Rome City Guide
Rome City Guide - The best places to see & visit. Local insider's knowledge and off-the-beaten track places. The eternal city has so much to offer away from the crowds. With the Plinius team based in Rome we can let you into all our secrets only a local can give you.
Restaurants Taverna Volpetti
A former cafeteria lives on as a wine bar and restaurant with a dinner menu that changes nightly. The wine list here is carefully curated and includes some of the very best labels Italy has to offer, available by the bottle and the glass.
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Aperitivo Amaro Bar
an osteria and cocktail bar on Via di Ripetta in the city's historic centre. The central Rome venue, whose title is inspired by the classic movie Il Marchese del Grillo starring Alberto Sordi, serves contemporary versions of Roman specialties. The pasta is made in-house while chef Daniele Roppo selects fresh ingredients from the indoor "mercato" whose 0-km produce is also available for purchase to diners.
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Shop Chez Dede
I would love to move into this shop! Luxe, calme et volupté, Chez Dede is an independent brand with a french-italian passport and an international audience founded in 2011 by Andrea Ferolla and Daria Reina. Exclusive collections of accessories, fashion, home decor and jewels stand alongside small éditions de charme and collaborations with worldwide luxury brands. Italian craftsmanship, exquisite materials, nonchalance and esprit de finesse are the distinctive trade marks of the brand.
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Restaurants il Matriciano
The family-lead restaurant Il Matriciano lies near the Vatican (Don't be surprised to see a few cardinals from the Vatican) . As suggested already by its name, it is most of all famous for its bucatini alla matriciana: macaroni with tomatoes and small pieces of bacon. Many other pasta dishes in the Roman fashion are prepared here as well.
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Enoteca Enoteca Buccone
Lovely old deli/store/restaurant. Once it was Marquesses Cavalcabò’s coach-house, then a tavern and since 1969 it has been changed into a wine cellar. It was the first in Rome that served high quality wines, among which the famous Picolit
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Aperitivo Callimaco
Right next to Forno Conti&Co you find this nice local hotspot for a great glass of (natural) wine, an aperitivo or a light meal.
Restaurants La Matriciana dal 1870
This is an old school restaurant, in the equally old school Esquilino neighborhood. The story goes that around 1870 a lady migrated from Amatrice to Rome, and started cooking the bucatini (famous to the region), on the very spot the restaurant is in today. Now run by the Crisciotti family, brothers Fabio and Mauro left the menu and decor the since the '30s. Aside from ordering the signature bucatini all'amatriciana, try something you would only ever see in Rome: puntarelle-inner stalks of Catalonian chicory, sliced super thin and tossed with anchovies and lemon juice.
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Restaurants Jerry Thomas Speakeasy
A Secret Cocktail bar / Speak Easy, get the password online to be able to enter (9pm - 4:30 am). The Jerry Thomas is a private club that provides subscription to an annual membership. You can apply the card once inside the bar at a cost of € 5 per person.
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Activities Mercato Centrale Di Roma
The Mercato Centrale (Central Market) is one of the local daily food markets in Rome. Located in the heart of the Eternal City, the market is filled with stalls selling local Italian cuisine from all over the country. even if you’ve only got one day in Rome, a visit to the Mercato Centrale is a must! The market is open daily from 8 am - 4 pm and is mainly a self-service market where you can sit anywhere in the market, eat great food, and take in the ambiance.
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Activities Mercato Testaccio
The Testaccio Market is close to the Tiber River behind the Aventine hill, and the easiest way to get there is to take a 20-25 minute walk under the sycamore trees along the river bank. Try to get there in time for an early lunch. Many vendors sell fresh-made regional dishes from all over Italy and from the Rome area in particular. Be sure to try a fresh local pasta dish like Cacio e Pepe or al’ Amatriciana and the Jewish style artichokes if they are in season (November to April). And why not finish with a glass of local wine from one of the stalls in the market? The market is open every day except Sundays from 7 am to 3:30 pm.
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Activities Cycle Appia Antica
The Via Appia Antica or Appian Way is one of the oldest roads of Rome and served as an important access road into the city. The cobbled road was named after consul Appius Claudius Caecus who commissioned its construction in 312 BCE. The main goal back then was to move troops more quickly during the Second Samnite War, but also to facilitate day-to-day transport of goods between Rome and Campania. The paved stone road is nicknamed ‘regina viarium’; queen of the roads. That is because of how important the road was, but also because of the beauty of the landscape the Via Appia traverses. Part of the road (starting at the Cecelia Metella funerary monument) still has the old paving stones that clearly show the wear of the carriage tracks. The Via Appia Antica has an almost romantic feel with the green cypresses and many ruins that line the cobblestone way. Great starting point is at Café Appia Antica for bicycle rental.
