Looking for the best places to eat near the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, or Via del Corso in Rome? The good news is, there are tons of fantastic restaurants and trattorias nearby—you’ve just gotta distinguish them from the tourist traps. Our local guides have done that for you in this curated list of the best restaurants near the Spanish Steps.
Top Places To Eat Near the Spanish Steps
When I first moved to Rome, I didn’t like the Spanish Steps area. It felt too fancy, and I was worried I was getting ripped off everywhere. After about ten years, I have grown to appreciate the area. Over time, I found some of the more local spots in this area, otherwise overrun with tourists.
After exploring all there is to do near the Spanish Steps, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite. Enjoy authentic Roman cuisine and a great atmosphere in one or more of these great restaurants near the Spanish Steps. If you’re looking for restaurant recommendations in other areas of Rome, use the toggle menu below.
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Pastificio Guerra
€ | Street Food Pasta | Takeaway
This is probably the best cheap place to eat in Rome. A plate of pasta costs roughly €4 for an abundant portion and it’s in the ritzy Spanish Steps area. What are your options? Choose between the two kinds of pasta they decided to make that day.
Pasta comes in a plastic container with a fork, napkin, and plastic cup for you to pour yourself some water from the jug. They sell glasses of table wine for a euro or so extra. If you’re in the area and it’s lunchtime, I recommend giving this place a try. Especially if you’re on the go, it’s an experience.
Address: Via della Croce, 8
Ginger (Sapori e Saluti)
€€ | Casual Contemporary | Outdoor Seating | Health Focused
Ginger popped up about a decade ago and it’s really cool. They serve fresh juices, seasonal pasta dishes, and generally great food. For lack of a better description, the food tastes like the restaurant looks.
It’s fresh, clean, and innovative. I got a Carbonara di Zucca (Pumpkin Carbonara), which is an Italian fall pasta equivalent to a pumpkin spice latte and it was to die for.
They have ample outdoor seating and they’re always full of people. You could probably make a reservation, but every time I’ve gone there I simply put my name in, grab a juice, and wait 15 or so minutes for a table.
The clean dishes, outdoor seating, and cool atmosphere make Ginger one of my favorite lunch restaurants near the Spanish Steps—maybe even in Rome! They have a coffee bar where you can get an espresso and they’re open throughout the day, which is convenient when you need an energy boost to continue sightseeing!
Address: Via Borgognona 43-46
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Ciampini Bistrot
€€ – €€€ | Classy Italian | Outdoor Seating | Kid Friendly
Ciampini is a Roman staple frequented by the who’s who of Rome. It’s always filled with Roman nobles and the best-dressed people in town. While it’s not very expensive, it’s not very cheap either.
The food is great, the restaurant is small, and the service is classy. Nothing there is cutting-edge; it’s great Roman food in an up-scale atmosphere surrounded by people to match. Ciampini Bistrot is far enough from the Spanish Steps on the other side of Via del Corso that it isn’t overrun with tourists but close enough that you can get there in a couple of minutes.
This is one of my personal favorite restaurants near the Spanish Steps for a classy meal at an outside table. You’ll want to make a reservation if you want a table outside for lunch.
Address: Via della Fontanella di Borghese, 59
Osteria Siciliana
€€€ | Upscale Sicilian | Great Atmosphere
I happened upon this restaurant with my wife around Christmas time, and we were drawn in by the ambience and colorful plates. The restaurant is super modern but the dishes are classy and colorful Sicilian fare.
It’s a very upscale restaurant with limited tables and a beautiful atmosphere. Honestly, I’d recommend it on looks alone, but the food is also amazing. I haven’t seen this in any guidebooks yet, so it appears to be a locals’ secret. Check it out.
Address: Via del Leoncino, 28
Casina Valadier
€€€€ | Fine Dining | Terrace Seating | Great Views
This restaurant, which is more of a palace, is named after Giuseppe Valadier. He was an architect who designed and outlined much of the area between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo.
