We will be in Rome for our 10th wedding anniversary and I am looking for recommendations for a reasonably priced, authentic restaurant for dinner that evening. Nothing too fancy, or dressy, ideally al fresco.
We will have done a tour of the Vatican that afternoon, and are staying in the Pantheon neighbourhood, so I am thinking of something in either or those areas, but we could also do Monti, or Campo de Fiori.
Thanks very much.
I haven’t been to Rome (yet - we are heading there in June for the first time), but here are some recommendations from an Italian colleague:
Armando al Pantheon. This is a very old typical roman restaurant. Prices are decent and the quality is excellent. Is now becoming somehow touristic, also given where it is, but it has maintained the traditional soul – highly recommended.
http://armandoalpantheon.it/
Roscioli – this is both a restaurant or a place where you can just get an excellent glass of wine and a selection of prosciutto, salami, mortadella and cheeses at the highest quality you have ever had (all at the bar). Is expensive but is definitely worth it. The restaurant is also excellent
http://www.salumeriaroscioli.com/restaurant/
For some affordable seafood restaurant with a roman tradition you could go to the below place in Borgo Pio, near the Vatican. Have not been there for a while but I used to live on that street and back in the days was going there often
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d1061432-Reviews-Da_Benito_e_Gilberto_al_Falco-Rome_Lazio.html
Finally, if you are looking for a Michelin star restaurant, have recently been here and really liked it.
http://www.glass-restaurant.it/en/
Or Il Pagliaccio - in front there is also one of the best vineria in Rome called “Il Goccetto”.
http://www.ristoranteilpagliaccio.com/
First of all, congratulations on your anniversary!!!
Second, I'm sure somebody here will offer you an amazing suggestion. My suggestion is not based on any restaurant in Rome, but more on having been married a billion years.
IF something happens that day - a cab strike, a bus delay, etc. - and for some reason you can't make it to the restaurant of your choice on the exact day of your anniversary, treat yourselves to a dinner at a place that looks good to you. You and your loved one will be together IN ROME. Seriously. How cool is that? And if for some reason, your anniversary day plans are changed, you can always have the extended celebration tomorrow. The next day. The day after that.
We've leaned from years of experience, not to put too much stress on the actual day of any celebration. If something doesn't go to plan, you can always celebrate again...and what could be better than celebrating twice?
Have a great trip, and happy anniversary to you both!!
brianandjulie2423, thank you for the suggestions. Armando al Pantheon looks wonderful!
aquamarinesteph, thank you very much. I hear you loud and clear. 16 years later, I have also learned not to get too attached to anything being “perfect”. I felt silly even asking how to make being in Rome “ special”.
My wife and I just celebrated (belatedly) our 25th anniversary in Italy last week! On our last night in Rome, we had dinner at Taverna Trilussa, in the Trastevere neighborhood, just a few blocks across the river from Campo de' Fiori. Everything we ordered was excellent! We were staying right near the Pantheon, so it was a short 10-15 min. walk. Couldn't have imagined a better last meal in Rome. Will definitely be going back.
It's not too fancy, and pretty reasonably priced. Have your hotel call ahead for reservations. We wanted 8:00, but had to settle for 7:00. It was quiet when we got there, but by the time 8:00 pm rolled around, the place was packed. Looks like there are lots of other great places in that area, so I'm sure you can't go wrong. Still marveling at how they make such simple pasta dishes so good!
I second the recommendation for Trilussa. If you want to go to Testaccio, you can try flavio al velovevodetto. I liked it very much.
Taverna Trilussa looks wonderful! Thank you.
The al fresco seating at Piperno looks lovely - more of a courtyard setting instead of on the sidewalk:
http://www.elizabethminchilli.com/2015/06/eating-outside-in-rome-piperno
For Armando al Pantheon you need to make reservations well in advance. Check their website to reserve or have your hotel book you a reservation for dinner there.
