Rome is a gateway to the depths of history, art in every corner, a unique destination of culture and flavor. From ancient ruins to Renaissance masterpieces, this fascinating city is the capital of Italy, From narrow streets to wide squares , each step tells a different story. You can feel the echoing screams of gladiators at the Colosseum and witness history under the majestic dome of the Pantheon. But Rome fascinates not only with its history but also with its cuisine. Full of fresh pastas, creamy ice creams and richly flavored coffees, this city is a gastronomic paradise for every palate.
Rome is a city full of inspiration, where you can explore Italian cuisine to the fullest, with both modern and traditional options. We can summarize it as a route that you will never want to end, here are our favorites on this route:
Our favorite trattoria / restaurants:
– Trattoria Pennestri
– SantoPalato
– Baccano
– Da Enzo
– Roscioli Salumeria
– Romané
Chef Restaurants:
– Barred Roma
– Moi Roma
– Retrobottega
Pizza:
– Pizzeria L’elementare
– Seu Pizza Illuminati
– Sbanco
– A Rota
– 180grammipizzeriaromana
– Bonci Pizzarium
Bar:
– Drink Kong
– Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fa
Street food:
– Trapizzino
– Suppli Roma
– Pastificio Guerra 1918
Bakeries, breakfast places & patisseries:
– Marzipan
– Barnum Roma
– Forno Conti
– Le Levain
– Love – Specialty Croissants
– Antico Forno Roscioli
– Faro
– Regoli Pasticceria
– Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti
– Our favorite address for gelato was Otaleg! The much praised Giolitti was the disappointment of this route for us…
– For tiramisu , Two Sizes is a touristy but not bad address, Especially the cream is delicious. We can say that it is the best among the shops that only sell tiramisu.
– Marzapane is our new favourite for brunch/breakfast, it used to be a chef restaurant serving in the evening, the owners are still the same but now they serve breakfast and bakery during the day, Barnum Roma is also a good option for breakfast and good coffee.
– 🍀 Aromaticus with Green Bistro concept is also one of the places to note.
🍻 Pizzeria L’elementare and Ma Che Siete Venuti a Fa are two of our favourite places for craft beer.
🍸 F or cocktails , Drink Kong Bar is one of the best bars in the world (#33) according to 50Best, reservation is essential.
10 things you absolutely must do in Rome:
– Visit to the Colosseum and Roman Forum
– St. St. Peters Basilica and Vatican Museums exploration
– Visit Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore , one of the oldest basilicas in the city
– G. Sciarra & Visit the Trevi fountain
– Enjoy the Spanish steps
– Villa Borghese gardens and museum visit
– Explore Ostiense , one of the city’s most interesting neighborhoods, on foot at
– Visit the Centrale Montemartini museum away from the crowds
– Marcello Theater & St. Ignazio Loyola Visit St. Ignazio Loyola
– See the Pantheon with its fascinating dome
Rome welcomes millions of tourists every year as a city full of historical and cultural richness. In every corner ofthe city, there are magnificent buildings and works of art bearing the traces of the past. Here are the most important places to visit in Rome:
Colosseum, one of the symbols of Rome, is the largest amphitheatre in ancient times. The site of this magnificent structure was originally the magnificent palace of Emperor Nero. After the emperor’s death, the palace was demolished and the Colosseum was built by Vespasian, where the public could attend entertaining events. Today, the mesmerising architecture and impressive dimensions of this historic building fascinate visitors.
Although the Vatican is the smallest state in the world, it is of great importance both in Rome and in the Christian world. St Peter’s Basilica was built on the site where Caligula’s Circus had previously stood. The obelisk from Ancient Egypt in the centre of this historic building is the only remnant of the Circus period. The 17th-century basilica is open to visitors free of charge and is admired for its baroque architecture.
The Pantheon is one of the best preserved ancient buildings in Rome. Originally built as a temple, it has been used as a church since the 7th century. Its perfect dome and impressive architecture make the Pantheon one of the most visited sights in Rome.
Fontana di Trevi is known as the largest Baroque fountain in the city since the 18th century. It takes its name from the Latin word trivium, meaning “the intersection of three roads”. It has become a tradition for visitors to make a wish by throwing coins into the fountain.
Altare della Patria is a grand monument built for Victor Emmanuel, the first king of united Italy. Completed in 1935, this magnificent structure was designed by architect Giuseppe Sacconi and was inspired by the Pergamon Zeus Altar, which was taken from Anatolia to Berlin. Located in the center of Rome, it is impossible to pass by without seeing this structure.
