Rome
Finding cheap restaurants in Rome is easier when you match the meal to your day. Saporizzo suits a quick, generously filled sandwich near Piazza d'Aracoeli, while Il Gabriello offers classic Roman and Italian cooking on Via Vittoria, close to the Spanish Steps.
Consider how much time you have, whether you want a casual lunch or a more intimate dinner, and how far you are willing to walk. For evening plans, check availability and reserve ahead when possible.
For this list we researched cheap restaurants in Rome and chose the businesses with the most expertise, the best customer reviews and complete, reliable information.
Some businesses invest in featured services to gain visibility.
Quick view
Select an option to see its summary.
Full list
#1Fresh Roman-style pizza
Da Cicero is a restaurant on Via Poli, within easy reach of the Trevi Fountain, with a menu built around fresh Roman-style pizza . The choice of toppings includes carbonara, amatriciana, pesto and prosciutto, making it well suited to sharing.
Polite English-speaking service and outdoor seating add practical appeal for lunch or dinner after sightseeing.
#2Fresh, generously filled sandwiches
Saporizzo is a sandwich shop on Piazza d'Aracoeli offering fresh, generously filled sandwiches with plenty of choice. Its central setting makes it especially useful for a quick lunch between visits, while the friendly team can split a sandwich for easier sharing.
The combination of generous fillings, lively flavors and daytime hours makes this a practical inexpensive stop in central Rome.
#3Roman-style pizza near the Colosseum
La Prezzemolina sits directly on Via del Colosseo, making it a practical stop for Roman-style pizza near the Colosseum . The format is unfussy and welcoming, with affordable food and friendly assistance suited to a quick lunch or takeaway between visits.
Its beverage selection is straightforward, so the strongest reason to come is the pizza and the convenient location rather than a drinks-led aperitivo.
#4RISTORANTE No.1 offers an all-day restaurant setting on Via della Pace, with a menu that moves from familiar Italian favorites to more unusual combinations. Risottos, prosciutto with melon and beetroot-blueberry shrimp show the breadth of the kitchen, making it a flexible choice for lunch, dinner or a late meal near Rome’s historic center.
#5authentic Lebanese cooking to Rome
a warm, inviting interior
Delizie D'oriente brings authentic Lebanese cooking to Rome , offering a welcome change from the city’s familiar pasta and pizza circuit. The restaurant combines richly flavoured Middle Eastern dishes with a warm, inviting interior , making it a strong choice for a relaxed meal with a distinct culinary identity.
Located at Largo Luigi Antonelli, it is slightly away from the main tourist routes, which suits diners seeking a more local-feeling stop. Friendly service includes clear explanations of the dishes , and dinner service runs from 7:30 to 11 pm Tuesday through Sunday.
#6Mercato Hostaria Roma combines classic Italian dining with the lively setting of Campo de' Fiori. The menu spans lasagne bolognese, fried calamari and aperitivo-style drinks such as espresso martinis and Hugo spritz, making it adaptable from breakfast through late dinner.
Separate preparation and gluten-free versions are available for every option, giving the restaurant particular appeal to coeliac diners.
#7Pizza Zizza is a relaxed pizza restaurant on Via delle Fornaci, suited to a quick stop after exploring Rome. Its Roman-style crust brings an airy texture with a satisfying crunch, while the compact setting and beer-friendly format keep things informal.
The kitchen is also notably accommodating when guests want to combine flavors or adapt a choice beyond the usual menu.
#8Alfredo e Ada is a small, no-frills restaurant on Via dei Banchi Nuovi with the feel of a long-established local dining room. Roman home cooking, including carbonara and mushroom risotto, takes centre stage alongside house white wine, while the friendly team keeps the atmosphere warm and personal.
It is a good match for an unhurried Saturday lunch or dinner, with limited weekly opening.
#9Generously sized pinsas
PINSALLEGRA is a cozy pizza restaurant on V. Napoli, 50 in Rome, well suited to a relaxed stop while exploring the city. Its menu offers classic pizza alongside generously sized pinsas , with carefully made dough and plenty of choice for different appetites.
Pasta is also available, making it a practical pick for groups with mixed preferences. The location works particularly well between Villa Borghese and Santa Maria Maggiore.
#10Fraschetteria on Via dei Cappuccini is a welcoming restaurant for sharing-style Roman dining. Meat and cheese boards, lasagne, tomato-ragu pasta, tiramisu, and chocolate soufflé create an easy route from a light nibble to a full meal, while Hugo and Aperol spritzes keep the aperitivo spirit in play.
Reserve ahead for the evening, particularly when planning a group meal.
#11Ristorante Jole is an Italian restaurant on Piazza Orazio Giustiniani, bringing an unpretentious and comfortable feel to Testaccio dining. Warm service, a welcoming atmosphere, and classic Italian cooking make it well suited to an unrushed dinner.
Save room for the apple tart, a particularly tempting finish after exploring the neighbourhood’s market and food scene.
