Looking for the best pasta restaurant in Rome? Well, prepare your taste buds as we embark on an unforgettable culinary journey across the Eternal City. Rome, being the birthplace of pasta, offers endless opportunities for pasta lovers. But where to find the best of the best? No worries, we’ve got you covered. Read on as we uncover the top 10 pasta restaurants in Rome, complete with operating hours, pricing, and location details.
A Taste of Rome: The City’s Four Iconic Pasta Dishes
When it comes to Rome’s most famous pasta dishes, four classics reign supreme.
First, there’s “Carbonara”, a creamy mix of pecorino cheese, eggs, black pepper, and guanciale (Italian cured pork cheek), traditionally served with spaghetti.
Next, “Cacio e Pepe”, which literally translates to cheese and pepper, is a testament to the power of simplicity in Italian cuisine.
This dish combines pecorino cheese and a generous amount of black pepper with pasta to create a delightfully creamy and spicy dish.
The “Amatriciana” is another gem from Roman cuisine, featuring a tomato-based sauce with guanciale and pecorino cheese, typically served with bucatini pasta.
Last but not least, there’s “Gricia”, often referred to as white amatriciana, it’s made with guanciale, black pepper, and pecorino cheese but without the tomatoes.
These time-honored dishes, rooted deeply in Roman culinary tradition, reflect the city’s rich history and culture, making them a must-try for any pasta lover visiting Rome.
1. Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina
At the first place of our 10 Best Pasta Restaurants in Rome in Rome Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina, an institution rather than just a restaurant. Operating from 12:30 to 16:00 for lunch and 19:00 to 00:00 for dinner, it’s renowned for serving the best ‘Cacio e Pepe’ in town. Located at Via dei Giubbonari, 21, expect to spend around €30 per person.
Specialty: Cacio e Pepe – Pasta tossed with pecorino cheese and black pepper, creating a creamy and tangy sauce that is simply irresistible.
2. Da Felice
Next, we head to Da Felice in Testaccio. Famous for their ‘Cacio e Pepe’, they’ve perfected the mix of pecorino and black pepper. You can find them at Via Mastro Giorgio, 29, and they’re open from 12:30 to 15:00 for lunch and 19:30 to 23:00 for dinner. Plan on spending around €25-30 per person.
Specialty: Cacio e Pepe – Another version of the classic dish, prepared with the right balance of pecorino and black pepper.
3. Osteria dell’Ingegno
Near the Pantheon, Osteria dell’Ingegno offers classic Roman pasta dishes with a creative touch. Don’t miss their ‘Carbonara’ with crispy guanciale and rich pecorino cheese. Located at Piazza di Pietra, 45, they’re open from 12:30 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:00. Expect to spend around €30-35 per person.
Specialty: Carbonara – A classic Roman pasta dish featuring guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese, and a mix of eggs and black pepper.
4. Le Mani in Pasta
Le Mani in Pasta, located in Trastevere at Via dei Genovesi, 37, is known for their homemade pasta and signature sauces. Try their ‘Fettuccine Alfredo’ if you’re in the mood for something creamy. Open from 13:00 to 15:00 and 19:30 to 23:00, the average cost is around €20-25 per person.
Specialty: Fettuccine Alfredo – An internationally loved dish with a rich and creamy sauce, made from butter and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese.
5. Trattoria Da Enzo
In the heart of Trastevere, Trattoria Da Enzo at Via dei Vascellari, 29, serves authentic Roman pasta dishes. They’re most famous for their ‘Amatriciana’. They are open from 12:30 to 15:00 for lunch and 19:30 to 23:00 for dinner, with prices averaging €20-25 per person.
Specialty: Amatriciana – A traditional Italian pasta dish based on guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino cheese, and tomato.
6. Armando al Pantheon
Just a short walk from the Pantheon at Salita dei Crescenzi, 31, Armando al Pantheon is a must-visit. Their ‘Gricia’, pasta with guanciale, pecorino, and black pepper, is a testament to Roman culinary tradition. They’re open from 12:30 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:00, and prices range from €25-30 per person.
Specialty: Gricia – This pasta dish is made with guanciale, pecorino, and black pepper, often seen as a white version of Amatriciana.
