Discover the ten best pasta restaurants in Rome, from traditional trattorias to local favourites serving authentic carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and other Roman classics.
Rome is a city where food is part of the journey. A plate of pasta can be a simple neighbourhood ritual, but it can also become the centrepiece of an elegant evening, served with impeccable wine, thoughtful service and views across some of the world's most recognisable landmarks.
For travellers who appreciate exceptional dining, Rome offers plenty of choices beyond its traditional trattorias. Michelin-starred kitchens, refined hotel restaurants and intimate fine-dining addresses are putting their own interpretation on Italian classics, while still respecting the ingredients and techniques that make Roman cuisine so distinctive. From the best pasta restaurants in Rome to elegant dining rooms serving creative tasting menus, the city offers something for every discerning palate.
Here are ten restaurants to consider when you want to pair your Rome itinerary with an exceptional pasta and Italian dining experience.
An unforgettable evening above Rome
Perched inside Rome Cavalieri on Monte Mario, La Pergola is one of the city's most celebrated dining destinations. Chef Heinz Beck has led the kitchen since 1994, creating sophisticated Italian cuisine that balances classic flavours with contemporary technique.
The restaurant's greatest attraction may be the setting. From its terrace, Rome stretches across the horizon, with domes, rooftops and monuments creating a remarkable backdrop as the city lights begin to appear. With three Michelin stars in the 2026 selection, La Pergola is an ideal choice for a milestone dinner or an evening when the restaurant itself is part of the travel experience.
Il Pagliaccio
Creative Italian cuisine in the historic centre
Tucked away near Campo de' Fiori, Il Pagliaccio offers a more intimate interpretation of fine dining. Chef Anthony Genovese brings together Italian traditions with influences gathered from his international culinary journey, resulting in tasting menus that are imaginative without losing sight of their ingredients.
The restaurant holds two Michelin stars and was awarded 94/100 in Gambero Rosso's 2026 Rome guide. Rather than coming here simply for one famous pasta dish, it is better approached as a complete culinary experience, where pasta may form part of a carefully paced tasting menu. For travellers wondering where to find the best pasta in Rome, this style of dining offers a more sophisticated way to explore the city's culinary heritage.
Imàgo
Dining above the Spanish Steps
Few restaurants in Rome can match the setting of Imàgo. Located on the sixth floor of the iconic Hotel Hassler, it overlooks Piazza di Spagna and the rooftops of central Rome.
The kitchen takes a contemporary approach to Italian cuisine, with seasonal ingredients presented through elegant tasting menus. Dinner here works particularly well after an afternoon exploring the Spanish Steps, Via Condotti and the surrounding streets. Gambero Rosso awarded Imàgo 93/100 in its 2026 Rome guide, placing it firmly among the city's leading dining addresses.
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Acquolina
A refined seafood-led experience
Inside The First Roma Arte hotel near Piazza del Popolo, Acquolina takes Italian fine dining in a distinctly seafood-focused direction. Chef Daniele Lippi's cuisine explores Mediterranean ingredients through creative tasting menus, making this a particularly interesting choice for travellers who want something beyond traditional Roman recipes.
Acquolina holds two Michelin stars in the 2026 selection, placing it among Rome's most distinguished restaurants.
Aroma
Pasta with a view of the Colosseum
Aroma offers one of Rome's most memorable dining settings, with its terrace looking directly towards the Colosseum. Located at Palazzo Manfredi, it combines contemporary Italian cooking with an atmosphere that makes the city's ancient history impossible to ignore.
For a premium traveller, this is as much about the occasion as the food. Watching the Colosseum illuminated while enjoying a carefully prepared Italian dinner creates the kind of Rome memory that stays long after the meal is over. Traditional Roman favourites such as carbonara can also be enjoyed across the city, but those searching for the best carbonara in Rome should look for restaurants that pay close attention to the quality of guanciale, pecorino Romano and freshly prepared pasta.
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PER ME Giulio Terrinoni
An intimate address near Via Giulia
Hidden away on Vicolo del Malpasso, PER ME Giulio Terrinoni has the atmosphere of a restaurant you discover rather than simply pass on a sightseeing route. Chef Giulio Terrinoni is known for his contemporary Italian cuisine, with seafood and seasonal ingredients playing an important role.
