One thing that should be eternal in the Eternal City is outstanding Italian food. But that doesn't mean every night you're in Rome you have to eat pizza Napoli or pasta marinara.
These 10 restaurants range from a cozy trattoria to an experimental bistro and the most decorated Michelin spot in the city.
What do they have in common? No spaghetti Bolognese on a kids' menu. Every one of them is highly regarded for the Italian culinary niche it serves.
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La Pergola
"A German in Rome," as the Michelin Guide describes La Pergola's chef Heinz Beck, yet his Roman and Mediterranean cooking makes him "more Italian than most of his colleagues." A fine compliment, especially when it comes with three Michelin stars, more than any other restaurant in the city.
The food here is as much a theatrical experience as a culinary one. But the show puts culinary artistry on display. When serving "The Sea," Beck's signature dish, the waiter pours a "wave" of seafood broth over a frozen "rock" of langoustine claws and potato, which then dissolves into a "seabed" of abalone, white prawns and clams.
The oldest bottle on the wine list dates back to 1888, and the water menu offers 29 options, so try asking for "tap." Dishes from $133 (€125).
La Pergola, Via Alberto Cadlolo, 101 Rome Cavalieri, Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts. Tel: +39 06 3509 2152
Antica Pesa
"One of Rome's most beloved restaurants among the international elite," is how the Italian food guide Gambero Rosso describes this chic spot. Robert De Niro and Madonna are among the members of this famous crowd, whose photographs line the restaurant's walls.
Beyond the chance to spot a celebrity, the draw is the subtly modernized traditional trattoria dishes served in this restored old warehouse.
The Monte San Biagio burger was created in honor of returning American guests; the roast pork and mozzarella "millefeuille" with pear sauce is an intriguing meaty take on what's usually a dessert. Dishes from $17.50 (€16).
Antica Pesa, Via Garibaldi 18. Tel: +39 06 580 9236
Imàgo
Born in Naples but trained in Tokyo, Imàgo's chef Francesco Apreda weaves Asian ingredients into his Roman and Neapolitan dishes. Sake-glazed black cod, roast pigeon with black tea, and cappelletti pasta with smoked eel and cocoa powder all illustrate his cosmopolitan and gently experimental approach to fine dining.
One of Rome's oldest luxury rooftop restaurants, Imàgo boasts a 360-degree panoramic view of the city's historic center from its perch atop the Spanish Steps, along with one Michelin star. Notable past guests at Imàgo, in its earlier incarnations, included John Kennedy, Grace Kelly, Federico Fellini and Audrey Hepburn.
Its gleaming marble floors with antique wooden inlays, mirrored tables and soft background music create an elegant La Dolce Vita atmosphere with a hint of decadence. Dishes from $36 (€33).
Imago at the Hassler, 6 Piazza Trinita dei Monti. Tel: +39 06 6993 4726
Pipero al Rex
Meat lovers, start licking your lips. But don't expect Pipero to simply toss you a juicy steak in a cage; you'll also get to try unusual cuts of meat prepared with a delicate blend of spices, fruits and herbs.
The tasting menu includes raw goose with an apple-mustard filling, rabbit in poached zucchini, snails with garlic, lentils and whisky, and suckling pig served with a beer and cherry sauce.
Young chef Luciano Monosilio's refined approach to meat earned Pipero al Rex a Michelin star in just two years. Dishes from $24 (€22).
Pipero al Rex, Via Torino 149. Tel: +39 06 481 5702
Giggetto
The secret to Giggetto's popularity? Its crispy fried artichokes.
The addictive carciofi alla giudia, crispy fried artichokes and a specialty of Roman-Jewish cuisine, are the main reason for the popularity of this classic osteria, the Italian version of a tavern.
Set in the heart of Rome's ancient Jewish quarter with a stunning view of the ruins of the Portico d'Ottavia, this simple yet inviting spot also stands out for its atmosphere. Those golden, round artichokes are unbeatable, but the cod croquettes and stuffed zucchini flowers also melt in your mouth in the most delightful way. Dishes from $15 (€14).
Giggetto al Portico d'Ottavia, Via del Portico d'Ottavia 21/a-22. Tel. +39 06 686 1105
Lilli
Unpretentious Roman foodies hold a special place in their hearts for this laid-back trattoria with its excellent value for money. Tripe, braised oxtail and rich, marrow-laden ossobuco are just some of the unabashed dishes on offer here.
Chances are you'll also try the best bucatini all'amatriciana of your life here, a classic Roman pasta dish with a sauce of tomatoes and pork cheek.
"It's like eating at home" is how the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera aptly describes what's served at Lilli, one of the few family-run trattorias left in Rome. Dishes from $8.50 (€8).
Trattoria Lilli, Via di Tor di Nona, 23. Tel: +39 06 686 1916
Fish Market
The fish at Fish Market practically jumps straight here from the harbor.
"The fish is affordable and has zero mileage. It goes straight from the fishing nets in the port of Anzio to your table," says the Italian food and wine magazine Gambero Rosso about Fish Market.
To place an order, you line up at the counter where the whole day's catch of fresh fish is on display, write down what you want on a sheet of paper, pay in advance, and then take a seat to be served. It's a fun and efficient way to have a meal, and this trattoria is so popular it doesn't take reservations.
Located in the young, trendy Trastevere district overlooking the Tiber, the restaurant features modern Scandinavian design and a lively atmosphere. Dishes from $8.50 (€8).
Fish Market Trastevere, Vicolo Della Luce, 2. Tel: +39 320 391 0934
Ristorante Roof Garden
What makes dinner here special isn't just the refined Italian and international cuisine, but also the sweeping view of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum. It's arguably the best view of any restaurant in the Italian capital, Imàgo included.
The tasting menu, which changes daily, is rich in fish dishes. The tuna tartare from Carloforte, an island off the coast of Sardinia where there's a tradition of catching this fish, is served with a delicate avocado sauce; it sounds unlikely, but these two subtle flavors really do complement each other.
Other signature dishes include risotto with langoustine sauce and salt cod with zucchini flowers. Former Prime Minister Mario Monti and French actor Alain Delon are said to be among the regulars. Dishes from $20.50 (€19).
Ristorante Roof Garden, Hotel Forum Roma, Via Tor De' Conti 25. Tel: +39 06 679 2447
Marzapane
Tiny Marzapane, with its simple black-and-white interior, is one of the most popular experimental spots in Rome.
Oysters seasoned with candied ginger and vodka, and suckling pig in a strawberry sauce, are among the dishes you can watch being prepared in the open kitchen-lab. At lunch you can order gourmet salads and sandwiches, in the afternoon tea with pistachio and ricotta mousse, and in the evening salami for an aperitif. Dishes from $16 (€15).
Marzapane, Via Velletri 39. Tel: 39 06 6478 1692
Arancia Blu
Vegans and vegetarians were long poorly served in the Italian capital, but vegetables are finally getting the attention they deserve.
Blending Italian cooking with Asian and Middle Eastern influences for a punchy, creative effect, Arancia (meaning "orange") Blu is one of Rome's best vegan restaurants.
You'll get an eggless mayonnaise with lemon and ginger in a salad of avocado, almonds and cumin. The mustard ravioli and trenette pasta with saffron and pepper are more experimental. Dishes from $10 (€9).
L'Arancia Blu, Via Cesare Beccaria, 3 Piazzale Flaminio. Tel: +39 391 350 9971
