Indulge in festive delights at restaurants in Rome for Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Explore Christmas menus, authentic Roman cuisine, and online booking tips. Perfect for travelers.
Numerous dining establishments are shut on Christmas Eve, while others present exclusive menus for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Eve.
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Book a restaurant in Rome
Romans love to eat out, and popular restaurants often fill up early. It is therefore advisable to make reservations well in advance, especially on holidays.
We like to use Google Maps when choosing restaurants. There you will find comprehensive information on opening hours, reservation options, menus, restaurant websites, photos and reviews. So you can make up your own mind.
Restaurants Rome Christmas Eve
Many restaurants are closed on Christmas Eve. If you want to celebrate Christmas Eve with a festive menu, it is essential to make a reservation in advance.
As public transport stops operating at 9 pm on Christmas Eve, you will have to walk or take a cab back to your hotel. Cabs may also become scarce later in the evening. It is therefore advisable to choose a restaurant close to your accommodation.
Restaurants that are open on Christmas Eve may experience an increased rush. In simpler restaurants, it is customary to clear your table as soon as you have finished eating. If you plan to stay longer, choose a restaurant with a special Christmas menu or one that does not have a time limit on reservations. This will allow you to enjoy the festive atmosphere without having to worry about a fixed time frame.
Restaurants Rome Christmas Day
Following the Pope’s midday Urbi et Orbi blessing in St. Peter’s Square, pilgrims swiftly proceed for lunch. The eateries situated in the Borgo area adjacent to the Vatican and in the downtown area experience a surge in occupancy. Meanwhile, Romans opt to either celebrate at home or venture to the seaside or mountains for their festive lunch. In Ostia and Fiumicino, reservations are compulsory, although they are also recommended within the city.
You can also spend Christmas Day in an theme park. At Cinecittà World, there is a Holy Mass in the morning and you can eat in the park’s restaurants between the rides and in the Christmas atmosphere.
Restaurants Rome New Year’s Eve
Many restaurants provide a special menu for New Year’s Eve. The evening usually starts between 8 and 9 pm and ends after midnight with a traditional lentil dish with cotechino, a cooked sausage. Cotechino con lenticchie is said to ensure financial success in the new year. You must make a reservation for the New Year’s Eve menu.
Simple restaurants
Cold meat platters and sandwiches with specialties from Tuscany accompanied by a good glass of wine – that’s what you get at Tagliere Toscano. You can make a reservation on the Internet 
La Canonica – Trastevere
The restaurant and pizzeria La Canonica was created from an old rectory in the heart of Trastevere. The food here is good and reasonably priced. The service is very friendly and fast. Web
Mercato Centrale – Termini
The Mercato Centrale is located in Termini Station on the Via Giolitti side. Here, Rome’s most famous names present themselves with numerous stalls in a market-like atmosphere. Open until 2 am on New Year’s Eve. Mercato Centrale
Pesceria Barberini / Pesceria Re di Roma
The two pescerie are a kind of very simple trattoria in the style of a fish store. Here you will find very good fish dishes such as raw fish, pasta dishes and fish platters at fair prices. The restaurants are located above Piazza Barberini in Via di S. Nicola da Tolentino 23 and near Piazza Re di Roma on Via Appia Nuova 234. Web
L’Arrosticinaro – Tiburtina & Via Nomentana
Arrosticini are small wooden skewers with grilled mutton, a specialty from Abruzzo. The street food restaurant is located in Via Lega Lombarda 54, right next to the Tibus regional bus station and the Tiburtina train station . A second restaurant is located in a country house with a large garden in Via Nomentana 1051 . There is also a New Year’s Eve menu with music and dancing. http://www.arrosticinaro.it/
Schietto – Re di Roma
Close to the Re di Roma metro station in Via Vercelli 5 , you will find this restaurant that creatively combines recipes from Apulia and around the world. Web
Trattoria Re di Roma
The restaurant is characterized by its special atmosphere, authentic Roman cuisine and courteous service. Trattoria Re di Roma
Fine cuisine
Bottega Tredici – near the Ghetto
Bottega Tredici near the Turtle Fountain offers delicious and creative combinations with local ingredients. Bottega Tredici
Checco er Carrettiere – Trastevere
Checco is a traditional restaurant in Trastevere. You will find here typical Roman cuisine but also fish. If you want to eat here on Christmas Eve, be sure to book. Web
Osteria dei Cappellari – Campo de’ Fiori
The Osteria dei Cappellari is a very nice, cozy restaurant near Campo de’ Fiori. Menus are available at Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Web
Giordi – Campo de’ Fiori
Creative cuisine with delicious combinations can be found at Giordi on Campo de’ Fiori. The restaurant is located directly on the campo with tables on the square. Web
The Virginiae is behind Piazza Navona. There is a wide selection of pizza and Roman specialties .
This interesting and elegant restaurant in Piazza delle Coppelle combines Italian and French elements. Web
Life – Center (Spanish Steps – Via dei Condotti)
Life is a secret place in the city center next to the Spanish Steps. Food and service are excellent. The prices are correspondingly high.
Enoteca Regionale – Center
The Enoteca Regionale offers exclusively products from the Lazio region. The Enoteca is located in Via Frattina, a side street of Via del Corso and parallel to Via dei Condotti. Here you can enjoy the regional cuisine of Rome.
La Locanda di Pietro – Ottaviano
Below the entrance to the Vatican Museums is the Locanda di Pietro. In this family restaurant you will find good food and excellent pizza. Web
Osteria dell’Arco – Piazza Fiume / Salario
A very lively area is Salario around Piazza Fiume, Via Nizza and Piazza Alessandria. Here, Cristina has earned an excellent reputation in the kitchen and Nicoletta as sommelier. Here you will find homemade creations from the tradition of central and southern Italy. The ingredients come from local farms and are partly organic.
Roof Garden Hotel Forum – Imperial Forums
Right next to the Imperial Forums is the Hotel Forum. On the rooftop terrace is the Roof Garden Restaurant, which offers magnificent views of the Imperial Forums and the city. Web
L’Archeologia – Appia Antica
Auf der Appia Antica befindet sich eines meiner Lieblingsrestaurants, die Archäologie. This restaurant is internationally known, Bill Clinton and other celebrities were guests here. The archeology offers very well-kept fish and meat dishes and interesting creations. Web
Hostaria Antica Roma – Appia Antica
The Hostaria Antica Roma offers a special ambience. It is located in a large park opposite the Mausoleum of Cecilia Metella. Here you feel right at home. The landlord Paolo is a good storyteller and some writers have mentioned him and the restaurant in their novels. Many prominent personalities are among Paolo’s guests. An evening at Hostaria Antica Roma is an unforgettable experience.
