Rome Restaurant Tips by marielexoteria

Angelino ai fori: good pizza place with a view Angelino ai fori Review

Angelino ai fori is right on Via dei Fori Imperiali, on the same side as the Trajan Forums.

This is the one place in Rome where I felt comfortable enough (weather wise) to have lunch outdoors (because I get cold easily). Although half the patrons were tourists on their way to either Colosseum or Forum Romanum, we fell for the joie de vivre of one of the waiters, always looking glad and even singing for himself (and he seemed truly glad, not like putting a show).

When in Rome, I said I had to have 3 things: pizza, pasta and gelato. Here hubby and I had very good pizza and didn't get ripped off.

Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Right in front of Basilica di San Cosma e San Damiano.

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Italian

Pizza place at Piazza del Risorgimento: mixed reviews

We found this place and fell for their lunch special: one pizza or pasta dish + drink for 7€ and I felt like pizza. My pizza was actually good but hubby's calzone was burned to almost a crisp, had little filling and the parts that weren't burned didn't taste so good.

I can't really say that they were busy with a lot of orders because there were few people eating, but there was a lot of people coming in and out buying coffee or bottles of water. I don't know, I would only recommend this place based on the pizza but there are better places.

Address: Piazza del Risorgimento

Comparison: least expensive

Price: less than US$10

Rating: 2

Theme: Local

Il Pepperoni: excellent pasta Il Pepperoni Review

We found Il Pepperoni while looking for Hard Rock Café. What caught our attention immediately is that the restaurant is located in a glass house on the sidewalk, and we actually ended up calling it "the glass house".

Both hubby and I had excellent pasta at good prices and a feel of the local scene. The staff was eager to see us have a good time, and we actually enjoyed eating dinner and watching the traffic on Via Veneto.

Address: Corner of Via Veneto and Via Emilia

Comparison: less expensive than average

Directions: Metro: Barberini.

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 4

Theme: Italian

Trattoria Pizzeria Grotta d'Abruzzo: another place for excellent pasta Trattoria Pizzeria Grotta d'Abruzzo Review

While walking around and looking for a place to eat, a man approached us and asked us if we would like to eat "typical Italian food with normal prices", and since we were walking that way anyway, we decided to follow him to his trattoria. I must admit that I was wary because I don't like being hustled but I entered the place with an open mind - and I'm glad I did.

This small trattoria doesn't really get any traffic, so I understand that someone has to go to a bigger street to attract clients. The environment isn't for those looking for luxury, but I found it cozy and the staff was very friendly. When we came in there were 3 other tables with people already eating and it seemed like we were the only tourists inside, but when we got out there were more people enjoying themselves. The food was great and it had indeed normal prices: I had a pasta pomodoro and Mr. Sweden had beef steak with roasted potatoes and salad, plus 2 beers and a bread basket (no charge) made a total of 22€. This is a place I would come back if I visit Rome again.

Address: Via Palermo 45

Comparison: less expensive than average

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 4

Theme: Local

T-bone Station: Great meat! T-bone Station Review

Mr. Sweden and I always look for a good meat place in every city we visit, and I found T-bone Station after googling for days and using different keywords.

T-bone Station has a variety of meat, salads, ribs, etc. and gave me a feel of an American steakhouse, probably the same feeling I've had in any other good meat place I have visited, but with an Italian twist. Their prices are average, and this had me a little bit worried because their online menu doesn't have any prices, but their food is excellent and the staff was accommodating and patient with me for trying to speak Italian (and I don't). We were very satisfied.

Address: Via Francesco Crispi 27

Comparison: about average

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Steakhouse

Website: http://www.t-bone.it