The TOP 10 Contemporary Restaurants in Rome

What is it? Dal Bolognese sits at Piazza del Popolo, 1, positioning the restaurant roughly 50 meters from the square’s central landmark. It operates as a high-end destination for classic, traditional Italian cuisine.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a prime vantage point near the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti, yet its terrace offers a distinct reprieve from the concentrated foot traffic of those nearby thoroughfares. With over 800 guests contributing to a 4.59 rating, the venue sustains a reputation for fine dining that balances its expensive price bracket with a consistent execution of traditional Italian standards.

Good to Know: The dress code at Dal Bolognese is smart and elegant, so choose your attire to match the outdoor, refined atmosphere of the terrace.

What is it? Minerva Rooftop Garden sits at Piazza della Minerva, 69, a three-minute walk from the Pantheon. It is a restaurant specializing in contemporary, creative Italian fine dining.

Why we love it: While many venues clustered between the Pantheon and the shopping rows of Via Condotti rely on foot traffic, the 4.60 rating from 257 reviews suggests this terrace earns its steady stream of patrons. The space leans into a romantic, luxury aesthetic that justifies its price point, providing a quiet elevated perch compared to the street-level bustle just 150 meters away.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Minerva Rooftop Garden prioritizes a creative approach to Italian cuisine, so guests should expect modern interpretations of tradition rather than standard classic preparations when adhering to the restaurant’s smart and elegant dress code.

What is it? La Pergola is a fine dining restaurant on Via Alberto Cadlolo. It holds three Michelin stars and ranks among the top 12 luxury establishments in Italy according to the 50 Top Italy guide.

Why we love it: This is a destination for creative, modern Italian cuisine that earns its high price point through technical precision. Its position 1900 meters from the MAXXI - National Museum of 21st Century Arts and 1800 meters from Villa Borghese separates the dining room from the density of central Rome.

Good to Know: The terrace at La Pergola offers a specific vantage point that makes this the definitive choice for those prioritizing an open-air setting while maintaining a smart and elegant dress code.

What is it? Retrobottega sits on Via del Velabro, roughly a twenty-minute walk from the shopping bustle of Via del Corso and fifteen minutes from the Roman Forum. It holds a Michelin star and is recognized by the 50 Top Italy guide as one of the country's leading contemporary kitchens.

Why we love it: This restaurant moves beyond the city’s traditional trattoria circuit, using a creative, fine-dining lens to reinterpret Italian cuisine. With a guest rating of 4.73 based on over 1,000 reviews, it balances the precision of its luxury status with a consistent execution that keeps it ahead of the more tourist-heavy dining options near the neighboring Monti district.

Good to Know: The smart and elegant dress code at Retrobottega means you should lean toward refined tailoring, as the formal nature of the dining room sets the tone for a meticulous, multi-course experience.

What is it? All'Oro sits on Via Giuseppe Pisanelli, a ten-minute walk from the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti. The restaurant holds a Michelin star and focuses on contemporary, creative interpretations of Italian cuisine.

Why we love it: It earns its luxury price point by balancing high-concept creative techniques with the foundational rigors of fine dining. While many of its neighbors lean heavily on tradition, the kitchen here pushes Italian flavors into sharper, more experimental territory. The 4.80 guest rating from 831 reviewers underscores that the ambition lands consistently with diners.

Good to Know: The formal, smart and elegant dress code at All'Oro is strictly observed, so expect a jacket-required atmosphere that feels distinct from the more casual trattorias surrounding nearby Villa Borghese.

What is it? Per Me Giulio Terrinoni sits on Vicolo del Malpasso, a five-minute walk from Campo de' Fiori and within a short distance of Piazza Navona and Via dei Coronari. The restaurant holds a Michelin star and is ranked among the 50 Top Italy grandes ristoranti.

Why we love it: This is a focused, creative approach to Italian fine dining that prioritizes the chef’s vision over the sprawling, traditional menus common in this part of Rome. The high guest rating—a 4.75 average—speaks to the precision of a kitchen that manages to balance an intimate, romantic atmosphere with the technical rigor required to maintain its Michelin star. It sits in a high price tier, yet it delivers a level of consistency that justifies the bill for those seeking a singular, contemporary experience in the city.

Good to Know: The kitchen at Per Me Giulio Terrinoni specializes in creative, contemporary Italian cooking, so plan for a meal that leans into innovation rather than standard regional staples.

What is it? La Terrazza is a Michelin-starred restaurant located at Via Ludovisi, 49. It sits an eight-minute walk from the Spanish Steps and just over ten minutes from the luxury boutiques of Via Condotti.

Why we love it: The kitchen commands a high price for its mastery of Italian, Mediterranean, and fusion techniques. While many of its neighbors rely on proximity to Villa Borghese, La Terrazza holds a Michelin star because the precision of its fine dining consistently satisfies the 419 guests who have rated it highly.

Good to Know: La Terrazza enforces a smart and elegant dress code, so save the casual attire for your walk through the nearby Villa Borghese gardens.

What is it? Il Pagliaccio is a Michelin-starred restaurant located on Via dei Banchi Vecchi. It sits a seven-minute walk from Piazza Navona and roughly ten minutes from the Pantheon.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a loyal following, evidenced by a 4.70 rating from nearly 500 guests who appreciate its specific blend of contemporary and creative Italian fine dining. It functions as a rare, quiet sanctuary in a high-traffic city, offering a level of privacy that justifies its top-tier pricing.

Good to Know: Given the strict smart and elegant dress code, Il Pagliaccio suits those looking for a formal, romantic evening rather than a casual Roman meal.

What is it? Le Jardin de Russie is a restaurant located at Via del Babuino, 9, within the Hotel de Russie. It sits a four-minute walk from the Spanish Steps and is positioned roughly 400 metres from the luxury shopping on Via Condotti.

Why we love it: The restaurant commands a premium price point that reflects its setting in a quiet, manicured garden environment rarely found this close to the Piazza del Popolo. By blending French, Mediterranean, and Italian influences, it avoids the predictable tropes of Roman dining, offering a refined space that feels shielded from the surrounding city congestion.

Good to Know: The terrace at Le Jardin de Russie requires a smart and elegant dress code, so trade the sneakers for something more formal to match the garden's surroundings.

What is it? Ambrosia sits on Via Nazionale, a ten-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain and slightly further from the Spanish Steps and Via Condotti. It offers a menu defined by contemporary Mediterranean and Italian influences within a formal fine dining setting.

Why we love it: While many restaurants near the city’s major landmarks rely on heavy foot traffic, Ambrosia maintains a high standard, evidenced by its 4.70 guest rating across over a thousand reviews. The luxury atmosphere creates a sense of remove from the bustle of the nearby shopping districts, providing a quiet space that feels specifically engineered for formal dining.

Good to Know: The terrace at Ambrosia allows diners to take in a view of the city, providing a rare vantage point for a contemporary Mediterranean meal in this district.