Good meals in Rome / packing for April weather

I would say keep an eye out a week before your trip and see which direction the temps might be trending. I wouldn't be surprised if you didn't nail down what wardrobe to pack until a day or two before. I was on a trip to Italy April 26-May 10 one year and halfway through our trip we were in Florence and it was SO COLD AND RAINY. Like 40 degrees. NOT COOL (yet COLD haha). We were in Campania earlier in the trip and it was probably in the 70s (and colder when we were up the mountain hiking on the path of the gods!) and we had to decide which days to do what as the weather was unpredictable with rain, over 4 days it went from cloudy to sunny to windy to a splatter of rain I think. I wouldn't expect to be in shorts, and definitely bring a windbreaker/rain jacket just in case.

For Spring in Europe, plan for any eventuality. Could be cold and rainy, could be warm and sunny, and in Rome, you could get both in the same day. Check the weather right before you leave, but if you're staying more than a few days, it's a crapshoot. I always take layers and a raincoat.

Don't be afraid to ask at your hotel for good nearby restaurants, because they make those suggestions all day every day. Yes they might get a kickback but if the restaurant is what you're looking for, who cares?

Also keep your eyes open as you walk around, after a short while you'll be able to separate the real deal from the tourist operations. Don't travel for miles to follow up on a recommendation when there are going to be good choices just around the corner.

And if you do happen to end up in a place that caters to tourists, oh well - welcome to travel. It's just one meal out of many in your life.

In the Monti area not far from your hotel is Ristorante Broccoletti on via Urbana. We have eaten there on our last two trips to Rome and very much enjoyed it. And yes locals plus the menu on a blackboard:)

I always recommend a waterproof rain jacket with a hood. I have a lighterweight one for Italy than I take on my Northern Europe vacations but any will do.

IF you are staying at Hotel Sonya and are in the mood for Asian food, (yes, Asian, lol), I had a good meal at Ristorante Zonwa Roma at 46 Via Firenze which is about a 5 minute walk. I was there in Oct 2022. We had 3 Asians on our tour, 2 who were originally from Vietnam and 1 from China. They thought the food was very good and I think they all ate there twice, hahaha! There were some big families in there when I had dinner and it seemed as if the staff knew them.

It's been well before Covid since I ate at La Gallina Bianca on Via Antonio Rosmini which is just a short distance away. The front desk of another hotel recommended it. It felt very authentic then as we were the only English speakers and their carry-out menu was doing a brisk business with various uniformed policemen coming in to pick up a stack of pizzas on that Friday night.

A forum friend recommended Nerone on Via Viminale to me saying it was wonderful but I did not get around there to eat last trip.

Have a great time!

On the left side of the Termini is a huge food hall. Very varied cuisines. Not all sit down. You could try a couple different things in one nice place.