Official preparations for Christmas begin on December 8, the day of the Immacolata<\/a><\/em>. This is when we put up our Christmas trees (the Vatican included!), and families inevitably start planning Christmas Eve dinner and Christmas Day lunch. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re traveling to the Eternal City for the holidays, it may seem hard to find a restaurant open on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. But not to worry\u2014it\u2019s not impossible! We\u2019ve rounded up six restaurants where you can enjoy some memorable Christmas meals in Rome. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n Photo Credit: Casa Coppelle<\/a>, Text Overlay: Devour Rome Food Tours<\/a><\/em><\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n La vigilia di Natale<\/em>, or Christmas Eve, is a major celebration in Rome. The protagonist of the menu? Seafood! Families call their local grocers and pescherias<\/em> days\u2014sometimes weeks\u2014in advance to order fresh fish to serve on Christmas Eve! So what better way to embrace Italian tradition than by dining in one of the city\u2019s seafood restaurants?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n This seafood institution not far from the Colosseum is the perfect place to enjoy a cozy Christmas Eve dinner. Step inside to feel the holiday cheer! <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The restaurant\u2019s setting is warm and refined, with brick walls and white tablecloths. Dive into the menu to explore delicious seafood options, from the tuna tartare and crudit\u00e8 platter to the clam pasta with truffle shavings. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n What\u2019s great about Il Tempio di Iside<\/a> is the simplicity of the cuisine, which allows the high quality ingredients to shine. And for the service, expect a friendly and professional staff that will truly make your Christmas Eve dinner a memorable one. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Wine connoisseurs, prepare for a wine selection that will definitely not disappoint. Because what kind of Christmas Eve dinner would it be without some great Italian wine?<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n If you\u2019re on the hunt for a more romantic option for your Christmas Eve dinner, search no more. Casa Coppelle<\/a> is the ideal place to reserve your table. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Just steps away from the Pantheon, this elegant restaurant with dimmed lights and background music truly creates the romantic atmosphere you were looking for. Because what\u2019s Christmas if not the time to share great moments with your loved ones? <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The menu is a mix of Roman and French dishes, as is the restaurant\u2019s setting: brick walls with giant portraits, velvet chairs and plush seats. Start off with a crudit\u00e8 platter to share followed by the irresistible tagliolini al basilico<\/em> (basil pasta) with lobster and confit tomatoes. As for the wine selection, it\u2019s a journey between the vineyards of France and Italy. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n A stone\u2019s throw away from Palatine Hill lies the four-star Kolbe Hotel, a former monastery-turned-luxe hotel with a great restaurant: Unique al Palatino<\/a>. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Step inside to be catapulted into a setting that hovers in between the past and present. Arched ceilings with a mix of wooden and red accents dominate the interior dining room, creating a warm and refined atmosphere. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n The menu boasts seafood and meat options, but also delicious vegetarian dishes. Start out with the marinated shrimp with passion fruit, or the yummy eggplant millefeuille<\/em> with basil sauce.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Il pranzo di Natale<\/em>, or Christmas Day lunch, is probably the most important Christmas celebration in Rome. Families reunite for a meal that lasts for hours, which later turns into a festive game-playing evening complete with tombola<\/em> and mercante in fiera<\/em>. Traditionally, this is when homemade tortellini in brodo <\/em>(tortellini in broth) are served along with delicious meat dishes. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Eggs<\/a> is where innovation and tradition meet. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Located in the Trastevere neighborhood<\/a>, this local gem will make your Christmas Day lunch an unforgettable one. A charming and warm setting with just 60 seats, this restaurant boasts a simple yet original concept entirely dedicated to organic eggs. And with Chef Barbara Agosti at the helm, you know you\u2019re in for a special treat. <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n While it\u2019s known for its spectacular carbonara menu (yes, there is a whole menu dedicated to 10 different carbonaras), Eggs has a wide range of other amazing dishes. Must-tries? The the omelette roll with black truffle and Piedmontese fassona<\/em> tartare\u2014and the carbonara, of course! <\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n Cozy and rustic, this trattoria in the Testaccio neighborhood<\/a> cooks up dishes filled with flavor! While it\u2019s famous for being a great seafood spot, La Torricella<\/a> also serves some amazing Roman primi<\/em> and juicy meat dishes, too. From the cacio e pepe<\/a><\/em> and the amatriciana<\/em> to the traditional lamb with potatoes, you\u2019re in for a true Christmas Day feast at La Torricella.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n![\"Enjoy](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/restaurants-Christmas-Rome-1.png\")
<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\nWhere to eat in Rome on Christmas Eve<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Il Tempio di Iside<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"First](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Tapas-Wine-Tasting-Tour-1.jpg\")
Casa Coppelle<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Dish](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Casa-Coppelle-christmas-restaurants-Rome-1.jpg\")
Unique al Palatino<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Where to eat in Rome on Christmas Day<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
Eggs<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Baccano](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/carbonara-red-wine-1.jpg\")
La Torricella<\/h3>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n
![\"Pasta](\"https:\/\/assets.devourtours.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/devour-rome-testaccio-market-tour-4-1.jpg\")