Rome is undoubtedly a city that’s rich in history, from ancient Roman ruins to lively piazzas and narrow historic streets. Food has always been a key part of life in Rome, so exploring the culinary traditions of the city is just as important as seeing the ancient sites in Rome. For generations, Roman cooks have turned simple, readily available ingredients into dishes that are still enjoyed by locals and visitors today. Between all the sightseeing in Rome you’re going to be doing, you should make some time to explore the food markets, trattorias, and hidden gems, too. These are the types of places where you’ll find traditional Roman cooking as well as good pasta in Rome that isn’t overpriced.
For pasta lovers, Rome is the perfect city in Italy to explore. You’ll find that almost every restaurant with pasta on the menu will have classics such as carbonara, amatriciana, gricia, and cacio e pepe. We ended up doing a “carbonara ranking” during our three days in Rome, since it originates from the Italian capital.
Finding good pasta in Rome can be a lot more difficult than you think, due to the many tourist traps and overhyped restaurants found on social media. Keep in mind, a viral video or a long queue doesn’t necessarily mean the food is good. If you have time, you could also add a pasta making class to your itinerary. To find the best pasta in Rome, you have to look beyond where the famous landmarks in Rome are located and not be afraid to venture down side streets and into less touristy neighbourhoods.
Where to find good pasta in Rome
al42 by Pasta Chef Rione Monti
If you’re looking for good pasta in Rome, the best place to start is al42 by Pasta Chef Rione Monti. The pasta here is so good that we came back three times, just so we could try different dishes. This pasta restaurant has a slightly different concept than you may be used to, as you order directly at the till and are introduced to the menu on the wall by the owner. There aren’t too many seats inside, so you can expect to queue at peak times. I’d recommend arriving before they open so you’re one of the first customers through the doors.
al42 by Pasta Chef Rione Monti is ideally located close to the Roman Forum and is surrounded by streets lined with independent shops and eateries. The menu is centred around authentic Italian dishes presented as gourmet street food, with classics such as carbonara and fettuccine alfredo both very popular choices. They also have seasonal options which are always worth considering. The last time I visited, I had a delicious pesto pasta topped with pine nuts and other fresh ingredients. If you don’t want to sit in, you can always order takeaway, which is usually a quicker option. Then you can enjoy your meal while looking out over the nearby ancient ruins of Rome.
Vanda
Trastevere has become a go-to for many visitors looking for authentic Italian dining experiences and atmospheres. There are so many places to eat in Trastevere that it can be overwhelming to find the right choice for good pasta in Rome in this neighbourhood. We came across Vanda almost by chance, as our first two choices were fully booked. The interior retains a homely atmosphere that reflects the older trattoria that was once located here. They also have an extensive wine collection of almost 800 labels, so it’s also a great option if you want to try different wines with your meal.
The backbone of their menu is traditional Roman cooking, including amatriciana, carbonara, and cacio e pepe. Given their central location in Trastevere, the prices for all their pasta dishes are very reasonable, and there are plenty of starters you can order to share while you wait for your main to be cooked. Anyone looking for good pasta in Rome with a chilled evening atmosphere will love dining at Vanda.
Pastaeat
Remember, good pasta in Rome doesn’t need to come from a fancy restaurant or cost a lot. One of the best carbonaras we had in Rome was from Pastaeat, located near Largo di Torre Argentina. They specialize in serving freshly made pasta in takeaway bowls, sort of like a poke bowl concept. It’s a great spot for modern street food at any time of the day, and its location makes it incredibly easy to add to your Rome itinerary for lunch or dinner.
What I liked about Pastaeat is that you can watch the chefs make your pasta as soon as you order it, thanks to the glass window around the kitchen. If you want a little change from traditional carbonara, they have a truffle variation, which is phenomenal and worth paying a few euros extra for. The big appeal here is the flexible takeaway format paired with familiar Italian flavours, though you can sit in and enjoy your meal if you prefer.
Trattoria Da Enzo
If you know anything about good pasta in Rome, you’ve heard of Trattoria Da Enzo in Trastevere. It’s tucked away in a quieter corner of the neighbourhood, with a small dining room that feels like an intimate, family-run trattoria. Trattoria Da Enzo strongly focuses on using carefully sourced ingredients to create traditional Roman recipes, including eggs and flour from the family’s own agricultural business. All four classic Roman pasta dishes can be found here, as well as richer pastas. We stopped at this restaurant during a Trastevere food tour and ended up coming back again because we liked it so much.
