ROME Gay Friendly Restaurants 2020

The Italians truly have a passion for food! The cuisine here is simple but tasty – pizza can be bought by the ounce in one of the many ‘pizza al taglio’ outlets dotted around the city – it’s inexpensive and probably the best quality ‘fast-food’ you could hope to find.

Edoardo-II-rome

Edoardo II, located down in the Jewish quarter, this restaurant is a hidden gem, great food with reasonable prices

Il Pagliaccio

Il Pagliaccio is a contemporary Italian French Restaurant well deserving of its two Michelin stars, great wine list and attentive service.

Our guide to dining out in Rome

The Trastevere district on the right bank of the Tiber has a great selection of trattorias and is the perfect location for a meal followed by an evening stroll, but be prepared to wait as the restaurants don’t take bookings and are often extremely busy, especially at weekends.

Today Italian cuisine is highly cherished around the world and beyond the stereotypical pizza and pasta dishes, people are discovering a colorful, flavorful set of magnificent dishes, an explosion of simplicity and natural ingredients. Every region has its own treasure, a signature dish, a particular wine and product, gifts of nature and heart of traditions.

Most Italian meals consist of a “primo”, pasta or rice course, “secondo”, meat or fish, and “contorno”, usually vegetables or salad on the side. Meals can include “antipasto”, hors d’oeuvre, “dolce”, dessert, and “frutta” – fruit.

Remember that most places will not open before 8pm and tables are scarce by 9pm. It helps if you make a reservation. If you just show up without one, don’t show up hungry. A “no sorry” from the host may mean that you might have to wait around and a table may free later. It is customary to order appetizers, pasta, main dish, coffee or grappa. You may omit a course, but remember that main dishes usually come without sides, and the pasta dish will not be meal-sized. The meal is never rushed; if you think you are getting the silent treatment, toss out the words for water (”acqua”), wine (”vino”), or the check (”conto”) to get your waiters attention. Even though the tip is included (”service com pris”), it is considered an insult to offer you the bill before you request it. In most restaurants they are expecting you will stay until closing.

  • Trattorias

    In gay Rome, nine out of ten restaurants are trattorias. More than a restaurant, a trattoria is where you spend the evening, a cafe, a bar, and living room in one. Everyone likes to eat out, until quite late, all the time. Romans will sit and chat (and drink) after all the food is gone.

Recent Restaurant Reviews

Our recommended restaurants in ROME

Our editors have spent the past year researching the best places to eat! Here are our recommendations.

Antica Pesa

Antica Pesa

Legendary location attracting the who's who of celebrities.
Antica Enoteca

Antica Enoteca

This old world wine bar has retained its original look from its 1842 beginnings.
Ristorante Mirabelle

Ristorante Mirabelle

Our top romantic choice this is a gorgeous restaurant with stunning views of Rome.
Glass Hostaria

Glass Hostaria

Unlike most Roman restaurants, the interior décor of Glass is very modern – an angular steel staircase to the upstairs dining loft; glass floor slabs and contemporary lighting.
Da Vittorio

Da Vittorio

This gay-owned and bustling trattoria in Trastevere serves up to-die-for savory pizzas
Enoteca Angelina a Testaccio

Enoteca Angelina a Testaccio

Overlooking the Monte dei Cocci, this little spot with modern rustic decor offers a relaxed atmosphere
La Naumachie

Ristorante Naumachia

A popular spot with gay locals located near the Coliseum, this is your typical Roman bistro.
Romeo

Romeo

Ultra modern, almost futuristic, the sleek interior of black and brown is mesmerizing.
Antico Arco

Antico Arco

Located on the Janiculum Hill near Porta San Pancrazio, Antico Arco is a fine dining option
Il Pagliaccio

IL Pagliaccio

IL Pagliaccio is a Contemporary Italian French Restaurant well deserving of its two Michelin stars in Rome.

Map of ROME Gay Friendly Restaurants

Our restaurant recommendations are dotted all around the city and are worth the journey.

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Recommended small guest houses close the gay district in ROME

Rome has an increasingly growing number of small gay owned hotels offering great value for money, close to the gay street and the historic monuments of the city.

Santa Maria Maggiore

Santa Maria Maggiore



Booking.com

In the Central Station district, close to Santa Maria Maggiore, Luxury House Santa Maria Maggiore has free WiFi and a washing machine. Provides a terrace as well as 2 bedrooms, a living room, a dining area, and kitchen.

Domus Valeria B&B

Domus Valeria B&B



Booking.com

Offering classic-style rooms with free Wi-Fi, an LCD TV and iPod docking station, the gay-friendly Domus Valeria B&B has a convenient location in central Rome. The Spanish Steps are 180 m away.

Lisella B&B

Lisella B&B



Booking.com

Lisella B&B sells fast on our website. Only 250 m from San Giovanni Metro Station, Lisella B&B is set on the first floor of a 19th-century residential building. It offers quiet rooms, each with free Wi-Fi and air conditioning.

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