Rome is a beautiful place to visit at Christmas time, from its beautifully lighted streets, delicious Christmas treats, and abundant holiday traditions.  Are you spending the holidays in Rome? These 5 eateries, serving both traditional and updated offerings, are sure to give you a Christmas to remember. Make your reservations early – these popular eateries are likely to fill up quickly as the holidays approach. 

Christmas Dinner in Rome | Upscale Dining Options

#1 Ristorante Tema
Location: Via Panisperna 96-97-98, Rome.

In Italy, eating fish on Christmas Eve is very traditional. Ristorante Tema just happens to be one of the most popular places to go for fish! The restaurant offers both lunch and dinner on Christmas Eve and dinner after 6:00 PM on Christmas Day. The restaurant’s inviting atmosphere combines warmth and comfort with a polished elegance to create the perfect locale for enjoying a classic Italian holiday feast.

What to Order on Christmas at Ristorante Tema?

Ristorante Tema offers fantastic Italian fish dishes. Try the restaurant’s typical Roman Vigilia meal, a traditional seven-course fish dinner traditional for Christmas Eve. Not a fan of seafood? The chef of this quaint and lovely restaurant offers a new menu every day with a variety of popular options.

#2 Metamorfosi Restaurant
Location:Via Giovanni Antonelli, 30, Rome.

If you are looking for a high- end restaurant with exquisite dishes, then the Michelin-starred Metamorfosi is a great option. This elegant restaurant is located in Parioli neighborhood in Rome and is known for its attention to detail. From the simple but beautiful presentation of each dish to the high-quality ingredients, this place is sure not to disappoint.

What to Order on Christmas at Metamorfosi?

The food that’s served here is just as metamorphic as the name. The menu contains a world of modern options including ceviche and orange and pork ravioli, and an innovative dessert menu to finish off the night. For Christmas, a set-menu will likely be available which can be ordered for the entire table.

#3 Casa Bleve
Location: Via del Teatro Valle, 48-49, Rome

Casa bleve offers an upscale-but-charming setting for your Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meal. The restaurant’s Baroque interior, impressive wine collection, and location in Rome’s historic Rione Sant’Eustachio neighborhood make Casa Bleve a perfect place for an authentic Italian experience. 

What to Order on Christmas at Casa Bleve?

Casa Bleve offers authentic Italian dishes with updated twists. Dishes are made with top-notch ingredients, carefully selected with consideration for seasons and producers. Try updated offerings rooted in an array of Italian regional traditions from octopus and artichoke salad to zucchini flowers rolled in cream cheese and pistachios.

Christmas Dinner in Rome | Family Fun Dining

#4 Tram Tram
Location: Via dei Reti, 44, 00185 Roma

Tram Tram is a family owned 1940’s style tavern serving traditional Roman dishes and Puglian seafood. Tram Tram is a family owned restaurant which is immediately recognizable when you walk in. It’s the warm and fuzzy feeling of home that we all cherish so deeply. It is located in San Lorenzo neighborhood in Rome, largely occupied by students who attend La Sapienza University.  If you attend the restaurant’s Christmas Eve dinner or Christmas Day lunch, you will find yourself mixing with locals in this intimate locale.

What to Order on Christmas at Tram Tram?

The menu has a variety of options that change frequently with the time of year. Which means that if you decide to dine here on Christmas day you will see items on the menu that coincide with this time of year and Christmas in particular. Tram Tram is known for its seafood, brought over from Puglia, as well as its variety of typical Roman dishes.  

#5 Flavio Velavevodetto
Location: Via di Monte Testaccio, 97, Rome.

This friendly and traditional restaurant is located in Testaccio, or the “heart of Rome” as most people call it. Flavio Velavevodetto is quite large with indoor and outdoor seating as well as a larger room to host parties or other events. This restaurant is able to accommodate larger groups, making it an ideal place to share Christmas lunch with your family and friends.

What to Order on Christmas at Flavio Velavevodetto?

If you are looking for a more traditional and organic place to eat for your Christmas meal then Flavio Velavevodetto is the place for you. It has a large menu filled with ingredients that are home grown, including the house wine. A popular dish to have for Christmas dinner in Rome is Tortellini in Broth which is an option here at Flavio Velavevodetto among other wonderfully flavorful and traditional meal.

#6 Al Ceppo
Location: Via Panama, 2, Rome

Al Ceppo has been around since 1964 and still maintains the same style and tradition that it had when it first opened its doors. The environment is friendly with an old-fashioned vibe. The cozy, one- room restaurant is decorated with beautiful artwork, large windows, and chandeliers.

What to Order on Christmas at Al Ceppo?

The restaurant creates a new menu each day with products that freshly-purchased ingredients from local markets. They offer traditional dishes, but they modify recipes in creative ways for something different as well. Diners rave about the restaurant’s unique secondo (“second course”) of roasted sweetbreads and artichokes.

*updated 2019
*LivItaly Tours is not affiliated with any of these restaurants. Times and menus will vary. Please check with the restaurant directly before making plans. If you have any updates to this post, we’d love to share it with our community. Email us.