The 12 Most Incredible Rome Restaurants

Whether it’s melt-in-your-mouth cacio e pepe or perfectly cheesy slices of pizza you’re looking for, you’ll find it at these delicious Roman dining spots.

If there’s any city in the world that you visit for the food, it’s Rome. Yes, there is the history, the romantic cobbled streets and the Italian wine scene, but let’s be honest – we’re here for pasta. And pizza. And bread, cheese, artichokes, olives… the list never ends. Rome restaurants are the stuff of legends, places where you all but recreate the When Harry Met Sally scene, over and again, as you indulge in al dente tagliatelle and creamy burrata.

The actual list of incredible Rome restaurants would be miles long and could never be written, but these are some current favourites we’ve recently tried and loved.

a historic alley in Campo de Fiori square — The romantic cobbled streets and the Italian wine scene make dining in Rome so unique.

1. Roscioli

Best for: Ticking a world favourite off the bucket list.

Chances are you’ve heard of Roscioli – it might be the most famous dining name in Rome. It’s also in a great, convenient location – right near Campo de Fiori.

the classy dining space at Roscioli — Book a table inside the classy dining at Roscioli. (Image: Andrea Di Lorenzo)

Part delicatessen, part Rome restaurant, the best way to order is to share a selection of creamy, fresh cheeses, sliced meats and pickles. Just be warned, it’s always busy – this is one restaurant you need to book way ahead!

dining at Roscioli, Rome restaurant — Roscioli is Ppart delicatessen, part restaurant. (Image: Andrea Di Lorenzo)

Address: Via dei Giubbonari 21-22, Rome

2. Osteria da Fortunata

Best for: Instagram photos – their serving ware is gorgeous!

TikTok has gone wild for Osteria da Fortunata, and while the hype means long queues and a lot of people snapping away at their food, it’s not unfounded. Known for its handmade pasta, it’s also a massive restaurant with expansive indoor and outdoor seating, so even if that queue is long, it won’t be difficult to get a seat.

Address: Via del Pellegrino 11/12, Rome

3. Gino Sorbillo Pizza Gourmand Roma

Best for: Eating the best pizza in the world, without having to visit Naples.

Gino Sorbillo is famous in Naples – known as one of the best places to visit for an authentic Neapolitan slice, with queues constantly out the door, even during torrential rain. If you’re not able to make it down south, you can get your pizza fix at the institution’s Rome haunt, which serves the same crisp, delicious slices as its original venue.

pizza on the table at Gino Sorbillo — Gino Sorbillo is renowned for serving authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Address: La Rinascente in Via Tritone 61, Rome

4. Supplizio

Best for: A quick bite to eat.

Suppli are delicious little rice balls, essentially the Roman version of arancini (which is actually originally from Sicily), and if you want to try one, you go to Supplizio. Founded by renowned chef Arcangelo Dandini, it’s a casual spot where you can sample a few different flavours, plus try other fried specialties before finishing with the only dessert you could possibly choose here, the absolutely outstanding crema fritta, also known as deep-fried Italian custard.

deep-fried crema frittas at Supplizio, Rome — Try Suppli at Supplizio. (Image: Clark Douglas)

Address: Via dei Banchi Vecchi 143, Rome

5. Trattoria da Cesare al Casaletto

Best for: Experiencing a side of Rome many tourists miss.

Looking to escape the bustling city crowds? Trattoria da Cesare al Casaletto is further out from the usual tourist spaces, but it’s worth the tram ride. Expect to rub shoulders with locals as you chow down on cacio e pepe, polpette and other traditional dishes.

Aglio Olio pasta at Trattoria da Cesare al Casaletto — Aglio Olio is a must-try pasta dish at Trattoria da Cesare al Casaletto.

Address: Via del Casaletto 45, Rome

6. Mercato Testaccio Roma

Best for: Those who can’t decide (try everything!).

