Where to Eat in the Historic District in Rome - My Favorite Restaurants & Wine Bars

You did your research and are seeing the top sights in Rome… but did you find out where to eat next to them?

Let me help! Eating around Italy is my job and although it’s easy to get caught in a tourist trap in Rome, I can help you avoid that mistake.

Let’s look at my recommendations for where to eat in the Historic District in Rome. These are all places I have eaten at personally or have been recommended by dear Roman friends.

From time-honored trattorie to modern cafes, these places offer an authentic taste of Roman cuisine, each with its own unique charm and specialties. Whether you prefer tradition, like a modern take, are vegan or have other special diets, I have a spot for you!

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Map of Where to Eat in the Historic District in Rome

Quick Guide

Name	Best For	Reference Attraction or Landmark
Salumeria Roscioli	Carbonara & takeaway	Campo de’ Fiori
La Pace del Palato	Eating on Holidays (Bank holidays) in Italy	Piazza Navona
PierLuigi	Seafood	Ponte Giuseppe Mazzini
Da Francesco	Dining on a side street	Piazza Navona
Armando al Pantheon	Historic restaurant in Rome	Pantheon
Piccolo Buco	Pizza	Trevi Fountain
Il Panino Ingegnoso	Sandwiches	Trevi Fountain
Pandalì	Travelers with dietary restrictions	Pantheon
Il Goccetto	Wine lovers	Campo de’ Fiori
Cesare Al Pellegrino	Traditional Roman food	Near Ponte Giuseppe Mazzini
Enoteca il Piccolo dal 1980	Aperitivo with small bites	Piazza Navona
Hosteria Grappolo d’Oro	Traditional Roman slow food	Campo de’ Fiori
Supplizio	Cheap eats (street food)	Ponte Giuseppe Mazzini
Barnum	Brunch	Campo de’ Fiori

Where to Eat in the Historic District in Rome in Detail

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

Tip: Pre-book your table by calling or booking online. Because they are located in the busiest area of Rome, they fill up fast.

Salumeria Roscioli

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*

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

Best For: Carbonara in Rome

Originally a neighborhood grocery and takeaway, Roscioli has transformed into a full-service restaurant with a rowdy crowd (think business men, blue collar workers, tourists, grandmas and grandpas, kids).

Its walls are lined with rare Italian delicacies and an impressive wine collection which are for sale, making for excellent food gifts and souvenirs.

With versatile seating, from the casual salumeria counter to a basement cellar and small tables on the main floor, Roscioli is perfect for a family meal or just a glass of wine.

Good To Know: Roscioli is famed for having some the best carbonara in the city and you can also get pre-prepared foods to go for a night in or a picnic.

La Pace del Palato

Address: Via del Teatro Pace, 42 (Close to Piazza Navona)

Best For: Holidays in Italy

La Pace del Palato offers innovative dishes served in a rustic-chic setting featuring arches and exposed brick.

Their special holiday menus, including a New Year’s or Easter menu, makes it the perfect restaurant for travelers in Italy during the holidays.

PierLuigi

Address: Piazza de’ Ricci, 144 (Near Ponte Giuseppe Mazzini)

Best For: Fresh, high-quality seafood

PierLuigi is where I go in Rome if I am craving seafood.

This chic and upscale restaurant serves beautifully prepared seafood dishes including a raw seafood menu, fresh fish of the day and plenty of seafood first courses.

Keep in mind that it is expensive.

Da Francesco

Address: Piazza del Fico, 29 (Close to Piazza Navona)

Best For: Dining on a side street

Da Francesco is a straightforward trattoria tucked away on a quiet side street in Piazza del Fico, perfect for getting off the main drags.

Offering traditional Roman dishes with both indoor and outdoor seating, it’s perfect for a relaxed meal in a family-friendly environment.

Armando al Pantheon

Address: Salita de’ Crescenzi, 31 (Close to the Pantheon)

Best For: Historic Roman restaurant

Armando al Pantheon has been around forever and is one of those don’t miss restaurants for first time travelers in Rome.

The atmosphere is warm and friendly adorned with vintage photographs showcasing past celebs.

Their fettuccine con le rigaglie (pasta with chicken giblets) and the cacio e pepe capture the essence of old Roman culinary traditions built upon simplicity.