As well as pasta, don’t forget to try some starters and desserts, too. The Jewish-style artichokes are incredible and a must-try food in Rome. Their homemade tiramisu is also among the best tiramisu in Rome, in my opinion, and not overpriced. You can certainly eat at Trattoria Da Enzo on a budget if you only want pasta, though. Keep in mind that this restaurant in Rome doesn’t accept reservations, and guests are seated on a first-come, first-served basis. This is another spot I’d recommend arriving at before it opens to avoid a long queue.
Caligola
If you’re spending time exploring Vatican City, plan to eat between visiting St Peter’s Basilica and the Vatican Museums. Caligola is a practical option just a 10-minute walk from the Vatican Museums, with a contemporary interior that’s very different from a neighborhood trattoria. The menu is influenced by seasonal ingredients, and they often put a unique twist on classic Roman dishes. We visited at lunchtime, and it wasn’t too busy, but it does fill up in the evening, so it’s worth booking a table in advance.
Caligola is a solid choice for good pasta in Rome near Vatican City, especially if you want to try cacio e pepe or amatriciana. Their prices are good for a moderate budget, and they have a big selection of other dishes too if you want something other than pasta. I really enjoyed the amatriciana here, served with a bib to protect your clothes from the tomato sauce.
Rione 13 Ristorante
Another fantastic spot for good pasta in Rome is Rione 13 Ristorante in Trastevere. The restaurant features two spacious indoor dining rooms and an outdoor patio, and it’s a short walk from the main streets, giving it a quieter atmosphere. Although they feature a good selection of Roman pasta, their menu also extends to stone-baked pizzas and other dishes. This makes it a nice option for groups who aren’t all interested in eating pasta.
The rigatoni alla carbonara and cacio e pepe are both incredible and come served in a large metal pan, which adds to the experience. The prices are very budget-friendly, so you can enjoy a few starters such as suppli, too. Make sure you enquire about their seasonal specials before placing your order, because they always have something unique to try, like gricia with artichokes. This is another spot we stopped at during our Trastevere food tour, and locals highly recommend it.
Pasta Imperiale
For no-frills pasta, stop by Pasta Imperiale, which isn’t far from the Roman Forum and Colosseum. This restaurant combines an artisan pasta workshop with an informal kitchen, so it’s a good option for visitors looking for good pasta in Rome or anyone visiting Rome on a budget. There are a few tables inside, and it’s open much later than other pasta restaurants in the neighbourhood. You can see the fresh pasta being made by hand in the open kitchen, so you know whatever you order is as fresh as possible.
The pasta dishes here are extremely affordable and come in fairly big portions. I tried one of their specials which had broccoli as the main ingredient, and I really enjoyed it. If you opt for stuffed pasta, the prices will be a little higher but still relatively cheap. Surprisingly, we had one of our favourite tiramisu in Rome at Pasta Imperiale, even though it was only presented in a plastic container. If you’re visiting at lunchtime, you may find meal deals that will make your budget go even further.
Come ‘na Vorta Pasta e Vino
There are several Come ‘na Vorta Pasta e Vino locations around Rome, so if one’s full you can always head to the nearest alternative. We dined at the location next to the Pantheon for convenience, and we were happy we didn’t have to wait for a table, unlike other restaurants in the area. As you approach the restaurant, you’ll see a woman in the window rolling and shaping fresh pasta for the kitchen, which I think adds to the dining experience.
Come ‘na Vorta Pasta e Vino has an approach where you can choose your own pasta type to go with the sauce, which gives you a bit of flexibility. You can expect classics like carbonara alongside longer-cooked sauces, such as oxtail. This restaurant is sometimes viewed as tourist-oriented, but I’d still say it offers good pasta in Rome, and the prices aren’t unreasonable given a few of their restaurants are located next to key ancient landmarks.
Taverna Trilussa
If you want to treat yourself to a higher-priced meal in Rome, Taverna Trilussa ticks all the boxes. This restaurant in Rome has been serving customers since 1910 in Trastevere, so its history makes it an interesting choice for dinner. Its rustic setting combined with a polished dining experience is ideal for a longer meal after a day of exploring all the unusual things to do in Rome. I chose this restaurant as it’s where a lot of professional tennis players come when playing in Rome. You’ll notice there are vintage tennis racquets and photos hung along the walls, which for me was a very unique touch.
Although they’re known for serving good pasta in Rome, I found it wasn’t the best considering the higher price point. You’ll find Roman classics here alongside award-winning dishes, and much of the pasta comes served in metal pans. If you’re adding wine and starters to your meal, you’ll probably want to add Taverna Trilussa as an option for treating yourself in Rome rather than a must-try restaurant.
