Rome — a city celebrated for storied ancient history, timeless natural beauty and breathtaking architecture — is also a limitless haven for food lovers. Beyond the Italian classics like pasta and pizza, the Eternal City boasts a vibrant fine-dining scene, sprawling with quaint cafes, casual eateries and with several Michelin-starred restaurants that are best-known for elevating traditional Italian cuisine to new and exceptionally imaginative heights. From intimate, modern bistros to grand, elegant dining rooms, these culinary gems showcase the best of Italian culinary prowess, creativity, and passion for food. In this article, LUXUO has curated a list of ten of Rome’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants, where imagination and gastronomy meet.
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La Pergola: 3 Stars
Helmed by world renowned chef Heinz Beck, La Pergola is the one and only three-Michelin starred restaurant in Rome and it has held this title since 2005. The world-famous restaurant boasts more than just exquisite fine dining, it is home to one of the most prized views in all of Rome, with a panoramic view of the storied city’s skyline from the rooftop garden. Chef Beck is well-known for his precision and creativity in developing dishes, often taking inspiration from the scents and colours of nature with a strong innovation of challenging boundaries and making food into art. To pair with the gourmet dishes, are lovely wines thoughtfully selected by a skilled sommelier. The imaginative dishes are made with traditional Italian ingredients yet harmoniously incorporated with strong Mediterranean influences.
Having been recently renovated, La Pergola has upped the ante for truly luxurious dining experiences with glass panelled railings for an unobstructed view of Rome’s most famous landmarks, twinkling chandeliers that cascade down the ceiling and a variety of modern art. Nestled within the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel, couple the three-Michelin starred dining experience with an overnight stay at the hotel for the ultimate Italian getaway.
Acquolina: 2 Stars
Acquolina is a two-Michelin starred establishment headed by the talented chef Daniele Lippi. As explained by the restaurant, “Mediterranean as a portmanteau of the words “ Meditate” and “ Land” . Thus begins our journey to rediscover and rework in a new way the products, flavours and culinary techniques of the “Medi-Terraneo”. That being said, the fine dining dishes are where the finest ingredients of land and sea unite to enhance one another — highlighting Acquolina’s message of bringing different traditions and cultures together to create something breathtaking.
Located within the First Roma Hotel near Piazza del Popolo, the general theme of the decor is understated yet refined, allowing focus to be solely on the gourmet dishes — made with exceptional skill, creativity and thought.
Il Pagliaccio: 2 Stars
Il Pagliaccio is an intimate two-Michelin starred fine dining establishment and one of the most difficult reservations to get in the city. With just 10 tables of lucky diners, Il Pagliaccio has unparalleled attention to detail, diners are treated to an eclectic and captivating ambiance over 11 courses. Head chef Anthony Genovese draws on his life experiences — like his French upbringing, Calabrian heritage and his past experiences in Japanese, Malaysian and British kitchens — to develop a concept steeped in a blend of cultures and executed with impeccable skill.
Located in the heart of the romantic city of Rome, diners are taken on a gastronomic journey through Asia and Italy. For diners searching for something event more intimate, Il Pagliaccio also has a private dining room for a maximum of six guests, and served the Parallelsmenu, a show-stopping 14-course food experience.
Enoteca La Torre: 2 Stars
Admire Rome in all its glory, with stunning architecture dating back to 1911, stucco and column adored dining rooms and an abundant garden. Enoteca La Torre is a two-Michelin starred historic gem located within the spectacular Hotel Villa Laetitia, a structure built in Renaissance and Baroque style with art deco windows, illuminate stucco features, frescoes and intricate marble designs. Helmed by talented head chef Domenico Stile, the menu tells a story of his origins in Campania, mixed with other Italian influences and some flavours inspired by Asian cuisine.
Enoteca La Torre also boasts an impressive collection of over 1,000 different Italian and international wines, thoughtfully paired with each dish by Chef Sommelier Rudy Travagli and carefully stored in the historic cellar of Viterbo. The opulence and grandeur of Enoteca La Torre is ideal for those celebfrateing special occasions.
