RESTAURANTS

Restaurants

Rome is delicious and affordable when it comes to dining out, and while everyone in the world may be sure they've had their fill of Italian food, they've never had it like this before. Italian food prepared in the Italian tradition is strong on flavour, meagre in ingredients and high(er) in calories.

The typical meal is accompanied with a bruschetta ammazzavampiri (garlic canapé) and grated cheeses. Not surprisingly, pastas and pizzas are provided in abundance, the local varieties of which are not to be missed. Red meat and seafood dishes in the international tradition are also on offer but are more expensive and come in less generous servings.

There are three main kinds of restaurant in Rome. An osteria is an informal gathering spot serving basic spaghetti meals and some wine. Trattorie are more languid bistro fare, offering large meals in a homely setting. A ristorante offers the white table-clothed, silver spoon and wine-list dining experience preferred by the more lavish living among us. All three can be found in the popular districts of Centro Storico, along Via Cavour and around Stazione Termini, the Borgo district near the Vatican offers the cheapest options in Rome.

Breakfasts in Rome, as in most of Italy, are minimal and people rarely leave the house for their first meal of the day. The main event is lunch, which sees restaurants open between 1pm and 3pm and most locals enjoy their lunch breaks in three courses!

La Terrazza

$$$$$

Michelin-starred La Terrazza serves some of the city's finest cuisine, along with sweeping views over the Seven Hills of Rome and Michelangelo's dome of St Peter's. Executive Chef Adriano Cavagnini is dynamic and creative, having worked at Harrod's and cooking for the Al Fayed family, as well as for members of the British government. A seasonally changing menu includes modern Italian cuisine, fresh seafood dishes and creative flavours of the Mediterranean that are light and delicious. Reservations essential. Open for lunch and dinner daily.

Address: Hotel Eden, Via Ludovisi 49 (Via Veneto); E-mail: reservations@hotel-eden.it; Telephone: (06) 478 121

La Rosetta

$$$$$ | Fish

Possibly the best seafood restaurant in Rome, the cuisine at La Rosetta is world-class. A selection of marinated seafood appetizers, such as squid with ginger and French beans, is the best way to appreciate the flavours, followed by one of the superb pasta dishes dressed with fish or seafood. The menu includes almost every type of Mediterranean fish, grilled or roasted to perfection, and desserts such as the ricotta cheesecake with honey are worth saving space for. Reservations essential. Open for lunch and dinner Monday to Saturday.

Address: Via della Rosetta 8 (Piazza Navona); E-mail: info@larosetta.com; Telephone: (06) 686 1002

La Pergola

$$$$$

This sophisticated rooftop restaurant boasts a spectacular view of the city below, and has an elegant setting with candlelit tables and impeccable service. Many Roman food critics claim it is the best restaurant in the city, which is attested to by a list of regulars that includes Prince Rainier of Monaco, Bruce Springsteen and Glen Close. Food is the very best of Mediterranean haute cuisine and each dish is a work of art in presentation and taste. A sundowner at the chic cocktail bar is a fine way to start the evening. Reservations essential. Closed Sunday and Monday. Dinner only.

Address: Hilton Hotel, Via Cadlolo 101, San Pietro; Telephone: (06) 350 9221

Alberto Ciarla

$$$$$

This is one of Rome's best fish restaurants and owner Alberto Ciarla puts priority on finding the freshest fish for the à la carte menu and the six tasting menus available. Near the entrance is a lavish display of seafood on ice. Original dishes include a variety of seafood pastas and fried, grilled or roasted fish from the Mediterranean, and the trademark sea bass fillet prepared in various special ways. Closed Sunday. Dinner only. Reservations required.

Address: Piazza San Cosimato 40, Trastevere; E-mail: alberto@albertociarla.com; Telephone: (06) 581 8668

Agata e Romeo

$$$$$ | Italian

For a gourmet treat, this charming restaurant is elegant yet relaxed, run by a husband and wife team who produce outstanding Roman 'nouvelle cuisine', exceptional desserts and a fabulously stocked wine cellar. Roman specialities include broccoli pasta in skate broth, a gourmet version of a traditional vegetable soup, or sheep's cheese flan with a dried fig sauce. An Agata e Romeo taster menu allows one to sample a variety of specialities, and includes wine. Closed weekends. Reservations recommended.

Address: Via Carlo Alberto 45 (Termini); Telephone: (06) 446 6115

Ai Tre Scalini

$$$$$ | Italian

Small, unpretentious and serving top-quality Roman cuisine, Ai Tre Scalini is one of the nicest restaurants in the area close to the Colosseum. The small menu is a gourmet experience, from the cheeses and salamis to porchetta and cacio al coccio, complemented by the wide variety of wines on offer. Reservations required. Closed Mondays. Open from 6pm.

Address: Via SS. Quattro 30; Telephone: (06) 709 6309

Arancia Blu

$$$$$

Arancia Blu offers Rome's best vegetarian fare in a trendy, friendly atmosphere. Individual dietary needs are catered for as staff assist in redesigning menu suggestions to suit everybody's tastes. The dishes are inspired by country Italian cuisines and include things like potato and mint ravioli, or eggplant parmigiana in a pastry crust. There is an excellent dessert menu and extensive wine list. Open for dinner daily. Reservations recommended. Credit cards are not accepted.

Address: Via dei Latini 55-65 (Via Veneto); Telephone: (06) 445 4105

Il Leoncino

$$$$$ | Italian

This tiny pizzeria is immensely popular and one of the best for the distinctive thin and crispy-based Roman pizza. The service is quick and the food delicious, including starters like crostini topped with anchovies, cheese and ham. Closed Wednesday. No lunch weekends.

Address: Via del Leoncino 28 (Piazza di Spagna); Telephone: (06) 687 6306