Taverna Romana
via della madonna dei monti 79
tel: 064745325
Tonino and Lucia have been running the joint since the early 60's, when they took over from his parents. This is great Roman food, at a reasonable price, in the heart of Rome. It's always full, and they don't take reservations, so expect to wait a bit on a quiet cobblestone street. Life could be worse! Be sure and get the antipasto, some of the best olivi dolci and peccorino Romano you're likely to find. BTW, don't be put off by the owner's stern manner, they are very old school and when you get to know them, you find that strangely their grimness is part of their charm...

Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
via della madonna dei monti 16
tel: 066798643
The Liberatore family is on their fourth generation of running restaurants and it shows. This charming little place is constantly full with locals and increasingly foreigners as guests such as Julian Schnabel and Dustin Hoffman blow the cover of this once unknown locale. They offer a dazzling selection of daily specials, so don't bother with the menu, just hold off until the waiter arrives. For antipasto, the caponata, a sweet/sour eggplant dish is out of this world. Reservations are a good idea.

Matricianella
via del leone 4
tel: 066832100
In the heart of the politicians near montecitorio, you know you can't go wrong if the senators have lunch here. This comfortable, low-key, wood and brass restaurant on a quiet side street close to via del Corso offers Roman cooking at its best; artichokes, chicory, amatriciana pasta, pagliata (if you don't know what it is, go google it) and an enormous wine list. Reservations are a good idea.

La Taverna dei Quaranta
via Claudia 24
tel: 067005533
It's always surprising to have this friendly, laid-back restaurant just a stone's throw from the Colosseum. Started around the turn of the century by a group of 40 communists, the Tavern of the Forty serves good Roman food alongside a number of nice pasta specialties. Try their strozzapreti (priest stranglers!) with zuchini and gorgonzola or the lunette di mandorla (half moon pasta stuffed with almonds and truffles). Reservations are not usually necessary.

La Tartaruga
Via del Monte della Farina 53
tel: 066869473
Tucked behind the madness of Campo dei Fiori is this quiet cobblestone street with a handful of laid-back bars and the deliciously tiny Tartaruga. Run by a husband and wife team that are as much Jazz afficionados as they are gourmets, everything in this place is done over with a loving touch. The pork ribs with artichoke are highly recommended, and if you want to make instant friends, just ask them what's playing softly on the stero!

Cavour 313
Via Cavour 313
tel: 066785496
One hundred yards from the Forum is one of Rome's first modern wine bars. It's warm, woody atmosphere is offset by the glints of hundreds of bottles stacked in every corner. Friendly staff, and a huge wine list that caters to any budget, knowledgeable and not at all snobby, they'll help you to a great bottle that will happily accompany your meal. The food is on the simple side, and is a great relief when you just can't do one more big meal. Lots of tapas-style mixed plates of cheeses, meats and assorted Italian delicacies alongside a special of the day for those looking for something a little more substantial. Reservation not usually necesary.

Boccon Divino
Via del Pavone 28/30
tel: 0668135051
This place is something of a secret. We almost feel guilty putting it on this page, because it is a Roman refuge in the heart of the touristic center. Hidden in an alley just around the corner from the charming via dei Banchi Vecchi, a street that sports several great wine bars and a handful of excellent restaurants, is this simple, rustic trattoria with modest prices, simple wine and fantastic food. The joint is always jumping with the boisterous voices of the locals, the ravioli are always excellent, the cheap wine is always drinkable, hell, everything here is good, it's just authentic roman food for Romans. Get here about 7:45 PM if you want a seat, otherwise you can try and reserve, but your Italian had better be fairly good!

Edy
Via del Babuino 4
tel: 0636001738
On a side street between Piazza di Spagna and Piazza del Popolo, surrounded by chique boutiques is this stylish and unpretentious little restaurant that cooks divinely. The seafood plates are consistently great, crowned by their cartaccio, spaghetti and mixed seafood baked in a foil wrap to trap the flavour. In an area choked with mediocre restaurants catering to tourists who don't know any better, Edy is a real jewel.

Maccheroni
Piazza delle Coppelle 44
tel: 0668307895
Close to the Pantheon, this restaurant has a perfect mix of ample outdoor seating with a lovely, classic set of dining rooms, several which look in on the kitchen. Always bustling, and a bit impersonal in its delviery, Macheronni nevertheless serves up reliably high quality Roman cooking in a part of town that can be dicey.

Arlų
Borgo pio 135
tel: 066868936
Near Vatican City you can find some of the best, and much of the worst cooking Rome has to offer. Some restaurateurs wait like spiders in their hole to corral you into eating a microwaved pizza for thirty euros. Thank heavens there are a few saints such as Arlų to take us pilgrims into their tender, small restaurants, rest our tired feet, and feed us delicious, soul awakening food.

Griaziella e Alberto
via del mascherino 62
tel: 066832663
Near the Vatican Museum where in most places you can guarantee you will eat poorly and pay dearly, is this exceptional ma and pa trattoria. If you're ever wondering what happened to the Fellini-esque madness of Rome, look no further than this couple who, between the insults and wild hand gestures of an Italian couple straight out of a neo-realist film of the 1950's deliver up fabulous Roman cooking. The anitpasto alone, with its mountains of mozarella and bruschetta al pommodoro is often enough for a a lunch time meal.