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Activities Collalti - Bicycle rental
An historical bicycle ride down a 2,300 Year Old Roman Road, The Appian Way. South of the center of the city, far from the crowded landmarks of the center of Rome, there is a 2,300 year old road that is beautifully preserved. You can cycle/ walk on stretches of it, original paving and all, in the middle of the countryside, gaining a different perspective on the importance of the Roman legacy on our modern lives. Starting point: Porta San Sebastiano. Best to do this on a Sunday, on Sundays, when the Appian Way is off limits to cars.
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Restaurants Retrobotegga
Minimalist decor and clean lines characterise this restaurant decorated in dark tones, where the two owner-chefs have both worked in various Michelin-starred restaurants (and others) over the years. Modern cuisine which showcases seasonal ingredients in regional yet refined dishes.
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Culture Villa Farnesina
Villa Farnesina is a mansion built between 1505 and 1511 and is one of the most majestic buildings that remain from the Renaissance period in Rome. Villa Farnesina is an important manifestation of the luxury and opulence that predominated in Italian society during the Renaissance period. the reason for visiting lies in the frescoes that cover the ceilings and walls that decorate the interior of the villa.
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Culture Museo Nacional Romano - Palazzo Massimo alle Terme
Palazzo Massimo alle Terme, one of the four parts of the Museo Nazionale Romano. The National Roman Museum is located in four different buildings; the Baths of Diocletain, the Palazzo Altemps, the Crypta Balbi and lastly, the Palazzo Massimo. This last palace features one of the best archaeological and classical art collections in the world. The villa is a superb Neo-Renaissance style palace, erected between 1883 and 1887. It was used as a Jesuit college until 1960 and in 1981 it was transformed into part of the National Roman Museum.
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Culture Palazzo Barberini
The Palazzo Barberini is a 17th-century palace in Rome located close to the Piazza Barberini. The palace now houses the "Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Antica", the most important national collection of older paintings in Rome. The founder of the palace is Maffeo Barberini (1568 - 1644), who later became Pope Urban VIII. Barberini bought the original villa from the Sforza family for his cousins Taddeo, Francesco and Antonio. At the time, he had the most innovative artists working on the project to convert the villa into a beautiful palace. For example, the square stairwell was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and the oval spiral staircase by Borromini. The total palace now has 187 rooms and covers 12000 m2. Striking here is the family crest of the Barberinis; the bee. You will find these bees in many places, such as in the ceilings and statues.
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Activities Culinaire Tours of Rome
Eat, drink, and explore Katie Parla’s Rome. Sharing the culture, history, and cuisine of the Rome we all know and love. Katie offers many different tours. We did the Roman Cuisine in Prati and Trionfale (3 hours) The neighborhood just north of the Vatican is pleasantly tourist free and residential, making for a truly local experience as residents shop for their groceries. Its food shops and covered market, a modern construction that is one of the largest in Rome, are sensational and the area is home to the world’s best pizza by the slice. This walking tour will explore this overlooked district and focus on its delis, bakeries, market, cafes and gelato shops. Visitors who have already explored the historic center or are looking for a more authentic culinary experience will come away with an understanding of how Roman residents eat and shop in their own neighborhoods.
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Culture Galleria Nazionale d'Arte Moderna e Contemporanea
Modern Art museum next to Borghese park, personally my favorite museum in the city. It hosts more than 5,000 artworks, that date from the 18th century all the way to the 1960s. Among its collection are the works of world-renowned artists like Cezanne, Van Gogh, or Monet.
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Enoteca Enoteca Cul de Sac
Wine, cheese, and people watching just off by Piazza Navona. Connoisseurs come for the wines, the wine list runs for pages, covering 1,500 wines that are mostly Italian. The dry, red Amarone della Valpolicella is excellent. In summer go for any of the locally-made Frascati whites. They’re exactly the kind of crisp and refreshing you need to counter that Roman sun.
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Activities Porta Portese
Every sunday you'll find here a huge market. Be prepared for endless strolling and grabbling for the best 1euro finds.
Restaurants Fiaschetteria Marini 1913
A classic Roman slow food restaurant with amazing Carbonara pasta and amazing wines (also natural wines)
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Restaurants Marigold
Located in the hip neigbourhood of Ostiense owned by a Danish-Italian couple, chef Domenico Cortese and baker Sofie Wochner. It's a space where they create and share their passion for real, simple, delicious food. Their menu changes everyday and reflects our philosophy for real, simple food. They make everything themselves and bake all their pastries and amazing bread daily. The coffee is been roasted in Rome and they pour only natural wines. Ingredients are always seasonable and organic, always sourced from small Italians businesses or they even forage from Rome’s backyard.
