It so transpired that I got an insiders’ list of a different kind. Through a cousin of a former colleague’s colleague, I was sent a list of recommendations of, “names of restaurants and trendy places attended by upper class and local inhabitants.” Not all these places are upscale.
APERITIVO (drinks/happy hour)
Terrazza Borromini, Piazza Navona – needs booking.
Without booking Hotel De La Ville, Piazza di Spagna.
COFFEE
Colbert Ristorante, caffè bistrot all’interno di Villa Medici. It’s the cafe inside the Medici Villa.
Caffè Ciampini at trinità dei Monti. At the Spanish Steps.
Caffetteria delle Arti alla Galleria Nazionale delle Arti Moderne. The museum of modern art’s cafe.
LUNCH/DINNER
For food tasting of marzapane, Bistró 64.
For lunch from 200€ to 20€: Iside, il tempio del pesce (temple of fish).
Il Ceppo, Parioli: If you like stockfish (bacalao, or dried cod, reconstituted)
Fascetteria Marini, Largo dei Librai.
Filettaro. This is the only one I had heard of. It’s on ALL the lists. The line is usually out the door so I have not been yet.
Ginger. I actually tried to go here one day, but they were closed.
Da Nerone, Via Conca d’Oro.
For carbonara: Roscioli. This is a super famous restaurant.
Perilli, at Piramide. The pyramid is a landmark.
Sugo or Cuccuruccu, Ponte Milvio. Near the river.
Osteria Coppelle, Piazza Coppelle.
Sora Margherita, Piazza 5 Scole (The square of five schools).
At the restaurant Quinto Roma, you can eat in igloos.
Il Datterino Giallo, Piazza Ledro: “Il Datterino Giallo, vi propone una cucina genuina e verace, al contempo sana e molto attuale, in un ambiente sofisticato ma non troppo, un mix di arredo tra il provenzale e l’industriale in una ‘location’ prestigiosa come quella del quartiere romano…” translates to: … offers traditional Italian cuisine, Mediterranean, at the same time innovative, in a welcoming location, inspired by a hybrid style between Provencal and industrial… in a prestigious location of Rome.
I have not been to any of these places. If you go, let me know how it was.