7. Da Cesare al Casaletto
Away from the city center in the Monte Verde district, Da Cesare al Casaletto is worth the trip for their ‘Carbonara’. Find them at Via del Casaletto, 45, open from 12:30 to 15:00 and 19:00 to 23:30, with an average cost of €20-25 per person.
Specialty: Carbonara – Their version of this classic Roman dish has gained them a reputation as one of the best places for Carbonara in Rome.
8. Da Danilo
In the Esquilino neighborhood, Da Danilo at Via Petrarca, 13, serves some of Rome’s finest pasta. Their signature ‘Carbonara’ with a hidden egg yolk in rigatoni is a must-try. They are open from 12:30 to 14:30 and 19:30 to 23:00, and the average cost is €25-30 per person.
Specialty: Carbonara – They serve a unique version of Carbonara, with an egg yolk hidden inside the rigatoni pasta.
9. Il Corallo
Il Corallo, located in the historic center at Via del Corallo, 10, is known for their ‘Spaghetti alle Vongole’. They’re open from 12:00 to 23:00, with an affordable price range of €15-20 per person.
Specialty: Spaghetti alle Vongole – A classic Roman seafood pasta dish, featuring clams cooked in a garlic, olive oil, and white wine sauce.
10. Pasta Chef
Finally, Pasta Chef near the Colosseum at Via Baccina, 42, offers a variety of freshly made pasta dishes. Open from 11:30 to 22:30, they also provide gluten-free and vegan options, at a very budget-friendly cost of around €10-15 per person.
Specialty: Custom-made pasta dishes – They offer a variety of pasta and sauces for customers to mix and match, including gluten-free and vegan options.
Pasta’s Journey: From Humble Italian Origins to Global Culinary Icon
The history of pasta in Italy is as rich and varied as the myriad of shapes and forms it comes in. While its exact origins are debated, with some tracing it back to ancient Rome or even further to the Orient, the association of pasta with Italy was cemented in the Middle Ages.
During this time, durum wheat pasta became a staple in the southern Italian diet due to its long shelf life and nutritional value.
By the 13th and 14th centuries, pasta was widely consumed across the Italian peninsula, and its popularity began to spread across Europe.
The real turning point, however, came in the late 19th century with the mass immigration of Italians to America, taking pasta along with them.
The immigrants recreated their traditional dishes, and soon, spaghetti, macaroni, and lasagna became synonymous with Italian cuisine worldwide.
Pasta’s fame can be attributed to its versatility, simplicity, and ability to deliver delicious meals from humble ingredients.
Whether it’s a simple aglio e olio (garlic and oil) or a more complex lasagna alla Bolognese, the fundamental beauty of pasta is that it can transform the most basic of ingredients into dishes that are undeniably satisfying.
This is the essence of Italian cooking – quality ingredients cooked with simplicity and love. Over time, pasta has not only become a symbol of Italian cuisine but also a symbol of Italy itself, representing its culinary tradition and culture worldwide.
From the Silver Screen to Italian Cuisine: Pasta in Famous Films
Of course, it’s not just in real-life restaurants where pasta takes center stage. The silver screen too has celebrated this beloved dish in several iconic scenes set in Italian restaurants.
In “The Godfather”, one of the most iconic crime films ever made, Clemenza teaches Michael Corleone how to make spaghetti sauce (or as he calls it ‘gravy’), stirring a simmering pot of what can only be assumed to be an incredibly delicious pasta sauce.
Then there’s “Lady and the Tramp”, where the titular canine characters share a romantic moment over a plate of spaghetti and meatballs in an Italian restaurant’s back alley, a scene that’s become synonymous with romantic pasta-sharing moments.
In the romantic comedy “Eat Pray Love”, Julia Roberts’ character indulges in a delightful plate of spaghetti as she rediscovers herself in a small Rome restaurant, demonstrating the sheer joy that pasta can bring.
Finally, who could forget the spaghetti scene in “Goodfellas”, where prison inmates enjoy pasta with homemade tomato sauce, highlighting how even in the most unlikely of places, the love for pasta remains strong.
Conclusion of the Best Pasta Restaurants in Rome
In conclusion, Rome offers a pasta paradise, with each restaurant offering its own unique version of the classic dishes. However, these ten spots have managed to make their mark among locals and tourists alike, offering an unmatched pasta experience.
Next time you’re on the hunt for the best pasta restaurant in Rome, consider this guide your go-to. You can’t go wrong with any of these eateries.
