Bon Appetit

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• Baffetto 2 read more ›
  (Palazzo del Teatro di Pompeo. Tel. 06 6821 0807)
  Since its opening a few years ago, Baffetto 2 has established itself as one of the best economical pizzerias in the city centre, serving excellent Roman-style pizzas, either in the big outdoor covered area or in its air-conditioned interior.
• Indian Fast Food read more ›
  (114 Via Mamiami. Tel. 06 446 079)
  An Indian café in the faded grandeur of Piazza Vittoria, near Termni station, serving pakora, lamb vindaloo and a range of chick pea, coconut and sesame desserts.
• Da Baffetto read more ›
  (114 Via del Governo Vecchio. Tel. 06 686 1617)
  A popular pizzeria offering a wide selection of Roman-style thin-crust pizzas and toppings, served with a typical informality that borders on the brusque. Get here early if you want to avoid the queues.
• Akropolis read more ›
  (103 Via San Francesco a Ripa. Tel. 065 833 2600)
  A small, informal Greek restaurant that serves a range of mixed meze, salad and meat dishes.
• Bar da Benito
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  (14 Via dei Falegnami. Tel. 06 686 1508)
  A bar and restaurant in the heart of the Jewish ghetto offering fast service and good food. Try the spaghetti all'arrabbiata.
• Ai Balestrari read more ›
  (2 Via dei Balestrari. Tel. 06 686 5377)
  This popular trattoria offers traditional Roman cuisine just a few paces from Campo dei Fiori. Try the pizza with buffalo mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.

• Cantina del Vecchio read more ›
  (30 Via dei Coronari. Tel. 06 686 7427)
  In the heart of the city, this pleasant restaurant, with its slightly rustic furniture and attentive service, is an excellent place to sample classical Roman cuisine, from pasta cacio e pepe (pecorino cheese and black pepper) to dried salted cod with cherry tomatoes, grapes, pine nuts and onions.
• Scacciapensieri read more ›
  (19 Via Roma Libera. Tel. 06 581 6469)
  A wonderful but quiet and unpretentious Sicilian restaurant in the more tranquil part of Trastevere. Try the peperonata, possibly the best roasted peppers in Rome, and you cannot go wrong with the traditional Catania dish of spaghetti alla norma (pasta with aubergine and tomato sauce).
• Da Ojo a Casa Mia read more ›
  (43 N Galvani. Tel. 06 578 2680)
  In the centre of the trendy post-industrial Testaccio district, this busy and rather noisy restaurant is run by a family that used to own a butcher's shop. As you might expect, it offers old-fashioned Roman food such as pasta with percorino cheese and black pepper and oxtail.
• Maccheroni
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  (44 Piazza delle Coppelle. Tel. 06 6830 7895)
  A white-tiled former butcher's shop, this restaurant serves classic Roman dishes like spaghetti alla amatriciana (tomato and bacon), and pasta cacio e pepe (pecorino cheese and black pepper.
• Arancia Blu
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  (55-65 Via dei Latini . Tel. 06 445 4105)
  A vegetarian restaurant in the heart of studenty and trendy San Lorenzo The risotto with cream of asparagus and Stilton is delightful. There is also live music on the first three Mondays of the month and wine tasting on the fourth Monday.
• Jaipur read more ›
  (56 Via San Francesco a Ripa. Tel. 06 580 3992)
  A well-known north Indian restaurant with a welcoming atmosphere. There are two dining areas, both of which are large and bright. It serves perhaps the best chicken curry in Rome, nicely washed down with an Indian beer.