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Orma Roma: 1 Star
Orma Roma is a one-Michelin starred restaurant that combines Colombian and Italian flavours as well as Scandinavian decor to create a unique yet cohesive fine dining experience for gourmet lovers. Helmed by world famous chef Roy Caceres, he draws inspiration from his Colombian heritage and his upbringing in Rome as a young chef. Caceres’ approach to his menu is highly experimental and modern, often using unconventional curing techniques and a mix of international flavours to captivate the taste buds of guests. Caceres’ creations are often unexpected yet innovative, bringing out the truly unique personality of Orma Roma.
In addition to a stylish dining room, Orma Roma also boasts an extensive collection of wines to be enjoyed outside, on the rooftop terrace.
Zia Restaurant: 1 Star
Situated behind the popular tourist streets of Trastevere, is Zia Restaurant a place well-known for putting creative twists on traditional Italian flavours. Led by head chef Antonio Ziantoni and wife Ida, Zia restaurant has been dubbed “one of the most interesting Michelin-starred restaurants in Rome” by the Micheline Guide, proving that they are a force to be reckoned with. Ziantoni places significant focus on working with only the freshest of seasonal ingredients, not just to ensure delightful tastes but also to spark continuous imagination through the use of unconventional techniques.
Since Zia Restaurant opened its doors, it has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting dining experiences in Rome — thanks to the boundless creativity of chef Antonio Ziantoni and his knack for creative imaginative dishes based on classic foundations.
Glass Hostaria: 1 Star
Nestled within the bustling historical streets of Rome, Glass Hosteria appears to stand out in the Trastevere neighbourhood, contrasting the old-school charm of intimate alleyways with its modern appearance and contemporary menu. The space was designed by the collaborative efforts of architects and artists Andrea Lupacchini, Marco Filippetti and Alberto Brandolini. Inside, the restaurant features a mix of old and new elements such as Glass wine bottles embedded in the floors to allow for an intricate play of light and shadow, multiple mezzanine floors, and maintaining historic charm with building’s original features.
Helmed by chef Cristina Bowerman, the captivating appearance of the space and the imaginative menu is a great reflection of her eclectic personality. Bowerman typically draws inspiration from her childhood spent in Puglia in addition to Asian and American influences — with dishes Italian at its core but infused with culturally diverse flavours to captivate and excite the tastebuds of the diners.
Pipero Roma: 1 Star
Opened and named after Alessandro Pipero, together with young head chef Ciro Scamardella, Pipero Roma is one of the most celebrated Michelin starred restaurants in Rome. The delectable menu focuses on a modern approach to seasons, taking the freshest produce and transforming it into edible art. Chef Scamardella is also particularly well-known for his specialties from his native region
The sophisticated, minimalist décor enhances the intimate atmosphere, while the imaginative and extensive tasting menus highlight the freshest of seasonal ingredients and bold flavours. One of Pipero’s signature dishes is the carbonara, which is considered one of the best in the city. The restaurant’s meticulous attention to detail and warm hospitality make it a top choice for fine dining in Rome.
All’Oro: 1 Star
All’Oro is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Rome, known for its creative and contemporary Italian cuisine. Located in the Parioli district, it offers a refined dining experience that blends traditional Italian flavours and techniques with modern touches throughout.
The exceptionally classy and intimate atmosphere is complemented by beautifully and artfully plated dishes, that often incorporate seasonal ingredients and traditional Italian classics. Chef Riccardo Di Giacinto — who runs All’Oro — is celebrated for his innovative takes on classic Italian recipes, making it a top choice for those seeking a gourmet experience in the heart of Rome.
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Pulejo Restorante: 1 Star
Pulejo Ristorante is a contemporary fine-dining restaurant in Rome, helmed by world renowned chef, Davide Pulejo. Known for its modern contemporary interpretations of Italian cuisine, the restaurant is best known for their creativity and seasonal ingredients, blending traditional Roman flavours with innovative culinary techniques that change with every seasonal menu.
Located in the Prati neighborhood, Pulejo offers an elegant and minimalist setting, where guests can enjoy dishes that showcase chef Pulejo’s culinary expertise, with a focus on bold flavors and refined presentation. The restaurant has quickly gained a reputation for its high-quality food and attentive service, making it a standout destination in Rome’s dining scene.
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