Youâre in the Eternal City. The sun is setting over the Tiber. Itâs undeniably romantic and nowâŚyou have to eat dinner alone in Rome?
All the better! Farewell, long conversations about whatâs for dinner that end in hangry arguments. When youâre eating alone in Rome, you get to decide what sounds good.
And if youâre nervous about your solo dinner, donât be! You arenât the first person restaurant staff and your fellow diners have seen eating alone, and you wonât be the last. But to help you walk through those restaurant doors with confidence, we put together this list of great spots for dining alone in Rome plus tips to help you navigate the experience with ease.
What's Included
Grab a Seat at the Bar
There are numerous restaurants in Rome that boast seats at the bar, and theyâre the best places to immediately feel comfortable on your own. Plus you can easily strike up a conversation with those seated next to you if youâre open to that, or just chat with the bartenders and chefs behind the counter.Â
Retrobottega
If youâre strolling in the historic center in between the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, get yourself to Retrobottegaâa delicious restaurant continuously open from midday to midnight. Apart from their phenomenal twist on Roman cuisine, they offer a unique seating concept: âsocial tablesâ where youâll get to know those around you or the âChefâs Counterâ where youâre in direct contact with the kitchen.
Eggs
If youâre in the area of Trastevere, Eggs has to be on your radar. This gourmet restaurant emphasizes quality ingredients and a mix between tradition and innovation. Here youâll find a trendy setting as well as a counter where you can sit back, enjoy a glass of red and order one of the best carbonaras in the city, all without feeling uncomfortable. Â
Indulge in Roman Street Food
When in Rome, do as the Romans do. And when it comes to eating alone in Rome, the Romans do street food. From heavenly fried rice balls with stringy mozzarella known as supplĂŹ to the famous trapizzinoâa mix between a sandwich and a slice of pizza filled with the sauce of your choiceâRome is a great place for food on the go.Â
Supplizio
For some of the best supplĂŹ in the city, get yourself to Supplizio near Piazza Navona. Donât expect just your classic supplĂŹ here, they have some special twists too, from carbonara supplĂŹ to an amatriciana one.Â
Trapizzino
For trapizzino, you canât do better than the namesake restaurant and its locations across Rome, from Trastevere to Testaccio to the famous Mercato Centrale at Termini Station.
Local markets
Speaking of markets, Romeâs food markets are the perfect street food stop when youâre not sure what exactly you want. The reassuring hustle and bustle of shoppers is fun for solo diners to get lost in, too.
Roam the stalls until you see something you canât resist. A couple of our favorites are the pasta to go at Le Mani in Pasta (box 58) and the sandwiches from Mordi e Vai (box 15), both in the Mercato di Testaccio.
Grab a Slice of Pizza Al Taglio for Lunch
Pizza lovers, weâve got great news. If the thought of eating alone in Rome at a sit-down restaurant still makes you nervous, you can simply pop by a pizzeria al taglio and order pizza by the slice. All you have to do is choose your pizza, how many slices you want, have the pizza weighed and pay. Easy peasy!Â
Pizza spots near the Vatican
If youâre near the Vatican, head to the famous Pizzarium or the delicious Alice Pizza location nearby.
Pizza spots near Campo de’ Fiori
Over by Campo deâ Fiori, donât miss Antico Forno Roscioli or the stuffed pizza at Baccanale.Â
Snack on Gelato or TiramisĂš
Gelaterias and tiramisĂš shops are perfect for solo travelers in Rome: all you have to do is get your ticket, order your gelato or tiramisĂš, and enjoy it on the go!
Best gelato picks
There’s no end to delicious gelaterias in Rome. And no worries if youâre lactose intolerant or veganâhead to Grom, Gelateria dei Gracchi or Gelateria Fatamorgana for dairy-free gelato.Â
Can’t-miss spots for tiramisĂš
If youâd rather treat yourself to Italyâs beloved âpick-me-upâ dessert, there are plenty of great spots for tiramisĂš in Rome as well.
Find Friends While Eating Alone in Rome
Solo travelâand eating alone!âare great. But you can only say âtavolo per unoâ so many times before it gets old. When that happens, join us for a food tour!Â
Hereâs how weâd do it: book a tour towards the beginning of your stay to learn the essentials of the Italian dining scene and stock up on tips before going it on your own. Put what youâve learned to use over the next few days dining solo and if you get lonely, come hang out with us again.
Update notice: This post was updated on August 18, 2023.
From exploring Testaccio, one of Romeâs ultimate foodie districts, to immersing yourself in the Roman ritual of aperitivo in Trastevere, weâve got you covered with our Roman food tours. Our only hard-and-fast rule: come hungry!