Our Complete Guide to Dining Alone in Rome

If Rome is on your bucket list of dream destinations to visit as a solo traveler, you might want a quick rundown on dining alone in Rome.

From breakfast at the bar to lengthy dinners, we’re here to run you through everything you need to know.

Dining Alone in Rome - Not as scary as you might expect!

I completely understand that traveling (and eating) alone can feel awkward.

But there’s no reason to sit in your hotel room with a takeout box!

Looking for the best restaurants to enjoy a full course meal, a glass of wine and having a fulfilling evening without your friends or the certainty of a conversation?

We've got you covered, when dining alone, Rome will keep you company!

On this page, we'll be talking about:

• How to be confident at solo dining
• Roman dining customs
• Places to get great pizza
• Solo dining and traditional Roman dishes
• Other places to eat and drink for solo travelers

How to be confident when dining alone in Rome or anywhere

Dining alone in Rome (or anywhere, for that matter) is all about feeling confident and comfortable in your skin. 

Solo traveling is all about being self-assured and independent and eating alone is part of that whole experience.

While not everyone will immediately like the thought of dining without friends or family, I am sure that with a few tips, you will enjoy your meal without wanting to hide behind the wine list!

Ask for a seat away from the madness

Most people might feel most comfortable sitting against the wall or tucked in a corner.

As this will make you feel far less watched, it's always worth requesting.

With a glass of white wine, some pleasant people watching, and eating mindfully, I am sure you'll enjoy your pasta more than ever!

Osterias and trattorias

Generally, casual places are a great option for dining alone without feeling awkward.

As osterias and trattorias tend to be less formal than most restaurants, you might want to look out for those.

Tucked away near the Pantheon you'll quite probably enjoy Osteria del Sostegno.

In Trastevere, Osteria le Mani in Pasta will make you feel right at home (make sure to book ahead!).

Trattoria da Bucatino in Testaccio is loved by the locals and offers a pleasant solo dining experience.

Don't worry too much if you are anywhere else in the city around dinner time, chances are you'll find a place you'll like in no time.

Just trust your gut.

Roman street food

Perhaps you are not ready for a full meal yet, happily wandering through the Centro Storico.

Luckily, Rome’s street food is excellent and a delicious supplì (or two) will fuel you up for at least a couple of hours!

A piece of sliced pizza ('al taglio') is never far away and a trapizzino is a perfect on-the-go option.

A typical Roman rosetta bun from Zia Rosetta is an excellent choice when you happen to be in Monti (they also offer a tasting menu).

After throwing your coin in the Trevi Fountain, you'll probably be heading towards the Spanish Steps.

In that case, Pastificio Guerra is an excellent choice for a portion of pasta al volo.

When eating on the go in Rome, please mind your surroundings and remember you're not allowed to eat while sitting on any of the major monuments.

Bring a book and people watch

If you’re new to solo dining, indulge in some self-care by bringing a book and enjoying your own company.

Changes are you will only manage to read a couple of pages before the city tempts you to just sit and be fully present, or perhaps end up in a conversation!

Roman dining customs

There are some Roman dining customs you might want to be familiar with before you depart on your journey.

Here are a few of the main things you should know before dining solo:

Breakfast at the bar

Instead of sitting down at a table, try grabbing breakfast at the bar.

The bar holds a central spot in daily life for all Romans.

Most people will make a quick trip to 'their' bar daily for a quick coffee and a chat.

Italian bars are open for breakfast and serve a range of coffees and pastries.

There is nothing wrong with a regular cornetto, but if you are up for it you might want to try a typically Roman maritozzo, a sweet bun filled with fresh cream.

And don't worry, you won't get side-eyed if you order a cappuccino with your afternoon merenda or snack.

Just don’t order a cappuccino with (or after) a large meal!

If you can't go without milk: a caffè macchiato is fine.

Lunchtime

A panino to-go is popular in Rome and consists of a bread roll topped with delicious prosciutto variations, other cured meats, cheeses, vegetables and a drizzle of olive oil.

They’re available from most delis and make a more than decent meal.

While dinners can be carb-loaded and heavy, Italians also don't necessarily hold back at lunchtime.

When eating alone, it might feel easier to have a big lunch and a drink and then just some snacks (or: stuzzichini) for dinner: what's not to love about a nice aperitivo!

Food markets

Food markets are all around Rome. 

As you’ll find stands selling fruit, veggies, meats, cheeses, and everything in between, it’s easy to grab a full meal with your choices at any market.

If you’re not sure which markets to check out, any of the following are unlikely to disappoint:

• Mercato Testaccio
• Mercato Trionfale (in Prati)
• Mercato di Campagna Amica (near Circo Massimo, weekends only)
• Mercato Rionale Monti

Eating late

In Southern Europe, people tend to eat late and Romans are no exception to this rule.

If you want to avoid the crowds, eat early (around 7:00 PM).

Many local restaurants don’t even open for dinner service until 8:00 PM, with most diners arriving around 9:00 PM.

Great pizza places

You can’t visit Rome without trying some delicious pizza.

Now, the first thing you need to know is that there are two different types of pizza in Rome: sit-down round pizza and pizza by the slice (taglio).

The round Romana pizzas are usually crisp and light thanks to the long fermentation process of the dough.

Pizza by the slice is generally sold in rectangular or square shapes and priced by weight per 100 grams (or per kilo, depending on where you shop!).

Now, let’s run through a few of the best places to snag a slice or two:

• Alice Pizza: This glorious Roman chain sells pizza by the slice and offers tons of different toppings. The prices are decent and there are several locations dotted throughout the city. Everything is sold by weight and you can dine in the small seating areas or eat on the go!

• Pizzarium di Gabriele Bonci: This is another super-popular and more elevated by-the-slice spot near the Vatican. You’ll be waiting for quite a while around lunchtime (as it’s swarming with locals), but it’s relatively easy to grab a slice at other times.

• Antico Forno Roscioli: This traditional bakery serves the best thin crust, sourdough pizza and filled focaccia sandwiches. It’s well-known for its Roman-style piazza bianca and rossa (with tomato sauce). It’s right near Campo di Fiori and you should save room for the menu of sweet treats on offer.

If you feel like winging it, grab a sit-down pizza at any of Rome’s pizza spots but Ai Marmi in Trastevere is particularly popular.

Where to enjoy traditional Roman cuisine solo

Of course, you'll want to try the Roman classics: cacio e pepe, carbonara, gricia or amatriciana.

Right in the middle of Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, Maccheroni is a restaurant you'll definitely want to put on your list.

All the classic pasta dishes are on the menu and it is always pleasantly busy here so no one will even notice you're eating alone.

Ba’ghetto, is the oldest Jewish restaurant in Rome, specialising in the Jewish-Roman cuisine.

You'll be tempted to try everything on the menu, but when in season, make sure to order the fried artichokes alla guida.

More often than not, the weather will be nice enough to sit outside, enjoy your surroundings, entertained by the other diners and people walking.

For a slower dining experience, Grappolo d’Oro near Campo di Fiori is perfect. It serves great pasta and traditional dishes like cacio e pepe.

Other places to eat and drink for solo travelers

Although I usually recommend booking a table when dining in Rome, most places are happy to seat you if there’s space available.

One of the most convenient places to try if you’re flying solo and need a reliable bite to eat is the Mercato Centrale.

This is a food hall located at the back of the Termini train station with lots of great stands to choose from and a communal seating area in the middle.

It's an excellent choice when traveling through Termini, which is a central hub for the Metro system, regional and fast cross country trains and connections to the airports.