Rome Favorite: Honest Visit Report on “Roscioli”

Roscioliの店内の雰囲気 Rome
Rome

When you search for the best carbonara in Rome, one name always pops up: Roscioli.

In this article, I’ll share my honest impressions from our December 2024 visit.

Roscioli: Key Facts

Roscioliの店構え

Roscioli operates multiple venues in Rome and is a perennial favorite with visitors and locals alike.

  • 5,000+ Google reviews, ★4.3 (as of Jan 2025)
  • Featured in major Japanese travel guidebooks
  • Ranked #1 Carbonara in Rome (2020) by Italy’s food magazine Gambero Rosso

Read the Gambero Rosso article (Italian):
“La migliore carbonara di Roma. La classifica dopo 21 test in 4 giorni”

In short, it’s famous with tourists and popular among Italians too.

Here are the essentials:

Restaurant Details

Name: Roscioli Salumeria con Cucina

Address: Via dei Giubbonari, 21, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Hours: 9:00–23:30

Closed: Irregular

Reservations: Online or phone (+39 06 6875287)

Payment: Cards accepted

Official site: http://www.salumeriaroscioli.com/

What We Ordered at Roscioli

Here’s what my wife and I ordered (December 2024):

  • Artichoke salad (Insalata di carciofi alla romana) — €18
  • Carbonara (La carbonara) — €17
  • Amatriciana (La matriciana / amatriciana) — €16
  • Water — €3.5
  • White wine by the glass ×2 — €18
  • Caffè macchiato ×2 — €4

    → Total: €76.5
Artichoke salad at Roscioli
Roscioli’s artichoke salad
Roscioli carbonara
Roscioli’s carbonara
Roscioli amatriciana
Roscioli’s amatriciana
Caffè macchiato at Roscioli
Caffè macchiato—came with complimentary biscotti and chocolate dip.

My Honest Take

✓ What stood out

  • Hard to see in photos, but the guanciale (cured pork jowl) is very crispy—great texture.
  • They use rich organic eggs from Paolo Parisi (Tuscany).
  • Amatriciana was excellent—I actually preferred it to the carbonara.
  • The room is lined with hanging hams, cheeses, and bottles—delicatessen-meets-restaurant vibe that’s fun (and you can buy many items).

✓ What gave me pause

  • The crispy guanciale adds great contrast, but some fatty bits felt over-rendered and airy.
  • With rendered fat, the carbonara can feel a touch oily for some palates.
  • Overall pricing is high—classic tourist pricing (felt ~30% above the local norm).
  • It’s very popular with tourists; most nearby tables spoke English or Chinese.
  • Last-minute reservations may land you a high-traffic aisle seat. If you can, request a table further inside.
Roscioli interior near entrance
Entrance-side interior also serves as a passage—ask for a table deeper inside if you want a calmer meal.

✓ Extra notes

  • Online bookings fill up quickly. Try calling—I got a table by phone even when the site showed full.
  • Some reviews say the carbonara runs salty. I didn’t find it excessive, but if you’re sensitive, pick a non-salty starter (artichoke salad or burrata) instead of cured meats.

✓ Bottom line

  • Everything we ate was good—but nothing was life-changing.
  • Given the price premium, I personally feel it’s a “glad I tried it once” kind of place.
  • As someone who loves local haunts, the touristy vibe didn’t fully click with me.

It’s a famous spot and I’m glad I went for the experience—but I probably wouldn’t rush back for a second visit.

What Others Say Online

To balance my take, here are a few voices from X (Twitter):

✓ Positive

Plenty of diners rave that it’s unforgettable, which differs from my experience—but it shows how taste is subjective.

✓ Critical

Translation:
Roscioli (the famous carbonara restaurant often featured in Rome guides) was the only restaurant during my Italy trip that was a bit underwhelming, despite making a special reservation. Some people say it’s delicious, so it might just be a matter of taste, but personally, the pasta at the bustling local spot was several times better.

Translation:
Lunch at Roscioli, a high-end food shop in Rome. It seemed quite busy, so we ended up with counter seats. We ordered carbonara and a green salad. Unfortunately, the taste wasn’t quite what we expected. I guess you can’t always trust information found online in Japanese.

These align more closely with my own impressions.

Summary

Who should consider Roscioli?

Roscioli is great for…
  • Travelers who want to check off a famous name even if it costs more.
  • Those who feel comfortable choosing places popular with Japanese visitors.

Who might skip it?

Maybe not for…
  • Travelers seeking best value-for-money.
  • Those who prefer local-only vibes over tourist-heavy rooms.

Hope this helps you decide!

If you’re exploring other carbonara hotspots in Rome, don’t miss this roundup:

≫Related article
Rome’s Best Carbonara: An Honest Comparison of 3 Restaurants

Thanks for reading, and buon appetito!

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