For most planning a trip to Italy, the cuisine is a main focus of the vacation. Italy’s simple yet sophisticated culinary experience is tough to beat, and there are thousands of restaurants in Rome where you can experience the city’s best dishes. However, on a luxury vacation to Italy, there are a few spots around the city to explore if you envision a lavish evening of wining and dining on your vacation. In this guide, you can find the top Michelin star restaurants in Rome.
Luxury Travel Planning
If experiencing exclusive excursions and fine dining is a goal of your vacation, let us take the guesswork out of the planning process. Our local experts know of the best experiences around Italy and are here to provide the best insight possible for you. Allow us to take the reigns so you can enjoy being on vacation.
La Pergola
The only 3-star Restaurant in Rome dominates the capital city of Italy from the magnificent roof garden of the Hotel Rome Cavalieri, a Waldorf Astoria Resort, located near Vatican City. The German Chef Heinz Beck’s genius and creativity start from tradition to create unique dishes with exceptional ingredients. In the restaurant’s cellar, the multi-awarded Sommelier Marco Reitano presents a list with 60,000 wines. The restaurant aims to match even the simplest desires of its guests, even offering 45 different types of water. To taste the chef’s signature dish, make sure to order the Fagottelli “La Pergola,” a tortellini-shaped pasta in a rich yet intricate carbonara sauce.
Open only for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, it is usually closed 3 weeks in January and 3 weeks in August. They suggest booking 2-4 months in advance.
Price of the tasting menu €. 225/260, à la carte €. 135/239.
Children welcome if supervised, children’s dishes available on request.
As a formal restaurant, a jacket is required for gentlemen, no tie necessary.
Il Pagliaccio
This 2 Michelin starred restaurant offers an elegant ambiance fit for an opulent evening. It opened in 2003 and stands in the heart of Rome, centrally located between Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori. Here, expect creative, modern cuisine with flavors and tastes ranging from East to West, reflecting the journeys of the Executive Chef Anthony Genovese, who was born in France from South Italian parents. Choose from a list of 1,300 wines selected by Restaurant Manager and Chef Sommelier Matteo Zappile and Sommelier Luca Belleggia. The Chef invites you to trust him on a journey of the senses with his tasting menus from €85 (lunch only, 3 “surprise” courses chosen by the Chef) to €185 (10 “surprise” courses).
Hours: Wed.-Sat. 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m., Closed Sunday and Monday, Tuesday 7:30 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Vegetarian and vegan dishes are prepared only on request, to be specified upon reservation.
If you travel with children and/or pets (small size) you will be welcomed in a private room.
Limited wheelchair accessibility.
Dress code: At Lunch, the dress code is smart casual. At Dinner in the dining room, men are required to wear jackets (ties optional). Shorts, flip flops, T-shirts or tennis shoes are not allowed.
Imago
Located on the top panoramic floor of the Hotel Hassler in P.za Trinità dei Monti, the restaurant was awarded its first Michelin star in 2009.
Chef Francesco Apreda recently left the restaurant after 16 years; in his place the 28-year old Andrea Antonini, who is a real promise, will certainly provide new impetus to the already acclaimed restaurant famous for its Roman cuisine with modern influences. An extensive wine list is available.
Hours: Open every day, 7 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Tasting Menu is offered for €. 130 (5 courses, vegetarian) or €. 150 (6 courses, classic)- à la carte €. 100/175.
Children are welcome. Pets are not allowed.
Jacket required for gentlemen.
Assaje
Enjoy an elegant dining room overlooking the gardens at this charming restaurant at Aldrovandi Villa Borghese, in the Parioli area, rating 1 Michelin star since 2017. Resident Chef Lorenzo Maria Di Gravio, was recently appointed in place of the outgoing Claudio Mengoni and will proceed on the track of Mediterranean cuisine with personal creativity. The restaurant is renowned for its exquisite amuse bouches and its vast selection of tea from the tea cart. For the Signature dish, order the roasted suckling pig with salsify, porto wine scented shallots and mustard.
Hours: Every day from 7:30 p.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Tasting menu €. 150/170 – A’ la carte €. 100/150
Children and small pets allowed.
Attire: Smart elegant attire, no jacket requested for gentlemen, but note that shorts and flip flops are not allowed.
La Terrazza
Located on the roof garden of Hotel Eden and overlooking the spectacular historical center, this is one of the most scenic restaurants in Rome rating 1 Michelin star. Chef Fabio Ciervo creates original and innovative dishes with traditional hints and made with supreme ingredients. It is possible to reserve a special table for 8 from where you can admire the Chef while in action. A large selection of wines is also available.
Hours: Open for dinner every day except for Tuesday, closed 2 weeks in January and 2 weeks in August.
Tasting menu €130/280 – à la carte €126/180
Children over 6 are welcome. Pets are not allowed.
Dress code: Gentlemen are kindly required to wear long sleeves, long trousers and closed shoes.
Ristorante Enoteca La Torre a Villa Laetitia
After receiving its first Michelin star in 2010, this restaurant was relocated to Rome from Viterbo in 2013 and it is now housed in the refined Villa Laetitia, the prestigious home of Anna Fendi. The atmosphere is elegant and charmant, the architecture and furniture nostalgically look back to the first decade of the 20th century.
Chef Domenico Stile was born in Gragnano, the town near Naples famous for its pasta factory; his dishes, based mainly on fish, testify his origins and are fruit of his past experiences working alongside Master Chefs like Massimo Bottura and Enrico Crippa.
The restaurant cellar renowned for an accurate selection of Italian and international wines and particularly for its by-the-glass option of over 150 labels is in the hands of Chef Sommelier Rudy Travagli.
Hours: Open every day except for Sunday and Monday at lunch.
Tasting menu €. 105 (5 surprise courses chosen by the Chef) and €. 130 (7 surprise courses) – à la carte €. 85/145
Children welcome if supervised.
Attire: Smart casual attire requested. Shorts and beach sandals not allowed.