This is the poshest area of Rome, and Casina Valadier is without a doubt the most extravagant place to dine. Be ready for a wonderful night out and be sure to wear your classiest attire. The food is amazing and so is the view. Casina Valadier is perched up on the edge of Villa Borghese, which makes it one of the best restaurants with a view near the Spanish steps.
Address: Piazza Bucarest
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Zuma
€€€ | Sushi | Rooftop Terrace | Bar
Yes, this is a Japanese restaurant! It makes this list because it is a really cool restaurant with a great bar, beautiful interior design, and an incredible rooftop terrace. You don’t have to eat sushi in Rome, but it is worth it to get a drink here. And when you see some of the apps, you’ll probably end up ordering dinner.
This is a really cool place and you’ll find yourself surrounded by locals—and locals only. Zuma is great for a longer stay in Rome if you get tired of carbs or for anyone who comes to the city frequently.
Address: Via della Fontanella di Borghese, 48
Mercato Monte D’oro
€ | Street Food and Market | Kid Friendly | Lunch Only
My office is a block from this market and I eat lunch here almost daily when I’m in Rome. Mercato Monte D’oro is a tiny little lunch market and when you walk in, you’ll find a pasta place front and center.
Order a pasta dish off the menu, which changes daily. Don’t be surprised if the ladies at the counter remember your face the next day—they’re the greatest.
Address: Largo Monte d’Oro, 95
Spaghetti
€€ | Casual and Small | Kid Friendly
Directly across the street from Mercato Monte D’oro is Spaghetti, and the food is good. The owners also happen to be the chefs and the waiters. They are both a little crazy and make great food.
The name says it all—you’ll eat spaghetti here. They have a rotating menu of classic Italian dishes from all over. Fresh ingredients make them all taste delicious, so pick anything and you’ll be fine.
Address: Via dell’Arancio, 60
Dal Bolognese
€€€ | Upscale | Outdoor Seating | Great View
If you’re looking for an impressive restaurant with tons of outdoor seating, this place fits the bill. It is a classy and timeless Italian restaurant that has focused on high-quality ingredients, great presentation, and one of the best non-rooftop views in Rome.
The food is fancy and the service is more comparable to what you’d expect in your home country. You can easily come here for a classy meal and be surrounded by Roman nobles—the world’s elite.
Address: Piazza del Popolo, 1
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Ristorante Ad Hoc
€€€ | Upscale Intimate | Great Wine | Varying Menu
Do you love wine and cool restaurants? Ad Hoc is something you can definitely write home about. Enjoy a killer meal and an amazing bottle of wine in a super intimate setting.
The name defines the menu: changing often and with variations. The dishes are artistic, clean, and delicious. You can’t say too much or too little about this place. Make a reservation for the cabana room.
Address: Via di Ripetta, 43
Pompi Tiramisù
€ | Take Away Dessert and Cafe | Best Tiramisù
Pompi has consistently made the best tiramisu in Rome for decades. This little cafe sells world-famous treats, and you should consider skipping dessert at your sit-down restaurant, take a passagiata (stroll) to Pompi, and try the tiramisù, of course.
Address: Via della Croce, 82
Need To Know About Dining in Rome
Reservations: You can make reservations and it’ll probably work, but most inexpensive restaurants treat reservations loosely due to the number of no-shows. Ask for a glass of wine while you wait.
Service: Don’t get up in arms if it takes a while for the waiter to come over or if you can’t get their attention. Enjoy your time—you’re on vacation!
Tipping: A few euros per person is great. If you want to give 10-20%, be our guest but it’s not necessary. That said, everyone likes more money.
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Love food and travel? Then a food tour is for you! It’s a fantastic way to spend an evening exploring the city and its local cuisine in authentic restaurants. Who doesn’t dream of eating Italian food in Italy, right?
You’ll be joined by a passionate local guide who not only knows what to eat and where to get it but also speaks the lingo. An absolute must for foodies, a local food tour is the best way to the heart (and stomach) of local food culture.
Tour the local food scene of Rome’s trendy Trastevere or go on an evening cocktail tour passing by the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and more!
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