La Ciambella

Top choice in Centro Storico


Near the Pantheon but as yet largely undiscovered by the tourist hordes, this friendly restaurant beats much of the neighbourhood competition. Its handsome, light-filled interior is set over the ruins of the Terme di Agrippa, visible through transparent floor panels, setting an attractive stage for interesting, imaginative food.

Start with a chickpea pancake, perhaps topped by stracciatella (creamy cheese) and anchovies, before a pasta dish of guinea fowl ragù and wild mushrooms. All accompanied by excellent Italian wine.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Centro Storico attractions

1. Largo di Torre Argentina

0.07 MILES

A busy transport hub, Largo di Torre Argentina is set around the sunken Area Sacra, and the remains of four Republican-era temples, all built between the…

2. Elefantino

0.09 MILES

Nicknamed the pulcino della Minerva ('Minerva's chick'), the Elefantino is a curious and much-loved statue of a puzzled-looking elephant carrying a 6th…

3. Basilica di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva

0.1 MILES

Built on the site of three pagan temples, including one dedicated to the goddess Minerva, the Dominican Basilica di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva is Rome’s…

4. Area Sacra

0.1 MILES

This sunken area in the Largo di Torre Argentina, reckoned to be the site of Julius Caesar's murder, contains the remains of four Republican-era temples,…

5. Cat Sanctuary

0.13 MILES

This volunteer-run outfit looks after about 300 cats, who have the run of the ancient ruins in the Area Sacra of Largo di Torre Argentina.

6. Pantheon

0.13 MILES

With its revolutionary design, this awe-inspiring temple has served as an architectural blueprint for millennia.

7. Piè di Marmo

0.13 MILES

The Piè di Marmo is one of the Romans’ favourite monuments. This giant marble foot started life attached to a statue in a 1st-century temple dedicated to…

8. Chiesa di Sant’Andrea della Valle

0.14 MILES

A must for opera fans, this towering 17th-century church is where Giacomo Puccini set the first act of Tosca. Its most obvious feature is Carlo Maderno’s…