• Da Gildo read more ›
  (31A Via della Scala. Tel. 06 580 0733)
  A simple, friendly and unpretentious restaurant in trendy Trastevere, serving superb food. Try the zuppa di carciofi soup packed to the brim with artichokes, and the egg and truffles, two fried eggs and big slices of delicious truffle.
• Piero e Francesco read more ›
  (75 Via Fabio Massimo. Tel. 06 320 0444)
  After spending the morning in the Vatican museums, why not pop into this nearby restaurant and enjoy chef Marco Coppola's largely fish-based creations? Brought to you by friendly, enthusiastic and skilled staff, the tuna tartare with capers, and tagliolini pasta with prawns and wild asparagus, are heavenly.
• F.I.S.H.
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  (16 Via dei Serpenti. Tel. 06 4782 4962)
  The International House of Fine Seafood, or F.I.S.H. for short, is stylish and modern, its tables looking out onto the open-plan kitchen. The chef combines sashimi, sushi and general Asian fish dishes with Mediterranean seafood, producing delights such as clam soup with ginger, and fettucini with calamari, mint and ginger.
• Dal Bolognese read more ›
  (1-2 Piazza del Popolo. Tel. 06 361 1426)
  Tucked away in a corner of Piazza del Popolo, this elegant restaurant, and haunt of well-heeled locals and the famous, has two floors as well as alfresco dining. There is a vast and unchanging menu with delights such as tortelloni with ricotta and spinach or tagliatelle al ragu. For dessert, try the fruit sorbet.
• Il Drappo read more ›
  (9 Viccolo del Malpasso. Tel. 06 687 7365)
  This pleasant, slightly old-fashioned Sardinian restaurant near Campo de' Fiori specialises in fish. Try the spaghetti with frutti del mare (seafood) and wonderful house-made sorbet.
• Da Benito e Gilberto al Falco read more ›
  (19 Via del Falco. Tel. 06 686 7769)
  A stone's throw from the Vatican, you'll need to book a few days in advance to eat at Gilberto Bassi's small, informal, but superb fish restaurant. It does tagliolini alla pescatora (fish pasta) and astice alla catalana (Catalan-style lobster) and the home-made apple pie is also worth a go.
• Osteria del Pegno read more ›
  (8 Vicolo di Montevecchio. Tel. 06 688 07025)
  An ornate, chandeliered eatery in a tiny alleyway, serving its own fresh breads. Try the grilled fish and meat, or raviolone filled with ricotta and spinach and covered in orange sauce.
• Ditirambo read more ›
  (74-75 Piazza della Cancelleria . Tel. 06 687 1626)
  Just round the corner from Campo dei Fiori, this modern restaurant has an unusual take on Mediterranean cuisine, with such delights as octopus salad and ginger, or sardines and figs. However if you feel a tad less adventurous, you could always go for the aubergine and pesto sauce.
• Il Bocconcino read more ›
  (23 Via Ostilia. Tel. 06 474 3374)
  Giancarlo Pragliola runs this traditional Roman eatery just a stone's throw from the Colosseum. Go on a Thursday if you like gnocchi and Saturday for tripe. The zabaione and the biscuits with rosolio are also excellent.

