“There are so many incredible restaurants in Rome, as you can imagine, so we like to try them all out so we can give a true recommendation to our guests – it’s one of the perks of the job, I love it.”
My Favourites:
On Roman favourites
I'm from Naples but I’ve lived in Rome for five years now. As soon as I came here I fell in love with the city, and with the food especially. Roman food is actually really simple, mainly eggs, cheese, and pepper but it’s the way they’re combined that makes it so special. One of the main dishes is carbonara, but my favourite is cacio e pepe. It’s very simple, just spaghetti with Pecorino cheese and black pepper but it’s delicious.
We try to go to each restaurant that we recommend, because we have to know what we are recommending. This evening we are going to Hostaria da Pietro, a family-run restaurant close to the hotel that we love. I will probably choose my favourite, cacio e pepe!
Traditional trattorias
There’s a good place called Felice a Testaccio, it’s a classic Roman trattoria in a residential part of the city, where they make the pasta in front of you. Another great place is the market in Campo di Fiori, in the centre of old Rome, where you see Italian grandmothers making fresh pasta. It’s lovely to see so much care and decades of tradition placed into each dish.
Somewhere I like to go with my friends is Taverna Trilussa in Trastevere, it’s been open for over 110 years so they really know what they’re doing.
As for pizza, which everyone asks for, I would always recommend Emma in Campo di Fiori, it’s a buzzy family-friendly place, typically Italian. They also do suppli to snack on before your pizza. In Rome, the pizza is delicate, thin and crispy but in Naples, my hometown, it’s much softer – I love them both, who doesn’t love pizza?
For something special
I would recommend Aroma, it’s a Michelin-star restaurant on the top floor of Palazzo Manfredi. They have a fantastic tasting menu, and the terrace overlooks the Colosseum – you’ll have an incredible dinner there.
I recently took my husband to Gallura for his birthday. It's a fish and seafood restaurant with a beautiful garden. It's in a residential area, so away from tourist traps, it has live music and is super romantic.
Of course, we have our own Cielo restaurant here by Fulvio Pierangelini, our amazing Creative Director of Food, with dishes that combine authentic Italian flavours with modern creativity. It’s on the terrace, and from our location at the top of the Spanish Steps, you can enjoy stunning views over the city.
Something sweet
Guests always ask for ice cream – we have a lot of fabulous gelaterias in Rome. There’s a good one just a few minutes’ walk from the hotel, Antica Gelateria dei Gracchi, I go almost everyday in the summer for my favourite scoop of pistachio with chocolate.
In between meals
In Italy, we love coffee, and we often like to have something salty, such as pizza, alongside our coffee around 10.30am – between breakfast and lunch – we call it spuntino. My favourite place is Antico Forno Roscioli, it’s a historic bakery and deli that serves perfectly crispy pizza by the slice.
Another strong Italian tradition is the aperitivo, it’s very important. One place that I like most is Salotto 42, it’s in a small square called Piazza di Pietra, it’s not very well known so it’s quite peaceful and you have the Temple of Hadrian in front of you, so it's beautiful. It's like a hidden jewel – you can have a delicious spritz with olives and bruschetta, it’s a wonderful way to start the evening.
A vibrant, modern-day icon atop the Spanish Steps.
Phone Number*
Address
Via Sistina 69
00187, Rome
Rome
00187, Rome
Rome
A vibrant, modern-day icon atop the Spanish Steps.
Phone Number*
Address
Via Sistina 69
00187, Rome
Rome
00187, Rome
Rome
A vibrant, modern-day icon atop the Spanish Steps.
Phone Number*
Address
Via Sistina 69
00187, Rome
Rome
00187, Rome
Rome