Hi everyone, I’m back again after a short break in Rome. Thanks for all your emails and messages. Hopefully by looking at the photo above you can understand why there haven’t been any posts while I’ve been away :) Actually since I have been back and haven’t had moment free so I thought I would take my time and do a good proper post after such a long absence.

Rome is a truly great city in so many ways.  I know it so well now but I still look forward to whenever I go and visit as I always discover something new.  I’m sure most of you have either visited Rome before or have heard plenty about it so I’m not I’m not going to bore you with too much touristy stuff but I thought I would talk about some of the excellent restaurants I have been to. Most of these aren’t in the regular travel guides so read on to see my Top 5.

Number 1 - L’Osteria de Memmo (I Santori)

This has to me my favourite restaurant in Rome. The place serves delicious authentic Italian food with friendly service. The quality is always good and the portions are generous. Considering the food served, the prices are very reasonable for Rome. The restaurant is run by a great character, Memmo (pronounced Mimmo and pictured below in the apron). Whenever I go to Memmo’s (as I call it) its like being invited to eat at an Italian family’s house, you feel at home and the food tastes like real home cooking.

The restaurant is famous for its antipasti dishes (various starters such as grilled eggplant and courgettes) and you can ask them to bring a selection but be careful as they once bought 12  different dishes which although were all tasty didn’t leave much room for anything else !  Definitely worth having 3 or 4 antipasti dishes though. Ask the waiters, who are very friendly and helpful, for suggestions.

Above: Photo of the staff from Osteria de Memmo from the website

Last time I was there I ordered fresh tagliolini pasta with prawns,cherry tomatoes and pecorino cheese. One of the best pasta dishes I have had. Just delicious and the prawns were so fresh and plentiful. One of my friends had the steak which was really good - an huge slab of grilled beef that you would struggle to finish.

For dessert I would definitely recommend going for the Misto Di Bosco (fresh raspberries, strawberries and blackberries) with ice cream.

I could go on and on about this restaurant so here is the the link to the website where you can also check out the menu: L’Osteria De Memmo

Number 2 - Le Mani in Pasta

I found out about this restaurant, which is in the Trastevere area of Rome, on my last visit. It’s tucked away, has a very cosy atmosphere and gets really busy for dinner. I had the Artichoke salad with Parmesan cheese which is not on the menu but and when I tried it I realised why. Its too good to put on the menu !! A fantastic combination of flavours.

For the pasta dish I had the spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with mussels) which is one of the signature dishes and is excellent. I’ve also heard that the spaghetti al cacio e pepe (with pecorino cheese and black pepper) is very good.  Of the main courses fish is the specialty of the restaurant and I shared a whole sea bream  baked in salt - very good.

For the dessert you have to try the semi-freddo.

The website to the restaurant is still under construction so here is the address: Via Dei Genovesi, 37. Tel: +39 06 5816017

Number 3 - Pizzeria La Monte Carlo

There are number of good pizzerias in Rome but Monte Carlo has to by far the most popular amongst Italians. My recommendation if you want to go for dinner is to get there early (around 8pm) as it gets so busy there will be a line of people waiting for a table (they are standing on the left of the photo - but I have seen up to 50 people waiting !). And this is a big restaurant with inside and outside seating (my preference).

For starters try the “fritti” which are deep fried courgettes, cauliflower, cod fish or rice and tomato balls. The pizzas are excellent. Very thin crust with a choice of so many different toppings. My favourite is the Monte Carlo pizza (without the sausage of course !) which actually has a fried egg on top. Sounds weird but tastes amazing.

Most people go for pizza here but the pasta dishes are also really good. I sometimes share a pizza for starters and go for a pasta dish as a main.

Prices are very reasonable and the restaurant is excellent value for money.

Here is a link to the website where you can check out the menu with pictures: La Monte Carlo

Number 4 - Convoglia

This is the newest of the restaurants in the list and is definitely the most original. Convoglia (pronounced Convolya) actually located in the main train station of Rome, Termini. In fact the windows in the left side of the photo look out on to the actual platform ! The restaurant occupies an enormous space, took 3 million Euros to reconstruct and opened last October.  The ceilings are so high and the marble centerpiece which is hundreds of years old has been restored.

The restaurant itself has a trendy Manhattan style feel to it, which sets it apart from most of the restaurants in Rome. The food is excellent. It specializes in meat dishes (steaks, lamb etc) , but has a selection of pasta dishes which change every day if you ask the waiter. I had the spinach seafood tagliolini which was good quality.

The good things about this restaurant is that it is classy without being stuffy and snobby. You could go casually come by and have a pizza which I have to say is probably one of the best pizzas I have ever had. Different style to MonteCarlo - this one’s a bit more doughy on the edges.During the day the front section restaurant also works as a cafe’.

Prices again are amazingly good when you consider the  overall dining experience.  There are different areas of seating depending if you are dining as couple or in a group, although I would say because of the open spaces  its better suited to large groups. The main dining section is behind the marble pillar in case you were wondering :)

Here is a link to the website (in Italian ) : Convoglio

Number 5 - Sant Eustachio

Ok so this is not a restaurant but actually a cafe’ (or bar as they are called in Italy), but I had to have it on my list because it has THE BEST COFFEE. Sant Eustachio (pronounced Ustakyo) is always packed with people during the day and has been going since the  1930s. The place is in the heart of Rome between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. As with most coffee bars in Italy there is standing room only but this does have a couple of small tables outside (you’ll never get a place).

The coffee is prepared behind a screen so no one can see what the secret is to the preparation. The signature coffee is the Gran Caffe’ which is a slightly thick coffee that is served already mixed with sugar. No need to add anything - just enjoy ! Even by Rome’s standards , the coffee is exceptional.

Here is a link to all the various coffees on offer with photos (in Italian) : Sant Eustachio