Italy - 5 great restaurants by Mark Sukhija

We've made several trips to Italy over the years and, as a result, eaten in some great places and some utter tourist traps. These are a small selection of places we've eaten which are worth repeat visits and, therefore, worthy of recommendation.

Rome

  1. Ara Pacis - La Capricciosa (Largo dei Lombardi 8, 00186 Rome) - We usually pop into La Capricciosa on our visits to Rome and not without cause. Service has always been excellent and very hospitable. Food has always been super to splendid (especially the signature pizza La Capricciosa) and there's an enjoyable selection of wine - which one expects from any eatery worth its salt in Italy. Being just off Via del Corso, one would normally expect more tourists at such an establishment and, while there is always a quota, many visitors are Romans. Which is a good sign.

  2. Hotel Raphael Rooftop Terrace (Hotel Raphael, Largo Febo 2, Rome) - The rooftop terrace at the Hotel Raphael benefits from an excellent kitchen and rooftop views over the city. Usually open during the summer months in fine weather, view of St Peters Basilica, Castel Sant'Angello, the roof tops of Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. Which is an excellent way to enjoy a well made meal or simply a glass of wine.

  3. Restaurant La Veranda (Hotel Columbus, Via della Conciliazione 33, 00193 Roma) - We've taken luncheon at Restaurant La Veranda in the Hotel Columbus a few times now and have always been pleased with their lunch menu - which comes in at 35EUR for four courses, a glass of wine, water and breads. Food quality has always been excellent and portions are invariably on the more-than-ample side. Service is pretty good and unhurried - which is nice. The spacious dining room also boasts an excellently decorated cieling or, in warmer times, enjoy the garden.

Florence

  1. Osteria Caffe Italiano (Via Isola delle Stinch 11/13r, 50122 Florence) was one of the best discoveries of our trips to Florence An admirable wine list, including a selection of open wines available by the glass, outshines the food menu in length only. Either enjoy the fine weather on outdoor seating or the spacious, moderne interior. Take either the Coniglio in Tegame and Galatina di Faraoma or the Pan-fried rabbit as main dishes.

Venice

  1. Caffe Centrale Restaurant Bar (San Marco, Piscina Frezzeria 1659/B, 30124 Venice) - On several trips to Venice, we eaten at all sorts of assorted places down all sorts of back streets and alley ways. Caffe Centrale Restaurant Bar is the only one I've bothered to keep the name and address of. Uber-modern with an excellent menu and fine wine list combined with great service make this place worth of a recommendation.

Related Posts

Florence - Duomo Cuppola and Campanile Cathedral Cuppola and Campanile in Florence
Florence Duomo - detail of the exterior Detail of the exterior of the Florence Duomo
Florence - Arno waterfront in the early evening View of the Arno river running through Florence in the early evening light
Florence - Ponte Vecchio straddling the Arno Trinket on sale in front of Florences famous Ponte Vecchio bridge
Boccadasse - boat on the beach Boat on the beach at Boccadessa in Genoa
Boccadasse - buildings and boats Boats and old buildings in the historical area of Boccadessa in the Albaro district of Genoa
Boccadasse - buildings at sunset Buildings at sunset in the Boccadessa area of Albaro in Genoa
Albaro - sunset over the sea of Liguria Sunset over the sea of Liguria seen from the Albaro district of Genoa

Map

Further reading

Italy - 5 great hotels - Recommended hotels in Rome, Florence, Turin and Milan

Florence - Duomo Cuppola and Campanile - Cathedral Cuppola and Campanile in Florence

Rome - Chiesa Della SS Trinita Degli Spagnoli - Historical information about Chiesa Della SS Trinita Degli Spagnoli in Rome

Rome - recommended places to stay - Recommended places to stay in and around Rome

Florence - Parrocchia S Santa Maria Maggiore - Historical notes on the Parrocchia S Santa Maria Maggiore in Florence, Italy

Italy - 10 places not to miss - 10 places you shouldn't miss in Italy

Florence - Basilica San Lorenzo - Information about the Brunelleschi designed Basilica San Lorenzo in Florence, Italy

Rome - church of Santa Barbara dei Librari - A brief history and notes on Santa Barbara dei Librari

Rome - Castel Sant'Angelo - Castel Sant'Angel on the banks of the River Tiber by night

Florence Duomo - detail of the exterior - Detail of the exterior of the Florence Duomo

Vatican City - Official site of the Holy See

Key facts

Name: Ara Pacis - La Capricciosa
Address:
Largo dei Lombardi 8, 00186 Rome
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Name: Caffe Centrale Restaurant Bar
Address:
San Marco, Piscina Frezzeria 1659/B, 30124 Venice
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Name: Hotel Raphael Rooftop Terrace
Address:
Hotel Raphael, Largo Febo 2, Rome
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Name: Osteria Caffe Italiano
Address:
Via Isola delle Stinch 11/13r, 50122 Florence
Learn more
Name: Restaurant La Veranda
Address:
Hotel Columbus, Via della Conciliazione 33, 00193 Roma

About Mark Sukhija

Mark Sukhija is a travel and wine blogger, photographer, tourism researcher, hat-touting, white-shirt-wearing, New Zealand fantatic and eclipse chaser. Aside from at least annual visits to New Zealand, Mark has seen eclipses in South Australia (2002), Libya (2006), China (2009) and Queensland (2012). After twelve years in Switzerland, Mark moved back to London in 2012. You can follow Mark on Twitter or Facebook