Roman Restaurants

Nearly all restaurants take US credit cards. All restaurants have a pasta course. Pizza is mostly found in pizza oriented restaurants.

Hi kandle,

Well, I would think most Roman restaurants offer pizza and pasta dishes.

What neighborhood will you be staying in or around? Try watching some of these videos https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=The+Roman+Guy They have a lot of good information; especially for the new traveler to Rome.

The Vatican neighborhoods have a lot of restaurants. Campo de' Fiori has a ton. Piazza Navona has plentiful eateries. I have not been yet, but some suggest the Trastevere and Monti neighborhoods. Keep in mind, the closer you are to 'an attraction,' the more it's catered to the tourist/traveler in terms of expense. It's a good idea to go a little off the beaten path, to eat.

With regard to paying with an American credit card, keep in mind the (FTF) foreign transaction fee as well as the exchange rate you will be charged. Notify your bank of your travels. Then a day or two before you leave, call them to confirm. .

If your card, such as Capital One or Citi or Chase have the "no FTF," you will still be charged the exchange; it may fluctuate daily a bit. When you return home and get your bank statement, it will show what you paid in Euro and what the exchange was and the final amount in USD. At least that is what my statement showed two years ago.

Last trip in 2018, I paid for everything in Euro; even the hotel at the end of my stay. With that, you also want to check with your home bank about any fees abroad charged to your account for withdrawals; find out the max you can withdraw. Or, maybe your bank can up the amount of withdraw. If crazy or high fees, and you have time, get a bank account with no or very tiny fees.

If you can offer up some more details, you'll probably get better answers.

Restaurants offer vegan options. You are not obligated to order a pasta or pizza anything. You can order a fish or meat dish with vegetables. Be aware that fish is weighed which can be very costly. I don't think shellfish is weighed.

You can order an antipasto. You can walk around the city eating a panino (single sandwich) bought ready made or fresh from the deli at a supermarket like the Coop or inside Termini station which has a 'food court' atmosphere.

And, dare I write this, but there's even McD's or Burger King. Although, people have mentioned the McD's in Italy (Rome) are very different than the American ones. Might be fun to try once for comparison sake. No judging, ha.

If you want, you can even eat a huge bowl or cone of gelato. The possibilities and choices are somewhat endless.

Something that doesn't involve pizza or pasta would be great.
Locations near major sites would also be helpful.

This doesn't make a lot of sense without more information. What else DO you want to eat, and where is your accommodation located? "Major sites" are scattered all over central Rome.

I'd also like to add kandle, some restaurants will give a little discount (up to 10% maybe) for paying in Euro. Just something to keep in mind. You can inquire when you pay your check.

edit: (I frequented a restaurant in Rome that offered a little discount when I paid in Euro. I also experienced this in Northern and Southern Italy. The waiter said they would give a discount if paid in Euro.)

@ Girasole, are you saying there may be a discount for paying in "cash" (which in Italy would be Euros) or are you advising that on credit card charges one should avoid letting the merchant use dynamic conversion to conveniently give you a US$ charge (at an exchange rate favorable to the merchant) ? Both are excellent suggestions.

Hi Laura,

Sorry if my reply seemed confusing. I can't account for all restaurants, but, the one I went back to (this year) offered a discount paying in Euro (usually about 2-3€; depending). I also got espresso or limoncello complimentary (little gift from the waitstaff.)

Two years ago, a couple of times, I used my no FTF credit card, but, it was charged in Euro, no DCC.

Kandle,

The link I gave you to The Roman Guy vids are really useful. I was watching some of them again, lol. The guys are down to earth and funny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUKa82QCFH0 I don't know any of them personally; just like their sense of humor. Maybe you get a kick out of them also. The guys suggest some restaurants. Maybe something will click with your tastes?

But, WalksofItaly seem really good too. I have not taken any of their tours.

I know you prefer non-traditional pizza and pasta restaurants, but https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g187791-d946638-Reviews-Dar_Poeta-Rome_Lazio.html gets a lot of great reviews. I think? one or two forum posters have eaten there and liked it. I have not been there yet. Hope to explore that neighborhood next trip.

I think you may find that a lot of Roman restaurants will have a nice selection of food other than the typical. I know the chicken dish and veggies was very popular at the restaurant I ate at a lot. I saw the dish come out of the kitchen often, lol. It was a huge 1/4 chicken with usually potatoes or another veggie accompaniment. Some ordered that after eating pasta! Their dishes and bowls were more than enough. If I ate all that plus dessert -- yes, yes, Tiramisu, I would've rolled out of there. lol

Anyway, maybe you can do a search above in the box with the mag glass. Something like "restaurants in Rome." lol.
Everyone's tastes and price point is different. But, I really think you can do okay with finding food other than pizza or pasta.

Try to find little trattorias away from main piazzas. It has been a few years since we ate there, but Antica Taverna on Via Monte Giordano was the kind of place where Romans ate. Pasta? Yes, of course, but also antipasti and secondi, i.e., roasted meats and seafood as a second course. Also salads and vegetable sides. This is typical of a trattoria. You will find the, all over town, but just stay away from piazzas and streets where tourists are marching by and avoid places where someone is outside trying to convince you to come in,

As mentioned, Dar Poeta has fantastic pizza and also salads. Another place with pizza unlike any you will find in the U.S. is La Pratolina. Reservations essential. Both of these places are pretty easy on the wallet.

If you want to get out of the center and go to a neighborhood with fewer travelers, try Taverna Rossini in Parioli. You can take the #19 tram there, or there are several buses that pass nearby.