"How is the food?!"
The first question friends from home asked me upon my arrival in Rome. To nobody’s surprise, the food is sensational. A good friend of mine came to visit for a couple weeks this past month and was eager to try the restaurants I had been raving about. Here are several of the places I took her to, and places you should try:
1. Pimm’s Good
Pimm’s was the first café I went to my first semester at John Cabot. It quickly became the local spot my friends and I would lounge at on a daily basis. The staff is personable, the food is delicious, and they have live music throughout the week. They also have Wi-Fi for those of you who are deprived of Internet while abroad. My favorite dishes are the lasagna, ratatouille, and tiramisu.
2. Dar Poeta
Dar Poeta is located on a side street that feels hidden from the busier roads in Trastevere. It is not a huge restaurant and anytime past 8 it is absolutely packed, so be prepared to sit close to those dining next to you. The pizza is absolute perfection and is worth the close quarters and the occasional heat flash you may experience when it is busy. My favorite items are the blue cheese and honey bruschetta, the Dar Poeta pizza, and the nutella ricotta calzone.
I first went to Taverna Trilussa with my parents during my first visit to Rome. It is a pretty restaurant where you can dine either inside or outside in the ivy covered patio. On the weekends try to make reservations; I shown up on several times to be informed that they were full for the evening. My favorite items are the baked prosciutto and mozzarella, carciofi alla giudìa (Jewish style artichokes), the ravioli, and the bucatini.
Hostaria del Moro da Tony, fondly known as Tony’s to students and locals, is a fun atmosphere where you can eat a lot and not break the bank. It is excellent for large groups and parties. Tony walks around schmoozing with all the customers and often sends complementary house wine and free desert. My favorite items on the menu are the calamari, chicken parmesan, and the penne alla vodka.
Rome is filled with countless restaurants that are waiting to be discovered, and these are just several of my favorites. I recommend them all to travelers, students, or locals who are on the quest for excellent food, wine, and service.
