Where to Eat and Drink in Testaccio
Top Ten Bars and Restaurants in Testaccio
Just two metro stops from the Colosseum and an easy hop across the Tiber from Trastevere, Rome’s southern district of Testaccio is one of the city’s best areas for those searching for an authentic culinary experience and some good Roman food. Even the Romans themselves come here to shop at the neighborhood market, grab a pre-dinner drink with friends, or head to one of the neighborhood’s many restaurants for some of the best food and wine in the city.
Here are Local Aromas’ top ten picks for the best places to eat and drink in Testaccio:
Barberini
Breakfast is almost always a sweet affair in Rome and the Testaccio locals flock to this renowned pasticceria for their morning caffè e cornetto (coffee and pastry). The vast array of delectable cakes along with the elegant, salon-style interior also make Barberini a classy place for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Via Marmorata, 41
Romeo Chef & Baker
Michelin-starred chef Cristina Bowerman’s huge contemporary space next to the Tiber river provides the kind of multi-faceted gastronomic experience which would usually be more at home in New York or London. Stop by for a quick lunch, grab an aperitivo with gourmet bar snacks, or go the whole hog with a fine dining dinner. If pizza is your thing, hop next door to Romeo’s companion pizzeria, Giulietta (see below).
Pizza dell’Emporio, 28
Giulietta
The aptly-named Giulietta echoes the modern style of her neighbor Romeo, but here pizza is the focus. Choose from the wafer-thin, crispy Roman pizza or the thicker-based, doughier Neopolitan-style, all topped with carefully selected ingredients and a touch of innovative flair. And don’t miss their fabulous fritti (fried antipasti).
Pizza dell’Emporio, 28
Taverna Volpetti
Serving the kind of quality produce to be expected from the owners of one of Rome’s most respected gourmet food stores (located just around the corner on Via Marmorata), Taverna Volpetti is open for both lunch and dinner when options range from platters of top-notch cured meats and cheeses to a rotating selection of traditional, seasonal Roman dishes. The excellent wine list pairs perfectly with the delicious food and refined ambiance.
Via Alessandro Volta, 8
Tram Depot
Open from morning till night in the warmer months of the year, Tram Depot offers one of the best al fresco drinking options in the area. This old tram car converted into a cute little bar has outside tables which are ideal for a long, lazy morning coffee or evening drinks under the trees which are bedecked with fairy lights.
Via Marmorata, 13
L’Oasi Della Birra (Enoteca Palombi)
Liquor store, Enoteca Palombi (better known as L’Oasi della Birra, the oasis of beer) is a popular choice for an evening aperitif thanks to its outdoor seating and strategic position in the neighborhood’s central square, Piazza Testaccio. While the local kids play, the adults sip a spritz and devour Oasi’s generous aperitivo snacks.
Piazza Testaccio, 38
La Torricella
Most people wouldn’t think to visit Rome’s old slaughterhouse district to eat fish, but for decades La Torricella has been serving up fresh seafood with a menu designed around that day’s catch. The interior is distinctly old-school and there are also several outside tables on the street. Non-fish eaters will also find plenty of choice with classic Roman pasta and meaty mains.
Via Evangelista Torricelli, 2/12
Masto
For an informal lunch, a relaxed dinner, or an early evening glass of wine, Masto has plenty to offer. While space is limited, the staff are welcoming and the food and wine have been carefully selected with a focus on quality products from all over Italy. With a dual functionality as a shop, it is also possible to purchase your favorite products to take home.
Via Galvani, 39
Agustarello
For a true taste of Roman cuisine, head to Agusterello where a simple decor and no-frills menu leave the path clear for good, honest, home-cooked food. This is the place to try Rome’s quinto quarto (offal) cuisine with traditional recipes such as coratella (lamb interiors), coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew), and trippa (tripe) regularly featuring on the menu.
Via Giovanni Branca, 100
Nuovo Mondo
For thin-as-you-like, burnt at the edges, Roman-style pizza with a side of jovial rowdiness you can’t go wrong with Nuovo Mondo. The harshly lit dining room, slightly gruff staff and scorching wood-fired pizza oven are everything you should expect from a truly authentic pizzeria in Rome.
Via Amerigo Vespucci, 15
