Best bets for dining in Rome

updated 10:39 a.m. ET Dec. 18, 2006

Best for Romance: A great place to pop the question or just enjoy a romantic evening is Sapori del Lord Byron, in the Hotel Lord Byron, Via G. de Notaris 5 (tel. 06-3613041), a stunner of a place that also just happens to serve the best Italian cuisine in town. The decor is as romantic as the atmosphere; it's all white lattice and bold Italian colors highlighted by masses of fresh flowers. The setting is in a Relais & Châteaux-member hotel, an Art Deco villa set on a residential hilltop in Parioli, an area of embassies and exclusive town houses at the edge of the Villa Borghese.

Best of the Best: Food critics can never agree on the best restaurant in Rome. But the more discerning cite La Pergola, in the Cavalieri Hilton, Via Cadolo 101 (tel. 06-3509221), opening onto a panoramic view at night from its perch atop Monte Mario. The talented chef's take on Mediterranean cuisine is sublime.

Best Seasonal Menus: Market-fresh ingredients await you at Il Convivio, Vicolo dei Soldati 31 (tel. 06-6869432), one of Rome's most acclaimed restaurants. The Troiano brothers are truly inspired, shopping the markets for the best in any season and adjusting their menus accordingly. The location is in walking distance of Piazza di Spagna.

Best Offbeat Choice: A lay sisterhood of missionary Christians from five continents operates L'Eau Vive, Via Monterone 85 (tel. 06-68801095), where various popes have dined. A fine French and international cuisine is served in a subdued, refined atmosphere under frescoed ceilings. You never know what will be on the menu.

Best for a Celebration: Romans have been flocking to Checchino dal 1887, Via di Monte Testaccio 30 (tel. 06-5746318), since the early 19th century for fun and hearty food. With a bountiful array of wine and foodstuffs, every meal seems like a party. The tables are packed nightly, and the place is a local legend. You'll have fun while still enjoying some of the best cuisine in town.

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Best Decor: By night, chic Romans and savvy foreign visitors alike show up at El Toulà (The Hayloft), Via della Lupa 29B (tel. 06-6873498), an elegant establishment set near the fabled Caffé Greco and some of the most upscale boutiques in Rome. It's no bargain, but once you see the sumptuous setting and, more important, enjoy the cuisine, you'll think you've gotten your money's worth. Haute cuisine is served in a subdued, tasteful setting of antiques, paintings, ever-so-discreet lighting, and to-die-for flower arrangements.

Best View: The stars really do come out at night at Les Etoiles (The Stars), in the Hotel Atlante Star (tel. 06-6873233), which has been called "the most beautiful rooftop in Italy." This restaurant is a virtual garden in the sky, with a 360-degree view of Roman landmarks, including the floodlit dome of St. Peter's. Try for an alfresco table in summer, but even in winter, the same incredible view can be seen through picture windows. Fortunately, the food -- delicately prepared Mediterranean cuisine using the freshest of ingredients -- lives up to the setting.

Best Pizzeria: Even the hardest-to-please Roman pizza lovers head for Pizzeria Baffetto, Via del Governo Vecchio 114 (tel. 06-6861617). This is a popular and fun place, drawing a young crowd. The crusts are delightfully thin.

Best Wine List: The food is secondary to the fabulous wine list at the Trimani Wine Bar, Via Cernaia 37B (tel. 06-4469630). One of the best tasting centers in Rome for both French and Italian vintages, this elegant wine bar offers a dazzling array of wines at reasonable prices. The Trimani family has had a prestigious name in the wine business since 1821; just sit down and let the pouring begin.

Best Value: Twenty dollars gets you one of the finest fixed-price menus in Rome at the Ristorante del Pallaro, Largo del Pallaro 15 (tel. 06-68801488). Each dish is prepared by the chef-owner, Paola Fazi, who sternly urges her diners to "Mangia! Mangia!" The moment you're seated at the table, the dishes start to arrive -- first a selection of antipasto; then the homemade, succulent pastas of the day; followed by such meat courses as tender roast veal. Everything's included, even a carafe of the house wine.

Best for the Kids: After their tour of the Vatican or St. Peter's, many savvy Roman families head for the Ristorante Il Matriciano, Via dei Gracchi 55 (tel. 06-3212327). It's not fancy, but the price is right, and in summer you can opt for a sidewalk table. Let your kids feast on good, reasonably priced homemade fare that includes such crowd pleasers as ricotta-stuffed ravioli. At the next table you're likely to see some priests from the Vatican dining.