#12Alla Rampa pairs Roman cooking with a classic terrace setting on Piazza Mignanelli, close to the Spanish Steps. Outdoor tables, a welcoming atmosphere, and a broad menu that includes seafood and pasta make it suitable for an easy central lunch or dinner.
The restaurant is open daily from noon to 11 pm, while booking ahead is sensible for preferred seating.
#13Warm, energetic welcome
Museum Restaurant is a family-friendly pasta spot in Rome, suited to a relaxed lunch near the Vatican. Its appeal lies in generous portions, classic Italian comfort food and a warm, energetic welcome , making it an easy choice for solo diners or casual meals with family.
Cacio e pepe is a particularly practical pick when you want a simple, satisfying plate, while creamy pasta served straight from the stove gives the menu a traditional Roman character. The restaurant is at Via Santamaura 5 and opens from late morning to mid-afternoon, Monday through Saturday.
#14A warm, private-feeling interior
Taverna dei Migliori pairs a warm, private-feeling interior with classic Italian and Roman specialties, plus pizza. Carbonara and ravioli are especially tempting choices, while attentive service and a relaxed atmosphere suit an unhurried dinner.
Located on Viale Manzoni, it works well for travelers seeking a cozy trattoria setting rather than a rushed meal, with booking ahead advisable at busy times.
#15A short walk from the Spanish Steps
Ristorante Dillà offers modern Italian cooking on V. Màrio de' Fiori, a short walk from the Spanish Steps .
The menu spans lamb chops, salmon, shrimp risotto, artichokes, meatballs, and salads, making it flexible for mixed tastes. An elegant setting and attentive service suit a relaxed lunch or dinner in the historic centre, with advance booking advisable for a planned meal.
Summary
| # | Business | Rating | Reviews | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Da Cicero | 4.9 | 5,072 | Sharing varied pizzas after sightseeing |
| #2 | Saporizzo | 4.9 | 1,604 | Quick lunches while sightseeing |
| #3 | La Prezzemolina | 4.8 | 3,526 | Affordable pizza between Colosseum visits |
| #4 | RISTORANTE No.1 | 4.8 | 3,005 | Flexible all-day dining in central Rome |
| #5 | Delizie D'oriente | 4.9 | 486 | Diners seeking Lebanese flavours beyond Rome’s classic staples |
| #6 | Mercato Hostaria Roma | 4.7 | 4,269 | Piazza dining with gluten-free requirements |
| #7 | Pizza Zizza | 4.7 | 3,818 | A quick |
| #8 | Alfredo e Ada | 4.7 | 3,041 | Traditional Saturday meals away from formal dining |
| #9 | PINSALLEGRA | 4.7 | 2,090 | Casual meals |
| #10 | Fraschetteria | 4.7 | 1,629 | Sharing boards and relaxed Roman dinners |
| #11 | Ristorante Jole | 4.7 | 611 | Comfortable Italian dinners in Testaccio |
| #12 | Alla Rampa | 4.6 | 11,939 | Terrace dining near the Spanish Steps |
| #13 | Museum Restaurant | 4.6 | 7,302 | Casual pasta lunches |
| #14 | Taverna dei migliori | 4.6 | 4,867 | Cozy Roman dinners |
| #15 | Ristorante Dillà | 4.6 | 4,230 | Central dinners with a broad Italian menu |
For businesses
Map and areas
The two options sit in central areas with different sightseeing contexts. Saporizzo is on Piazza d'Aracoeli, convenient for a daytime stop around the Capitoline Hill and nearby historic sights. Il Gabriello is on Via Vittoria, near the Spanish Steps and the shopping streets around Piazza di Spagna. Choose the location that fits your route rather than crossing the city for one meal. Piazza d'Aracoeli is better suited to a quick break during sightseeing, while Via Vittoria works well for an evening close to the Spanish Steps. Check opening times before setting out.
Saporizzo on Piazza d'Aracoeli is the practical choice for a fast daytime meal. Its fresh, generously filled sandwiches offer plenty of choice and work well when you are moving between historic sights. The central setting makes it easier to fit lunch into a sightseeing route without committing to a long restaurant meal.
Il Gabriello is the stronger match for a traditional Italian or Roman meal. Its menu includes several courses and dishes such as pasta, saltimbocca, steak and tiramisu. It is better suited to diners who want to sit down and enjoy a fuller meal rather than grab something quickly.
Booking is especially sensible for an evening meal at Il Gabriello, where the intimate setting can make tables more limited at busy times. Contact the restaurant before travelling if your schedule is fixed. For a quick sandwich at Saporizzo, a walk-in visit may fit more easily into a flexible daytime plan, but opening hours should still be checked.
Il Gabriello is on Via Vittoria, close to the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna. It makes a convenient choice if your day already takes you through that part of central Rome. Saporizzo is on Piazza d'Aracoeli, so it is more convenient for routes around the Capitoline Hill and the nearby historic centre.
Saporizzo is particularly practical for sharing because the team can split a sandwich. That makes it useful for couples, families or anyone wanting a smaller portion during a busy sightseeing day. At Il Gabriello, ask about suitable portions when booking, especially if you want to combine several courses or share dishes.
