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What to wear: Casual
What to order: Cacio e Pepe
About: Located in the city center, this Roma restaurant serves locals and travelers alike. Book ahead to sit inside or at one of the patio tables on the stoop.
Panzenella salad with artesenal bread or sautéed chicory greens are great choices to start a meal before diving into pastas like artichoke ravioli with guanciale, cacio e pepe, or a special like pumpkin with soft egg. There are no wrong choices here- now mangiare!
12/28/25
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What to wear: Casual
What to order: Diavola
About: Pizza! This dine in pizza restaurant was recommended by our hotel concierge and was deliziosa for lunch. We tried the margarita, diavola, and a house specialty with Roman artichokes and egg. Jet lagged? Get a coffee to start and a tiramisu to end on a sugar high that will keep you touring all the way through dinner.
12/29/25
Alfredo alla Scrofa Restaurant
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What to wear: Semi Casual
What to order: Fettuccine Alfredo
About: Enjoy Fettuccine Alfredo made table side by career waitstaff in the restaurant that invented it. The artichoke salad was simply delicious, the steak was very good, and the other pastas delightful, but nothing beat their signature dish. We tried the original and one with truffle- both were delicious. Grazie Alfredo!
12/29/25
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What to wear: Semi Casual
What to order: Pata Negra Pizza
About: One of our tour guides suggested the local pizzeria. It was a five minute walk from the city center but was where the action was- Pizza, calzone, bruschetta, flatbreads galore. The bustling restaurant was busy with fast talking Italian’s at lunch with friends, colleagues, and family. The Pata negra pizza and calzone were offered as favorite along with “the Matrix” and of course, a Roman artichoke. What was really special is that the sources of the tomatoes (pomilia, officina vesuviana) cheese (fiordilatte by Terra Roma, pecorino romano lopez 12 month) and meats (guanciale from Amatrice) were prominently and proudly displayed on the menu.
12/30/25
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What to wear: Dressy
What to order: White truffle tasting menu
About: A room with a view and four tasting menus to choose from. What’s not to like about white truffles on everything overlooking the Colosseum at night? I ordered the seafood menu while I got to eat the meat and truffle dishes thanks to my family. Highlights were the white truffle risotto and the tenderloin of venison. If you want to enjoy a delicious contemporary Italian meal overlooking the iconic Roman architectural ruins, Aroma is the perfect option.
12/28/25
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What to wear: Dressy
What to order: You’re in the Chef’s hands
About: Asian-Roman fusion? Idyllic indeed. This restaurant is fun, and not just because I was there to ring in 2026. Delicious starters including lobster dumplings and shrimp and black truffle pasta; mains including wagyu steak with potatoes and sautéed greens; and of course desserts like chocolate crusted in gold leaf were beautiful and impeccably made, helping it be a very Happy New Year!
12/31/25
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What to wear: Casual
What to order:
About: Il Forno means oven and bakery depending on the context, so you will find Fornos all over Rome. This one on Campo dé Fiori was introduced to us by a food tour guide (thank you Mattio with Katie Parla Gourmet Experiences) and we went back multiple times. The pizza can be seen being concocted by the mater bakers through the window while you enjoy what you bought outside in the bustling square. White Pizza Bianca with mortadella or bresola and rocket, and Pizza Rosa are classics for an Italian lunch on the go. Finally, fresh from the oven, Pizza Bianca with potato—trust me—is not to be missed.
12/31/25 & 1/1/26
Sofia Pizza Napoletana
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What to wear: Casual
What to order: Pizza Diavola
About: Tired of Roman style pizza? Never! But a nice juxtaposition is to try a Neapolitan style, which comparatively is thinner and less crisp. Sofia Pizzaria serves it up just as they do in Naples —and super quickly given it only talks 90 seconds in the oven. We had the idea to order one at a time, which is forbidden, so the staff can turn over tables quickly—so don’t even ask. We ordered the spicy pizza diavola and burrata margarita and were full, happy, and on our way next door for gelato in mere minutes. On the way stop to look at the beautiful basilica across the street.
1/1/26
Gelato
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What to wear: Casual
What to order: Try it All
About: Gelatarias, Rome. The mission, should you choose to accept it, is Roman Gelato.
I went to to Rome about 8 years ago and one of my best memories is this Italian sweet treat and so I made it my goal to try as many places as I could over the 6 days I was in the city.
A historic place in the heart of old Rome that is dine-in (a must) or take away. It can be crowded but is worth the effort for gelato, coffee, or the other sweets served up for generations. Flavors ordered: champagne, raspberry, pistachio, caramel, and cream.
GELATERIA DEL TEATRO
No wait here after a late dinner, but there should be. This may have been my favorite of the lot— due to so many chocolates from around the globe.
Go where the locals go— or where your food guide sends you. Amazing flavors, no wait, pure deliciousness including pistachio, tangerine, and a ton of chocolates, from milk chocolate to 100% dark.
A line around the corner? No thank you. But I waited anyway… and must say it was worth the 15 minutes. They run a tight ship, but it’s just so popular and centrally located that everyone is in line. Two types of stracciatella, yogurt naturale, and arancia rossa, and this place will let you taste the flavors before you buy! The only problem is that you can also get it all in over 50 other cities.
GELATERIA ARTIGIANALE CORONA
Dessert with a view of some ruins? Yes, please! Quick and a solid choice when in the area. Plenty of flavors to choose from including: lemon, mango, hazelnut, and pistachio.
IL MYO GELATARIA
Unassuming so don’t pass it up. All natural low sugar— at least I think that’s what is advertised in Italian. Really good quality with lots of choices— we tried pistachio, chocolate, mango, and pineapple with coconut.
Mission accomplished.
12/27/25-1/2/26
Teen Gourmand 