Where To Eat Carbonara In Rome - Picks For All Budgets

Last updated on February 24th, 2025

If you’re visiting Rome, indulging in some of the most famous pasta in the world is an activity in itself. So don’t worry, I’ve taken it upon myself to do the tasting for you to find out where to eat the best possible carbonara in Rome.

Carbonara, perhaps Rome’s most iconic pasta dish, is creamy and silky. It’s blended together with Pecorino Romano cheese, egg yolks, black pepper, crispy guanciale (bacon) and plenty of starchy pasta water to bring it all together. It’s an absolute must-try for first time travelers to Rome.

I’ve been living in Italy for over a decade, so it’s time to share my favorite spots to eat Carbonara in Rome.

Good To Know: In all honesty, however, good carbonara is easy to find in Rome so if these places are too full, have a long line or out of your way, don’t despair. Keep your eyes out for casual, family-run trattorie and you’ll surely eat well.

Roscioli Salumeria

wide angle shot of an enoteca in Italy with several tables in middle with people drinking wine and shelves on either side lined with wine for sale. — *Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina in Rome*

Via dei Giubbonari, 21 (Near Campo de’ Fiori)

Originally a neighborhood grocer and takeaway joint, Roscioli has evolved into a full-service restaurant and serves up some of the best typical Roman food, including carbonara. Its narrow, bustling space features walls lined with Italian delicacies, perfect for food souvenirs and gifts, and an extensive wine collection.

They are also all well known for their cheese and meat selection, making it ideal for people with special diets or who don’t feel like pasta.

Eating in Italy Basics: If you are curious to know more about navigating dining in Italy, you may be interested in
How To Order Food In Italian
Tipping In Italy – When & How Much From A Local
What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge
A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy
How To Order Food In Italian
Italian Meal Structure

Pasta Lovers: You may also be interested in
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Armando al Pantheon

Brown awning with name of restaurant (Armando al Pantheon) and multiple stories above it with window shutters open.

Salita de’ Crescenzi, 31 (Near the Pantheon)

Armando al Pantheon is one of Rome’s historic trattorie that has been around forever, still run by the same family and serving up the same traditional Roman dishes for decades. Its interior is warm and cozy, decorated with vintage photographs documenting its important history and clients throughout time.

Although hard to get into (pre-booking 100% necessary), it’s worth it because of its prime location and amazing carbonara, perfectly cooked every time. It is, however, a bit more expensive than other casual eateries of similar nature due to its location.

For Traditionalists: If you are a traditionalist at heart, this is the place for you as well as first time restaurants in Florence.

Trattoria Da Enzo al 29

Crowd of people walking in front of and sitting at tables on the cobblestone street of da Enzo restaurant in Rome.

Via dei Vascellari, 29 (Trastevere)

Trattoria Da Enzo is one of the places I can’t get enough of, no matter what kind of food I am craving. This small, casual family-run trattoria is lively and cozy with some of the best carbonara in Rome (and at a decent price!). This is one of those small places that I recommend to all my friends and family who are looking to dine with the locals and have a down-to-earth Roman dining experience. They have some outdoor seating but most is indoors.

Alternative: If Trattoria Da Enzo is full, try Trattoria da Augusto or Osteria da Zi Umberto.

Checchino dal 1887

Front entrance of Checchino restaurant in Rome. Red building with green awning and wooded doors. Brick arch above door. Cobblestone street in front.

Via di Monte Testaccio, 30 (Testaccio)

Run by the Mariani brothers, Checchino dal 1887 is one of the most famous restaurants in Rome to eat carbonara at. It’s off the beaten path (and thus, a bit of a hike to get to), located close to the Testaccio market, but in a place like Italy, this is only a good thing. This is not only one of the best places in Rome for carbonara but also other traditional Roman pasta dishes such as cacio e pepe and amatriciana.

La Carbonara

Entrance to La Carbonara restaurant in Rome. Black sign above entrance, which is wooden with glass windows.

Via Panisperna, 214 (Monti) with a second location at Campo de’ Fiori, 23 (Historic Center)

Established in 1906, La Carbonara is one of the city’s historic restaurants with some of the best carbonara around. The atmosphere is unpretentious and warm, encouraging diners to leave reviews on the wall (which is always fun, especially for families and kids). Full of both locals and tourists alike, La Carbonara is another great option for casual dining within the city center.

Tip: The location in Monti is a bit less touristy than the location in Campo de’ Fiori (by this I mean filled with more locals).

Pipero Romano

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 250 (Close to Piazza Navona)

Best For: A Michelin-starred take on traditional carbonara

Piperno Romano is where you should go if you are looking for a special, high end dining experience in Rome. This 1-star Michelin restaurant has a modern take on carbonara without straying too far from the original flavor and recipe. It’s quite expensive and elegant and pre-booking is a must! And like every other Michelin restaurant, you can count on choosing from their sampling menu or ordering à la carte.

Flavio Al Velavevodetto

Front entrance to Flavio al Velavevodetto in Rome. Red awnings over dining area and a lot of bushes between the dining area and the street.

Via di Monte Testaccio, 97 (Testaccio)

Although slightly outside the main downtown area of Rome, I had to include Flavio Al Velavevodetto for their great pasta dishes, in particular, the carbonara. Rich and creamy, it’s known to be some of the best in the city.

This restaurant is a classic Italian refined trattoria experience with white table clothes but with good, home cooking side by side locals. If you like the idea of getting off the main tourist areas, you could spend the morning at the Testaccio market and pre-book a table for lunch here (be sure to tell them you want indoor or outdoor seating).