Best of Rome
Where locals eat in Rome
Start with Armando al Pantheon in Pantheon for amatriciana, Da Cesare al Casaletto in Gianicolense (Casaletto) for cacio e pepe tonnarelli and Felice a Testaccio in Testaccio for bucatini all'amatriciana. Here are all 12, with what to get at each.
- Armando al PantheonPantheon · Carbonara
Get: Amatriciana
A historic Pantheon-area trattoria that cooks the classics properly; book up to a week ahead.
Da Cesare al CasalettoGianicolense (Casaletto) · Cacio e pepeGet: Cacio e pepe tonnarelli; fried potato gnocchi in cacio e pepe sauce
A neighborhood favourite out beyond the center that does the sauce two ways, as fresh tonnarelli and as gnocchi.
- Felice a TestaccioTestaccio · Cacio e pepe
Get: Bucatini all'amatriciana
Called the more authentic amatriciana, on a menu that rotates by day of the week.
Flavio al VelavevodettoTestaccio · CarbonaraGet: Carbonara
Cooked over flame with one whole egg per portion, yet still creamy; set in the Monte Testaccio hillside.
Da Enzo al 29Trastevere · Roman trattoriaGet: Carbonara, cacio e pepe, and the carciofi alla giudia in season
A tiny trattoria whose queue is as famous as its carbonara. Tiny Trastevere trattoria packed with locals, known for cacio e pepe and classic Roman dishes.
- TrapizzinoTestaccio · street food
Get: Chicken cacciatore or meatball trapizzino, potato croquette
Stefano Callegari's pizza-pocket invention, at the original shop.
- Pizzeria Ai MarmiTrastevere · Roman pizza
Get: Pizza romana and a fried baccalà filet
Locals call it the obitorio (the morgue) for its marble tables.
- Pizzeria Da RemoTestaccio · Roman pizza
Get: A pizza romana (very thin), with fried supplì to start
Roman thin-crust pizza in Testaccio, unchanged in decades. Beloved Testaccio pizzeria with paper covered tables, known for thin crispy Roman pizza and a lively, noisy crowd.
- Trattoria Da TeoTrastevere · Roman trattoria
Get: the gricia. A family trattoria in the quieter side of Trastevere
Classic Trastevere trattoria with a loyal local following, known for carbonara and hearty Roman staples.
- AugustarelloTestaccio · Roman offal
Get: the rigatoni con la pajata. An old Testaccio trattoria for Roman offal dishes
Old school Testaccio trattoria specializing in offal and Roman classics like trippa and coda alla vaccinara.
- Grappolo d'OroCampo de' Fiori · Roman trattoria
Get: the amatriciana and the polpette. A neighborhood trattoria off Campo de' Fiori
Comfortable trattoria near Campo de' Fiori serving traditional Roman dishes like cacio e pepe and saltimbocca.
- Trattoria PennestriOstiense · Roman trattoria
Get: the coda alla vaccinara. A modern Ostiense trattoria with a seasonal menu
Modern Ostiense trattoria blending Roman classics with inventive touches, loved for pasta and thoughtful wine pairings.
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Save the whole listAsk Chef for morePlan my Rome food tripWhere locals eat in Rome: questions people ask
What are the local restaurants in Rome?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Armando al Pantheon (Pantheon), Da Cesare al Casaletto (Gianicolense (Casaletto)) and Felice a Testaccio (Testaccio). All 12 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Armando al Pantheon, get amatriciana. At Da Cesare al Casaletto, get cacio e pepe tonnarelli; fried potato gnocchi in cacio e pepe sauce. At Felice a Testaccio, get bucatini all'amatriciana. At Flavio al Velavevodetto, get carbonara.
Which neighborhood is best for local restaurants in Rome?
Most of these are in Testaccio and Trastevere. The map on this page shows every one, numbered like the list.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Rome: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Rome
Local restaurants in other cities
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.