The last time I posted about my new favorite places to eat in the capital, it was allll the way back in 2019 (!!!) After all, 2020 was the year the pandmic hit, forcing us all to rely on our own cooking, for better or worse. You could more or less say the same of 2021, a year characterized by on-and-off dining, with restaurants open only for take-away, or just lunch, or with a 6pm closing, depending on the pace of the pandemic at the time. Nowadays, masks are no longer mandatory in inside spaces, green passes are not a requirement, and eating out is in full swing — even more so now that the weather is warm and sunny, and outdoor seating (a product of the high covid case days) abounds.

So! I have titled this “New Favorite Places to Eat in Rome,” with “new” having two different meanings. Some of the below selections were opened not long ago, and are indeed new; others are places that have been around for a bit, but that I have only recently discovered, thus making them new to me. Definition of the word aside, these places all have one thing in common: you absolutely must add them to your running “Restaurants to Try” list asap (don’t we all have one of those?) and visit them ASAP. Your tastebuds will thank you.

Therefore, in no particular order — here are some of my favorite places to eat at lately, that you should definitely know about.

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FORNO CONTI & CO.

Address: Via Giusti 18 (near the Vittorio Emanuele metro stop, Line A)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fornoconti.roma/

Opened in in the Fall of 2021, Forno Conti bakes up pastries and sweets that you do not normally find in Rome, a treat in particular for us ex-pats who sometimes crave something other than a cornetto. Their counter boasts croissants, cardamom rolls, pan au chocolat, babka, hot cross buns, New York style cheesecake, and Bakewell Tart, to name just a few. For those who prefer savory to sweet, you’ll find a variety of quiche, sandwiches made on Forno Conti’s own bread, and focacce. Speaking of bread: the talented team of bakers at Forno Conti also churns out spectacular loaves — whole wheat, rye, baguettes— as well as more particular pane, like black sesame, turmeric poppyseed, and blueberry, raisin, walnut, and goji berry bread. Bonus: Forno Conti is conveniently located next to the Vittorio Emanuele metro stop (A line) which means that there is little standing between you and your new favorite breakfast/brunch/lunch stop. Double bonus: Forno Conti makes a truly perfect cappuccino.

PANE E TEMPESTA

Address: Via Giovanni del Calvi 23
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/paneetempesta/

After a decade of living in Italy, it takes a lot to catch my attention when it comes to pizza, but Pane e Tempesta has managed to do just that (it was a love-at-first-bite kind of situation). They make some of the best pizza I’ve had in the Eternal City, offering both round pizzas (pizze tonde) and pizza by the slice (pizza al taglio) that are spectacular in equal measure, with a divine, crisp-fluffy crust and fresh, delectable toppings. Though pizza rossa — a simple pizza topped with red sauce — can tricky in its simplicity, with so few ingredients to hide behind, Pane e Tempesta nails it (evidenced below). Pane e Tempesta also makes stellar calzoni — try the one stuffed with prosciutto cotto and mozzarella — and bakes all different sorts of bread, from round, tomato topped pizzette, to wholesome little wheat rolls, to salty, olive-oily pizza bianca. Long story short: it is a true carbohydrate lovers paradise. Note: Pane e Tempesta is more a bread shop/take away sort of place, but does have a few tables outside if you would like to sit down and eat your pizza right away (I wouldn’t blame you).

NEIGHBORHOOD RESTAURANT - Filipino & Kapampangan Cuisine

Address: Via Germanico 170a (not far from the Vatican/Ottaviano metro stop)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neighborhood_restaurant/

I was not at all familiar with Filipino cuisine before eating at Neighborhood Restaurant, but am proud to say that I have been making up for lost time, having dined there at least 5 times already. It turns out Filipino food is hearty and meaty, a delicious combination of spicy, sour, and sweet. Indeed — I’ve yet to try a dish at Neighborhood that was anything less than stupendous, but admit that by now I have my favorites: their super crunchy fried chicken served with homemade ketchup, a spicy pork, chili, and coconut dish called Bicol Express, and Mechado, a stew packed with braised beef, potatoes, peppers, and peas. Unsurprisingly, business has been so good that a second location of this family-run restaurant has recently opened in Via Aurelia. Note: As mentioned above, Filippino cuisine is rather meat-heavy so if you’re a vegetarian, you may want to consider dining elsewhere. Bonus: Save room for dessert — Neighborhood also makes a superb ice cream with ube, or purple potato — sounds strange, I know, but it is thick, smooth, with a toasted-marshmallow flavor, not to mention a beautiful, amethyst hue. Bonus 2: The lovely Mary Claire (one of the owners/front of the house) can be relied on to help you navigate the menu and advise on what to order.

