GiuliaPiraino

We will be in Rome Dec 24-25 and I need to make reservations for dinner on the 24th and lunch and dinner on the 25th. I don't mind going into Trastevere or Testaccio (but would prefer to stay in the historic center), I just want the food to be good and not to be low quality, Americanized tourist food. Any thoughts?

GiuliaPiraino

I guess I should add to that reasonably priced. A lot of the places that I am finding open are crazy expensive! Thanks!

Linda_Radlett

I have no idea if they are open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, but my two fav restaurants in Rome are Trattoria Monti (near Maria Maggiore) and Matricianella (near the Via Condotti). These restaurants are the antithesis of tourist restaurants.

I am sure the restaurants of major hotels--Eden, Hassler, de Russie, St. Regis Grand--are open.

Linda Radlett

SusanP

Passamento 1860, right at the northern end of the Piazza Navona, was open on Christmas Eve when I was there a couple of years ago. That might not be the entire name of the restaurant, but you can't miss it. Their eel appetizer was delicious, and that's a traditional dish for Christmas Eve in Italy. I made a reservation the day before or earlier that day.

I found that a lot of places were closed on Christmas as well, although more were open than on Christmas Eve. I ate at La Zucca Gialla on Via del Governo Vecchio, which runs west off the southern end of the Piazza Navona. I didn't have a reservation for this one but don't remember having to wait.

GiuliaPiraino

Thank you so much! It wasnt my plan to be in Rome for these 2 days, it just got sprung on me last minute. Do you all think it's important to have a reservation for Christmas eve???

SusanP

I think it sure doesn't hurt, as there are so few restaurants open on Christmas Eve. I did need one for Passamento.

Vttraveler

You might try some of the restaurants in the Jewish ghetto neighborhood like Da Giggetto, Da Piperno, Al Pompiere.

GiuliaPiraino

Vttraveler are those names of restaurants or zones in the Jewish Ghetto? Thanks!

Vttraveler

Sorry I wasn't clear. Those are the names of restaurants. I looked quickly at the web site for Da Giggetto but could not find anything specific about Christmas.

Zerlina

This inexpensive trattoria in Trastevere is open both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day:
http://www.ristorantelabotticella.co.../fineanno.html

"Passamento" is called Da Passetto. It was closed down during the summer for hygienic reasons; I don't know whether it's reopened.

SusanP

Thanks, Zerlina. I had a feeling I didn't have that name quite right!