Pasteria
We went for lunch at Pasteria while we were exploring Vatican City and the surrounding area. It’s a lovely little artisan pasta shop founded by a female pasta maker who’s worked at many top restaurants. At Pasteria, there’s a strong emphasis on daily handmade pasta with seasonal ingredients, which you can either take home with you to cook or have them make you a delicious pasta dish to eat right away. As we were short on time, we found this to be a very convenient place to eat near Vatican City, and it’s still a hidden gem if you’re looking for good pasta in Rome.
The cooked dishes are a mixture of traditional Roman pasta dishes and those with more unique flavours and fillings. This isn’t the cheapest place to get fresh pasta in the area, but the quality is definitely worth paying a little extra for. It’s also ideal if you want more variety on the menu. There are a few tables inside, or you can opt to take your pasta away and enjoy it in an outdoor setting elsewhere.
Checco Er Carettiere
Checco Er Carettiere has a long-standing history in Trastevere and is linked to the founder’s original job of transporting wine. To summarize its history, in 1935 a couple took over a tavern that later expanded in size, and generations of the same family continued to run the restaurant with the same Roman culinary traditions. You’ll find Checco Er Carettiere behind the famous Piazza Trilussa. It’s known to have welcomed many famous figures over the decades, whom you can see on the walls as you enter.
As you can imagine, this restaurant gets very busy every evening, so it’s highly recommended to book in advance. We were turned away one night even though we arrived right when they opened. Alongside Roman pasta, they also have signature dishes that offer something a little different than what you may have already tried in Rome. The homemade fettuccine is supposed to be very nice, as are the filled pastas. We ordered a few starters to share as well, which were a bit underwhelming, so I’d suggest sticking with a main dish and maybe a dessert to keep prices down.
Armando al Pantheon
Many visitors looking for good pasta in Rome head straight to Armando al Pantheon, just steps from the Pantheon. It was founded in 1961 as a wine shop with a kitchen, and it eventually became known for its Roman cooking. The restaurant’s identity has been beautifully preserved through generations, and it’s still owned by the original family today. If you’re planning to explore the historic centre around the Pantheon, this is a good option, though tables can fill up far in advance, so book online to secure one.
We came to Armando al Pantheon with high hopes, having read the online reviews, but I felt that it was on the overpriced side of things compared to other restaurants in Rome. To keep your cost down, try to stick with simple orders and keep in mind that there’s an automatic sit-down charge added to the bill per person. Preparation times for their dishes are also longer than you might expect. Make sure you plan enough time in your schedule or opt to have dinner here so you aren’t rushing.
Osteria da Fortunata
Osteria da Fortunata is known for good pasta in Rome, but it often gets mixed reviews because of the social media hype. There are a few different locations you can choose from, with the most popular being close to Campo de’ Fiori and the Pantheon. Both of these locations get very busy, so it’s not a bad idea to choose one that’s further away from the tourist attractions, like we did.
The history of this restaurant can be traced back to Fortunata, who was serving food in the Lazio countryside long before continuing the family’s story in Rome. Handmade pasta is at the heart of the menu at Osteria da Fortunata, including gricia, carbonara, and amatriciana. This isn’t the cheapest place to get pasta in Rome, but I was very happy with my carbonara order and didn’t find it as salty as at other restaurants. We had to call ahead to make a reservation, but online bookings are now available and recommended, especially at peak times.
Places to stay in Rome
Choosing the right place to stay in Rome matters, especially if you want to make the most of your time and see as much as possible. Staying near Termini, such as at MEININGER Roman Termini, makes public transportation and airport connections easier. For a more central location, Rome Times Hotel puts you close to some of Rome’s most famous landmarks. Another well-positioned choice is Roma Luxus Hotel, close to Trajan’s Market, which is ideal if you’re exploring the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Wherever you want to base yourself, consider where you want to spend most of your time and how well connected it is to public transportation.
Is Rome a good foodie city?
Rome is one of Europe’s best foodie cities, especially if you enjoy immersing yourself in traditional dishes and restaurants. From crispy suppli to artisan gelato and pasta, there’s plenty to fit into your itinerary. Finding good pasta in Rome may take a little bit of planning, but knowing where to go beforehand will save you disappointment and keep you from falling into tourist traps. Always venture beyond the restaurants close to attractions, try a few different Roman dishes, and leave room for food you haven’t tried before.
Whether you’re looking to order a bowl of pasta to take away or you’d rather sit and enjoy the atmosphere of a family-run trattoria, Rome’s food will probably be among the highlights of your trip.
If you have any questions about where to find good pasta in Rome or where to stay in the Italian capital, please don’t hesitate to reach out. You can get in touch via email or through the contact form on my website. Don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram and TikTok, too, where you’ll find more travel tips and advice for planning your next trip.
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