5 Best Pasta Restaurants in Rome for Carbonara

Carbonara is one of those essential Italian dishes that need to be included in any Rome food tour. It’s made by lightly tossing spaghetti in a sauce of fresh egg, cured pork cheek (Guanciale), black pepper, and pecorino cheese. The warmth of the pasta then cooks the egg and lightly melts the cheese into a lusciously rich sauce.

Italians will tell you that the best carbonara is found in Roma. Yet just which restaurant makes the best is up for debate. So, I thought I would take a closer look at what I think are the best restaurants in Rome offering authentic carbonara.

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina

Photo credit: Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina

Located in Rome’s lively Campo de’ Fiori district, Roscioli is just a short walk from iconic sites like Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. They also have a well-earned reputation for making some of the best carbonara in the Eternal City.

Roscioli’s interior is rustic with just the right amount of refined décor. The walls are lined with shelves containing bottles of fine wine, high-quality olive oils, and other Italian gourmet products. The dining area itself is a little small, so it’s wise to set up a reservation.

The carbonara at Roscioli is made from top-quality ingredients. I love the rich flavor of the artisanal guanciale they use, which gives it a presence throughout the sauce.

The spaghetti is cooked perfectly al dente, which is important as this is a traditional carbonara that doesn’t use any cream. I appreciated how this allowed the sauce to adhere nicely to the noodles without pooling on the plate.

Roscioli (€€) – Via dei Giubbonari, 21, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day for lunch from 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM, with dinner service from 7:00 to 11:30 PM. 

Trattoria Da Enzo al 29

Photo credit: Trattoria Da Enzo al 29

You’ll find Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 in Rome’s Trastevere district on Via dei Vascellari. It’s a historic part of the Eternal City with narrow cobblestone streets and vibrant nightlife. Da Enzo al 29 is also close to iconic landmarks like Santa Maria in Trastevere and Tiber Island. Making it a great stop for a carbonara after a walking tour in that part of Roma.

The ambiance at Da Enzo al 29 is a truly authentic Roman trattoria experience. The dining room is somewhat small with simple wooden tables and checkered tablecloths that give it a homey vibe. Unfortunately, it also means the line to get in can be long at times, but the outdoor seating area helps when the weather is nice.

One of the things I appreciate about the carbonara at Da Enzo al 29 is that they use locally sourced guanciale and pecorino romano cheese. The rich flavor and sharpness of the cheese give it an authentic taste that comes straight from the surrounding countryside.

Trattoria Da Enzo al 29 (€€€) – Via dei Vascellari, 29, 00153 Roma RM, Italy – Open Monday to Saturday for lunch from 12:00 PM to 3 PM, with dinner service from 7:00 to 11:00 PM. Closed on Sunday.

Felice a Testaccio

Photo credit: Felice a Testaccio

Felice a Testaccio sits in Rome’s historic Testaccio neighborhood, which has a strong connection to Roman culinary tradition. This explains its reputation for making one of the best carbonara in the city. It’s also close to major cultural landmarks like the Monte Testaccio and the MACRO Museum of Contemporary Art.

The atmosphere inside Felice a Testaccio applies a modern feel to the deep-rooted Roman decor. There are a lot of clean visual lines, wooden furnishings, and warm lighting that create an inviting ambiance.  

The carbonara at Felice a Testaccio is made with strict adherence to the classic recipe. They use fresh eggs, sharp pecorino romano cheese, and fresh-cracked black pepper. I think there’s something special about the pecorino they use, which gives the carbonara a perfectly balanced saltiness that is distinct from the umami of the guanciale.

Felice a Testaccio (€€) – Via Mastro Giorgio, 29, 00153 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day for lunch from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, with dinner service from 7:00 PM to 11:30 PM.

Armando al Pantheon

Phone credit: Armando al Pantheon

As the name implies, Armando al Pantheon is just a stone’s throw from Rome’s majestic Pantheon. It’s also close to other major tourist attractions such as Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain. Making it a perfect place to enjoy a sumptuous carbonara after a day exploring the historic heart of the city.

Armando al Pantheon’s ambiance has a traditional charm that’s perfectly cozy and speaks to its history as a family-run restaurant. The décor is warm with wood-paneled walls, classic artwork, and classic checkered tablecloths.

Like everything on their menu, Armando al Pantheon has a well-earned reputation for their dedication to traditional Roman cuisine. This includes their carbonara which uses fresh egg yolks. I love how this gives it an exceptional richness and depth of flavor. Not to mention staining the spaghetti strands a vivid shade of yellow!

Armando al Pantheon (€€) – Salita de’ Crescenzi, 31, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open Monday to Saturday for lunch from 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM, with dinner service from 7:00 to 11:00 PM. Closed on Sunday.

La Pergola

Photo credit: La Pergola

La Pergola sits on the top floor of the Rome Cavalieri Waldorf Astoria Hotel, where the dining area offers breathtaking views of the Eternal City. Including iconic landmarks like the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. This Michelin three-star restaurant is also known for offering the peak of fine dining in Roma, with impeccable classics like authentic carbonara.

The ambiance at La Pergola is the epitome of luxury. Every square inch exudes elegance and refined style, with rare artworks, beautiful ceramics, and ornate tapestries that create an atmosphere of sophistication.

The menu at La Pergola is directly by head chef Heinz Beck who is known for adding creative, avant-garde twists to classic Mediterranean and traditional Italian recipes. This translates into a meticulously crafted carbonara that departs slightly from the original Roman recipe, without ever losing its true identity.

One of the twists I love about the carbonara at La Pergola is that it uses crispy pancetta in place of guanciale. I find it to be a perfect complement to their creamy sauce, which has a lilt of garlic and an elevated lightness.

La Pergola (€€€€) – Via Alberto Cadlolo, 101, 00136 Roma RM, Italy – Open Tuesday to Saturday from 7:30 PM to 11:30 PM. 

Conclusion

A delicious carbonara experience is an essential part of any authentic Rome food tour. The restaurants on this list like La Pergola, Armando al Pantheon, and Roscioli are just the tip of the iceberg. Wherever you’re staying in Rome, and whatever your preference, Eating Europe can help you find the perfect place for carbonara on our Roman food tours.

Sources: 

Eating Europe. (n.d.). The ultimate guide to breakfast in Rome. Retrieved from https://www.eatingeurope.com/blog/breakfast-in-rome/

Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.salumeriaroscioli.com/

Trattoria Da Enzo al 29. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.daenzoal29.com/

Felice a Testaccio. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.feliceatestaccio.com/

Armando al Pantheon. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.armandoalpantheon.it/

La Pergola. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.romecavalieri.com/lapergola/