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Reservation for Armando al Pantheon Restaurant

Thanks to Suki & Gerri, in this forum, back in 2018, I found out about the much-sought-after Roman restaurant ARMANDO al PANTHEON in Rome.
Unfortunately, like everything else, the restaurant was CLOSED during our visit in August, 2018. 😩

We will be in Rome for two nights (July 27, 28) between Viking & Princess cruises, & WE DESPERATELY WANT TO. VISIT the restaurant for dinner or lunch.

I know their policy to make reservation in the calendar on their webpage, ONE MONTH IN ADVANCE, which I will DEFINITELY TRY ON JUNE 26, 27, this year. But, I can see all dates in the calendar, even for current month APRIL are all crossed out. I DO NOT feel confident I will be able to get a valid reservation this way.

Can anyone PKEASE suggest any way to secure a valid reservation based on your positive experience with their calendar reservation system? Will writing a sincere request by email to the restaurant well in advance actually work with them? Do you have any personal contact with the restaurant management that I could use?
Any assistance or suggestion you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for being so helpful for many European trips in the past.
AMITAVA MUKERJEE

Posted by
57 posts

When I was last in Rome, I ate at Armando al Pantheon twice, once for lunch and once for dinner. What worked for me was figuring out the time difference between Rome and where I was, and then going on the website at the exact time that reservations opened up for the dates I wanted. Despite that, more desirable evening times were already booked. I also checked the website regularly for a few days in advance so I could figure out if one month meant 30 days, 31 days, the same day of the week the next month, or whatever. The restaurant is not very large but certainly worth the effort to get in.

Posted by
32 posts

@happytottavel. thank you for your prompt reply. I plan to do the same: visit Armando’s reservation calendar few day BEFORE AND ON JUNE 27, 28 for reservations on JULY 27, 28, keeping time difference (EST is 9 hours ahead of PDT) in mind. But, to be honest, I have a sinking feeling this process will NOT WORK. So, I will try to appeal by email, although they have already declared they will IGNORE SUCH REQUESTS. 😩. What else cannI do but try the best methods, as I see them. Will keep this forum informed of my efforts and results. šŸ¤ž for future travelers to Rome.

Posted by
271 posts

Hello JEEPU. We are in Siena now, so I thought I would see if there was any difference being in country. Unfortunately, not. According to the website, they only have 20 seats available for making reservations. I do not know what you see when you look at the webpage, but this is just part of the information. I hope this helps in some way. Good luck.

https://www.armandoalpantheon.it/prenota/

Book a table
* Reservations are open for 30 days (e.g. May 5th – June 4th) if they are unavailable, it is because they are already fully booked. If dates over 30 days (e.g. 18 June considering that you are booking on 5 May) are cancelled, it is because they are still unavailable. The system works. Reservations open daily from midnight. There are few places, so be patient... At the moment there is no telephone contact.

Posted by
21 posts

Don't become discouraged by the dates all being crossed out. If you are able to, visit their reservations site several times a day beginning one month before your trip. We were able to obtain reservations during both our recent visits and while some will say it is not worth it, we absolutely loved being in the small and intimate restaurant.

Posted by
32 posts

Charylm & Frzummo87:l.
Thank you both for your replies, one from Siena, no less! In the link for reservations, from US, I see the same directions you posted, and discouragingly, ALL FUTURE L DATES CROSSED OUT.
But, I feel encouraged by Frzummo87ā€˜s reply.
BEFORE the one-month deadline arrives on JUNE 27/28, I will VIDIT RESERVATIONS WEBSITE SEVERAL TIMES A DAY RELIGIOUSLY, hoping I will be able to make at least ONE RESERVATIONšŸ¤ž.
We will stay in Hotel Delle Nazioni, very near Trevi Fountain, a walking distance from Armando for two nights, before departing on Sun Princess Western Med cruise.. I have read many recommendations for Armando in RS Forums & don’t want to miss this chance. Please wish me luck! I will report my experience with reservations and cuisine, if I am able to eat there.

AMITAVA

Posted by
370 posts

I'm sure you will get a table. But if you do not, it's not a big deal. Armando is a very good Roman restaurant. Roman, not Italian. It's very good (I've eaten there several times; just a few years ago we just phoned the day before and got a table for lunch but I guess it's become more famous these days) but: There are many others that are equally good and if you would like, I will give you some recommendations. Where are you staying in Rome?

Posted by
347 posts

Ekscrunchy, we would love to hear about your recommendations!

Posted by
32 posts

Ekscrunchy: Thanks for your encouraging reply about getting reservations @ Armando D P. It won’t be for the lack of trying, starting BEFORE ONE MONTH of date needed.

We (2) will be staying very close to TREVI FOUNTAIN, in HOTEL Delle NAZIONI, Via Poli 6, walking distance to Armando Please send your recommendations for equally good. ROMAN CUISINE restaurant near our hotel in Central Rome.

Separately, do you recommend getting advance TIMED-RESERVATIONS for Pantheon, Colosseum & Roman Forum, rather than just walking in to avoid LONG LINES in AUGUST?
MILLE GRAZIE.
AMITAVA

Posted by
370 posts

You will get the Armando table--I can almost guarantee because you are so focused on it. (I am the same when it comes to restaurants!)

Near the Trevi Fountain is a place I like a lot: AL MORO. I imagine there are less-than-good reviews from tourists about this restaurant because the service can be typical Roman, meaning not all that "nice." But it's a great restaurant and I had what I think is the best Carbonara of my life there a few years ago. It's a few steps from the Fountain. Lunch might be better than dinner because you'll be among fewer tourists.

This is another good Roman place; they have outdoor seating if that interests you:

https://www.matricianella.it/en.aspx

And the really typical places in Testaccio are always good, like CHECCHINO DAL 1887, but those specialize in offal, although they have other dishes..it's a classic place:

https://checchino-dal-1887.com/sites/default/files/Menu_mobile_QRcode_English.pdf

I'll give you a few more if you want.

I would get those timed tickets since it's August, unless you can get there right before they open. but I've never been in August so I'm not certain....I would get them to avoid a huge line.

Posted by
32 posts

ekscrunchy: Thank you so much for your Roman restaurant pointers and also for firm confidence on my ability to get reservation for dinner @ Armando’s! Indeed, I will try relentlessly starting in mid-June for end-July date dinner reservation.

Since their policy is ONE MONTH BEFORE, should I start trying on their booking calendar on JUNE 27 @ 3:00PM California Time (Rome is 9 hours ahead of CA time) for JULY 28 dinner @ 7:00PM (Rome time)? Is it best to start trying even a couple of days BEFORE that time, just in case there’s misinterpretation of ā€œONE MONTH BEFOREā€? Does that mean 30 or 31 days in advance? Any way, I will try seriously, even though their calendar ALWAYS SHOWS ALL DAYS STRUCK OUT NOT AVAILABLE. . 😩. Thanks again for your encouragemen! šŸ¤—

Separately, I will get Advance Ticket Reservations for Pantheon and Colosseum for July 27 & 28. Summer will be very busy for all sights in Rome. We have already been to most other sights in Rome.
Thanks and Best regards. Jeepu

Posted by
370 posts

Jeepu, you have to promise to come back here and let us know if you got that table, and give us details about your meal!!!! Have a wonderful trip!!

ps....If you are staying in a hotel, I would recommend also asking them to book that table for you. Sometimes hotel people have good connections with popular restaurants. But I think you will get the tale on your own.