Castel Sant’Angelo, Tiber Nehri kıyısında yer alan etkileyici bir yapıdır. Aslen İmparator Hadrian’ın mozolesi olarak inşa edilmiştir. Daha sonra papalık tarafından bir kale olarak kullanılmış, günümüzde ise bir müze olarak hizmet vermektedir. İçerideki sergiler, hem tarihi hem de sanatsal açıdan zengin bir deneyim sunuyor.
You may encounter crowds from time to time among these historical buildings to be visited in Rome; therefore, it is recommended that you buy tickets in advance. You especially do not want to turn away from the door of the Museo Borghese; this museum offers an unforgettable experience to its visitors with its rich collection and magnificent gardens.
There are also quieter and less crowded museums in Rome. Places such as Galleria Corsini, Palazzo Barberini, Galleria Spada, Centrale Montemartini, Villa Giulia, Villa Farnesina and Palazzo Altemps offer great alternatives for art lovers.
A must-see during good weather, Villa Borghese is a peaceful getaway with its green areas, statues and various buildings. The Galleria Borghese, Villa Giulia and Villa Medici are noteworthy for their rich art collections. One of the most iconic spots in Borghese is the Tempio di Esculapio, which has a small pond in front of it. Built in the late 1700s, this temple attracts visitors with its romantic atmosphere.
There is also an impressive spot from the Piazza del Popolo side of Villa Borghese, from where you can see panoramic views of Rome.
If you are considering visiting the Museo e Galleria Borghese, be sure to make a reservation in advance; this is especially important during busy periods.
Hidden Gems:
Accommodation:
On our last visit, we stayed at Numa near Villa Borghese. Villa Borghese and many places are within walking distance . It was very comfortable for us to stay in the apartment in the location. We have also arranged a 15% discount code for you. At Numa you can benefit from the code KISNISNUMA15 for your stays in many European cities with Numa. We leave the link here.
Neighborhoods:
There are many neighborhoods to visit in Rome. Trastevere is especially popular in the evenings with its narrow streets and lively atmosphere. You’ll find many restaurants and bars here.
Monti is known as the bohemian district of Rome. It is a pleasant place to wander around this neighborhood filled with art galleries, vintage shops and cute cafes.
Testaccio is one of the places where you can taste authentic Roman cuisine. This area is ideal for gastronomy enthusiasts, full of local markets and trattorias.
Campo de’ Fiori is a market place in the mornings and offers a lively social life in the evenings. There are a variety of restaurants and bars here.
Finally, Pigneto stands out for its alternative culture and young atmosphere. Here you can find many cafes, bars and art galleries.
In addition to the places to visit in Rome, walking around these neighborhoods will help you feel the spirit of the city better. Remember, it would be wise to buy your tickets in advance to avoid the crowds.
Rome is a city that captivates travelers with its delicious streets and rich cuisine. One of our favorite places in the city is Trattoria Pennestri in the Testaccio neighborhood. Here you can experience authentic Italian cuisine made with local ingredients and homemade pasta. It has won a BibGourmand award in the Michelin guide. It is well deserved. Our favorites are the chocolate mousse and gnocchi.
Located in San Giovanni, SantoPalato is a place that offers classic Italian dishes with a modern touch. This place, which draws attention with its daily menu, offers its guests a reinterpretation of popular dishes at the time. This place is a bit outside the touristic center of Rome but is known as a favorite of locals. We found their fresh pasta filled with zucchini in particular delicious. The liver served with fried pannetone bread was also very tasty. Carbonara and polpette with peanut sauce are two popular dishes of the place. We thought these dishes were a bit heavy, but SantoPalato was a place we left happy with in general.
Located on Via Veneto, Baccano serves as both a restaurant and a bar with its elegant atmosphere. Offering traditional flavors of Italian cuisine, this venue is a great option for a pleasant dinner. We visited on a quiet weekday at noon. The fried artichokes and Cacio e pepe we ordered for starters were delicious. Although it is in a central location, it is a venue that offers good flavors.
Located in the heart of Trastevere and a touristic spot, Da Enzo is a trattoria serving authentic Roman cuisine. You should definitely try local specialties like cacio e pepe and carbonara. Another popular place in Trastevere is Tonnarello Roma. It offers fresh pasta and pizza with its wide open space and friendly atmosphere. You can choose Tonnarello as an alternative to Da Enzo, but we are not a big fan of Tonnarello, but it has many fans.
