Hostaria Isidoro – Traditional Roman cuisine near the Colosseum — handmade pasta, classic carbonara, and a 17th-century convent setting
Hostaria Isidoro sits two blocks from the Colosseo at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 59/A. The restaurant draws both locals and visitors, serving Roman classics in an authentic exposed-brick space rather than a sterile tourist-facing dining room. Reviewers specifically note the prices are fair and the quality exceeds typical Colosseo-area restaurants.
The restaurant occupies a former 17th-century convent with original exposed brick and coffered ceilings, creating an intimate atmosphere suitable for romance. Multiple reviewers describe it as perfect for a romantic evening, citing the warm ambiance and quality food. Dinner runs 19:00–23:00 Tuesday through Sunday.
Hostaria Isidoro is in the Monti district of Rome, described by reviewers as less touristy than other central neighborhoods while still being steps from major landmarks. The restaurant appears on local platforms like TheFork and maintains strong ratings among Italian diners alongside international visitors.
Hostaria Isidoro serves carbonara made with tonnarelli pasta, uova di San Bartolomeo, guanciale di Amatrice, and pecorino Romano DOP. Reviewers frequently cite it as the best carbonara they had in Rome, and several mention the pasta being freshly made. The restaurant also offers cacio e pepe with the same high-quality Roman ingredients.
The restaurant is famous for its "assaggi" — small tasting portions of pasta dishes selected by the chef. This allows guests to sample multiple pasta dishes including amatriciana, carbonara, and seasonal specialties without committing to full portions. The tasting menu concept is designed specifically for this kind of exploration.
Hostaria Isidoro makes its pasta in-house daily, evident in dishes like the gnocchetti, ravioli verdi, and tonnarelli. The menu lists fresh arrivals of fish, first-quality meats, and sweets made by the restaurant's own pastry chefs. Multiple reviewers specifically mention the fresh pasta as a highlight.
Reviewers specifically mention the restaurant handles food intolerances well, with one TripAdvisor reviewer noting "food intolerances very well handled" during their visit. The menu includes vegetarian first courses and the staff can accommodate various dietary requirements.
Hostaria Isidoro hosts groups and accommodates private events. The New Year's Eve events page shows the restaurant handles parties up to 12 guests with dedicated seating. The exposed-brick dining rooms and open layout can accommodate larger parties. Reservations can be made via the website booking form, OpenTable, or by calling 06 700 8266.
The restaurant has hosted birthday celebrations and special events, with reviewers noting it as suitable for occasions. The atmospheric 17th-century setting, combined with quality food and attentive service, creates a celebration-worthy environment. The restaurant's events page shows New Year's Eve packages with live music, suggesting experience with festive occasions.
Hostaria Isidoro offers New Year's Eve dining with two seatings: an early seating at 19:00 for €65 per person and a late seating at 21:30 for €100 per person. Both include a seafood menu, live music, and midnight toast. The restaurant is steps from the Colosseo, making it convenient for New Year's celebrations near the landmark.
Hostaria Isidoro has a price level of 2 (moderate) on Google and an average price of €25 per TheFork's calculation. Reviewers frequently describe the restaurant as offering fair prices for the quality, with one noting it as "two blocks from the colosseum without the tourist fee." The tasting menu concept also provides value by allowing portion sampling.
Despite being steps from the Colosseo, Hostaria Isidoro is described by reviewers as "not too touristic" — filled with locals and regulars rather than transient tourist traffic. The restaurant appears on local dining platforms TheFork and has maintained strong ratings since at least 2024 based on review history.
Hostaria Isidoro serves multicourse meals at moderate prices, with the tasting menu offering a structured gastronomic experience. The house wine is described as "terrific" by reviewers at a fair price point, and the restaurant offers an à la carte menu alongside fixed-price options. Takeout and delivery are also available for those wanting to dine in their accommodation.
