Tano's Roman Food Guide — Bono Events International
Tano's Roman Food Guide

Eat Rome like a Roman.

A hand-curated guide to the dishes, products, trattorias and gelaterie that capture the true soul of the Eternal City — from your hosts at Bono Events International.

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CURATED BY TANO ✦ ROMA ETERNA ✦ LA DOLCE VITA ✦ MANGIA BENE ✦
Roma
A Curated Guide
la guida
A Letter From Tano

Rome rewards those who know where to look.

✦ ✦ ✦

The Eternal City pairs centuries-old recipes with a vibrant dining scene — but only if you know where to find it. This is the guide I share with my own clients before they arrive: the must-try dishes, the artisanal products worth seeking out, and the trattorias and gelaterie I return to time and time again. Consider it your insider's passport to eating Rome the way Romans do.

Tano Your Host in Italy
Capitolo Uno

The Iconic Roman Dishes

Eight plates that define the city's culinary soul.

01
Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe
Cheese & Pepper Pasta
Pasta tossed only with Pecorino Romano and cracked black pepper for a creamy, peppery kick.
02
Spaghetti alla Carbonara
The Original — No Cream
Guanciale, egg yolk, Pecorino, and black pepper. No cream allowed — and Tano will know.
03
Bucatini all'Amatriciana
Tomato, Guanciale & Chilli
Tomato, guanciale, Pecorino, and a hint of chilli, traditionally served on thick bucatini.
04
Rigatoni alla Gricia
The Tomato-free Ancestor
The tomato-free ancestor of amatriciana, rich with rendered guanciale fat and aged cheese.
05
Saltimbocca alla Romana
“Jumps in the Mouth”
Veal scaloppine wrapped in prosciutto and fresh sage, finished in a white wine pan sauce.
06
Carciofi alla Giudia
Roman Artichokes, Two Ways
Whole artichokes fried golden and crisp (Jewish style) or braised slowly with herbs and garlic (Roman style).
07
Supplì al Telefono
The Original Street Snack
Fried rice croquettes with a molten mozzarella core that stretches like a telephone cord when pulled apart.
08
Abbacchio alla Scottadito
Burn-Your-Fingers Lamb
Char-grilled lamb chops eaten “burn-your-fingers” hot, straight off the grill, with nothing but salt.
Capitolo Due

The Artisanal Products

Three ingredients you'll taste in nearly every Roman classic.

Pecorino Romano

DOP — Aged 8+ Months

Sharp, salty sheep's-milk cheese, the backbone of every great Roman pasta.

Guanciale

Cured Pork Jowl

Prized for its silky, melting fat and a peppery, herbed crust. The soul of carbonara.

Carciofo Romanesco

IGP — Lazio Springtime

Tender globe artichoke that stars in springtime dishes across the Eternal City.

Capitolo Tre

Where to Eat — Tano's Tavola

Eight trattorias, osterias and tasting rooms worth crossing Rome for.

