As someone who’s spent 3 years living in Rome (and plans on more), I have gathered a handful of my favorite places. If you’ve ever met an Italian in your life, they’ve probably told you that they have the best cuisine in the world. And as bold as that may sound, they are not wrong. But the problem is that many places promoted on social media for tourists aren't even that good. Plus, the prices will make the food taste even less appetizing. Over the years, I’ve tried many places, and while I’ve fallen for tourist traps myself, I’ve still discovered some real gems that I am more than happy to share. Let’s start!

Antica Osteria di Pietra

The restaurant is located in the central Pantheon area and hidden among the countless tourist traps, but it is worth it. The place isn’t very spacious, but it is typical for Italian restaurants to be compact and cozy—there’s a certain charm in that. If you visit during warm weather, you can find a spot outside and soak in the lively atmosphere of a Roman evening while enjoying your meal. Their menu has interesting dishes of cacio e pepe pasta with pistachios and carbonara with truffle, along with many other main plates and appetizers. You can also enjoy some pizza.

While it is not Neapolitan-style pizza, it is one of the best I’ve tried in Rome. I recommend getting an Aperol Spritz on the side, too, just to get the whole experience. Besides their cozy atmosphere and great food, the restaurant has friendly staff. Waiters will always help you choose a dish and offer recommendations, while the owner might treat you to shots of limoncello after dinner. Visiting Antica Osteria di Pietra on a warm summer evening was honestly one of the best memories for me.

Pastasciutta

As someone who has been both a tourist and a local in Rome, I understand that some places can be a little too expensive. But the good news is that most of the typical popular places aren’t worth it, and you can find much better alternatives instead. I present to you Pastasciutta—a small restaurant that exclusively serves pasta in the center of Rome, in the Flaminio area near Piazza del Popolo. It has other locations too, but this one is central and more convenient. They have all the classics—spaghetti al ragu, pesto pasta, pasta with truffle, and many others, all costing 6-7 euros.

You can even choose the pasta shape yourself! The magic of this place isn't in its prices or even the goodness of their pasta—it’s in the fact that you can see your dish being prepared through the glass kitchen windows. I’ve been there more times than I can count, and even after going to the most popular pasta spots like Osteria da Fortunata, I can confidently say this is one of the best I’ve had. The pasta is also prepared very quickly, so if you feel like it, you can get takeout, walk to Villa Borghese park nearby, and enjoy your pasta while sitting on the grass and admiring the view. It’s amazing, honestly.

Gelateria La Romana/La Rivareno/Fassi

If you're in Italy, then after trying pasta and pizza, having gelato is a must. Unfortunately, many central places are full of “gelaterias” that are specifically made for tourists and do not serve authentic Italian gelato. If you’ve seen them, you know they usually offer a lot of flavors and pile on excessive toppings to make the gelato look more appealing. But in the real gelaterias, you typically don’t even see the gelato—it’s kept in containers and closed with a lid. You can see the flavor names and descriptions in the pictures. To be honest, for my first 1.5 years in Rome, I didn’t even know these gelaterias existed. But after a few Italian friends introduced me to them, I haven’t gone anywhere else.

There are a few, but I recommend checking out “Gelateria La Romana”, “La Rivareno” and “Gelateria Fassi”. And if you’re worried about choosing the wrong flavor, don’t be; all of them are usually good. Also, workers often offer you small spoons to taste the gelato before deciding on the flavor, so be assured that you’re making the right gelato choices.

Trattoria Luzzi

If you want to dine in the center and not give away your kidney, then definitely check out Trattoria Luzzi. It is a family-owned restaurant that has a huge choice of authentic Italian dishes at great prices. But the best thing about this trattoria is that it is located near the Colosseum. If you manage to find a spot outside, you can enjoy your dinner while also looking at Rome’s greatest attraction. I’ve been there a few times and have tried almost every type of dish—lasagna, tortellini, pasta, and obviously pizza. If you visit, definitely try a few things out—their prices are quite affordable for the central location, and the dishes are really good. After getting the main dish, I also recommend trying out their homemade tiramisu for dessert. While Rome has many popular tiramisu places like Pompi and Mr. 100 Tiramisu, I recommend trying out the classic homemade versions. They are the most authentic and honestly too good.

