Photo: Yeh Xintong / Unsplash
When talking about Roman cuisine, the thought immediately runs to an iconic dish: amatriciana. Al dente pasta, crispy guanciale, seasoned pecorino cheese and a tomato sauce that smells of tradition: an irresistible mix that tells the soul of Rome and its osterias.
But where to eat the best amatriciana in Rome without risking disappointment? In this guide you will find the restaurants and trattorias that bring the authentic recipe to the table, from historic addresses to award-winning and more modern establishments.
A perfect selection for those who dream of tasting the real amatriciana as in Amatrice, without leaving the capital. Get ready: the right places for a mouthwatering journey through the city’s most authentic flavors await you below.
Lo Scopettaro – Testaccio
Testaccio is the Roman neighborhood par excellence. Here many are the trattorias that bring traditional dishes to the table. Among these places, we find Lo Scopettaro: a Roman cuisine trattoria opened in 1912 and famous for its tasty dishes. Try the mezze maniche all’amatriciana. A delicious dish that we recommend eating in the characteristic tavern.
📍Address: Lungotevere Testaccio, 7, 00153 Rome.
Felice in Testaccio 
Getty Images/Banu R
Felice a Testaccio is a famous and historic trattoria that serves typical Roman cuisine. In the quaint Testaccio neighborhood, the dishes at this eatery take us back in time. Not only bucatini all’amatriciana, but also Carbonara, Cacio e Pepe and delicious meatballs with sauce. A menu full of delicacies that satisfies anyone’s taste.
The trattoria was opened by Felice Trivelloni in 1936, a cook and lover of the Roman neighborhood. Even today, his traditional recipes are respected in the restaurant. In 2017 the trattoria also opened in Milan.
📍 Address: Via Mastro Giorgio, 29, 00153 Rome.
La Matriciana since 1870 – Monti
La Matriciana is a historic restaurant from 1870 with the original 1930s furnishings. Thanks to the atmosphere there, it is a member of the “Historical Places of Italy” Association. The menu features Roman cuisine and a wide selection of wines. Here bucatini all’amatriciana are prepared following the recipe of yesteryear.
📍 Address: Via del Viminale, 44, 00184 Rome.
Matricianella – Centro
Matricianella is a historic Roman restaurant, located a few steps from the Spanish Steps and frequented by many VIPs. It was founded in 1957 by a family from Amatrice; the founder decided to call the restaurant Matricianella since it was the nickname of a local girl. In addition to bucatini all’amatriciana, other typical first courses include rigatoni con pajata, rigatoni with coda alla vaccinara, and carbonara.
📍 Address: Via del Leone, 4, 00186 Rome.
Il Ciociaro – Prati
In the heart of the Prati district, a stone’s throw from the Vatican, the Perna family has been serving good traditional Italian cuisine for more than 40 years. Amatriciana is served at the table in the form of Roman pecorino cheese to finish the mantecatura. Other first courses to try are the Antica Tradizione’s Cacio e Pepe, also served in the pecorino cheese form, Vittorio’s Carbonara and fettuccine ai Funghi Porcini. Dessert lovers will find a pretty good tiramisu.
📍 Address: Via Barletta, 21, 00192 Rome.
Trecca – San Paolo
Those looking for the best amatriciana in Rome can’t fail to try Trecca. A trattoria with an authentic heart, where home cooking tells the whole story of Roman tradition. Here the bucatini all’amatriciana are hearty, with crispy guanciale and a thick sauce reminiscent of Sundays of yore. A perfect place if you’re looking for a casual, cozy atmosphere.
📍Address: Via Alessandro Severo, 220, 00145 Rome.
Trattoria Pennestri – Ostiense
A Michelin Bib Gourmand award-winning restaurant where you can discover amatriciana in Rome in an authentic yet refined guise: among the best-loved trattorias in Ostiense is Trattoria Pennestri, a cozy place that combines tradition and creativity. The rigatoni all’amatriciana is a must: crispy guanciale, balanced tomato sauce and generous portions that make it one of the best amatricianas in Rome. The passionately curated wine cellar offers sophisticated wines that perfectly accompany the dishes.
📍Address: Via Giovanni da Empoli, 5, 00154 Rome.
Taverna Tintoretto – Ostiense
At Taverna Tintoretto the amatriciana is a dish to be applauded. Large portions, rich sauce and crispy guanciale make this trattoria one of the places to eat the best amatriciana in Rome. Famous for the “padellacce,” maxi primi served directly in a frying pan, here you can also try the pinsa fritta seasoned with amatriciana: a unique experience for those who love authentic and generous Roman cuisine.
📍Address: Via Andrea Solario, 58, 00142 Rome.
Osteria Palmira – Monteverde
Run by a family originally from Amatrice, Osteria Palmira is the ideal place for those who want to eat the real Amatriciana di Amatrice…without leaving Rome. Claudio and Assunta’s passion can be found in every dish: rich amatriciana, fabulous appetizers and raw materials selected from small producers in Lazio. Honest prices and warm atmosphere, just like home.
📍Address: Via Abate Ugone, 29, 00152 Rome.
Romoletto – Campo de’ Fiori
In the heart of Rome, in Campo de’ Fiori, Romoletto is a restaurant that brings true tradition to the table. Here the amatriciana is among the tastiest we’ve ever tasted: homemade pasta, crunchy guanciale and high quality raw materials. A genuine place, far from the usual tourist traps, where you can eat while spending the right amount and really enjoy the best amatriciana in town in central Rome.
📍Address: Campo de’ Fiori, 47, 00186 Rome.
Dining and Cooking