10 best cheap restaurants in Rome

Ahh Rome… one of the most fascinating, beautiful and historic cities in the world, but also one of the biggest tourist traps. The Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain – with so many must-see attractions, the city is a magnet for visitors from around the world, and many local restaurants have hiked their prices to capitalise on the tourist dollar. But fear not – with our handy guide to the best cheap restaurants in Rome, you’ll be able to dine like the locals.
When traveling in Rome on a budget or simply wanting to get bang for your buck, there are many options on hand. Pizza by the slice is one great option for a quick, easy and cheap meal but we have a list to the best good cheap restaurants in Rome just for you.

Best cheap restaurants in Rome

BARNUM CAFÉ

This is way more than your average café. It combines all of the good stuff – food, wine, cocktails, music, art, AND homemade cakes with a homely café atmosphere. The daily blackboard specials are the way to go, with quiche, hamburgers, and bowls of pasta for between €4 and €8.
Website: barnumcafe.com
Address: Via del Pellegrino, 87

FA-BIO

While we could happily eat pizza and pasta for breakfast, lunch, and dinner every day, it’s hardly practical if you want to be able to fit into your clothes. When all the carbs are making you a little sluggish, head to Fa-Bio. This organic takeaway cafe close to St Peter’s Basilica serves up an ever-changing seasonal menu of freshly made super-food salads and sandwiches, washed down with made-to-order smoothies, and juices.
Website: fa-bio.com
Address: Via Germanico 43

THE FISH MARKET

Start your night out on the tiles in Trastevere with a spot of dinner at The Fish Market, a local favourite serving up delicious fresh seafood at very reasonable prices. Their garlic bruschetta is mind-blowing, as is the fried calamari (€12), ceviche (€12), and their enormous cones of prawns (€8).
Website: fishmarket-roma.com
Address: Via della Luce 3/5, 00153

ANTICO FORNO ROSCIOLI

This bakery is one of the most popular in all of Rome due to its huge range of traditional Italian breads, pastries, and pizzas. It may sound a little unadventurous, but their mozzarella and tomato pizza will blow your mind. Should you fancy something other than pizza, snap up a tasty pesto linguine, fettuccine in a mushroom and cheese sauce, or a tomato risotto for under €7.
Website: anticofornoroscioli.it
Address: Via dei Chiavari 34

TAVERNA DEL SEMINARIO

Although you’re likely to be surrounded by tourists rather than locals at this spot close to the Pantheon, the pocket friendly prices for delicious dishes make it more than worth it. Their set menu, which includes bruschetta, pasta, a main course, and a dessert is only €15, and the portions are decent.
Website: tavernadelseminario.it
Address: Via del Seminario, 105

GUSTO

The industrial interior of this super-cool restaurant suggests prices will be far higher than the wonderful reality. You’ll find all of your carb-heavy favourites, but for something a little different and far lighter than your usual pizza pie, we recommend their Pizza Cilieggina. This “white pizza” comes sans tomato sauce, and is instead topped with cherry tomatoes, rocket, baked olives, parmesan, and lashings of mozzarella cheese. Pizzas start from €7 and salads from €10.
Address: Piazza Augusto Imperatore 9
Website: gusto.it

ARMANDO AL PANTHEON

Cheap restaurants near the Pantheon are tricky to come by, but amongst the usual tourist traps you’ll find one of the city’s most authentically Roman restaurants. The menu is full of Italian classics like grilled lamb chops, and pasta alla gricia (guanciale, pecorino cheese, and black pepper). The restaurant itself is relatively tiny, and the owners like to cram diners in, but mark our words, the food, the atmosphere and the price tag, are more than worth the squeeze.
Website: armandoalpantheon.it
Address: Salita deo Crescenzi 31, 00186

DAR FILETTARO

This old-school establishment in the Old Rome area is known across the city for their one main dish, fried cod fillet for just €5. There is also a fantastic antipasti plate (€5), which comes piled high with salami, mushrooms, zucchini, and other tasty nibbles. This is a word-of-mouth kind of place – they’re so good they don’t even have a website.
Address: Old Rome, Largo dei Librari, 88

TAVERNA DEI FORI IMPERIALI

This family-run taverna is just a short walk away from the Roman Forum and the Colosseum, and is popular with locals, tourists, and even the odd celebrity! Expect typical Roman fare, our favourite being the burrata stuffed ravioli smothered in tomato sauce, or pesto. You can’t go wrong here, just sure you leave room for one of their homemade cakes. Grab a main from €12, and a glass of wine for just €3.
Website: latavernadeiforiimperiali.com
Address: Via della Madonna dei Monti, 9, 00184 Rome

FARINE LA PIZZA

Simplicity reigns at this cheap pizza restaurant run by a husband-wife combo, who both trained at Italy’s National School of Pizza. There will be no cutlery, no frills and no staff other than the couple, but the pizza is ridiculously good. There are the same seven choices on the menu each night, all you need to decide is how hungry you are, and whether you want to wash down your pie with beer or wine.
Website: farinelapizza.it
Address: Via degli Aurunci 6/8
 
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Best cheap restaurants in Rome