What & Where To Eat in Rome - An Insider's Guide

Enjoy an early evening aperitif at one of the city's amazing roof bars and book a late-night private tour of the Sistine Chapel and Vatican - you'll enjoy the masterpieces like you'd never imagine.

Work off that spaghetti carbonara and take an e-bike tour along the Appian Way - a road dating back to 312 BC that stretched from Rome to Brindisi. A totally unique way to explore the archeological sites of the city including the Baths of Caracalla and the Circus of Maxentius.

Grab a mouth-watering breakfast Cornetto (Antico Forno Rosciolo) and spend the morning in Campo de Fiori - a colorful, lively piazza perfect for photographs, snacking on fresh fruits and finding cool leather goods.

Tired after a long flight? The best way to explore the city is on a guided golf cart tour - you'll cover a ton of terrain in a few hours. You'll see the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, the Vatican, Piazza Navona, Colosseum, and so many points in between.

Shop the flea market (held every Sunday) at Porta Portese.

Day trips

Want to squeeze Pompeii or the Amalfi coast into your itinerary? Take a full day trip from Rome! There are plenty of private or group tours to fit every budget, and a few include a boat cruise to Capri. Be sure to stop in Naples for their world-famous pizza.

As an alternative to Pompeii, visit the ancient port city of Ostia Antica, just 30 minutes from the center of Rome. Ostia Antica was the harbor city of the ancient capital and offers a fascinating glimpse into Roman life with remarkably well-preserved ruins including a theater, baths, temples and a fascinating assortment of mosaics.

Start your Roman morning right with a stop at one of my favorite cafes - Tazza d’Oro (near the Pantheon), Sant’Eustachio il Café (between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona) or Bar Farnese (near Campo de Fiori). If you select Bar Farnese, you’ll be just a few blocks from Antico Forno Rosciolo - your stop for the most divine apricot croissant (see below).

A bakery deserving a Michelin star: Antico Forno Roscioli. For both sweet and savory look no further than this Roman landmark, which dates back two centuries. It's tucked away on a side-street near Campo de Fiori. You will never experience a ricotta tart, rum-soaked cake or cream-filled castagnole like these. And if you’re looking for a slice of the best pizza in town (over 12 varieties), it’s worth the wait. With a few stools against a narrow counter, you’ll likely lean up against a makeshift table on the street with fellow diners.

Battle of the Spaghetti Carbonara: It’s no wonder that the founders of Rosciolo fame are touted as serving among the best carbonara dishes in the city - look no further than Ristorante Rosciolo. With a wine list that includes over 2,800 labels, you must pair your carbonara with one of the spectacular white wines. With cuisine so fantastic, that you must reserve a minimum of four weeks in advance.

This is a quintessentially Roman dish, don’t miss a second pass of carbonara at La Carbonara. Set in the Monti neighborhood, this namesake dish has been served since 1906. Don’t miss the tiramisu. Also try Da Fortunata (homemade pasta) in Piazza Campo de Fiori.

Cacio e Pepe is an iconic symbol of Rome – like the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain. If a dish ever was an institution, this simple dish would be it. This typically Roman pasta dish goes back to ancient times. In their sacks, local shepherds would carry cacio cheese made from sheep's milk, pepper and dried spaghetti. Although this recipe has a very short list of ingredients, this dish requires an expert hand - look no further than Roman Sparita in Trastevere. Make reservations so that you are sure to have a table overlooking the tranquil, glistening piazza. Worth noting: An Anthony Bourdain favorite pick - in fact, the chef/restauranteur cherished Roma Sparita so much that its name and location remained undisclosed in his “No Reservations” series. Don't miss the zucchini flowers either!

Another place with dreamy, creamy cacio e pepe? Look no further than Frezza. After a delayed flight and late arrival at Elizabeth Unique Hotel, I was delighted to stumble upon Frezza just around the corner. Roll in after shopping Via Condotti (or the next-level Zara flagship on Via del Corso) or, like me, grab a table outside at 10 pm for the best stuffed cacio e pepe ravioli you’ll experience in the city.

Speaking of the Trevi Fountain, there is a hidden gem by the name of Trattoria al Moro. A favorite of Federico Fellini, Valentino and politicians alike, this family business serves its clientele (all of them Roman, except you) with devotion and care. As you would imagine, its pasta carbonara is a “must.” Have your concierge make reservations.

Another iconic Roman dish? Stuffed zucchini flowers. My picks for this finger food: Constanza (Campo de Fiori), La Taverna del Ghetto (Jewish Ghetto) and Sparita (Trastevere).

And for the best homemade gelato? Look no further than Quinto, not far from Piazza Navona. More than a hundred heavenly flavors (fig, rum raisin, creme caramel, white chocolate) will keep you coming back for a taste every day you’re in Rome!

If you're looking for an aperitif (aperitivo) with panoramic views, head to one of the city’s many rooftop bars, most atop hotels. My favorites are the Divinity Terrace (Pantheon Iconic Hotel), Hey Guy (Chapter Rome), Cielo Terrace (Rocco Forte Hotel De La Ville) and Hotel Forum Rooftop.