While ancient gods ruled Rome’s skies, modern gods rule their plates. Yes, we’re talking about pasta. The creamy, comforting plates of eggy goodness are well worth our worship, whether you prefer slurping spaghetti or consuming carbonara. When in Rome, it’s easy to lose yourself in the labyrinth of pasta restaurants nestled between the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and Sistine Chapel. Eager to narrow down these options for an evening of dreamy Italian cuisine? Read on to discover some of the best pasta restaurants in Rome, tried and tested by our specialists...
- Armando al Pantheon
- De Cesare al Casaletto
- La Matricianella
- Hostaria Romana
- Osteria Da Fortunata
- Da Enzo
- De Felcie a Testaccio
- Alfredo alla Scrofa
- Tonnarello
- Colline Emiliane
Armando al Pantheon
It’s true; food tastes better with a view. But at Armando al Pantheon, the pasta is so good that the city becomes an afterthought. As the name suggests, this family-run restaurant is a stone’s throw away from the Pantheon, a 2,000-year-old temple and one of Rome’s best-preserved monuments. However, the view won’t be the most impressive thing when dining here. Their creamy carbonara, infused with smoky cured pork and paired with champagne, is impossible to pull your eyes, fork and attention away from. And there’s an added bonus – it’s one of the few places in Rome to offer gluten-free pasta.
De Cesare al Casaletto
Leave behind the restaurants sitting shoulder to shoulder with Rome’s hotspots, because our next best pasta restaurant in Rome is a top-secret eatery. De Cesare al Casaletto is a short drive from Rome’s centre, greeting guests with a smattering of tables across a vine-covered patio. Be sure to order a plate of their fried gnocchi; it’s hard to resist the crispy, potato nuggets seductively scattered over a bed of melted pecorino.
La Matricianella
Complete with checkered tablecloths, La Matricianella is Rome’s answer to an authentic Italian dining experience that doesn’t cost a fortune. Inside, you’ll find a mixing pot of locals and tourists (without a chair to spare) digging into dishes from the spicy penne all’arrabbiata to the creamy gnocchi ala romana. Wine enthusiasts will rejoice at the extensive – if not a little overwhelming – wine list, which the waiters will be eager to talk you through to help pick your poison.
Hostaria Romana
For a taste of the sea in the heart of Rome, look no further than Hostaria Romana. This charming yet unassuming restaurant specialises in seafood dishes, with their spaghetti alle vongole being a standout favourite. Picture perfectly al dente spaghetti tossed with plump, briny clams, garlic and a hint of chilli flakes, all bathed in a fragrant white wine sauce. For fun beyond the food, guests are invited to grab a pen and add to the tapestry of doodles and signatures over the walls, adding a quirky twist to this seafood spot.
Osteria Da Fortunata
Savour Italy’s cultural heritage at Osteria Da Fortunata, where recipes made from local ingredients have been handed down through generations. Each plate of pasta boasts perfectly balanced flavours, showcasing the marriage of simplicity and sophistication that defines Italian cooking. What makes it one of the best pasta restaurants in Rome? Watching the chefs work their magic as they knead, roll and cut the pasta dough right before your eager eyes.
Da Enzo
In the heart of Rome’s Trastevere district lies a culinary gem: Da Enzo. This Roman trattoria (a more casual restaurant) boasts a menu filled with Italian classics, but their standout dish is undoubtedly the unfussy amatriciana. Originating from the nearby town of Amatrice, this pasta dish features a rich tomato sauce infused with guanciale (cured pork cheek) and a generous sprinkle of pecorino cheese. The cosy, rustic atmosphere of Da Enzo only adds to the authenticity of the dining experience, and we recommend visiting at the end of your trip to end on a pasta-fuelled high.
De Felcie a Testaccio
Rome and cacio e pepe go together like France and fine wine, and you’ll find the city’s best bowls at De Felcie a Testaccio, a no-fuss Italian restaurant where the pasta is tossed at the table. This addictive dish proves that flavour doesn’t have to be complicated – just three simple ingredients create it: spaghetti, aged pecorino Roman cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Along with the exposed brick walls, wooden furniture and cosy ambience, visitors and locals are invited to taste a forkful of Rome with this dish.
Alfredo alla Scrofa
Since its birth in 1914, visitors have flocked to Alfredo alla Scrofa for its signature dish – the iconic fettuccine Alfredo. The story goes that Alfredo Di Leilo (the restaurant’s founder) wished to create a delicious dish for his pregnant wife who’d lost her appetite. He grabbed butter, parmesan cheese, fettuccine pasta and a spoonful of love, and the rest is history. The velvety sauce has drawn in celebrity clientele and food enthusiasts for years and rightfully makes its mark on our list of the best pasta restaurants in Rome.
Tonnarello
Named after the thick, ribbon-like pasta it specialises in, Tonnarello embodies what all good Italian restaurants should: atmosphere, flavour and tradition. Located in Rome’s Trastevere district, this rustic restaurant is in the heart of the action, with seats spilling onto the streets to accommodate crowds of hungry customers. Waiters treat guests like family and the menu comforts both pasta connoisseurs and newbies with silky carbonara and robust amatriciana.
Colline Emiliane
After you’ve tried and tested (and fallen in love with) Rome’s signature pasta dishes, head to Colline Emiliane for something different. While their egg-rich tagliatelle and tortellini are the quintessential dishes of Italy’s Emilia region, their green lasagna packs a peculiar punch. Spinach is added to the dough, creating green layers slathered with meat ragout, béchamel and parmesan cheese. To top off your fresh pasta feast, wander just a few steps from your table to toss a coin over your left shoulder into the Trevi Fountain (and wish of your return to all of the best pasta restaurants in Rome…).
Written by Evie Buller | Header image by Faustine Poidevin.