Rome Value Restaurants: 10Best Bargain Restaurant Reviews

When traveling in Rome on a budget or simply wanting to get bang for your buck, there are many options on hand. But with many places in the historical center catering to tourists, it can be difficult to know where to go. So we’ve rounded up 10 of Rome’s best value outlets. Trattoria or pizzeria dining in Rome is the best for value, with a classic carbonara or pizza setting you back less than €10. Da Enzo (Trastevere) or Flavio al Velavevodetto (Testaccio) serves up authentic roman fare and a 2-course meal plus wine will only set you back about €20. Pizza is always a sure bet for a low budget meal and Da Remo is one of the city’s best. Pizza by the slice is another great option for a quick, easy and cheap meal and Antico Roscioli in the center is a great option. A tavola calda, kind of like a cafe or take away, is another great option for a cheap lunch on the go and I Suppli fry up a whole lot of local treats like baccala (salt cod) and suppli (the classic roman crumbed riceball with a mozzarella filling) and offer a daily pasta and pizza selection for less than €10. For great value but when you’re feeling like something a little gourmet, check out Zia or Jacopa for a take on what some of Rome’s young and talented chefs are serving up. With these tips, you won’t go hungry in Rome or break the bank. 







Panattoni (Ai Marmi)

Photo courtesy of Maria Pasquale

This popular pizzeria located in the cuore of Trastevere is one of the best when it comes to serving up that perfect Roman pizza: light, thin and crispy crust. It’s extremely sought after not only by tourists but by locals themselves. For years, Romans have been calling this pizza joint “l’obitorio” (the morgue) and “ai marmi” because of its characteristic long marble tabletops. Aside from the pizza being so good, locals also come here to devour their famous suppl� and fritti as appetizers. Their pizza is certainly not the cheapest by any means but is absolutely reliable and consistent. Rest assured, you will always eat well here every single time. TRAM: 8. BUS: H.

Recommended for Best Value because: Eat elbow to elbow in one of Trastevere’s bustling hotspots. It doesn’t get more Roman than this!

Maria’s expert tip: While you wait for your pizza, make sure to order their famous fiori di zucca (anchovy and mozzarella stuffed zucchini flowers) and olive ascolane (fried olives stuffed with meat).

Read more about Panattoni (Ai Marmi) →



Da Enzo


Da Enzo

Photo courtesy of Eating Italy Food Tours

For traditional Cucina Romana (Roman cuisine), the best place to go to is Da Enzo. It’s literally a hole-in-the-wall with maybe about 10 or 12 tables. Da Enzo definitely does up the most mind-blowing carciofi alla giudia (Jewish style fried artichokes) and keeps it real with their classic pasta dishes like carbonara (egg and pork cheek), amatriciana (tomato and pork cheek) and cacio e pepe (pecorino cheese and pepper) and local offal dishes like tripe and braised oxtail (coda alla vaccinara). Throw in a bottle of house wine and dessert and you might walk out only spending about 20 euro a person! BUS: 23, H. TRAM: 8

Recommended for Best Value because: With Da Enzo’s high-quality local ingredients and wine offering, you’ll be surprised when you get the cheque!

Maria’s expert tip: Order the creamy burrata cheese and stuffed fried zucchini to start, whatever you want in between and the mascarpone mousse with wild strawberries to finish.

Read more about Da Enzo →



Da Remo


Da Remo

Photo courtesy of Eating Italy Food Tours

Located in the heart of the working-class district of Testaccio, Remo’s pizza is pretty hard to top. This pizza place is most famous for its paper-thin (literally) pizza. Menus don’t exactly exist here, so be prepared to have in mind what kind of toppings you’ll pick out for your pizza. A waiter will come around with a scorecard of sorts where you will check off the ingredients for your pizza pie and other items to go along with your dinner order. Outdoor tables available, but expect to wait in line for a little if you arrive late. BUS: 170, 30. METRO: Piramide

Recommended for Best Value because: One of the locals’ absolute favorites, Da Remo makes one of Rome’s best pizza and it’s cheap!

Maria’s expert tip: Keep it simple. The pizza Margherita here is epic.

