In Rome, where every restaurant promises a "real" carbonara or a "classic" pizza, the search for authenticity can seem elusive. Tourists rarely venture beyond the historic center of the city, where they enjoy the great classics of Roman cuisine in trattorias with menus written in English. But to truly discover the flavors of the city, do as the locals do and seek out quality addresses in the quieter corners of Rome. Between contemporary trattorias and wine bars, we have selected nine of the best places to eat in Rome, establishments appreciated by locals. SANTO PALATO is ideal for those who enjoy classic dishes with a touch of modernity. Since its opening in 2017, Santo Palato has become one of the best trattorias in the capital, a place that highlights Roman classics as well as creative dishes. The establishment changed its address last March, leaving its small restaurant in San Giovanni for a larger space located at Porta Metronia. The place has a decidedly more modern style with its bright orange walls, elegant suspended lighting, and glass kitchen. Despite this contemporary decoration, the spirit of the place remains the same. The chairs and small wooden tables give it a bistro feel, while the menu highlights Roman dishes. To whet your appetite, choose one of the best trippa alla romana in the city, Roman-style braised tripe served with a creamy tomato sauce and pecorino. Do not miss the homemade carbonara pasta, which are absolutely decadent. The daily specials are also worth a visit, such as the spaghettis alla chitarra served with duck ragout or the fried veal brains accompanied by a spicy mulet liver mayonnaise. ENOTECA L'ANTIDOTO is ideal for those who enjoy small plates. Nestled in a quiet street in Trastevere, this small wine bar (or enoteca) with an intimate setting and dim lighting is hidden behind heavy double doors on which are inscribed the letters "VI" and "NO" for "vino" (wine). The establishment has only 16 seating places, at the bar or around high tables. Regulars of the restaurant come to greet young chef Mirko Pelosi at the bar before settling down for dinner, to the sound of carefully selected vinyl records. Drawing on his experiences in the best starred and avant-garde restaurants in Europe, Mirko Pelosi has created a menu of creative small plates as well as a selection of natural wines. While the dishes are firmly rooted in Italian cuisine, they also draw inspiration from other regions of the world. Of Japanese inspiration, the dish based on raw tuna, for example, consists of slices of sashimi placed on a vignerola, a springtime Roman vegetable ragout. The lamb ragout is served with thick pita breads grilled from the Middle East. Do not miss the smoked bottarga (smoked roe), which is served sliced and topped with raw almonds in vinegar. RETROBOTTEGA is ideal for those who prefer a relaxed atmosphere. For many of us, Rome is more evocative of rustic trattorias than minimalist establishments on the verge of earning Michelin stars. Yet, that is exactly what this address located next to the Pantheon offers. Here, the corridors are gloomy and the chefs work under spotlights behind semi-transparent red curtains in one of the most exciting kitchens in the city. The menu combines some basic elements, such as beef tail terrine or green spaghetti, with specialties such as black garlic and eel risotto or the magnificent artichoke katsu sando. The restaurant is very appreciated by wine connoisseurs thanks to its menu of more than 90 wines, all of which can be served by the glass. While they mainly come from Italy, there are also some bottles from other countries. If you are looking for a more relaxed place, go to Retrovino, the wine bar of the establishment, located at the back of the restaurant. Sit at the counter or stay in the street with a glass in hand. The restaurant's dishes are also available there. FISCHIO is ideal for having a drink in a relaxed place. Located just next to a fairground that has suffered the ravages of time, Fischio is a bar installed in a kiosk known for its relaxed atmosphere. This secret address in the neighborhood that extends onto the sidewalk serves one of the best coffees in the city, partly thanks to its latest recruit: the star barista from LOVE, a nearby bakery known throughout Rome for its coffee and pastries. In the late afternoon, a sweet life atmosphere reigns at Fischio. Its well-thought-out wine list and its location conducive to observing passers-by and the life of the neighborhood make it an ideal place to sip a sparkling natural wine. FRATELLI TRECCA is ideal for a slice of pizza. It is not uncommon to see tourists lining up to buy a slice of pizza in Rome. Fortunately, the city has enough good addresses to avoid the crowds. Forget the famous Forno Roscioli and head instead to the Circus Maximus to try the