CIRCOLETTO

Address: Via dei Cerchi 55 (near Circo Massimo)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/circoletto_roma/

Think of Circoletto as Roman cuisine, street food edition; here you’ll find crisp, juicy porchetta, fried anchovies, fried codfish, a kicked-up version of the club sandwich with roast lamb and sun-dried tomatoes, and bruschetta with sardines, tomatoes, and olives, among many other dishes. For more adventurous eaters, Circoletto also incorporates frattaglie, or offal into their menu, as per Roman tradition. You’ll find pizza bianca with pastrami di lingua, or tongue pastrami, prosciutto di cuore, or prosciutto made from the heart of the animal, and sausage made with fegato, or liver. Bottom line: Circoletto is just the sort of place you want to go to catch up with a group of friends, where you can order as many dishes you want to share, and wash it all down with your choice of beer or wine from Circoletto’s extensive menu. The setting is cozy, the staff is generous and attentive, and I’m quite sure it will quickly become one of your top spots, too.

Photos not my own; taken from https://www.instagram.com/circoletto_roma/?hl=it.

LEGS GO

Address: Via Giovanni da Empoli 23 (near the Piramide metro stop)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legs_roma/

I love Italian food, but every once in a while I feel the need to shake up my usual pasta routine and return to my American roots. Enter Legs Go, which serves up crispy, juicy, fried chicken from its tiny, blink-and-you’'ll miss it take away spot not far frome Rome’s pyramid. You’ll find chicken wings made to perfection (spicy, smoked, or honey/ginger/soy), and different fried chicken sandwiches (noteable: the LEGS BACON CACIO E PEPE, or a sandwich with fried chicken, bacon, Pecorino, and lots of pepper). My personal favorite, however? The classic Legs Burger, with a fried chicken patty, punchy coleslaw, and Leg’s rosemary-infused sauce, all on a soft, buttery bun, and accompanied by crisp, flavorful fries. Vegetarians are welcome, too — Legs also offers a burger consisting of a fried veggie “cutlet” made with broccolo romanesco, and another one made with mushrooms. For those who want something on the lighter side, Legs also offers a delectable grilled chicken sandwich (LEGS SANO). Note: You’ll find that Legs has another larger, sit down location in the Centocelle neighborhood (Via delle Rose 54).

Photos not my own; taken from https://www.instagram.com/legs_roma/?hl=it

CI PASSO BISTROT

Address: Via Metastasio 21
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cipasso.roma/

I’ve always found it difficult to find places to eat in the center of Rome, and even trickier when in the vicinity of tourist attractions, but Ci Passo Bistrot has proved me wrong. Just a 5 minute walk from the Pantheon, Ci Passo serves up not only Roman classics (amatriciana, saltimbocca, cicoria ripassata, puntarelle) but also twists on classic Italian dishes. Pasta alla puttanesca is kicked up a notch with the addition of octopus, your typical polpette al sugo (meatballs) are served alla Norma style, with ricotta salata and eggplant (both pictured below), and classic ravioli with ricotta are dressed up with cacio e pepe, crispy leeks, and lime. Having said this, Ci Passo’s menu changes often based on the season. Bonus: Ci Passo is also very vegetarian friendly, serving non-meat alternatives to traditionally meat-y dishes. A fresh tomato tartare with burrata (pictured below) takes the place of beef tartar, and there is a vegetarian tagliere, with cheese, olives, and sun-dried tomatoes taking the place of the more traditional salumi. P.S be sure to leave room for dessert; they make an exceptional tiramisu’.