There are two food halls everyone raves about in Rome – Mercato Centrale and Mercato Testaccio. We picked Testaccio because the neighbourhood is known for its fresh produce, so if you’re heading to Rome for the food, it’s a must-visit even just to walk around and pop into other stores. Open every day except Sunday, a few notable stalls worth heading to are Mordi e Vai for delectable sandwiches based on family recipes and Casa Manco for some of the best pizza you’ll ever eat.

Address: Via Aldo Manuzio 66b, Rome

7. Alfredo alla Scrofa

Best for: You guessed it – die-hard Alfredo fans.

Fettuccine Alfredo was born at Alfredo Alla Scrofa, so if you’re a fan of the creamy Italian dish, you cannot visit Rome without a meal here.

Fettuccine Alfredo at Alfredo Alla Scrofa in Rome — Fettuccine Alfredo was born at Alfredo Alla Scrofa.

This is the real deal – just two simple ingredients, sharp Parmigiano Reggiano, and loads of butter, all prepared right next to your table. We’re salivating just writing about it.

the dining setup at Alfredo alla Scrofa — Head to Alfredo alla Scrofa and dine on authentic Italian pasta.

Address: Via della Scrofa 104/a, Rome

8. Piperno

Best for: Admiring the decor.

We love a good family-run restaurant, especially one that has a history. Piperno has existed for over 150 years and is still housed in a stunning 19th-century building complete with frescoes and historic decor. This is where you come to try the Roman antipasto staple, fried artichokes. They’re a must when in town, and Piperno is known for doing them the best.

a fried artichoke on a plate at Piperno, Rome — Fried artichokes at Piperno are made to perfection.

Address: Via Monte dè Cenci 9, Rome

9. Felice a Testaccio

Best for: Laid-back, classic Italian.

While you’re visiting Mercato Testaccio, save room for lunch at Felice a Testaccio. A classic restaurant with a reputation for delicious, unfussy traditional dishes, you can’t go past the cacio e pepe; it’s a go-to for locals and visiting foodies alike.

a plate of Cacio e Pepe at Felice a Testaccio, Rome — Head to Felice a Testaccio and try their classic Cacio e Pepe.

Address: Via Mastro Giorgio 29, Rome

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10. Trattoria Da Enzo al 29

Best for: Romance among the fairy-lit Trastevere streets.

Trastevere is a fantastic neighbourhood to wander through on a warm Roman evening and is home to some of the best restaurants in Rome. However, there are a lot of restaurants, many clamouring for your attention. Da Enzo is an unassuming eatery with long queues because it just does traditional Italian so, so well. Pick anything on the menu, and you won’t be disappointed – portions are generous, so share a few dishes and roll yourselves home.

a Trastevere restaurant at an old street in Rome — Trastevere is a fantastic neighbourhood to wander through on a warm Roman evening.

Address: Via dei Vascellari 29, Trastevere

11. Osteria Nannarella

Best for: A long lunch with a few carafes of wine.

Another excellent Trastevere choice (and yet another TikTok favourite) is Osteria Nannarella, where you’ll find handmade pasta, cheap wine and crusty bread with rich Italian olive oil at prices that won’t haemorrhage the travel bank. Try to get an outdoor seat for the best people-watching.

Address: Piazza di S. Calisto 7/a, Trastevere

12. Dogma

Best for: Foodies who want to be in the know.

Dogma has landed a spot on many lists of the best Rome restaurants, which is impressive considering it only opened in 2022.

a fine dining setup at Dogma, Rome — Sit down for fine dining at Dogma.

Founded by celebrated seafood chef Gabriele di Lecce and sommelier Alessandra Serramondi, the restaurant is committed to ethical food sourcing and local produce and dedicated to grill-focused meals – even the tiramisu, which is a must-try.

a close-up shot of dessert at Dogma, Rome — Make room for dessert.

The combination of a skilled seafood chef and talented sommelier means the wine pairings are perfection, too.

a close-up shot of pasta at Dogma, Rome — Dogma serves comforting pasta dishes.

Address: Piazza Zama 34, Rome

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.

The 12 most incredible Rome restaurants, from pasta to antipasto