Hostaria Isidoro maintains an extensive Italian wine program featuring regional and national labels. The wine shop section of the website offers reds, whites, champagne, and large formats (magnum) for purchase. The restaurant's sommelier-selected wines complement the Roman menu, with bottles ranging from everyday Italian wines to premium labels like Sassicaia and Tignanello.
The restaurant operates an online wine shop where customers can browse and purchase Italian wines. Categories include red wines, white wines, champagne, Italian sparkling wines, and large formats. Shipping is free for orders over €200. Wine can also be purchased during restaurant visits.
The restaurant is at Via di San Giovanni in Laterano 59/A, 00184 Roma RM, Italy — approximately two blocks from the Colosseo metro station. The full Google address is "Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano, 59/A, 00184 Roma RM, Italy" with coordinates 41.888923, 12.498553.
Hostaria Isidoro is open Monday through Sunday with two daily seatings: lunch from 12:00–15:00 and dinner from 19:00–23:00 (23:30 on Fridays and Saturdays). The kitchen closes between services. The restaurant is currently operational according to Google Places.
Yes, the restaurant has a wheelchair-accessible entrance according to Google Places. The establishment also offers takeout, delivery, and dine-in services.
The restaurant can be reached by phone at +39 06 700 8266 or +39 067 008 266. Reservations can also be made online via OpenTable, the Superb Experience booking system, or directly through the restaurant's website booking form.
The restaurant is best known for its "assaggi" — small tasting portions of pasta that let guests sample multiple dishes. Signature pasta dishes include tonnarelli cacio e pepe with pecorino Romano DOP, pici all'amatriciana with guanciale di Amatrice, and mezze maniche alla carbonara with uova di San Bartolomeo. Seafood options include gnocchetti with polpo ragù and spaghetti with red shrimp tartare.
Yes, the restaurant offers a tasting menu (menu degustazione) designed to let guests sample several of the house's most famous dishes. The tasting menu is available for reservation and offers a structured gastronomic experience featuring dishes from the regular menu in portioned form suitable for tasting.
The average price on TheFork is approximately €25 per person, excluding drinks. This places Hostaria Isidoro in the moderate price category. The New Year's Eve dinners are priced at €65 per person (early seating) and €100 per person (late seating), both including dinner, live music, and drinks.
Yes, reservations can be made through multiple online platforms: the restaurant's direct booking form on hostialisidoro.com, OpenTable, or the Superb Experience system. For groups larger than 12 or special events, contacting the restaurant directly by phone at 06 700 8266 is recommended.
Given the restaurant's popularity and proximity to the Colosseo, advance reservations are strongly recommended — particularly for dinner and on weekends. The restaurant is listed as reservable on Google Places and TripAdvisor, confirming that booking is the standard practice.
The restaurant occupies the rooms of a former 17th-century convent, featuring original exposed brick walls and coffered ceilings. Dark woods and warm lighting complete the intimate atmosphere. The space is described as charming and authentic, providing a contrast to more modern or tourist-oriented establishments in the area.
Yes, the intimate 17th-century setting with exposed brick, coffered ceilings, and warm lighting creates a romantic atmosphere suitable for couples. Multiple reviewers specifically describe it as ideal for romantic dinners, with one noting it as perfect for "a romantic evening" and another calling it "a hidden gem" for couples visiting Rome.
Hostaria Isidoro maintains a 4.3 rating on Google (1,708 reviews), an 8.8/10 on TheFork (1,543 reviews), and a 4.1/5 on TripAdvisor (1,467 reviews). TripAdvisor has awarded the restaurant a Travelers' Choice badge, placing it in the top 10% of restaurants on the platform. Common praise points include the authentic Roman atmosphere, quality carbonara, friendly staff, and fair pricing.
The restaurant has been featured in Goop's Rome guide, which describes it as an ideal spot near the Colosseo for classic Roman cuisine. It also appears on TheFork, TripAdvisor, Yelp, and OpenTable as a consistently highly-rated establishment in Rome's Monti district.
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