ROMANE’

Address: Via Cipro 106 (right by the Cipro metro stop on the A line)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/romaneviacipro106/
Romane’ is the sit-down restaurant of Rome’s Stefano Callegari, the creator of the uber popular Trapizzino sandwich. Callegari, along with his talented team of chefs and partners, has created a menu that boasts both Roman classics as well as their own creations. You’ll find piatti romani like trippa alla romana, bucatini all’amatriciana, spaghetti alla carbonara, vignarola, and polpette di bollito (the last three pictured below) as well as dishes like fettuccine al tortellino, where the flavors of a classic tortellino (nutmeg, parmesan, mortadella and prosciutto) are turned into a luxurious pasta dish. I don’t usually order meat (I’m a primo girl, myself, as evidenced by the eggplant/tomato/basil pasta pictured below) but Romane’s saltimbocca and roast pork are also exceptional. Don’t skip dessert, either — Romane’s summer strawberry sorbet tastes just like a frozen strawberry, and their panna cotta is perhaps the best I’ve ever eaten, anywhere. The best part of all? Romane’ is a two minute walk from my apartment, meaning that there is little standing between me and that panna cotta.

MENABO’ VINO + CUCINA

Address: Via delle Palme 44
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/menabo_vino_e_cucina/
Located in Rome’s Centocelle neighborhood, Menabo’ has quickly made its way in my Top Five Favorite Places to Eat in Rome since I first dined their last year. Cozy, informal ambience aside, Menabo’ boasts an artful, unique menu that changes with the seasons. A few standouts from their constantly changing menu include gnocchi in an artichoke cream, topped with fried artichokes, Pecorino, and mint; pork ribs in a goulash-style sauce; agnolotti with a rich meat filling, served over lentils; and roast duck breast with cherries. My personal (late Summer) favorite remains Menabo’s dreamy fusilli with guanciale and fresh, caramelized figs (pictured below). As the name suggests, Menabo’ is also a vino-lovers paradise, with a spectacular wine list and the expertise to match, courtesy of owner/sommelier Daniele Camponeschi. Note: Menabo’ is located in the Centocelle neighborhood, which can be easily reached using Rome’s Metro C. The restaurant is a six minute walk from the Gardenie stop.

180 GRAMMI PIZZERIA

Address: Via Genazzano 32 (Centocelle)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/180grammipizzeriaromana/
Run by the talented, not-yet-30 year old Jacopo Mercuro, 180 grammi is the traditional Roman pizzeria, elevated and revisited. Perfectly executed, thin crust pizzas are topped with inventive ingredients in a sort of Roman-pizza Renaissance; there’s “La parte piu’ buona delle lasagne,” made with tomato, nutmeg-infused bechamel, ragu’, fior di latte, and Parmesan, ingredients that mimic the corner (best part) of the lasagne. You’ll also find the Pineapple Express, with prosciutto, fior di latte, and pineapple “pastrami”, and “La Prima,” with porchetta, bufala, and cicoria. The fritti here are not an afterthought, either, but hold their own in this sea of pizza perfection — Jacopo offers innovative starters like fried cannelloni and a fried, vignarola stuffed artichoke, as well as sampietrini crispy, breaded delights with fillings like broccoli/Pecorino/’nduja, cacio e pepe, and braised beef cheek. Note: 180gr also makes excellent classic pizzas, like the A+ Margherita below. Tip: Like Menabo’, 180gr is located in the Centocelle neighborhood. It can be easily reached by Rome’s Metro C line, and is a 3 minute walk from the Teano stop. Tip 2: You will need to book at least 1 week in advance to get a table here, so plan accordingly.

TRECCA - CUCINA DI MERCATO

Address: Via Alessandro Severo 222 (near the San Paolo metro stop, B line)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trecca_roma/
Owned and run by the Trecastelli brothers, Trecca is a hub of true, authentic Roman cuisine with a fresher, younger vibe. You’ll find the usual Roman classics like bucatini all’amatriciana and a stand-out, exceptional carbonara, plus more creative dishes, like crisp, breaded pannicolo (a lean cut of beef) fettuccine with a rabbit and chicken ragu’, and spicy quail (quaglia alla diavola). Trecca also prides itself on showcasing il quinto quarto (offal), a cornerstone of Roman cuisine, with dishes like chicken gizzards and potatoes (rigaglie e patate), grilled lamb intestine (pajata grigliata), and fried sweetbreads (animelle). Leave room for dessert, too — Trecca’s cherry and ricotta pie (crostata ricotta e visciole) and their cream stuffed Roman sweet bun (maritozzo) are both sublime. Fun fact: Trecca and the above-mentioned Circoletto are owned and run by the same group, making them sister restaurants. Advice: Trecca tends to be booked even a week or so in advance, so be sure to reserve ahead of time.