Local restaurants in Rome

Hi, this question gets asked a lot, a search in the bar above reveals these at first glance- (I only included the searches from last 2 years, as so much has changed since 2020.) https://search.ricksteves.com/?button=&date_range=2y&filter=Travel+Forum&query=Rome+restaurant&utf8=%E2%9C%93

This entry is on the main Forum page just across from your question. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy-reviews/rome-restaurants-9f815ac6-173b-451f-a55a-12913848433f. And for what it's worth, I agree with responses in the other thread, you're a tourist, expect to see tourists where ever you choose to eat. Here are a few we liked on our last 2 visits -

Osteria de Sostegno, near the Pantheon, was our absolute fav but didn't get there this trip. MUST reserve, or show up when they open for lunch, haven't been for dinner. https://ilsostegno.it/

Bocano, housed in a former bank, not cheap but elegant and nicely situated close to Trevi Fountain. (Open all day and no need to book ahead.) It's on the expensive side, but service and food are great. If you're there by 12:30, no need for a reservation. I would book if you're there later or after 6PM. https://www.baccanoroma.com/home_page_en/

Ditirambo- near Campo di Fiori, you can make reservations on line and it opens early for dinner, which was a plus for us. REALLY fun waitress, blue hair, fluent English. Great Roman classic menu. www.ditiramboristorante.it/

“Pizza In Trevi’ - Best pizza we had was pizza by the slice right around the corner from the Trevi fountain. We’ve always gone in the takeaway side but there’s also a sit down place next door. Go early.

Piccolo Vicolo next to Hotel Smeraldo turned out to be a gem. The best pasta of the trip, AND they had amazing salads as a main course.

I had delicious meals last month including an excellent lunch at La Piccola Cuccagna, Via della Cuccagna 14 just south of Piazza Navona and a fantastic dinner at Enoteca e Taverna Capranica, Piazza Capranica 104, further east and north of the nearby Pantheon. Should you head to the Colosseum, Naumachia Ristorante at Via Celimontana 7 was about 5 minutes south of the site, and was wonderful. Further south of that eatery in the same neighborhood (though only open for dinner) I devoured fabulous thin crust wood fired pizza at Li Rioni A Santiquattro, Via dei SS Quattro 24. My research on rooftop or terrace bars led me to Monti Palace Hotel Via Cavour 185, Tiziano Terrace. Didn't get there but it sure looked terrific featured in The Tour Guy (previously The Roman Guy) video on dining in Rome. Buon viaggio e buon appetito!

I forgot to mention if you have time for a food walking tour, Eating Europe offers one of Testaccio, a working class neighborhood about 15 minute taxi ride from center, where there are really only local eateries.

We really liked Elle Effe, a couple blocks south of Piazza Navona in Campo d’Fiore. Good luck!