Roscioli Salumeria, located in Campo de’ Fiori, combines the concept of a delicatessen and a restaurant. Here you can experience the best cheese and delicatessen products of Italy. Romané, located in Centro Storico, welcomes its guests in a friendly atmosphere, offering the best examples of traditional Roman cuisine.
Among the chef restaurants, Barred Roma in Pigneto stands out with its creative and innovative dishes. With its menu prepared with seasonal ingredients, you can discover new tastes with each visit. This restaurant also serves brunch on weekends. Retrobottega offers innovative dishes prepared with high-quality ingredients, where the chefs create experimental plates directly in the open kitchen. The tasting menu they call Sabotage consists of surprise sharing plates that are not on the menu for 75 euros. Another chef restaurant is Moi Ristorante in the north of the city. This is a small but stylish restaurant in the BibGourmand selection of the Michelin guide. We especially liked the bergamot and gorgonzola risotto here. The purple potatoes with leeks we ordered as a starter were also delicious.
For pizza lovers, Pizzeria L’elementare in Trastevere and Seu Pizza Illuminati, one of the top 5 pizzerias in Italy according to 50Top Pizza, are two excellent options. With their stone oven-baked and innovative ingredient combinations, these places are among Rome’s most popular pizzerias. Sbanco stands out with its modern pizzas, while A Rota, 180grammipizzeriaromana and Bonci Pizzarium stand out with their Roman-style sliced pizzas, and each slice offers a taste experience.
Rome’s bar culture is also quite lively. Drink Kong, which won a 50 Best award, stands out as a modern bar offering original cocktail options.
For those looking for street food, Trapizzino in Testaccio is famous for its stuffed breads. Suppli Roma in Trastevere offers a great snack with fried rice balls – not our favorite food, but if you like fried foods, you can find suppli in many places in the city. As you head towards the Spanish Steps, Pastificio Guerra 1918 is a small shop selling fresh pasta, where you can buy pasta bowls for a reasonable price for take-away, ideal for a quick lunch.
Rome’s bakeries, breakfast spots, and patisseries are also waiting to be discovered. Places like Marzapane, Barnum Roma, Forno Conti, Le Levain, Love – Specialty Croissants, Antico Forno Roscioli, Faro, Regoli Pasticceria, and Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti are great stops to sweeten your day with fresh, delicious options.
Rome offers a variety of flavors to suit every palate. These venues are the perfect starting point to experience the city’s gastronomic culture.
We continue from Trastevere, one of the places we came across while tracking down the city’s favorite pizzerias: Pizzeria L’elementare
🇮🇹 is considered one of the 10 best pizza places in Rome & Lazio region.
L’elementare was discovered by Luciana Squadrilli, a famous food writer born in Naples. Founded by Mirko Rizzo and Federico Feliziani, this place combines craft beer, fried snacks and Roman-style pizza.
If you want to taste a thin and crispy Roman pizza, this is the right address. You can also taste different craft beers here with a qualified & innovative approach.
While the classics are always available on their menu, seasonal varieties are added to the menu according to the season. There are about 20 types of pizza, with classics ranging from €6-12, and specialties from €12-14.
We liked Datte Foco from the pizzas. Nduja-infused tomato sauce and spicy “ventricina” salami are the highlights of this pizza. We love that the menu also includes a beer pairing for the pizza.
You can also try fried snacks on the menu. Snacks include Supplì, a specialty of Roman cuisine. Named after the French word for surprise, it is usually a ball of rice with tomato and different fillings.
Among the desserts, the classic Tiramisu and the Jewish inspired Torta Ebraica are the favorites of the regulars.
Roscioli has long been a family name and an important place that encompasses many culinary aspects of Italy and Rome.
Roscioli is one of the most beautiful streets of Rome with its venues of different concepts.
Ristorante, Salumeria, Antico Forno, Caffè Pasticceria, Rimessa and even a Wine Club are among the delicious places they have.
⛪️ The whole story starts in their bakery, Antico Forno, located on Via dei Chiavari. This bakery, which has been in existence since the 1800s, was established with a papal edict from the Vatican for a bakery that would sell bread at affordable prices.
🥪 Today it is run by two brothers who are also part of the family. Work starts early in the morning at Antico Forno. The counter is filled with sandwiches, fresh bread, cookies, Roman-style cut pizzas.
