Where to Eat Near Rome’s Top Sights – 7 Must Try Spots
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Rome has over 13,000 restaurants. That’s not a typo. That’s a delicious dilemma. So unless you’ve got a few spare years and a bottomless stomach, narrowing it down can feel like trying to pick your favorite gelato flavor (spoiler: impossible).
On my recent trip, I didn’t just eat, I researched with gusto. I found charming, crowd-pleasing, budget-smart spots near Rome’s biggest sights that even solo travelers (or jet-lagged, hangry wanderers) will love.
This isn’t a food list written from Google reviews or TikTok trends. These are places I actually ate at, where I sipped, savored, smiled, and occasionally stared at my plate like I’d just fallen in love.
Ready to eat your way through Rome without falling into a tourist trap? Fork first, let’s go.
Lunch Without the Vatican-Sized Crowds: All Brothers Wine Barll Brothers Wine Bar
After spending the morning marveling at Michelangelo and maneuvering through Vatican-sized crowds, we were starving. It seemed strangely difficult to find a place to eat! Finally we found All Brothers Wine Bar: the first place we found that didn’t have a line or a menu priced like it came with papal blessings.
This spot is no-frills but hits the mark. Think crispy pizzas, generously stuffed paninis, and icy beers that feel like salvation on a hot Roman day. My sandwich was simple but satisfying, and the beer? Cold enough to make me forget I’d been sweating since 9 AM.
It’s casual, quick, and no one even blinked at our sweaty, slightly shell-shocked Vatican look. If you’re solo, it’s an easy stop with outdoor tables perfect for people-watching and regrouping before your next sightseeing sprint. Not the fanciest meal of my life, but exactly what I needed at that exact moment. And honestly? That counts.
The Coffee Spot That’ll Ruin Starbucks Forever: Sant’ Eustachio Caffeant’
If you’re even mildly obsessed with coffee, or just need something strong enough to reboot your jetlagged soul, this place near the Pantheon is your new hang out.
Sant’ Eustachio has been caffeinating Romans (and now, lucky tourists like us) since 1938. It’s a standing-room-only kind of spot unless you want to splurge for a seat outside. But trust me, the bar is where the magic happens: you pay first, then hand your receipt to the barista like a secret password. Seconds later, you’re handed a tiny cup of liquid gold so smooth I considered crying.
I sipped. I smiled. I bought a bag of beans and a magnet because I was already nostalgic. It’s a bit chaotic inside, but if you’re solo, it’s a low-stress, high-reward experience. Just think how you can brag about this back home (and enjoy your friends exhasperatedly rolling their eyes at you). “Oh, you had Starbucks this morning? I had a Roman espresso from a place that’s been perfecting it for 80 years.”
Rooftop Views + Jazz Vibes: Maio Restaurant & Rooftop
This find was one of the highlights of my last Rome visit! It’s a rooftop bar/restaurant at the top of the glamourous Via del Tritone Rinascente Department Store. We had a 10 AM reservation on a weekday and had the place to ourselves. Cool jazz music (think: Sade), panoramic views of the Eternal City, no crowd… perfection!
It was fun to browse the department store afterwards. Be sure to go to the basement level where you can see part of the Aqua Virgo aqueduct (from 19 BC!) Rome is soooo cool!
Rome’s Best Gelato: Gunther Gelato
I didn’t just find Gunther’s. It came highly recommended by someone who knows Rome like the back of their espresso cup. There are 4 locations in Rome. We were all delighted by their gelato and the opportunity to get a small cup with 3 different flavors. Yes, three. As in, no need to choose between pistachio, dark chocolate, and fig—get them all and feel gloriously indulgent.
And because I can’t help myself, here’s a little gelato vs. ice cream 101 (because yes, there’s a difference and yes, I’m that person now). Basically, it’s the Italian upgrade you didn’t know your dessert game needed.