Scholars Irish Pub

While it is not a typical place for a dining experience, I still included it here mainly because I myself enjoyed going there. It is a bar located near Piazza Venezia, one of the most central locations in Rome. Scholars Bar isn’t special because of its drinks or food, but it is appreciated for its atmosphere. Especially during a football season, it’s very atmospheric with all the people gathering there to have beers and watch the game. It can be quite loud and crowded, so if you plan on going, do so in advance. You can also take a walk down Piazza Venezia and enjoy evening Roman views after having a few drinks.

The Sanctuary Eco Retreat

While this isn't a place for a gastronomic experience, it is a great place to spend the evening if you want to go out for a drink. Sanctuary is located not too far from the Colosseum, and its hidden spot suits the place’s mysterious atmosphere. The tables are mostly located in the open air, scattered around the area with an outdoor pool sitting in the center. The decorations and music create a sense of retreat, while unique performances heighten the experience. Their drinks mostly cost around 10 euros and more, which might be a bit pricey, but the experience is worth it. If you love to dance, there is a dance floor inside, where you can also find spots to sit down with your friends.

Once, I even saw a group of people doing tarot card readings inside while a guy dressed in colorful clothing was performing a very impressive tea ceremony outside. There is also a great deal on Sundays: you pay for your drink and the buffet is free. It includes typical Italian dishes, but they also have sushi and interesting appetizers. My main recommendation is to always come earlier because there are usually too many people, and you can miss out on the buffet. In any case, this is a cool place if you want a night out but are not a fan of loud, crowded nightclubs.

Pigneto bars

While most of the places I recommended are central, I also have some spots further away. If you want to have a typical Italian aperitivo, then I recommend you visit the Pigneto area. It is located near the green metro line and has a lot of bars that are really great. I discovered them because one of my friends used to live in the area, and we’ve been to way too many bars there. One of the best was “da Mario” because of its unique buffet offer. You pay 10 euros, which includes one drink plus unlimited dishes. You can take the regular antipasti—the appetizers—then decide on pasta and pizza choices; usually, they differ depending on the day. You can also have main courses like chicken/pork and potatoes or some couscous on the side, but by that point, I am usually too full to even think about it.

However, additional drinks are not included, and if you don’t finish your food, you might be charged extra, similar to an all-you-can-eat concept. So, I recommend being really mindful of your portions. Besides this bar, there are many others, and you can just walk through the area, look at the menu, and choose the one that fits your preferences. Regardless of your choice, you will definitely enjoy the experience.

Bar Meccanismo

If you’ve been to Rome, then you have heard about the Trastevere area—a crowded and lively place where people like to gather in the evenings, no matter the day of the week. It’s popular for its countless bars and restaurants, many offering unique aperitivo deals. While you can walk around, soak up the atmosphere, and choose a bar of your liking, I would recommend checking out Bar Meccanismo. It is located near the entrance to the area, and if you sit outside, you can definitely see the street where people gather around, playing music and dancing.

On a summer evening, it is particularly magical. The bar itself offers a unique deal of 12 euros per person, including one drink and a huge “tagliere”—a” board containing lots of typical Italian antipasti: pizzette, suppli, meats, cheeses, and many other good snacks. Honestly, despite it being an aperitivo, you can get full just from the serving itself. If you want to have the typical Roman experience, definitely check it out! (And don't forget to admire the dancing crowd.)

Rome has far too many incredible places to offer, but in this guide, I’ve included the ones I was lucky enough to discover. So, if you ever find yourself in the Eternal City one day, definitely check out some of these spots—I guarantee they’ll make your travel more authentic and unforgettable. As I continue to uncover more hidden gems in Italy’s beautiful capital, you can count on this page for more reviews to come. A presto! (See you soon!)