Read more about Da Remo →



Flavio al Velavevodetto


Flavio al Velavevodetto

Photo courtesy of Eating Italy Food Tours

It’s not often you can say you’ve eaten in an ancient landfill site. Located within Monte Testaccio, this entire hill was created from Romans dumping their amphorae (pots used to store liquids), and the dining room is decorated with these terracotta fragments. Now an institution, their carbonara, amongst other Roman classics, has made it famous amongst gastronomes. Other dishes to try include the cacio e pepe, a pecorino cheese and black pepper specialty and the polpette di bollito (breaded meatballs made with braised meat). The tiramisu is a winner with a secret center surprise. In the summer, book in advance for a table on the romantic patio. METRO: Piramide. BUS: 3, 75

Recommended for Best Value because: Flavio’s offers authentic roman fare, a stellar wine cellar, a unique location and very honest prices.

Maria’s expert tip: Don’t leave without trying the take on tiramisu made with none other than Nutella.

Read more about Flavio al Velavevodetto →



Emma


Emma

Photo courtesy of HeartRome

Unlike real Roman pizzerias, Emma is open during the day; every day and every night for that matter. With an array of prized and gourmet ingredients on the menu, all expertly selected by the passionate owners, the venue has fast become a favorite for locals and foreigners alike. In a large and modern dining space, smack in the city center (just a few minutes walk from Campo de Fiori), Emma is also a trattoria with all your Roman classics on the menu. All your regular pizzas make the list too, but with a few gourmet add-ons (including bases with wholemeal and organic grains) and the wine list is extensive. Great for small or large groups, the food, wine and service rarely disappoint.

Recommended for Best Value because: Emma is trattoria and pizzeria and quality produce all rolled into one.

Maria’s expert tip: Ask for an outdoor table in the warmer months and try the pata negra pizza at least once and thank us later.

Read more about Emma →



I Supplì


I Supplì

Photo courtesy of HeartRome

This hole-in-the-wall take-out joint is a Trastevere institution. Suppl? were the poor man’s dish created to recycle old risotto rice, and happily delicious too. While many other places sell bland fried balls in the name of suppli, these are the real thing. Join the queue and don’t expect to linger long in indecision. Their pizza al taglio is cooked the old way, is delicious and crispy thin. The mushroom is great but the pizza marinara (fresh tomato and garlic) is the real stand out. They also serve up different pasta dishes each day including the traditional gnocchi with tomato sauce on a Thursday. TRAM: 8, BUS: H, 75, 23

Recommended for Best Value because: I Suppli is a Trastevere institution and local favorite and with cheap pizza, pasta and fried snacks it’s not hard to understand why.

Maria’s expert tip: While the pizza is amazing if you’re in Rome on a Thursday head here for gnocchi. Served with classic tomato sauce, you better get in early for lunch so you don’t miss out!

Read more about I Supplì →



Antico Forno Roscioli


Antico Forno Roscioli

Photo courtesy of Antico Forno Roscioli

This bakery near Campo de’ Fiori is a favorite with the locals. Its pizza a taglio, or pizza by the slice, comes out of the oven piping hot and fresh to keep customers happy. The toppings range from a simple Margherita (tomato sauce and mozzarella) and Rossa (just tomato sauce) to more complicated arrangements like sausage and fiori di zucca. There will be something to please everyone. And if it’s something more substantial you’re after, then there is a small buffet with local vegetables and sometimes porchetta, or stuffed, roasted pork. Often the small takeaway place gets crowded so ask for your lunch to be wrapped up and take it to nearby Campo or Piazza Farnese where your kids can enjoy eating outside. TRAM: 8 BUS: 30, 40, 62, 64, 70, 87

Recommended for Best Value because: Pizza by the slice for lunch or an early dinner won’t set you back more than a few euros.

Maria’s expert tip: Try the pizza Rossa, pizza with tomato sauce. It’s one of the best in Rome and the kids will love it.