The intimate setting makes it particularly suited to travellers looking for a quieter evening. Instead of a grand dining room, the experience feels personal and carefully considered, with tasting menus allowing the kitchen to showcase its creativity.
Il Convivio Troiani
Fine dining in a quiet historic lane
Just a short walk from Piazza Navona, Il Convivio Troiani is tucked into the atmospheric Vicolo dei Soldati. The location is wonderfully Roman, placing you within the historic centre while keeping you away from the busiest tourist streets.
The Troiani family's approach to Italian cuisine combines tradition with contemporary presentation. It is a good choice for travellers who want their evening to feel distinctly connected to Rome, from the setting to the ingredients on the plate. For those keen to sample the Best cacio e pepe in Rome, exploring established Roman kitchens is essential, as this deceptively simple dish relies on the balance of pecorino Romano, black pepper and pasta water.
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Orma Roma
Modern flavours near Via Veneto
Located on Via Boncompagni, Orma Roma is part of a newer generation of Roman restaurants that treats dining as an experience rather than simply a meal. Chef Roy Caceres builds his menus around flavour, seasonal produce and creative combinations, with two tasting paths designed around both signature dishes and new creations.
The restaurant's wine cellar, curated with sommelier Matteo De Paoli, adds another layer to the experience. Its location near Via Veneto also makes it a natural choice for an elegant evening after exploring one of Rome's most historic boulevards.
All'Oro
Contemporary Italian cooking in Flaminio
All'Oro offers another perspective on Rome's modern dining scene. Located on Via Giuseppe Pisanelli in the Flaminio area, the restaurant focuses on Italian ingredients while presenting them through contemporary techniques.
Chef Riccardo Di Giacinto's cooking is inventive but grounded in familiar flavours, making it an appealing option for diners who have already explored Rome's classic food scene and want something more polished and creative. Traditional dishes such as amatriciana remain an important part of Roman food culture, and travellers looking for the best amatriciana in Rome should seek out versions made with quality guanciale, pecorino and tomato.
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Moma
A sophisticated choice near Via Veneto
Moma brings together contemporary Italian cooking and an understated setting close to Via Veneto. The restaurant's approach is elegant rather than theatrical, with seasonal ingredients and carefully composed dishes taking centre stage.
Its location is convenient for travellers exploring Villa Borghese, Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps, while the refined atmosphere makes it well suited to a relaxed evening away from the crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best pasta restaurants in Rome?
Some of Rome’s standout restaurants for an elevated Italian dining experience include La Pergola, Il Pagliaccio, Imàgo, Aroma and Acquolina. For a more traditional Roman meal, explore established neighbourhood trattorias alongside the city's fine-dining addresses.
Where can I eat authentic pasta in Rome?
For authentic Roman flavours, look for restaurants that specialise in traditional recipes made with local ingredients such as pecorino Romano, guanciale and seasonal produce. Neighbourhoods such as Trastevere, Testaccio and the historic centre are particularly well known for their food scene.
Which restaurant serves the best carbonara in Rome?
There is no single answer, as carbonara is one of Rome's most debated dishes. For a premium dining experience, several acclaimed restaurants reinterpret the classic using high-quality guanciale, pecorino Romano, egg and black pepper while maintaining its traditional character.
What pasta dishes should I try in Rome?
Start with Rome's four classic pasta dishes: carbonara, cacio e pepe, amatriciana and gricia. Each showcases a different combination of a few simple ingredients and gives you a good introduction to traditional Roman cooking.
Is Rome famous for pasta?
Yes. Pasta is central to Roman cuisine and forms an important part of the city's food culture. Roman cooking is particularly known for dishes that use simple, locally sourced ingredients and rely on technique rather than complicated preparation.
What is the most popular pasta dish in Rome?
Carbonara is arguably the most recognisable Roman pasta dish internationally. Made traditionally with pasta, guanciale, egg, pecorino Romano and black pepper, it is a must-try for anyone visiting the Italian capital.
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