Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
Taverna dei Fori Imperiali, a family-run restaurant in Monti, is a favourite for visitors as well as locals, people new to Italian cuisine and foodies.
Alessio, the father of the family, is in the kitchen and offers his guests an interesting mixture of Roman, Sicilian, and Umbrian cuisine. Maria and their two children serve the customers.
Taverna dei Fori Imperiali is currently closed, as it’s moving down the road. It’s scheduled to reopen in November.
Don’t be put off by the large number of English speakers that patronise Taverna dei Fori Imperiali; it manages to retain its authenticity. Be sure to ask about the day’s specials rather than simply going by the menu. (Come to think of it, at least one of us at Food in Rome has never even seen the standard menu.) Memorable dishes include the polpettone (a kind of sliced upmarket meatloaf) and pappardelle with white ragu. Desserts including ricotta with chocolate (when they have it) are served in generous portions.
Taverna dei Fori Imperiali is also one of the few restaurants in Rome that’s open on Monday and closed on Tuesdays, making it a handy choice at the start of the week. It’s a small restaurant that’s growing in popularity, so be sure to book.