• Georges read more ›
  (7 Via Marche. Tel. 06 4208 4575)
  This is an old-fashioned, elegant restaurant, whose rooms are decorated with gorgeous floral compositions. Chef Antonio Sciullo offers delights such as turbot with artichoke, and brochettes de langoustines. For dessert, you certainly won't be disappointed by the orange soufflé with vanilla ice cream and strawberries.
• La Cesta read more ›
  (Grand Hotel de la Minerve, 69 Piazza della Minerva. Tel. 06 695 201)
  Situated near the Pantheon in the stunning Grand Hotel, this restaurant offers a delicious selection of traditional Mediterranean and international dishes. Chef Fabbrizio Caddei is nothing if not adventurous. Don't miss out on the prawns in spicy oil with aubergine, cherry tomato and tarragon purée, or the 'sugar tulip' with exotic fruit dessert.
• Jardin du Russie read more ›
  (Hotel de Russie, 9 Via Del Babuino. Tel. 06 3600 1738)
  You can sample a delicious range of traditional Italian dishes while watching film and TV stars shimmer past on the top-floor terrace of this restaurant boasting three Michelin stars. Don't miss the risotto with radish or the poppy seed soufflé with persimmon purée.
• Imago de l'Hotel Hasler read more ›
  (6 Piazza Trinità dei Monti. Tel. 06 6993 4726)
  With the best view from any restaurant in the city and a brilliant new cook, Francesco Apreda, this is a must for gourmets. Dishes range from the fantastic tuna with bloody Mary sauce, to apricot mousse with pleus mushrooms, and roasted sea bass with spinach.
• Il Pagliaccio read more ›
  (129A Via dei Banchi Vecchi. Tel. 06 6880 9595)
  Five years after its opening, Il Pagliaccio is recognised as one of the city's finest restaurants for quality of service and a unique variation on Roman cooking that fuses Anthony Genevose's love of Oriental food with Italian raw materials. Try wonderful dishes such as venison in tamarind with apple and potato or goose liver in a light citrus soup and anisette sorbet.
• Georges read more ›
  (7 Via Marche. Tel. 06 4208 4575)
  An old-style, elegant and refined restaurant with beautiful floral decorated dining rooms. Chef Antonio Sciullo starts from the ground up by choosing only the very best ingredients then turning them into delights such as cream of broad beans and wild chicory with fried scampi in kataifi pasta crust, and veal millefeuille stuffed with asparagus and mature robiola cheese, sauteed potatoes. Why not round it all of with apricot and moscato soufflè?
• I Sofa' di Via Giulia read more ›
  (62 Via Giulia. Tel. 06 686 611)
  A swish modern restaurant in the classy St George Hotel, this is an ideal place for an intimate meal. After taking a drink at the bar why not try nettle ravioli stuffed with goat's cheese and duck sauce? Finish off your meal with some orange crème brûlèe.
• Brunello read more ›
  (72 Via Veneto . Tel. 06 4890 2867)
  This is not a typical Via Veneto tourist restaurant. Its décor is extremely refined and the service attentive and friendly. Chef Daniele Sera produces a range of wonderful dishes, from fried cod with parmiggiano and anchovy fondue to ravioli stuffed with tomato and mozzarella sauce.
• Il Convivio Troiani read more ›
  (31 Viccolo dei Soldati. Tel. 06 686 9432)
  This welcoming establishment has three normally packed dining rooms. Angelo Troiani's cuisine is creative but essentially Roman. The hot ricotta flan with Trevignano radish, honey and parmiggiano fondue is wonderful, and so is the risotto with cuttlefish, lemongrass and saffron sauce.
• Brunello read more ›
  (72 Via Veneto . Tel. 06 4890 2867)
  This elegant, refined restaurant is connected to the exclusive Hotal Baglioni on Via Veneto, bang in the heart of Dolce Vita Rome. Chef Daniele Sera creates a range of delights. For your main course, the sweet carbon beef fillet with rosemary Maldon salt and vegetables is worth a go. For dessert, try the semifreddo tiramisù flavoured with almond froth and ice coffee.

After Dark

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• Bar Farnese read more ›
  (106 Via Dei Baullari. Tel. 06 6813 6329)
  A quiet and authentic local bar where you can still get a coffee and cake for just a fraction of what you'd pay around the corner in Campo de' Fiori.
• I Dolci di Checco er Carettiere
 read more ›
  (7 Via Benedetta. Tel. 06 581 1413)
  This small, family-run café sells home-made cornetti and pastries, as well as some of the best coffee in the city.
• Il Nolano read more ›
  (11 Campo de' Fiori. Tel. 06 687 9344)
  Sit outside and watch the crowds at Campo de'Fiori pass by at this convivial, early evening spot.
• Caffè Greco
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  (86 Via Condotti. Tel. 06 6978 8427)
  Situated on Rome's most exclusive shopping street, this café's old red velvet sofas have supported the weight of famous visitors such as Goethe and Byron. Two centuries on, it is still the height of elegance.
• Circus read more ›
  (15 Via della Vetrina . Tel. 06 9761 9258)
  Food and drink are available in this modern bar and art venue a short stroll from Piazza Navona. It has a dining area at the front and sofas at the back and offer free WiFi internet access. The music is generally jazzy.
• Caffé Doria read more ›
  (1A 
Via della Gatta. Tel. 06 679 3805)
  On the ground floor of a wonderful palazzo, this old-style café has a quiet back room where you can sit and read the paper or chat to a friend over coffee or one of a selection of teas.

