A Wine Lover’s Guide to RomeHeading to Italy's historic capital? Here's how to make the most of your

stay, including the ten best places to eat and drink in the Eternal City.

BY KERIN O’KEEFE

Alessia Meli, General Manager and Sommelier at Antica Pesa, Rome, Italy / Photo by Susan Wright

Rome may be a bustling capital city and one of the world’s leading tourist destinations,but it’s also a place to enjoy la dolce vita. It’s easy here to kick back with a glass ofbubbly and a plate of local delicacies, or with a rare bottle and a three-course dinner.From informal eateries to swanky restaurants and wine bars that are neighborhoodinstitutions, here’s your guide to �nding bites and bottles in the Eternal City.

Carla Trimani, at Trimani WineBar, Rome, Italy / Photo by Susan

Wright

Salumeria Roscioli, Rome, Italy / Photo by Susan Wright

Enoteche (Wine Bars)Trimani Il Wine Bar

Run by the Trimani family, this is the spot where Romansand visiting wine producers go to enjoy a glass or two with abite of cheese or a meal. Housed next door to the Trimaniwine shop, which was established in 1821 and is Rome’soldest wine seller, the setting is simple and the vibe friendly.The list has more than 400 offerings divided into casual,classic and cult categories. Wines are sold at the same priceas in the adjacent retail shop, which means some of the bestquality-price ratios in the city. The menu changesfrequently, but it always offers cheeses, salami and Romandishes.

Enoteca Cavour 313

With roots that trace to 1935, when it was a shop that soldwines, liqueurs and oils, this storied establishment was transformed into a wine bar in1979 and has been a go-to spot since for Rome’s food and wine lovers. You’ll �nd morethan 1,000 labels from Italy, Spain and France, and a by-the-glass menu that isconstantly evolving. There are also hearty appetizers, salads, charcuterie, main coursesand house-made desserts available, featuring top-quality ingredients that include localfruits and vegetables.

Cul de Sac Enoteca in Piazza di Pasquino, Rome,Italy / Susan Wright

Artichokes drizzled with olive oil at Enoteca Cavour 313, Rome, Italy / Photo by Susan Wright

Cul de Sac

You may have to wait for a seat at this fun, informal spot, but the food, plus an amazingwine list, make it worth it.

Founded in 1977 and situated in a small squareon the south side of Piazza Navona, it’s one ofRome’s oldest wine bars. The long, narrowinterior is lined with some of the most famousbottles in Italy, but the best seating is outside.The list offers more than 1,500 labels and aquality by-the-glass selection. The house-made pastas are a must-try.

Enoteca Achilli al Parlamento

Carrying more than 6,000 labels, this wineshop, bar and Michelin-starred restaurant offers coveted and rare wines from Italy andaround the world. At the bar, you can pair a glass of wine with canapés or enjoy a lightlunch among the bottles. Guided by Chef Massimo Viglietti, the restaurant serves upunconventional tasting menus that include everything from Dover sole to quintoquarto (offal) ravioli. Diners choose their wines in the enoteca and then enjoy them atthe restaurant with no markup.

Salumeria Roscioli

Achile Enoteca al Parlamento,Rome Italy / Photo by Susan

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La Pergola’s lamb on tomato sauce, with saltyricotta and basil / Photo by Susan Wright

Marinated cod �sh carpaccio with baked pumpkin,mint and garlic chips, at Antica Pesa, Rome, Italy

A delicatessen, wine bar and restaurant, this is a favoriteamong Romans and popular with tourists. You’ll �nd morethan 2,800 wine labels that include a remarkable selectionof French offerings, and hundreds of cheeses, cold cuts andgourmet products. The restaurant focuses on traditionalRoman fare, but includes dishes from other parts of Italy.Make sure to leave room for the excellent desserts. Therestaurant is always packed, so make reservations.

Chef-Sommelier Eliana Catalani in the kitchen of Spirito Divino, Rome, Italy / Photo by Susan Wright

RistorantiLa Pergola

On the rooftop of the exclusive Rome Cavalierihotel, La Pergola offers an unbeatable view ofthe city. Chef Heinz Beck heads Rome’s �rstand only three-Michelin-star restaurant. Aunique take on Italian and Mediterraneandishes, Beck’s creations are accompanied bytwo extensive wine lists created by HeadSommelier Marco Reitano: one dedicated toItaly’s top names and another with celebratedwines from around the world.

Antica Pesa

With

frescoed walls painted by some of today’s mostfamous artists, Antica Pesa projects a dynamicvibe. That energy is matched by its moderntake on traditional dishes and a substantialwine list. It’s no wonder that rock stars andactors frequent this pricey Roman mainstayfounded in 1922. The cacio e pepe is a houseclassic, while its ample wine list boasts nearly1,100 labels. Ask to visit the award-winningwine cellar.

Imàgo

Located on the sixth �oor of the luxuriousHotel Hassler that sits atop the Spanish Steps, lmàgo offers a magni�cent view of thecity center, including the twin steeples of the Trinità dei Monti Church just feet away.Dining at this Michelin-starred restaurant is sublime, thanks to Francesco Apreda’s

interpretations of classic Italian dishes that fuse Asian and Mediterranean in�uences. Italso has a great vegetarian menu. Besides a solid offering of top Italian wines, thesubstantial list has a �ne selection of celebrated French bottlings.

Tagliolini Saracen, with sardines, nori and escarole at Imàgo / Photo by Susan Wright

Spirito DiVino

A little-known oasis of delicious, wholesome dining in Trastevere, this family-runrestaurant is part of the Slow Food Foundation for Biodiversity that supports smalllocal farmers. Chef Eliana Catalani, a former virology researcher, makes everything in-house and sources fresh organic ingredients daily. The wine list focuses on Italy, butalso offers selections from around the world. The cavernous wine cellar beneath therestaurant dates back to 80 B.C. Ask Eliana’s son, Francesco, for a look at the 800-plusselections housed there.

Casa Bleve

Located in an elegant 16th-century palaceand run by husband-and-wife team Anacletoand Tina Bleve, this posh restaurant is a focalpoint for wine and food lovers in Rome. TheBleves paved the  way for great wine andgourmet food in Rome, starting in the early1970s with wine bar Bottega del Vino. At CasaBleve, you can pair carefully selected wineshoused in one of the most beautiful cellars inthe city with Tina’s delicious dishes like eggplant millefeuille with tomatoes and buffalomozzarella.

About the AuthorKERIN O’KEEFE

@kerinokeefe

Italian Editor

Reviews wines from Italy

Italian Editor Kerin O’Keefe reviews all Italian wines for WineEnthusiast. Previously she wrote regularly on Italian wine for WineNews, World of Fine Wine and Decanter. She is the author of FrancoBiondi Santi: The Gentleman of Brunello (2005), Brunello diMontalcino: Understanding and Appreciating One of Italy's GreatestWines (2012) and Barolo and Barbaresco: The King and Queen of ItalianWine (2014).

Email: kokeefe@wineenthusiast.net.