"Best" Restaurant in Rome?

I think there are so many delicious restaurants that you will not have a difficult time finding good food. However, if you are looking for a unique dining experience, I would suggest having dinner at any of the restaurants by the Pantheon, especially Thurs/Fri/Saturday. At night, performers take turns singing and playing music and they are all extremely talented (more so than in the other squares. Maybe there is some unspoken rule that only the really good performers go by the Pantheon?) Last time I was there, this gentleman sang "Con te partiro" and it was so amazing I got chills and tears in my eyes. And that is not my preferred genre of music. But a warning- you will pay at least double what you would pay for some other restaurants, maybe triple if you are talking about off the beaten path restaurants. I think our bill for two people with dinner, salads, wine was around $300. But worth it, in my opinion.

We enjoyed Osteria Margutta, a colorful restaurant which serves Roman food. It wasn't too expensive and very good. Located in Via Margutta, a small street near the Spanish Steps.

My two favorites so far are Il Convivio Troiani and The Library. Il Convivio is a Michelin starred place with an uber starched service but fabulous food. The Library is a more relaxed/romantic place with great food. Both win points for different reasons and both in the city center. Enjoy Rome!

Near the American Embassy, just off Via XX Settembre, try QuarantaQuattro (44). Modern Italian, authentic yet creative, non troppo caro. Reservations a good idea.

I have not looked at RonInRome.com in quite sometime. Check if Ron covers restaurants.
His general information on Rome is the best I've ever seen, especially from the sight of an ex-pat American living there.

Josh, You might ask the staff at your Hotel on recommendations for good restaurants in the vicinity. I've used that method often, and never been steered to a bad restaurant. I've never tried any €300 restaurants in Rome, but a couple that I've really enjoyed in the Termini area are: > Trattoria i Leoni d'Abruzzo (Via Vicenzo at Via Palestro) > Trattoria Antica Boheme (78 Via Napoli) They seem to be popular with celebrties, judging by the numerous photos on the wall. I found the food to be great in both places, but of course as you noted my opinion is "subjective". Buon Appetito!

That's right, Elle. It's also the street where Fellini lived.

Check out the forums on Chowhound as well. This is a food centric website, so you might find some good ideas there.

Thanks for the responses everyone, I greatly appreciate it! If anyone has any others, feel free to throw them out! We take off next Thursday, the 16th for our 2 week trek. Can't wait!

Some restaurants that we really enjoyed:Armando (near Pantheon); Cul-de-Sac (near Navonna); Ditirambo (near Camp Fiori); Perilli (on Via Marmoratta). None of these were super pricey but not cheap either and none were near the Termini area. Enjoy Rome!

Great topic as I am going in October and would love to keep a list.

Josh, I am here in Rome now, and can recommended a few things! I will say; we have spent a little over 3 weeks in Italy this trip and Rome's dining options have not been my favorite... There are tons of mediocre places here, so kudos on doing homework! However!, tonight we had a fabulous dinner at Cul De Sac, right by Piazza Navonna (where the fountain of the 4 Gods is). I believe the restaurant is on Piazza Pasquino. We had a prosciutto, cheese plate, a plate of yummily-stuffed grape leaves (so good!) + warmed goat cheese with vegetables, as well as a Devine house made lasagne ( for a girl that doesn't eat lasagne, I was IMPRESSED!) as well as a delicious meatballs with white wine sauce. Along with two bottles of chianti (hence my grammar mistakes on this post), the dinner was less than €75. Something I loved here was the wine list! They have over 1,000 bottles, literally LINING the walls of the interior of the restaurant with the bottles, it provides beautiful atmosphere, although we ate outside on the street with perfect weather, I took a few interior photos! We also had a great dinner last night at a restaurant between trevi fountain and pantheon. It was right next to Adrian's Columns. I didn't expect to find quality and good prices in that area,but we passed by a few times, scoped the menu and people's plates, went for it, and were very happy :) I am a "dine"-er. Rome, to me, is a challenging place to dine with great food and great ambience, without paying a ton. But you can do it, just keep posting, and, may I suggest, make reservations (for late!)!! Also, someone suggested Urbana 47, by Campo di Fiore, I haven't been yet. (Maybe this week!) Supposedly delicious, organic, and reservations needed!!!
Have fun!

My husband and I loved Trattoria der Pallaro, which is a "you eat what they're making that day experience." In 2010 is was a full meal plus wine and dessert for 25 euros a person, and it's one of our top meals ever for overall quality. We happened to be served carbonara and pork loin, which didn't hurt our impression!

Thanks for the great responses, it definitely looks like we're going to have a little list for ourselves during our 5 nights in Rome! We leave on the trip in 2 days (first to London, then Paris, then onto Rome), so keep the recommendations coming!