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Trastevere is the go-to neighborhood in Rome for foodies and nightlife lovers. This area has it all, from cool bars and delicious food to the vibe that draw visitors back to Rome time and time again. Whether you’re a solo traveler in Rome or visiting Rome with friends, you’ll want to allocate one late afternoon or early evening to explore the cobblestone alleyways of Trastevere. And it’s not only for the young among us to enjoy: you’ll find families with kids and elderly also enjoying their evening passegiata in Trastevere.
There is so much to do while in Rome, and eating will undoubtedly be a huge part of what makes your trip so enjoyable. So if you’re craving something delicious and traditional (yes, pizza counts), a refreshing limoncello or a classic tiramisu, Romans and tourists agree that Trastevere has the best restaurants in town. Let’s see which ones made it on this locals’ list of the best restaurants in Trastevere – make sure to add them to your itinerary for Rome!
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1. Tonnarello
It’s not enough to just offer fresh pasta with homemade sauces (and some of the most delicious desserts in Rome). You need something to enjoy the ambience of Rome’s charming cobbled streets. At Tonnarello, the most visited restaurant in Rome, you get all of the amazing fresh pasta and a patio to take in the vibe of Trastevere.
The carbonara is the star of the menu (and that’s saying something because Romans make excellent carbonara given it comes from Rome). People from all around the world go to Tonnarello just to try this dish. But if you do go, prepare to queue for quite some time. In many ways, it’s part of the experience.
2. Sesamo Trastevere
Sesamo Trastevere is the chance to try something unique, specifically burgers with an Italian twist. At its most basic, Sesamo is a fast food-style restaurant, so you can go here for a quick bite or just for take out and then go sit in one of the beautiful piazzas in the area.
The standout burger that you must try at Sesamo is the PizBurger, larger than a typical hamburger but lighter than a pizza. There is also the carbonara burger which resoundingly is considered one of the most unique takes on carbonara in Rome. And if that isn’t enough, Sesamo also serves delicious pizzas and fried snacks.
3. Ombre Rosse – Friendly uphill bar with lovely views
Ombre Rosse is perfect if you’re looking for a bar with that warm, characteristically Italian atmosphere to chat with friends or meet new people. In our opinion, it’s the best place to take sit back and embrace the charm of Trastevere.
There is definitely something in the cozy architecture and warm service which makes Ombre Rosse such a local favorite, but it’s mostly the absolutely delicious food. We recommend their salmon for antipasti and pasta for your main dish. And we say pasta as a main because it is a very generous portion, and many will argue that Ombre Rosso’s pasta is the best in all of Rome so you won’t want to share.
And what we love about Ombre Rosse is that the team consistently delivers on flavor. Their market is locals, not tourists, which means they can’t get away with subpar cuisine.
4. Trattoria Da Enzo al 29
Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 has to be the coziest restaurant in Trastevere. This petite restaurant prides itself on offering some of the freshest pasta in Rome with speciality Roman flavors.
By all accounts, if you’re a foodie who loves to indulge in local flavors (and that’s what Travel Insighter is all about), Da Enzo al 29 is a must-visit restaurant. Make sure to ask for some snacks and a glass of the their house Italian wine while you wait in the (most likely) long line.
5. Alice Pizza Trastevere
Most Neapolitan-style pizzas have pretty basic toppings, but Roman-style pizza is an abundance of flavors. You will have to line up at Alice Pizza, but at least you know you’re lining up for the best pizza in Trastevere. If you’re coming from Tuscany or Milan, you’ll quickly notice that what makes Alice’s Pizza so unique is the rectangular shape, the pizza in teglia. And the problem with Alice’s Pizza is that there will be so many options right before your eyes and you’ll want to order them all.
6. Otaleg
No visit to Rome can go without a sweet gelato. Go to Otaleg for the best homemade gelato in town.
The variety of flavors is infinite, but some of the best ones have to be the gianduia, tiramisù and pistacchio – all traditional Italian flavors! And just for good measure, you can get them in a milkshake.
7. Pico’s Taqueria & American Grill
After so many delicious Italian dishes, you might want to try something that isn’t Italian. Trastevere is quite an international area which means there are a variety of restaurants serving food that isn’t Italian, including Pico’s for American and Mexican food. If you are visiting Rome at the end of a longer trip through Italy, you will probably be ready for something that isn’t pizza or pasta. At Pico’s you can expect the best of American-Mexican cuisine with tacos and quesadillas, juicy hamburgers, fried chicken with waffles, and mac and cheese.
8. Le Levain Roma: for the best desserts in Rome
Your search stops here for the most delicious desserts in Trastevere. Le Levain is a modern pasticceria that serves the best freshly made pastries, breads, coffee, and sandwiches around.
This restaurant is perfect to grab a quick sandwich and dessert during your travels around Rome. We recommend the croissant with prosciutto for lunch, the pistacchio tartelletta for dessert and an Italian-style cappuccino to cap it off.
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