Da Cesare al Casaletto is an italian restaurant in Trastevere, Rome.
Da Cesare al Casaletto (Italian) in Rome: Book a week ahead for Sunday lunch. Tram 8 from Trastevere terminates 200m from the door; cab back is 12 euros.
Editorially verified May 19, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Why locals love it: Twenty minutes from Trastevere by tram 8, this Sunday-lunch trattoria stays off the tourist circuit while running the city's most-discussed fried cacio e pepe.
Tip: Book a week ahead for Sunday lunch. Tram 8 from Trastevere terminates 200m from the door; cab back is 12 euros.
Address: Via del Casaletto 45, 00151 Roma, Rome
Trattoria Pennestri is a italian room in Ostiense. Closed Monday all day, Sunday dinner. Lunch is the calmer service. Book ten days ahead for dinner.
Why locals love it: Hidden in the south Ostiense industrial edge, Tommaso Pennestri's modern trattoria runs the rigatoni alla gricia and pajata under most tourist radars.
Tip: Closed Monday all day, Sunday dinner. Lunch is the calmer service. Book ten days ahead for dinner.
Mordi e Vai is tucked inside the mercato di testaccio at box 15, sergio esposito's market-stall sandwich counter still flies under most visitor itineraries.
Why locals love it: Tucked inside the Mercato di Testaccio at box 15, Sergio Esposito's market-stall sandwich counter still flies under most visitor itineraries.
Tip: Closed Sunday. The allesso di scottona with chicory is 5 euros; queue forms 12:30 onward.
Piatto Romano in Rome: Small-room Testaccio trattoria where the Cocco family cooks the four Roman pastas to the rulebook with zero menu twists.
Why locals love it: Small-room Testaccio trattoria where the Cocco family cooks the four Roman pastas to the rulebook with zero menu twists.
Tip: Closed Wednesday all day. Book a week ahead; the dining room holds 30 covers.
180g Pizzeria Romana is a italian room in Centocelle. Closed Monday. Book a week ahead. Metro C to Pigneto then 10 min walk; or 12 euros cab from centre.
Why locals love it: Jacopo Mercuro's modern Roman pizzeria sits in Centocelle, the eastern fringe of the city, away from the Centro Storico tourist trails.
Tip: Closed Monday. Book a week ahead. Metro C to Pigneto then 10 min walk; or 12 euros cab from centre.
Trecca is off the tor pignattara axis, trecca's small-room trattoria has run the lazio mountain cucina canon since 2020 under most tourists' notice.
Why locals love it: Off the Tor Pignattara axis, Trecca's small-room trattoria has run the Lazio mountain cucina canon since 2020 under most tourists' notice.
Tip: Closed Tuesday; dinner only Mon, Wed-Sun. Book a week ahead; small front room.
Sarah Cicolini's San Giovanni trattoria from 2017, Abruzzese cooking forequarters and offal; trippa alla romana, NYT-praised; moved to bigger room in 2025.
Why locals love it: Off the Re di Roma metro stop in the Esquiline edge, Sarah Cicolini's modern Roman kitchen runs trippa and pasta under most tourist itineraries.
Tip: Closed Sunday all day, Monday dinner. Book three weeks ahead for the 35-cover room.
