More than Pizza and Pasta Eating: pizza and pasta are not the only things you can eat in Rome. However, whatever you want to eat, it is fundamental to choose the right restaurants. Unless you want to be ripped off, avoid restaurants, bars and cafes right in front of the great monuments or on the most important squares. (TIP: there are great restaurants in the streets behind the Colosseum, which will serve you better food and ask for half the price than the ones directly in front of it!). Meats are also very good in Italy, especially the famous Tuscan Fiorentina steak or delicious Roman sausages (salsiccia, pronounced salseecha) which you can get both in the spicy and non-spicy version. Fish and seafood are also something you should try (especially if you are visiting during the summer). Most restaurants serve zuppa di cozze (clam soup) or platters of fried scampi, prawns and squid. Beware of the Fish Restaurants (which only serve fish) as they can be very expensive. Another TIP: restaurants which are crowded, especially at the week end, usually serve good food and are cheap, so go for them!

Where to eat Our recommendation Italian Cuisine:  Don't underestimate the Italian kitchen! It's not only the fantastic Pizza and Pasta's! The Italian cuisine is rich and it is worth while to try something else for a change. Agata e Romeo Creative kitchen. Try the 'Crudita di Pesce', a fish carpaccio. Via Carlo Alberto, 45 (near S. Maria Maggiore) Closed: Sunday Tel: 06 4466115 Le Streghe Great selection of Italian dishes – a little slow but worth the wait! Located near Castel St Angelo. Vicolo del Curato, 13 Closed: Sunday Tel: 06 6878182 Il Convivio Little variations in the menu every night. Nice restaurant near piazza Navona. Great Parmesan Cheese fondue! Via dei Soldati Closed: Sunday and in August Tel: 06 6869432 Margutta Vegetariano Vegetarian restaurant with friendly admosphere. The famous director Fellini used to eat from the salade buffet here every sunday! Via Margutta 118 Tel: 06 36001805 OBIKA - Mozzarella Bar Trendy out door eating. Different varieties of Mozzarella di Bufala and other Italian specialties, organic salads, pasta, wine bar. Piazza di Firenze, Angolo via dei Prefetti Tel: 06 6832630 Mario's - Cucina Romana Friendly family run restaurant offering set menu's from 14 Euro.      Via del Moro, 53/55 00153, Rome (Trastevere area) Open hours: Monday to Saturday 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm Closed: Sunday Tel: Tel: 065803809   Others:  Gusto The first New York Deli in Rome: Pizzeria, informal restaurant. winebar, books and kitchen ware. Piazza Augusto Imperatore Tel: 06 3226273 La Pergola Expensive, but you're on top of the world! restaurant on the roof of the Hilton. Speciality: Langouste filled ravioli. hotel Hilton Via Cadlolo 101 Closed: Sunday and Monday Tel: 06 35091 ATM Sushi Bar Sushi bar in Trastevere. Sushi, sashimi, tempura etc. Via della Penitenza, 7   Cafe's:  Cafe della Pace Very popular. Via della Pace, 3 Open hours: every day from 8:00-2:00 Tel: 06 6861216 Tazza d'Oro Best cappuccino in Rome. You can buy the coffee beans so you can take a great souvenir with you. Via degli Orfani, 84 Open hours: every day 7:00-20:00 Closed: Sunday Tel: 06 6789792