Just at the end of the same street, Salumeria Con Cucina is Roscioli’s delicatessen-themed restaurant and market.
Salumeria has been serving for 20 years. They feature aged cheeses, meat products and selections from small local producers that they have found through intensive research. They also sell kits for preparing classic Italian delicacies.
We loved the meze & charcuterie shop concept. Here you can sit at the bar or at the tables right in front of the counter where the products are kept. The menu includes antipasti, homemade pasta, snacks and cocktails.
A little further away from this shop is Caffè Pasticceria. This is a place where you can enjoy daily bakery products and breakfast dishes accompanied by coffee. Their most famous flavor is ‘maritozzo’, which Italians love very much
When planning your trip to Rome, don’t forget to add Roscioli businesses to your itinerary. For the ‘Salumeria con cucina’, make a reservation in advance. It can be done online.
One of the impressive stops on our trip to Rome: This is one of the 10 successful restaurants in Rome that made the Bib Gourmand list in the Michelin guide.
A typical trattoria. A good choice for a cozy meal with a warm & homely atmosphere. As soon as you enter, you are impressed by the wines lined up on the shelves, the lighting and the decoration.
We found ourselves at the door as soon as it opened for lunch service. With locals and tourists right behind us, all the tables were soon full. We were also happy that the service was always friendly and at a good level despite the intensity.
It is run by Argentinean Valerie Payero and Italo-Danish Tommaso Pennestri. They combine contemporary techniques with traditional Roman cuisine. The chef’s contemporary touches are also evident in the purely seasonal menu.
The menu consists of three sections. Starters, Primi (mostly fresh pastas) and Secondi (meat-heavy main courses), including their signature dishes made with offal.
From the starters, we tried the baked butternut squash and a kind of ‘bruschetta’ with fresh mushrooms and pecorino cheese.
Among the pastas, we tasted gnocchi with chestnuts, and among the main courses, we tried the meatball dish called ‘Bollito’ served in tomato sauce. They also prepare traditional pasta dishes off the menu, you can ask the kitchen and choose classic flavors such as Cacio e pepe.
There are also daily dishes that are not on the menu. For wines and daily delicacies, the Pennestri team provides detailed assistance.
Among the desserts, we tried their chocolate mousse and panna cotta. The chocolate mousse is served between crunchy crackers, flavored with olive oil, sea salt and rosemary. It was very delicious;
Lattecotto di capra is a lighter version of the classic Italian dessert panna cotta made with goat milk. We liked that too.
Starters 9-11€, Primi / Secondi 12-19€. It can be considered as 50€ per person with alcohol.
Trattoria Pennestri was by far the most impressive dining experience of our trip to Rome.
This is a not-so-secret Trattoria, which is usually our first stop in Rome: Da Enzo al 29.
Da Enzo is located in the very center of Travestere by the Tiber River, home to Rome’s most delightful streets.
If you ask who Enzo is, they show you a portrait hanging on the wall of the restaurant. Enzo, a former owner of this restaurant, passed away in the late 80s but is remembered fondly. This tavern serving Roman cuisine has been preserved in his memory for decades.
The farm-to-table philosophy is practiced here, so we can easily say that the ingredients are carefully selected and processed. They have a large menu where you can find different options from Roman cuisine. At the same time, the flavors that change daily are written on the chalkboard, and you can make seasonal choices from among them.
🍝 Since it was our first stop, we went with the classic flavors and ordered Cacio E Pepe, Carbonara, Burrata, fried zucchini blossom and fried artichoke.
🍅 Pasta all Amatriciana is also one of the favorite dishes of this iconic restaurant.
The closing was made with another classic: Espresso & Da Enzo Tiramisu.
⏰ They work every day except Sunday. 12.00-19.00. You can go without a reservation, so it is possible to wait in line. It makes more sense to go early and on weekdays.
The average bill for a hearty meal for two will be in the range of 60-75€.
Your trip to Roma would not be complete without exploring the streets of Trastevere, but definitely save room in your stomach for a meal at Enzo.
One of the places that comes to mind when you think of Rome is the iconic ‘Spanish Steps’ in Baroque style. We headed to an authentic pasta place very close to the Spanish Steps.
This is Pastificio Guerra! Over 100 years old and run by the third generation of the same family, the shop sells pasta. The reason for our visit is not just to buy the packaged ones. Every day 2 different types of pasta are prepared here.
