Best Carbonara in Rome: 8 Places to Try
Rome · 8 places
Where to eat the best carbonara in Rome, on one map.
By Amit KerenLooking for the best carbonara in Rome? These are 8 places worth the trip, from famous tables like Roscioli and Armando al Pantheon to neighbourhood trattorias in Testaccio and Ostiense.
Real Roman carbonara has no cream. It is pasta, egg, guanciale, Pecorino Romano and black pepper, and the sauce comes from mixing them with the heat of the pasta. Every place on this map is named for its carbonara by at least one Rome food guide, so you can skip the tourist menus.
Near Campo de' Fiori, go to Roscioli for the most talked about plate in the city, or to Hosteria Grappolo d'Oro for a classic trattoria meal on Piazza della Cancelleria. Near the Pantheon, Armando al Pantheon has been serving carbonara since 1961.
Da Enzo is the name everyone gives you in Trastevere. It sits on Via dei Vascellari, in the quieter part of the neighbourhood near Tiber Island, and there is usually a queue outside.
Testaccio is one of Rome's great food neighbourhoods, and Felice a Testaccio makes a by-the-book version there. A little further south, near Piramide, Trattoria Pennestri makes its carbonara with rigatoni.
L'Arcangelo in Prati is the pick on this side of the river. It's a good dinner after a day at the Vatican or Castel Sant'Angelo.
SantoPalato is outside the usual tourist area, and it's the one Romans argue about. Chef Sarah Cicolini's carbonara has been voted the city's best more than once.
Restaurant · Deli and restaurant
A family deli turned restaurant near Campo de' Fiori, and the name most guides give first. Order the spaghetti alla carbonara, made with carefully sourced eggs, pecorino and guanciale.
Tip: It books up fast, so reserve online well ahead.
Restaurant · Trattoria
Also known as Da Enzo al 29, this small Trastevere trattoria is one of the best-known carbonara stops in the city. You eat elbow to elbow, and it lives up to the hype.
Tip: Arrive before it opens to beat the queue.
Restaurant · Trattoria
An old-school, wood-panelled trattoria next to the Pantheon that has been making carbonara since 1961. This is the classic choice if you want a traditional plate in the historic centre.
Tip: Reserve as far in advance as you can.
Restaurant · Trattoria
A Testaccio institution with a modern, warm dining room. Its carbonara sticks to the classic recipe, with fresh eggs, sharp pecorino and fresh black pepper.
Tip: Combine it with a walk around Testaccio, one of Rome's best food neighbourhoods.
Restaurant · Trattoria
A small neighbourhood trattoria near Piramide, away from the tourist crowds. Chef Tommaso Pennestri makes his carbonara with al dente rigatoni and thick-cut guanciale.
Tip: The room is small, so book well ahead.
Restaurant · Trattoria
Chef Arcangelo Dandini's restaurant in Prati is the best carbonara stop near the Vatican on this map. His version uses rigatoni and is lighter than most, and it costs a little more.
Tip: Good for dinner after a day at the Vatican.
Restaurant · Trattoria
Chef Sarah Cicolini's modern trattoria in San Giovanni, voted Rome's best carbonara more than once. Expect a creamy, salty plate that puts the quality of each ingredient first.
Tip: It's outside the historic centre, so plan it as a dinner trip.
Restaurant · Trattoria
A Roman trattoria on Piazza della Cancelleria, between Campo de' Fiori and Piazza Navona. Choose it for a classic carbonara right in the centre when Roscioli is full.
Tip: A good backup near Campo de' Fiori.
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Questions & answers
Roscioli near Campo de' Fiori and Da Enzo in Trastevere are the two names food guides mention most. Armando al Pantheon is the classic choice in the historic centre, and SantoPalato has been voted the city's best more than once.
Go to Da Enzo on Via dei Vascellari. It's the best-known carbonara in Trastevere, so expect a queue.
Armando al Pantheon is right next to it and has been open since 1961. Book as far ahead as you can.
L'Arcangelo in Prati is the closest place on this map to the Vatican.
No. Traditional carbonara is made with pasta, egg, guanciale, Pecorino Romano and black pepper. The creamy texture comes from the egg and cheese, not from cream.
For Roscioli, Armando al Pantheon and Trattoria Pennestri, yes. Da Enzo is known for its queue, so arrive early.
spotz.guide is a collection of travel maps and step-by-step routes, made to be opened on your phone and followed on the ground. Every guide is put together and checked by founder and editor Amit Keren.
Spots come from time on the ground and strong recommendations, and each one is checked before it goes on the map.
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