HO FAME. MANGIAMO ADESSO.
(I’m hungry. Let’s eat right now)
Yeah. I agree. Eating is the priority, right?
Before even getting into the (more) important living tips, I will introduce all the eateries that you can find in Rome first. Yes, food is the first thing you can save money from your budget, but come on…this is Rome, and you need to experience all these foods before you leave, because nothing will taste the same outside of Rome.
This list is just some suggestions – there are many more good restaurants to be discovered! Click on the links provided– they will lead you to the restaurant websites or indicate the location on Google Map.
Below is the general map of the places I will introduce in detail (each number corresponds to the description):
ATTENTION: the school building is located across the street from #9, a restaurant called Renato e Luisa.
Sunday Brunch (generally from 12-2pm)
1. Gusto
A quite nice restaurant for Sunday brunch. Serves lunch and dinner as well.
2. Bibli Café
Bibli is a big bookstore/café in Trastevere. Although everything is in Italian, the cozy atmosphere is perfect for a quiet homework sesh or reading. They have a good selection of beautiful childrens books too…
Monday 5pm-12am
Tuesday-Sunday 11am-12am (24.00)
3. John Bull Pub
An English bar in Rome, open from lunch until late at night
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107
Lunch
A worldwide Italian food chain that obviously started in Italy. Located right next to the end of tram rails. They even have a little take-out window! Good food.
5. Roscioli
A bakery & pizzeria near the Palazzo. In my opinion, their pizza is so good but somewhat overpriced except for the margherita pizza. Be careful when you order some non-margherita piazza—it could easily cost over €8!
Sick of all the pasta you have been eating every day? Here is the answer for you. Insalata Ricca has various types of fresh salads. They also serve typical Italian food (aka pasta and pizza).
7.That pizzeria in front of school (Pizza Florida, via Florida)
One of those common pizzerie a taglio (cut to order and sold by weight). Delicious, quick, and inexpensive pizza that you can find right in front of the school! Could be a bit crowded during peak lunchtimes but the line disappears quickly.
8. That old lady’s lunch place
This cute Italian lady cooks all the little side dishes, pasta, sandwiches, and meat every day. You can pick whatever you want, she will put (so much of) them on a huge plate, and microwave it for you. Very tasty homemade Roman cuisine only in €5-6!!! Take out is also available. ATTENTION: This place does not have sign, so I prepared a little map for you.
Corso Vittorio Emanuele, right before Via del Gesu
Lunch only
12:45-3pm? (the line gets very long all of sudden at 1pm, so get there a little to be in the front)
Dinner
Absolutely the best restaurant in Rome ever. Just happens to be in front of the Palazzo… You will get a chance to taste their food and wine during the wine tasting session early in the semester. They have limited seating, so you have to make a reservation a day before or even in the early afternoon before dinner. Basically everything they serve is their specialty. If you are a steak lover, you must try the filetto al porto con prugne secche (Beef filet cooked with sweet wine and prunes). ATTENTION: the menu is only in Italian—it would be a good idea to look up some vocabs before you go.
Dinners only
Tues-Sun from 7:30pm
066 869660
10. Pizzeria Panattoni
They have many tables laid out for dinner. Great place for a big group dinner. (Editor’s note: It’s known locally as l’obitorio – “the morgue” because of the long marble tables). Filleti di baccala (fried cod fillets) are good here!
11. Obika
A mozzarella bar that is quite famous. Located at Campo de’ Fiori and several other places in Rome. Things are not cheap, but you will learn much about mozzarella cheese here looking at the menu. The quality of food is very good, but each plate might be a bit too much cheese. They have air conditioning inside!!!!!!
Close to the Pantheon. Quite touristy but every single dish is good. If you do not make a reservation you will most likely to be seated in the basement.
13. Roma Sparita
Their Cacio e pepe (simple spaghetti with cheese and pepper) is SO GOOD. Other dishes are very good as well. I was obsessed with their carciofi alla giuida (Jewish style fried artichoke)… only available during winter season. This restaurant is popular among the locals as well – ATTENTION: the waiters can be very rude. The intense Italian grandpa’s temper is hard to predict, but the younger skinny waiter is always nice.
If you want to taste some seriously grilled Roman steaks go to this restaurant. Inside of an old tavern building, you can see the chefs grilling meat on large fire… Ladies probably can share a dish. Their olive-oil-soaked bruschette are something cannot be missed. Including drinks and a dish etc, the budget easily goes over 20 euros. They have a beautiful terrace where you can even listen to some nice singing from neighboring restaurants, but you need to make a reservation for outside seating on the weekends.
Closed on Mondays
06 588 1693
15. Riparte Café
A café at Ripa Hotel in Trastevere. Ripa Hotel is one of a few large-scale design residence hotels in Roma. They transformed a huge apartment building into a hotel; its architecture and design is quite impressive compared to its modest façade. Make a reservation for dinners though. Could be a nice lounge bar area at night.
(not pointed on the map image on this blog post–click on the google map link here!)
Via degli Orti di Trastevere, 1
Aperitivo
Aperitivo is a type of drinking/eating sesh that usually happens between 6-11pm, a sort of pre-dinner cocktail and snack. Just pay a small amount of money for your drink, and snack food is provided without a limit. Price varies depending on where you go. Of course the centro storico (basically around the school) is considered expensive (10-12 euros). There are numerous places in Rome, but I only have been to a few.
16. FLUID
A fancy bar type of place. Could be packed sometimes. Awesome drinks, and food is quite ok. Music can be too loud.
17. Artù (Art 2)
Nice interior, good food. Nice selection of music. Good for a larger group aperitivo.
Largo Maria Domenica Fumasoni Biondi, 5
-Sunny Kim
Dear Sonia,
My friend wants me to ask you if there are any gluten-free restaurants in Roma? She is worried that she will not be able to find anything to eat! Please help!
Your biggest fan,
Andrea
I’ll jump in here and advise you to tell your friend not to worry. Celiac disease is quite common and widely recognized in Italy. “Sono celiaca” is the phrase she needs to learn to avoid gluten.
– Blog Editor