It should come as no surprise that the capital of Roman Catholicism is one of Europe’s most festive Christmastime cities. As you walk through Rome’s storied streets, you’re bound to come across festive manger scenes, dazzling light displays, and, of course, towering Christmas trees. In addition to enjoying the Christmastime sights, be sure to treat your taste buds to a tasty Christmas dinner in Rome. Whether you want to enjoy an authentic Roman seafood feast or an American turkey dinner, Rome Christmas restaurants will satisfy your holiday hunger.

Rome’s Luxury Hotels

Some of the best places to explore Rome’s holiday festivities are the city’s magnificent luxury hotels. Two 5-star hotels that are particularly noted for their holiday decorations & specialty menus include the Hassler Hotel by the Spanish Steps and the Hotel de Russie near the Piazza del Popolo. Both of these high-end hotels have fabulous restaurants offering special holiday menus on Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year’s. the Hassler Hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant Imàgo is lauded for its panoramic views of Rome as well as its traditional offerings like lentils soup, eel & green apple risotto, and cod with smoked potatoes. At the Hotel de Russie you’ll find the outdoor Le Jardin de Russie which offers holiday plates like cauliflower scallops with a white truffle sauce, seabass with a side of artichokes and mashed potatoes, and pumpkin ravioli.

Local Italian Restaurants

As you might’ve already guessed after reading through these dishes, fish is a big deal in Roman cuisine. Traditionally, Romans eat seafood plates on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, and eel is a holiday delicacy. One great place to experience an authentic local Christmas dinner in Rome is at a place called Restaurant Tema. Located close to the Basilica Papale di Santa Maria Maggiore, Restaurant Tema has a cozy atmosphere and a high reputation for its seafood selection. For those not into fishy flavors, Restaurant Tema also has many wonderful meat selections on their menu.

Modern Christmas Dinner

People looking for a more modern & experimental Christmas dinner, consider visiting Ristorante Moma close to the iconic Via Veneto. This Michelin-starred restaurant offers special menus on the holidays that fuse traditional Roman cooking with modern cuisine. A few items you might find on your visit to Ristorante Moma include spaghetti & mullet with cauliflower, veal with black cabbage, and grilled octopus. By the way, if you’re only interested in American fare, then you could check out what’s happening at the Hard Rock Café Roma, which is just a short walk from Ristorante Moma.

Bistro Christmas Dinner

Lastly, anyone interested in a succulent dinner sampling should visit Marzapane Roma on Christmas Eve, Christmas, or New Year’s Eve. Founded in 2013, Marzapane Roma is considered an experimental bistro that fuses many flavors from Italian cuisine. A few courses you might find on Marzapane Roma’s specialty menu include chickpeas ravioli, squid with carrots, and fowl with mushrooms.

Visiting Rome during Christmastime is a fantastic way to spend your holiday season. Not only will you enjoy Christmas displays and celebrations in Rome and Vatican City, you’ll also have the opportunity to savor the flavors of the season. As you could see from the list above, many Rome Christmas restaurants offer special regional cuisine options you won’t find anywhere else. Eating an authentic Italian meal in the Eternal City is one holiday experience you’ll never forget.