Mamma Mia – Pasta in Rome – Where Should you Eat Pasta in Rome?
Rome For A Traveler – Rome Blog
There's no need to search far for a comforting plate of Italian pasta in the undisputed land of carbohydrates. In Rome, pasta is everywhere - from small neighborhood trattorias to renowned restaurants serving traditional Roman pasta recipes passed down for generations. The chances of tasting a bad pasta dish here are almost as low as finding bad fries in the Netherlands.
Because in Rome, pasta is more than just food - it’s a culinary tradition. In this guide, we’ll introduce you to the world of Italian pasta and the iconic Roman pasta dishes you must try, from classic local recipes to the best places in the city to enjoy them. Come hungry and get ready to discover the true taste of Rome.
- Haleli Amiad - Romio Team
- June 22, 2022
Roman Pasta
Bolognese comes from Bologna, Pasta alla Norma with eggplant was born in Sicily, and pesto pasta famously comes from Genoa. But what about Rome? What are the traditional dishes that define the city’s pasta culture?
In the capital of Italy, several iconic recipes were created right in the region of Lazio, and today they are served in trattorias and restaurants across the city. These classic dishes are not only staples of Roman pasta cuisine, but are also considered some of the most popular pasta in Italy. In the next section, we’ll introduce the authentic Roman pasta classics that every visitor should try while exploring the culinary scene of Rome.
Amatriciana – rich tomato sauce, guanciale (pork cheek), Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper.
Alla gricia – guanciale, Pecorino Romano and black pepper – Amtriciana’s white sister.
Arrabbiata – tomato sauce with garlic and chili pepper cooked in olive oil. If you are a spicy lover, ask the waiter for extra hot pepper (peperoncino piccante).
Carbonara – yolk sauce, Pecorino Romano, guanciale and black pepper.
Cacio e pepe – Pecorino Romano and black pepper.
Best Pasta in Rome
Pasta Restaurant in Rome
Osteria Barberini
Address: Via della Purificazione 21
This wonderful restaurant lies in the Barberini area. Its menu includes the traditional pasta dishes (and other options). The highlight is truffle mushrooms in many variations, so you can order both the classic carbonara and fettuccine with porcini mushrooms and grated black truffle mushrooms on top. The truffle in Osteria Barberini goes well with both excellent meat dishes and carbs that are not pasta, such as risotto or lasagna.
Armando Al Pantheon
Address: Salita de’ Crescenzi 31
The fantastic restaurant is located in the heart of the city and as such attracts many tourists, but don’t let it deter you – it’s not a tourist trap! This old place has been pleasing the palate of its diners for over 60 years, and offers all the familiar pastas alongside original ones. Meat and fish lovers will also find their place here.
Felice a Testaccio
Address: Via Mastro Giorgio 29
The Testaccio neighborhood is between the Trastevere neighborhood and Circus Maximus, and it is an exciting culinary area in general. Felice a Testaccio offers a relatively standard menu, but don’t let that fool you – this place has been running for almost 90 years and still fills tables as one of the trendy restaurants. The pastas here are delightful one by one, but the “lead” pasta is the Caccio e Pepe which is wrapped in a creamy sauce that will leave you longing for more.
Tonnarello
Address: Via della Paglia 1/2/3
The restaurant in the Trastevere neighborhood is almost always decorated with a long line of hungry knowledgeable people. This is a real institution offering a menu full of good, rich, large and satisfying dishes. Alongside the familiar classics you’ll find pasta with pesto, pine nuts and cherry tomatoes and pasta with meatballs. The dessert section is just as impressive as the pasta section, don’t skip it!
Da Gino al Parlamento
Address: Vicolo Rosini 4
The restaurant near the parliament is right in the historical center of the city, and despite its location offers a menu with more reasonable prices, and provides great value for money. The restaurant attracts many politicians due to its location but also due to the fact that it is simply excellent. It offers real classics and not just in the pasta section, which makes it a must stop!
Il Marchese
Address: Via di Ripetta 162
With a meticulous atmosphere and a beautiful design, Il Marquesa is a restaurant-bar and one that is all about the purity of Amaro cocktails. This is a more modern place than most restaurants in the city, and also a little more expensive. Alongside carbonara or amatriciana, you will also find pasta such as fettuccine with wild boar ragout and chocolate crumble, or pasta with butter and Parmesan. The dessert section includes pistachio tiramisu or boiled pear with white chocolate. Some choices are really hard to make!
This is just a small list of Romio’s recommended pasta restaurants in Rome, and the good news is your chances of eating at a restaurant and not be satisfied are pretty low. At the end of the day, Italy is the culinary kingdom of pasta (and in general), so you don’t have to stick to the list or to Google at all. The Trastevere and Monti neighborhoods are known as areas where it’s hard to “fall”, for example. Follow the scents or the long lines. It is important to say that you should make a reservation in advance for the most famous and recommended restaurants – you can do it through the restaurant’s website, over the phone, or through apps such as TheFork. Do not forget that in Italy as in other European countries, the siesta is habitual. The restaurants close around three in the afternoon, and reopen only in the evening, so between an attraction and a museum pay attention to the clock, so you don’t stay hungry. Romio team 🧡
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