Piccolo Buco

Address: Via del Lavatore, 91 (Near the Trevi Fountain)

Best For: Pizza anytime

A hole in the wall pizzeria near the Trevi Fountain, Piccolo Buco serves Neapolitan-style pizzas with a thick, fluffy crust.

With mostly indoor seating (plus a few outdoor tables when the weather permits), it’s an ideal stop for a pizza any time of the day.

They do not accept reservations so plan to wait in line or eat at a-typical meal times.

Pizza Basics: To learn more about pizza in Italy, check out
Ordering Pizza in Italy
Authentic Italian Pizza Toppings
How Do Italians Eat Pizza?
Do Italians Eat Pizza With a Fork?
Where to Eat Pizza in Florence – Venice – Rome
What is Pinsa? and Where to Eat Pinsa in Rome

Il Panino Ingegnoso

Address: Piazza di Pietra, 35 (Close to the Trevi Fountain

Best For: Sandwiches

Ideal for a grab-and-go meal, Il Panino Ingegnoso offers a variety of delicious sandwiches.

With only a few stools available, it’s perfect for a quick bite on the run rather than a leisurely sit-down meal in the historic center of Rome.

Pandalì

Front entrance to Pandali restaurant in Rome, Italy. Two large glass windows and one also has a door. Inside are tables.

Address: Via di Torre Argentina, 3 (Close to the Pantheon)

Best For: Casual, gluten-free and vegan meals

Pandalì is one of the most centrally located gluten-free bakeries and cafés in Rome.

It has an allergen-friendly Mediterranean menu with a wide selection of gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan pizzas, pastas, and starters, making it my top pick for gluten-free travelers and vegan travelers in Rome.

With separate kitchens for gluten-free preparation and AIC accreditation, it’s safe even for those with the strictest diets.

Il Goccetto

Address: Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 14 (Near Campo de’ Fiori)

Best For: Wine lovers

Step past the vintage “Vino e Olio” sign hanging over the entrance to Il Goccetto and discover a cozy wine bar set in a 16th-century building.

With over 60 wines by the glass and hundreds of bottles adorning the walls, this spot is perfect for wine tasting and enjoying a few cold cuts or cheese plates.

Good To Know: Most seating is indoors although there are a few benches to sit on outside.

Cesare Al Pellegrino

Entrance to closed da Cesare restaurant in Rome.

Address: Via del Pellegrino, 117 (Near Ponte Giuseppe Mazzini)

Best For: Traditional Roman food

Cesare Al Pellegrino is a classic Roman restaurant known for its intimate, low-ceiling interior and rustic Roman cooking.

The mood here is ideal for a quick lunch at one of their small tables. In fact, a lot of their clients are businessmen and women.

Enoteca il Piccolo dal 1980

Address: Via del Governo Vecchio, 74-75 (Near Piazza Navona)

Best For: Small bites and a broad wine selection

This quaint enoteca near Piazza Navona offers an intimate setting with about five indoor tables and several outdoor options on warm days.

With a simple menu featuring around 10 red and 10 white wines by the glass, along with a selection of antipasti like salumi and cheese plates, it’s a great place for a pre-dinner snack and aperitivo.

Hosteria Grappolo d’Oro

Address: Piazza della Cancelleria, 80 (Campo de’ Fiori)

Best For: Traditional Roman slow food

A Michelin guide favorite, Hosteria Grappolo d’Oro is a slow-food trattoria that delivers high-quality, authentic Roman cooking in a casual setting.

With a focus on seasonal ingredients and classic flavors, it’s the perfect spot for those looking for a home cooked meal with attention to locally sourced ingredients.

Supplizio

Address: Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 143 (Near Ponte Giuseppe Mazzini)

Best For: Street food in Rome or budget bites.

Supplizio is the go-to spot for traditional supplì—crispy, golden rice balls filled with gooey mozzarella, ragù or other Roman flavors.

This “hole in the wall” eatery is a must-visit if you are on a budget in Rome or looking for a quick and filling snack.

Barnum

Address: Via del Pellegrino, 87 (Close to Campo de’ Fiori)

Best For: Specialty coffee with brunch

Barnum is an international café in the historic District of Rome serving up some of the best coffee in the city as well as baked goods and an excellent brunch menu.

With a vibrant atmosphere and a mix of traditional and innovative drinks, Barnum is perfect if you are looking for a little taste of home or want to eat out of traditional Italian mean times.

Note that it tends to be busy, so plan to wait in line!