Looking for unique restaurants in Rome for a special meal in the Eternal City? I can help! I am from Rome and this is my shortlist of 5 unique and cool restaurants in Rome, at different price points, for a unique dining experience in Rome.
Rome is a city that rewards curiosity: the more you wander, the more it gives back.
This is true for the city itself (the saying goes: a lifetime is not enough to see Rome, and all locals agree!) but it is also true when it comes to food.
Beyond the well-loved trattorias and the traditional osterie, beyond the tourist places offering pizza and spritz at all hours, there’s a world of cool restaurants in Rome that blend history, creativity and a touch of Roman eccentricity.
Over the years, I’ve eaten my way across the city, from century-old cellars to sleek rooftops and even a cat café (yes, I am a crazy cat lady!).
The following are, to me, some of the coolest restaurants in Rome right now: places that feel special not only for what’s on the plate, but for the experience that surrounds it.
Some places you may have already hear of, some may be new to you: all I have chosen so that you can have a great meal and experience, and something a little different, that you may not find otherwise.
I have selected places at different price points and with different vibes, so that you can see how unique restaurants in Rome can be playful, modern, and even plant-based, without losing character.
If you’re looking to go beyond the obvious and discover places that capture Rome’s creative side, these five restaurants are a wonderful place to start. I hope you enjoy them!
Buon Appetito!
Remember, you can find all my restaurant recommendations in the ‘where to eat in Rome‘ section of this website!
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Felice a Testaccio
Felice a Testaccio is a well known and deservedly well loved Roman classic.
A traditional restaurant in the overly roman neighborhood of Testaccio, Felice is famous for its classic roman cuisine and especially for one dish, which they have mastered better than pretty much anywhere else in the city: cacio e pepe.
Cacio e pepe is traditional in Rome and Felice excels at it, plus gives it a unique touch: the dish is made right in front of you, so you can see how the smooth cacio cream comes to be, before you tuck into its deliciousness!
Booking highly recommended and available on line >> their official website is here.

Aroma
Michelin starred Aroma restaurant is a refined rooftop restaurant with a front-row view of the Colosseum, the kind of dinner that reminds you why Rome is pure cinematic magic (have you seen The Great Beauty? If you come here, you’ll quickly see why I mention it!)
Aroma is located on the rooftop terrace of the 5 star hotel Palazzo Manfredi and has a view that can only be described as unique: just beside the Colosseum, you dine within perfect view of the mighty amphitheater, which shines in front of you in all its glory day and night (I cannot even pick which time is best, it is magical no matter when you go!)
Dining here is of the level you expect from a Michelin starred restaurant: heavenly. Price point: high. Kids only over 10 years of age; dress code: smart casual / elegant (no shorts, no athletic wear, open shoes for men etc) . Find Info and Book here.
Spirito Divino
Spirito Divino is a very special place in Rome Trastevere that brings together two of the main things this area is best known for: its ancient Roman roots and its strong foodie vocation.
The restaurant location is truly unique: hosted in a historic house, the restaurant still has an ancient Trastevere cellar open to visitors where you can see thousands of bottles with highly selected wines from all over the world.
The restaurant is proud to follow a slow food philosophy, everything is home made and the service is super attentive and great at recommendations for both food and wine paring.
This restaurant has such a unique history and ambiance, it is on the path of food tours which also explains why you see some many tourists reviewing it. Do not discard it because of them: this is not a reflection of ‘touristy’ quality of food, just a reflection of the uniqueness of the place.
Booking available by email >> http://www.ristorantespiritodivino.com Price point: medium
Antica Pesa
Antica Pesa is another excellent and unique restaurant in Rome Trastevere that taps into the history of the city, the Papal history of the city in this case.
“Antica Pesa” means “ancient scale” and the name recalls the original role of this spot: that of Papal Custom post in the 600s, for the collection of tax on wheat entering the city!
The restaurant still retains the ancient charm of this special location but mixes it with elegant ambiance both in the inner rooms (each highly curated and different in style) and its wonderful outdoor inner yard area.
The restaurant also has a wonderful cellar you can visit. Antica Pesa is well know to hight end tourism and has a minimum order required by all guests and a dress code to abide to. Price point: medium / high

Romeow Cat Bistro – unique and cool Vega restaurant in Rome
Romeow Cat Bistrot is unique in a very different way as it is a cat bistro (yes, with actual cats) and it is vegan!
Playful, creative, and fully plant-based, this bistro is lovely, welcoming, delicious and a truly roman.
While cats and vegan cuisine may not be the first thing visitors associate with Rome, this restaurant is actually as rooted into the city as it can be, on a couple of accounts.
Its location: Testaccio is one of the most ancient districts in Rome and well known for its outstanding foodie traditions.
Its cats: cats in Rome are very special. The city of Rome protects cats as VIP inhabitants of the city and recognises their right to live in their home of choice, which means you find cat colonies in stunning and secluded spaces such as ancient Roman archaeological sites, Rome’s monumental cemeteries and green space. So you see, cats are as Roman as the she-wolf! You can learn more about the cats of Rome here.
Both the food and ambiance are lovely and a fantastic opportunity to taste something different, whether you are vegan, vegan-curious or just crave a break from the Rome staples that dominate many menus in the more touristy part of the city.
Booking available online here >> https://www.romeowcatbistrot.com
I hope you enjoyed this shortlist of what I consider unique restaurants in Rome and can try at least some of them. Safe travels!
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