• Big Mama read more ›
  (18 Vicolo San Francesco a Ripa. Tel. 06 581 2551)
  One of the city's oldest and probably best-loved blues clubs, with international and Italian performers. It also has a cocktail bar and restaurant.
• Ambra Jovinelli read more ›
  (43 Via Guglielmo Pepe. Tel. 06 4434 0262)
  Near Termini station, you can listen to jazz and traditional Italian music in this renovated art-nouveau theatre. There is also stand-up comedy.
• Fonclea read more ›
  (63 Via Monte di Testaccio, Ostiense. Tel. 06 4356 6581)
  There's live music every night at this very eclectic rock, funk, jazz, rhythm and blues club in the heart of the Ostiense district.
• Charity Café read more ›
  (68 Via Pansperna. Tel. 06 4782 5881)
  This laid-back and comfortable club hosts live jazz Thursday to Saturday evening, and plays jazz records every other night.
• The Place read more ›
  (27-29 Via Alberico II. Tel. 06 6830 7137)
  This jazz club also features Latin and R 'n' B artists, and has a fantastic restaurant.
• Cotton Club
 read more ›
  (2 Via Bellinzona . Tel. 06 9761 5246 )
  This venue at the Fattoria Restaurant has jazz orchestras, big bands and quintets. It costs €15 for entry and a drink.

• Bluecheese Factory read more ›
  (5B Via Caio Cestio. Tel. 06 5725 0032)
  In an old warehouse in the trendy if slightly industrial Testaccio district, Bluecheese has a very urban vibe with metal sculptures and cement-sculpted grass hills. Its DJs play break-beat and drum 'n' bass.
• Druid's Rock read more ›
  (1 Piazza dell'Esquillino. Tel. 06 474 1326)
  A very lively Irish rock pub, with satellite sports and news, English and Italian football and live music at the weekend. Open from 5pm-2am.
• Joia read more ›
  (20 Via Galvani. Tel. 06 574 0802)
  A restaurant and piano bar early in the evening, but later it becomes a busy club. Joia is pricey and the ambience is chic, so you need to dress to get in. Expect an all-white lounge, lots of mirrors and glamorous looking women.
• Bloom read more ›
  (30 Via Del Teatro Pace. Tel. 06 6880 2029)
  Bloom attracts a young and up-market crowd. Chill out while watching famous footballers strut their stuff or do so yourself to a mix of techno, house and pop. The dress code is strictly international jet-set.
• Micca Club read more ›
  (7A Via Pietro Micca. Tel. 06 8744 0079)
  This club is dominated by a giant circular staircase with a fountain at its base and a big dance floor with columns and vast, arched ceilings. There are three bars, an art gallery, a chill-out zone and smoking area, as well as a stage for live music.
• Chalet read more ›
  (5 Piazzale dello Stadia Olimpico. )
  This small disco has an open-roof giving dancers the feeling of being in the great outdoors. It attracts internationally famous DJs like Dave Morales, and Italy's own DJ Ralf.
• Alpheus read more ›
  (36 Viale del Commercio. Tel. 06 574 7826)
  An enormous club where you can sample a range of musical genres, with house on the main dance floor and techno, hip hop, rock, world music, Latin, retro, happy trash and rhythm 'n' blues going on elsewhere.
• Distillerie Clandestine read more ›
  (13 Via Libetta, Ostiense. Tel. 06 5730 5102)
  In the trendy industrial-style Ostiense district, the versatile Distillerie Clandestine caters for every taste, as a restaurant, club and live music venue.
• Piper read more ›
  (9 Via Tagliamento . Tel. 06 855 5398)
  Although dating back to the 1960s, this club in the heart of the wealthy Parioli quarter now has state-of-the-art sound and lights and appeals to a young crowd. It mainly plays house and happy house music. On Friday nights it's where all the glamorous young Pariolini hang out.
• Alpheus read more ›
  (36 Viale del Commercio. Tel. 06 574 7826)
  A huge club where you can enjoy different musical genres, with house on the main dance floor and techno, hip hop, rock, world music, Latin, retro, happy trash and rhythm 'n' blues elsewhere. It hosts live gigs on its four stages.
• Zest read more ›
  (171 Via Filippo Turati . Tel. 06 444 841)
  Situated near Termini station, this modern, minimalist bar is on the seventh floor of the very chic ES Hotel.
• I Giganti
 read more ›
  (26 Piazza Campo de' Fiori. Tel. 06 687 418)
  This lively club in the heart of Campo de' Fiori serves tequila at €1 a shot, which may account for some of its popularity! It stays open as long as there are people.

This month...

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Tips

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