You can eat and eat quickly standing up. We can call it a pleasant and fast street flavor.
The portion is not small at all, don’t come full. 1 portion 4.5€
From time to time, long queues can be seen in front of it. It’s open from 13.00 to 21.00.
There are warnings not to eat in front of other shops or sitting on the Spanish steps, but we can’t say we care much.
So why is it not safe to sit and eat on the Spanish Steps? Because it was banned by a new regulation introduced in 2019 and has a high fine of €250.
These 17th century steps are very expensive to maintain in their entirety, so the state has come up with this solution to slow down the rate of wear and tear and to protect them a little bit.
There are important historical buildings around it. Palazzo di Spagna, Piazza di Spagna & Trinità dei Monti Church, home to the Spanish embassies.
Another fresh pasta stop to try is Tonnarello:
Tonnarello is one of the most popular places in the city, often full despite the tables lining the entire street. It is not surprising to see a long line waiting at one end of the street.
It has an extensive menu of Roman cuisine classics. Snacks, pizzas & pastas. Pastas served in pans are the most popular items on the menu. You can come here to try Cacio e Pepe, Carbonarq and Amatriciana. Meals range from 9-15€. There are also house wines to enjoy with it.
The streets of Trastevere were one of the neighborhoods that impressed us the most on our trip to Rome. Of course, the fact that there are flavor stops on every street plays a big role in this. The name Trastevere comes from the river Tiber that divides the city in two. It means “beyond the Tiber” in Latin.
Botanical gardens, Villa Farnesina & Palazzo Corsini are the top places to visit in Trastevere.
Trastevere is very lively at night. You can meet for beer at Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fà and enjoy pizza + craft beer at Pizzeria L’elementare.
Another place in Rome where you can find quality, innovative & artisan bakery products is Forno Conti & Co. #fornocontico#kişnişvsroma #kişnişvesaire
The breads, pizzas and patisserie products are made with organic flour milled in local mills, sourdough and baked in stone ovens.
The products are available daily and the menus change frequently. Sergio, one of the founders, fills the shelves with fresh bread every day.
At the counter, croissants, cheesecakes, sandwiches, pizzas and the Roman classic maritozzi.
The place is very simple and cozy. If you want to sit down and have a snack, you can also try the toasts on their brunch menu.
We tried their pizzas, sandwiches made with focaccia bread and cheesecakes. The sandwiches and pizza were delicious.
Paninis for 7€, croissants for 2€, other patisserie products for 3-4€, and dishes from the brunch menu for 8-12€. Espresso-based coffees also range between 2-4€.
If you are planning to visit Basilica di San Giovanni in Laterano, this bakery will be a pleasant stop on the way.
Regoli Pasticceria from bakeries, Rocco Ristorante from restaurants and Drink Kong from bars are other stops you might want to make in this area.
Visited by millions of tourists every year, Rome is a metropolis with more than 20 neighborhoods. Most locals live in neighborhoods outside the ancient city walls. Beyond the city’s cobblestone neighborhoods, there are plenty of dynamics to explore.
On every trip, we try to get out of the city’s tourist centers and explore at least one neighborhood where the locals are the majority. Ostiense is the neighborhood we discovered in Rome!
In the south of the city, after Testaccio, this neighborhood was once one of the industrial centers of Rome.
Today, the region is booming with gastronomy initiatives and creative industries. Walking through the graffiti-covered facades, it is very possible to find yourself in an impressive trattoria or a new generation bakery.
One of the best ways to explore this neighborhood: Walk starting from the exit of the metro line where the ancient pyramid is located.
As you walk on the sidewalks of the neighborhood that come alive with street art, an industrial structure that we also know from Istanbul catches your attention: Gas Houses. These iconic buildings from Rome’s early 1900s have also been transformed as industrial heritage.
These gas houses host cultural events, street food, music performances and art gatherings.
You can also visit the Officine Fotografiche, a cultural center for photographers, and the Centrale Montemartini, one of Rome’s most unusual museums. Centrale Montemartini is a museum converted from the city’s first thermal power plant. There are also important stops for good food in this neighborhood. @marigold_roma, serving seasonal dishes and delicious bakery products – @trattoriapennestri, introducing us to Roman cuisine with creative touches – @cafemerenda_roma, where you can find delicious pastry products – Or @pizzeriaostiensefor pizza-lovers.
Ostiense is a good option if you want to explore a neighborhood away from the crowds and tourists on your trip to Rome.
