets outside. The menu is equally bold, marrying Roman staples with global influences, such as amatriciana-stuffed ravioli and crispy cured pork cheek.  

Mirabelle

Mirabelle is a jewel box of a dining room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Villa Borghese and St Peter’s Basilica. Service at Mirabelle is old-world in the best way, the wine list is exceptional and the food – crispy grain-baked red prawns, marinated cod and blue lobster – is crafted to linger in the memory long after the last bite. 

Best cafes in Rome 

Sant’Eustachio il Caffè

Just steps from the Pantheon, this 1938-founded institution is famous for its “gran caffè,” an espresso brewed using a secret method that produces a rich, velvety foam. Locals drink it standing at the counter, but the outdoor tables are the perfect spot for soaking in the bustle of Piazza dei Caprettari. 

Sciascia Caffè 1919 

In the elegant Prati district, Sciascia has been pulling perfect espresso for more than a century. The signature order is an espresso served in a cup lined with dark chocolate, a decadent twist on a Roman classic. Chandeliers, wood panelling and polished brass give this establishment an air of old-world grandeur. 

Barnum

In the heart of Campo de’ Fiori, Barnum is the city’s creative hub favoured by writers, designers and musicians. The coffee is specialty-grade, the brunch menu inventive and the mismatched furniture gives it a relaxed, bohemian feel. It’s the kind of place where you order “just one more” before you leave. 

Feature image: Jaz Blakeston-Petch, Unsplash.