Though the word “gelato” actually means “ice cream” in Italian, they are quite different. Here’s a summary:
| Ice Cream | Gelato |
| More cream, less milk | More milk, less cream |
| Creamier | Richer and denser |
| Egg yolks | No egg yolks usually |
| 15 to 25 percent fat | 5 to 10 percent fat |
| More air | Less air |
Pasta Dreams Are Made of This: Osteria Da Fortuna
Osteria Da Fortunata (Lucky Tavern!) is a five minute walk from the Piazza Navona, right next to the Campo de’ Fiori. This is a great place to try traditional dishes. Amazing Carbonara, THE pasta dish to have in Rome! Another favorite was the Tagliolini Cacio E Pepe, a dream come true for kids or lovers of “basic” food.
I thought their dishes were so cute I asked if I could buy one, even though they don’t typically sell them. They sold me one for 10€, and it sits proudly on my kitchen counter, reminding me every day of our wonderful meal there!
Michelin Star Food + Colosseum View = Worth the Splurge: Aroma
If you’re looking for fine dining in the Eternal City, Aroma is an amazing Michelin star restaurant on the top floor of Hotel Palazzo Manfredi. It has a postcard perfect view of the Colosseum from its sheltered outdoor deck. We splurged big time on this dinner and it was worth it! The view overlooking the Colosseum at and after sunset was priceless. Being a Michelin star restaurant the food wasn’t too shabby either!
If you’re saving one night in Rome for something truly special, something that confirms that “this trip was worth it”, make it this.
Cocktails, Ice Cubes, and a Wine Vending Machine: La Fata Ignorante
La Fata Ignorante (The Ignorant Fairy) is a fun restaurant, with delicious espresso martinis, on the top of the iQ Hotel. The seating is indoor or outdoor, overlooking the Opera House. The food, drinks and atmosphere were all stunning! They focus on following the seasonality of the fresh produce they serve.
One of the most memorable things about this place was the wine vending machine near the restroom! 😄 I’d never seen such a thing before! Across from the vending machine they had two wine bottle openers available. Such a fun reminder that I “wasn’t in Kansas anymore!” (Not that I’ve ever been to Kansas.).
As you may know, in the US we tend to have ice with any cold drink, but that is not common in Europe. Being there in July, I was desperate for ice water constantly. I asked for ice with my water at this restaurant and they brought a tiny bowl with 3 tiny ice cubes. So, the other super exciting find on my way to the restroom was the hotel’s ice machine! I was able to get a good sized cup of ice to bring back to the table for all of us. I felt like I’d struck gold!
In Conclusion: Rome Wasn’t Eaten in a Day
There are few better ways to spend a day (or a week… or a life) than hopping from one delicious Roman spot to the next. Whether you’re sipping an espresso that puts your local coffee shop to shame or eating pasta that could make you weep, Rome delivers—bite after beautiful bite.
If you’ve got a favorite Roman restaurant that didn’t make this list, I want to hear about it! Leave a comment, I’m always collecting excuses to return.
And if you’re planning your own Roman holiday, don’t miss my guides to Rome’s Must-See Sights and Rome Travel Tips. Between the ancient ruins and rooftop martinis, you’ll be living your best gelato-fueled life in no time.
As a gal who is lives in Kansas, I can confirm, we do not have wine vending machines! haha Great post! And I am excited to return so I can check out all these yummy places, buy a plate and get wine out of a vending machine 🙂
So, I might be showing my lack of poshness, but that beautiful bowl of carbonara from Osteria Da Fortunata is calling to me just as much as the fine dining options!
I have only visit Rome once, long before we had phones with maps and we *still* found so much fabulous food. I have a feeling that almost everything made in that city is good to eat! Ahhh you left me hungry after reading this!
This made me miss Rome, time to go back 🙂
Your post brings back good memories. We had a not-so-great experience in Rome’s old town with a tourist restaurant and then a fantastic cheap and good meal at Termini station market. So you never know 🙂 Also, thanks for explaining the difference between ice cream and gelato – had no idea!
This is such a good selection of food spots – that Carbonara at Osteria Da Fortunata looks SO YUM!