i.
Hostaria Grappolo d'Oro
Near Campo de' Fiori — a great-value Roman tasting menu and flawless classics like coda alla vaccinara and tiramisù.
Centro Storico
Address Piazza della Cancelleria 80, 00186 Rome Hours Mon–Sun · 12:30–15:00, 19:00–23:00
(Wednesday lunch closed)
ii.
Antico Forno Roscioli
Historic bakery for pizza bianca, focaccia, and pastries — ideal for a quick, delicious bite between sights.
Bakery · Quick Bite
Address Via dei Chiavari 34, 00186 Rome Hours Mon–Sat · 07:00–19:30
Sun · 08:30–18:00
iii.
Taverna Trilussa
Trastevere institution plating pastas in copper pans (try the ravioli mimosa) and boasting a deep cellar of Lazio reds.
Trastevere
Address Via del Politeama 23/25, 00153 Rome Hours Mon–Sat · 19:00–24:00
Closed Sunday
iv.
Velavevodetto ai Quiriti
Prati offshoot of Testaccio's cult trattoria Flavio: textbook cacio e pepe, amatriciana, and hearty secondi in a cosy, vaulted room.
Prati
Address Piazza dei Quiriti 4/5, 00192 Rome Hours Daily · 12:30–15:00, 19:30–22:30
v.
Romané
Chef Stefano Callegari (of Trapizzino fame) serves seasonal, punchy takes on Roman classics — don't miss the fried gnocchi cacio e pepe or oxtail meatballs.
Modern Roman
Address Via Cipro 106, 00136 Rome Hours Daily · 12:00–00:30
vi.
La Matriciana 1890
Belle-Époque dining room opposite the Opera House; elegant service and timeless dishes like fettuccine alla matriciana and saltimbocca.
Storico · Elegant
Address Via del Viminale 44, 00184 Rome Hours Sun–Fri · 12:15–15:00, 19:15–23:00
Closed Saturday
vii.
Santo Palato
Chef Sarah Cicolini's modern trattoria champions offal, seasonal veg, and bold flavours — book early for the tongue-in-green-sauce and maritozzo dessert.
Chef-Driven · Book Ahead
Address Piazza Tarquinia 4 A/B, 00183 Rome Hours Tue–Fri · 12:30–14:45, 19:30–23:30
Sat–Sun · 12:30–15:30, 19:30–23:30
Closed Monday
viii.
Da Cesare ai Pellegrini
Centro-storico spin-off of the Monteverde favourite; renowned for crunchy fried starters, soulful pastas, and a thoughtful natural-wine list.
Natural Wine
Address Via del Pellegrino 117, 00186 Rome Hours Mon, Tue, Thu–Sun · 12:00–15:00, 18:30–23:00
Closed Wednesday
Capitolo Quattro

Tano's Guide to Roman Gelato

Eight gelaterie that justify the long walk in the heat.

Otaleg!

Trastevere
Gelato maestro Marco Radicioni churns ultra-dense flavors — don't miss pistacchio salato, zabajone al Marsala, or the ever-rotating savory specials.
Via di San Cosimato 14/a, 00153
Daily · 11:00 – 23:30

Il Gelato di Claudio Torcè

Aventino
Pioneer of gourmet gelato with 60-plus vats each day, spanning classic nocciola to adventurous ginger-wasabi and pecorino-pear.
Viale Aventino 59, 00153
Daily · 11:00 – 24:00

Gori Gelato

Portuense
Family-run neighborhood gem acclaimed for creamy fior di latte, impeccable seasonal fruit sorbets, and gluten-free cones.
Viale dei Colli Portuensi 594, 00151
Tue–Sun · 11:30 – 22:30 · Closed Monday

Fatamorgana

Trieste
Maria Agnese Spagnuolo's all-natural laboratory turns out inventive gluten- and dairy-free options — think banana-lime-peanut or almond-cardamom.
Via Lago di Lesina 9/11, 00199
Daily · 12:00 – 23:00

Fior di Luna

Trastevere
Slow-Food-aligned shop using single-estate chocolate and organic milk; try the Crusco 70% dark chocolate or ricotta-honey-walnut.
Via della Lungaretta 96, 00153
Daily · 12:30 – 23:30

Neve di Latte

Prati
Minimalist, ingredient-obsessed temple — pure organic milk, Valrhona chocolate, and mountain spring water yield pristine, velvety textures.
Via Federico Cesi 1, 00193
Daily · 12:00 – 24:00

Al Settimo Gelo

Prati
Celebrated for superlative Sicilian pistachio, Persian saffron-rosewater, and a rare honey-sesame flavor; all made in tiny daily batches.
Via Vodice 21/b, 00195
Tue–Sun · 12:00 – 22:30 · Closed Monday

Gelateria dei Gracchi

Prati
Pioneering “fruit-only” sorbets and creamy chocolate-orange gelato since 1999; fresh whipped panna on request crowns every cup.
Via dei Gracchi 272, 00192
Tue–Sun · 11:00 – 23:00 · Closed Monday
Beyond the Guide

Eat Rome with Tano.

andiamo!

This guide is just the beginning. For an unforgettable hosted gastronomic experience — private tastings, hidden trattorias, and friendships with Italy's best chefs — let Tano lead the way.

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