thinnest and crispiest, but equally good, slices of pizza from Fratelli Trecca. Our favorites are the rossa con l'erbetta (marinara with a parsley sauce) or the cipolle e cipolle, a white pizza topped with two types of finely sliced and slightly golden onions. For lunch or dinner, the menu expands to include fillings based on classic Italian cold cuts or other special pizzas, such as the beef tongue and green salsa or the rustic coppa di testa (pig's head cheese) with chicory. At 2.50 euros per slice, it is the ideal option to indulge without spending too much. Think about pairing your pizza with a pint of Raffo, a Puglia beer served on tap, or a glass of natural wine. NECCI DAL 1924 is ideal for those who like terraces. Once a working-class neighborhood, Pigneto has become the go-to spot for young Romans wanting to have a drink away from the hustle of better-known neighborhoods like Trastevere. At the heart of the neighborhood is Necci, a relaxed bar/café ideal for an outdoor aperitif. The establishment serves, in its courtyard covered in jasmine walls, very good wines, homemade cocktails, typical Italian dishes such as bucatini all'amatriciana (a simple dish made of tomato and pork pasta) and others from other countries such as Viennese escalopes and fruit wood cheesecakes. On Sundays, when the sun is out, many customers come for brunch, sipping cappuccinos under the trees while eating cornetti, pastries filled with apricot confit, or pear and chocolate chip almond pastries. BEPPE E I SUIO FORMAGGI is ideal for local cheeses. Located just at the beginning of the Jewish quarter, this cheese temple houses a few small tables facing a long glass counter full of products. You will find golden pieces of Parmigiano Reggiano, mountain tomme wheels, and regional cheeses less known, such as blu dolce di capra, a creamy goat blue cheese with a tangy flavor. You can also buy wine, many of which come from low-intervention varieties. Do not hesitate to ask the cheesemongers: they will be happy to compose a cheese plate for you. You just need to indicate the amount you want (200 g, 300 g or more) and they will choose several options adapted to your tastes and the wine of your choice. If you want to take cheese home, choose a piece of their well-aged pecorino Romano. MERCATO TRIONFALE is ideal for shopping. Located a few blocks north of the Vatican, this food market is the largest and most exciting in the city. Instead of tourists with their cameras, you will encounter locals doing their shopping. On the stalls of this deeply Roman neighborhood bazaar, you will mainly find ingredients to prepare good little dishes, such as carefully packaged handmade ravioli, fresh ricotta tubes, and garlic braids. But at Il Pescatorio, a modest fishmonger located near the exit of Via Andrea Doira, you can sit on a bar stool to enjoy spicy octopus salads, tuna sashimis, and espadon-style eggplant Parmigiana. Try the maretozzos, the seafood version of Il Pescatorio's famous maritozzi, these cream-filled Roman brioches. OTALEG is ideal for gelato and coffee. Otaleg has long been praised for its wildly creative gelatos, which combine seasonal ingredients with the precision of a genius chef. Most customers come for a gelato, but the secret of Otaleg is hidden behind the counter. At its address in Monteverde, Gianni Olimpo, the best Italian barista in 2022 and 2023, serves highly aromatic coffees brewed from carefully chosen beans. Whether it's a pour-over (filtered coffee), a Chemex or a classic espresso, each cup is prepared with the utmost care. Pair a perfect foam cappuccino with a decadent sabayon-filled cornetto for a unique morning ritual. OÙ SÉJOURNER: PALAZZO RIPETTA Located a few steps from Piazza del Popolo, this Relais & Châteaux hotel occupies a renovated building dating from the 17th century that was previously a school for orphaned girls. The rooms are decorated with colorful velvets and contemporary Italian furniture, while the public areas of the hotel house works by artists such as Andy Warhol and sculptor Arnaldo Pomodoro. But the highlight is the food. The breakfast consists of a large amount of cold cuts, such as melting mortadella bites and fatty prosciutto, as well as pastries, including Italian specialties such as maritozzi, cream-filled brioches. San Baylon, the gastronomic restaurant directed by chef Christian Spalvieri and mentioned in the Michelin Guide, offers a revisited and refined Italian cuisine with an emphasis on the products, such as olive oil obtained from the olive groves of Palazzo Ripetta located on the volcanic Albains mountains, southeast of Rome. You can also dine on the lush piazzetta of the hotel and have an aperitif while admiring the view of Rome from the bar located on the roof of the establishment, Etere. Double rooms from 550 euros, breakfast included.