If you’re planning a break in the city of romance, some top gourmet experiences should be up there on your to-do list. There are few people who don’t enjoy Italian cuisine, with its hearty staples of pizza and pasta. But those in the mood for elaborate creations and exquisite tasting menus will revel in the Michelin-starred restaurants to be found in this historic capital city. Here are the places we think you should check out on your next visit to Roma.
La Pergola
Described as “concealed art”, the food at La Pergola at the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria is among the best in the land – recognised with the three Michelin stars it deserves (the first and only in the city to have been awarded this lofty plaudit). German-born Heinz Beck interprets Italian food with avant-garde techniques to create haute cuisine at its best. And you can pair your meal with a glass from in excess of 65,000 bottles housed in La Pergola’s cellar. The views over St Peter’s Basilica are incredible too and the restaurant is peppered with antiques and artworks; certainly the perfect backdrop for that extra special meal.
Il Pagliaccio
This is Rome’s only two Michelin-star eatery, and it has earned many more accolades besides; its manager, Matteo Zappile, took the coveted Michelin Service Prize in 2022 and its wine list has won an award of excellence from the Wine Spectator. The French Chef Patron Antony Genovese made Italy his home back in 2003, later opening Il Pagliaccio (translated as “the clown”) and wowing his guests with theatrical 10-course “circus” menus. His techniques are derived from his homeland roots but infused with flavours and flair picked up on his travels around Asia. The result is classic dishes, with an imaginative array of ingredients. Il Pagliaccio’s decor gives a nod to its name, with a harlequin floor and bold red accents among the kind of sophisticated furnishings befitting a Roman fine dining establishment.