Read more about Antico Forno Roscioli →



Jacopa


Jacopa

Photo courtesy of Jacopa

Located on the ground floor of Hotel San Francesco in Trastevere, Jacopa is the brainchild of Piero Drago and Jacopo Ricci (both formerly of Il Pagliaccio —” the roman 2 Michelin starred fine-dining institution). But don’t let the hotel intimidate you, this isn’t your run-of-the-mill hotel restaurant. It has an identity and personality of its own. In fact, one of their founding principles was to ‘not’ be ‘just another hotel restaurant’. The focus here is on a few quality ingredients. So the star of the show with each dish is 1 or 2 items. At Jacopa, an innovative and elegant seasonal menu combines with a stellar wine list and impeccable service. For €50 you can enjoy the 5-course tasting menu with some highlights including a delectable scallop with sage and veal dumpling on the side, squid ink fettuccine with cuttlefish and crispy algae of handmade beef tortellini with a cocoa bean and parmigiano sauce. On arrival select one of the expertly mixed cocktails designed by the prominent Emanuele Broccatelli and settle in for a great night. Restaurant open from 7 pm daily and cocktail bar from 6 pm. TRAM: 8,3. BUS: 75, 23.

Recommended for Best Value because: Great value for expertly executed dishes from chefs who have worked in some of Rome’s best.

Maria’s expert tip: In the warmer months, have a pre-dinner cocktail on the pretty rooftop terrace.

Read more about Jacopa →



Zia Restaurant


Zia Restaurant

Photo courtesy of Maria Pasquale

Young Roman chefs who take a risk with the drive to open their own restaurant in this current Italian economy must be applauded. And Antonio Ziantoni is the latest to venture out on his own after stints in some very reputable dining establishments. For four years he worked with Anthony Genovese of Rome’s two-Michelin starred Il Pagliaccio and even with England’s Gordon Ramsey. He chose Trastevere, a neighborhood in need of dining evolution, and his could very well be the Rome restaurant opening of the year. His stellar curriculum and talent will certainly stand him in good stead. The interiors and fit-out at Zia are an ode to those all too familiar Scandinavian lines infiltrating the city but with Made in Italy design touches, Ziantoni and co. have truly made it their own. With less than 30 covers, it’s an intimate space and away from the more crowded zones of the quartiere. The menu will attract a crowd looking for quality and innovation on the plate, but the prices are extremely reasonable for Trastevere and for the refined technique you find on the plate. There are 5 entrees, 5 first courses and 5 main courses to choose from as well as a 5-course tasting menu (55 euro) and a 3-course lunch menu (30 euro). The menu will change each season and some of the current highlights include lamb sweetbreads with mozzarella and tomato; a delectable pulled pork salad; panzerotti with smoked cockerel; and a most tender lamb and mustard dish. And when it comes to dessert, Christian Marasca’s delights don’t disappoint, especially the spectacular Tourbillon. If innovative fine dining is what you’re after in Rome but you don’t want to break the bank, Zia certainly won’t disappoint. TRAM: 3 8. BUS: 75, H.

Recommended for Best Value because: Not many places in Rome afford this quality for under 60 euro.

Maria’s expert tip: Let the chef treat you to a degustation that you won’t soon forget.

Read more about Zia Restaurant →



Seu Pizza Illuminati


Seu Pizza Illuminati

Photo courtesy of Maria Pasquale

Everyone in Rome is talking about Pier Daniele Seu, Rome’s pizza maker of the minute. His pizza, dough and leavening education started with Gabriele Bonci (touted by the foreign press, Rome’s Michelangelo of pizza) but he has carved his way. His is a gourmet pizza and he plays with the format too pizzas cut in corners and a degustation style whereby one pizza at a time comes out to the table so diners get to shared. All the classics are on the menu (Margherita, marinara, etc) but Seu flirts with ingredients and on offer, you’ll find anything from a deconstructed capricciosa pizza to one with tuna tartare and burrata. A variety of seasonal and prized ingredients like chicory, yellow tomatoes, walnuts and cocoa powder all make appearances on the extensive list of his signature creations on a pizza base that has a thicker crust than the traditional roman style. The fritti (fried treats) are divine, especially the suppli` stuffed with a silky carbonara filling. Vegan and vegetarian options, desserts, craft beer and local wines are on the menu too.
TRAM: 8,3.

Recommended for Best Value because: Gourmet pizza in the quiet part of Trastevere that doesn’t disappoint.

Maria’s expert tip: Challenge Italian pizza tradition and go with the tasting format where pizzas come to the table one at a time.

Read more about Seu Pizza Illuminati →


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