This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate and associate of other programs, we earn from qualifying purchases. This means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Having visited Rome on a number of occasions, you always feel the cultural side of the city somehow takes precedence over all else. There is the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and the Trevi Fountain. Every corner you turn, there seems to be another must-visit museum. However, next time you visit, you should shine a spotlight on their culinary scene. With an abundance of talent, we look at the best restaurants to visit next time you are in the Eternal City.
1) Aroma, Palazzo Manfredi, Rome
You can combine culture with culinary delights when you dine at Aroma, situated at Palazzo Manfredi, a 17th-century villa turned boutique hotel. It has arguably the best view of any restaurant in Rome. You get front-house seats to the majestic coliseum. The price point is higher than similar one-Michelin-starred restaurants, but just the romantic historic setting alone makes dining at this restaurant a priceless experience. The restaurant has a chic, contemporary feel and has a rooftop garden-style setting. The restaurant has both retractable walls and ceilings, offering unobstructed views of the surrounding area.
If you judge food on the plating, this would be a three-Michelin-star affair. Every ingredient is meticulously plated and presented with elegance and artistic flair. There is almost always greenery or edible flowers on every dish. There is a careful layering of flavours to give each dish added complexity.
Their tasting menu isn’t particularly long at five courses. Alternatively, you can choose to pick a fish-focused tasting menu, a meat-focused tasting menu, or a vegetarian-focused tasting menu. Those options are four courses. Highlights from the seafood option include a Gran Riserva aged risotto with Champagne and scampi. That means they are using premium, high-quality Carnaroli rice, which has been aged from one to seven years.
Click here to visit their website.
2) Gigi Rigolatto Roma, Orient Express La Minerva, Rome
Another restaurant with scintillating views is Gigi Rigalatto Roma. It is situated inside the first hotel in the Orient Express portfolio. You get panoramic views of the Pantheon and the historic city centre. You can admire all the glory of the Roman skyline, including views of nearby rooftops and St. Peter’s Dome. Furthermore, you feel like it is an ultra-trendy restaurant, where you see and be seen. Do not approach unless you have the latest designer sunglasses and a tailored shirt to match.
The decor exudes a golden age glamour that is very much in keeping with the Orient Express theme. Only the finest marbles and the most polished brass are on display. It exudes an effortless high-end luxury vibe and lets diners live that “dolce vita” experience.
The menu has all the crowd-pleasers but with elevated execution and the finest of ingredients. The spaghetti vongole has been perfectly twirled with tongs in the kitchen, so not a single strand of pasta is out of position. They’ve used bottarga to add savoury, umami notes to the dish. The red prawn carpaccio has a refreshing citrus dressing, which makes it the perfect dish for the summer months. Unsurprisingly, there is the offer of Beluga caviar for those looking for a special treat.
Click here to visit their website.
3) Glass Hostaria, Trastevere, Rome
If you want to meet a Michelin-starred chef with real charisma, you have to head to Glass Hostaria and chat with Chef Cristina Bowerman. She has trademark pink hair and is the only female chef in Rome to have earned a Michelin star. The restaurant is situated in a former carriage workshop and in the vibrant district of Trastevere. Don’t be surprised if you are greeted by a glass of Veuve Bonneval Brut Rosé on arrival. You suspect pink might be Chef Cristina’s favourite colour.
What you will notice immediately on arrival is the high ceilings of the restaurant. Then you will notice the very contemporary light fixtures, which help to shine a spotlight on the dishes as they arrive. The modern design is very much in keeping with the style of Chef Cristina’s dishes. It’s Italian, but it’s innovative, and she’s willing to push the boundaries. Her gyoza dish might sound oriental, but the ingredients have very much European roots – Savoy cabbage, apple butter, celeriac and liquorice demiglace.
What is surprising is the diversity of her tasting menu. One moment you might be enjoying a refreshing amberjack sashimi with leche de tigre, and the next moment, you will be having a umami-rich “Amatriciana” stuffed ravioli. You get a burst of guanciale richness with every bite. She also offers a vegetarian tasting menu, with her vegetarian wellington widely regarded as the highlight.
Click here to visit their website.
4) Achilli al Parlamento, Centro Storico, Rome
The words “hidden gem” could not be more apt at describing this historic restaurant. Achilli al Parlamento is hidden behind the unassuming facade of a wine shop and rows of wine bottles in a historic enoteca environment. With parliament only a stone’s throw away, you can imagine this wine shop is frequented by local politicians of all persuasions. Once you walk into the restaurant, you will notice a more luxurious and intimate setting for this one-Michelin-starred restaurant. There is beautiful, warm wood panelling as well as cosy leather seating.
The restaurant only earnt their latest Michelin star in the 2025 Michelin Guide. Under the stewardship of the talented head chef, Pierluigi Gallo, they’ve created a menu that fits perfectly with their extensive wine collection. They might be the only Michelin-starred restaurant that can offer over 100 wines by the glass. Instead of Prosecco, they are more than likely to serve you refined Revì Blasè Trentodoc. It is made in the traditional method. It has high freshness, which is perfect to get your palate ready for the tasting menu.
Chef Pierlugi has various signature pasta dishes. There is the “senza spaghetto alle vongole”, which recreates the classic spaghetti vongole dish. However, instead of spaghetti, you have a signature tortelli with a clam and parsley oil emulsion filling. He also has an indulgent spaghetti dish with lemon, smoked provola cheese and saffron, which is cooked in the style of a risotto.
Click here to visit their website.
5) LUCIANO Cucina Italiana, Centro Storico, Rome
Finally, for more pasta delights, but in a relaxed and modern environment, make sure you pay a visit to LUCIANO Cucina Italiana. The mastermind behind this restaurant is Luciano Monosilio. He is a renowned Michelin-starred chef, often known as the “King of Carbonara”. They have perfected a precise technique to pasteurise the egg yolk and cheese mixture to deliver a silky, perfectly emulsified sauce. Apart from the high-quality pasta and guanciale, they also add the perfect blend of Pecorino Romano and Grana Padano.
The restaurant has an open kitchen concept, so the atmosphere is always lively. They have a hip cocktail bar, “Veleno”, downstairs, and they even have a dedicated pasta laboratory. Other dishes to consider include their organic beef tartare with mustard and truffle, which is especially fresh and tangy. The amatriciana is also a standout, primarily because of the high quality of the guanciale, which adds an umami pop to every mouthful.
Click here to visit their website.
Why not check out my article on The Top 5 must-visit fine dining restaurants in Hong Kong, click here to read the article.