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Restaurants BARRED
Owned and operated by Tiziano and Mirko Pacucci, two young Roman brothers with a passion for food and drinks, Barred offers a small but tightly-curated selection of creative, comfort dishes in which seasonal ingredients sing. Though the menu highlights dishes that include offal, there are always interesting plant-based items, too, showcasing Tiziano’s talent for reinventing himself. You’ll find entrées like sautéed spinach with black garlic and mushroom ragù, and pappardelle with artichokes and licorice. Enjoy tapas at the bar or opt for a seat at one of the few tables in this cozy spot. There are also great orange wines available!
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Restaurants Da Enzo
Da Enzo is the Roman trattoria you might see in The Godfather. Bottles of wine stacked along the walls, checkered tablecloths, and daily specials scribbled on a chalkboard. This is a house wine kind of place, nothing too fancy. The Main event is the food; Start with sourdough bread and ricotta, which is served with local jams and honeys, and deep-fried zucchini flowers, packed with mozzarella and anchovies. Don’t miss the polpette (meatballs), Grilled garlicky eggplant makes for a perfect side dish, as does the steamed wild chicory, with lemon and extra virgin olive oil.
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Caffè Forno Conti & Co.
Forno Conti & Co. Is an artisanal bakery in Rome’s storied Esquilino neighborhood, they have the best sourdough of the city and the coffee is amazing. Besides that I really love the vibe here! Sergio Conti is a fourth generation Roman bread maker. His family’s bakery in Trastevere, Panetteria Romana e Spaccio di Paste on via della Lungaretta, has been a neighborhood staple since it opened more than 100 years ago. Forno Conti & Co. represents both his departure from and the continuation of the traditions that have moulded his career until this point. His new kitchen is a symbol of a new freedom to experiment, innovate, and liberate his creativity for leavened breads, pizzas, cakes
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Caffè The Hoxton
I am always a big fan of the interior and the vibe at the Hoxton and if you need a comfortable place to work a bit on your laptop, then for me this is the place to go. Staff is chill and friendly and there is always plenty of space to work. Amazing cappuchino's for just 2euro's!
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Aperitivo Eitch borromini rooftop bar
For an amazing 360degrees view on Rome and a Grand Bellezza feeling, head to this hotel! Yes it is overpriced, but just take one aperol spritz here and enjoy the view. I promiss you it is worth the 18euro's you pay for the Aperol! I especially love going during sunset!
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Restaurants Pierluigi
A favorite of the old-school Roman borghesia, Pierluigi serves excellent fish, and standard Roman pasta's like cacio e pepe and carbonara. I love the setting with the white-tablecloth way that’s elegant rather than too formal or fussy. It is so picture perfect that even Anna Wintour found her way here.
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Restaurants Santo Palato
This name keeps popping up in all list of the best restaurants in Rome and Santo Palato is exactly what a Roman trattoria should be. Chef Sarah Cicolini works her magic. The menu's packed with gems; depending on what’s fresh at the market that day, you might see comforting bowls of pasta with chickpeas, or the most satisfying plate of pasta with cacio e pepe. Wash it down with some house red. A reservation is recommended!
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Restaurants il Pagliaccio
Two-star Michelin Restaurant. The fusion cuisine served at this restaurant tells the story of the chef’s life, blending influences from his experiences and travels around the world to create cuisine that combines Mediterranean flavours with hints of the Orient, something that is quite rare in Italy. Special mention should also be made of the attentive and courteous service overseen by Matteo Zappile, as well as the interesting wine list which boasts a good selection of champagnes. This is also where Carlotta (from Plinius Property Boscarello) learned the art of pastry making.
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Restaurants Ristorante Trattoria al Moro
Despite its location near the Trevi Fountain, Al Moro maintains a predominantly local clientele. With a handwritten wine list and a menu of classic dishes, this authentic Italian eatery is touted as having the best carbonara in Rome. While you cannot go wrong with any of the homemade plates, start with the artichoke appetizer accompanied by a glass of the house red.
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Caffè Pasticceria Regoli dal 1916
A maritozzo is a sweet roll, baked golden yellow and filled with cream. The name is said to be derived from the word marito, husband. Preparing this sweet delicacy would be a sweet token of love. The best one in Rome you get at Regoli
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