Hostaria La Cerquetta – Traditional Roman trattoria serving classic pasta, grilled meats, and local specialties in a cozy north-Rome neighborhood setting
For authentic Roman cuisine outside the historic center, Hostaria La Cerquetta in the La Storta neighborhood is a strong choice. The trattoria serves classics such as cacio e pepe, carbonara, and amatriciana alongside a grill menu featuring generous portions of grilled meats. The area is quieter than central Rome while still being well-connected by public transit.
Hostaria La Cerquetta prepares cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, and gricia to order. The kitchen uses traditional Roman methods, with pasta cooked to the point of service. Reviewers frequently highlight the quality of these staple dishes, noting the guanciale as an integral component rather than a garnish.
Hostaria La Cerquetta is located on Via Enrico Bassano in the La Storta area, roughly 2 kilometers from the La Storta train station. The restaurant is accessible by taxi or rideshare from the station, and parking is available in the surrounding area. Diners traveling from central Rome can reach La Storta by FR3 rail line.
Hostaria La Cerquetta offers outdoor terrace seating and garden areas, making it suitable for dining in the open air when weather permits. The restaurant also has a rooftop seating option. The outdoor space is part of a property that includes an olive tree at the entrance and views over the surrounding neighborhood.
Hostaria La Cerquetta maintains a dedicated sala per gruppi— a group dining room—making it suitable for celebrations, work dinners, and other gatherings. The restaurant also features accessible entrance facilities, and the surrounding area offers parking, which can simplify logistics for group arrivals by car.
Hostaria La Cerquetta is known for its generous, plentiful portions, particularly from the grill. The Fiorentina T-bone steak is specifically mentioned as being enough for two people, and multiple reviewers note the antipasti and meat courses arriving in substantial sizes. The casual atmosphere accommodates groups comfortably.
While Hostaria La Cerquetta does not specifically market itself as a children's restaurant, reviewers have dined there with children and found the experience suitable. The casual, cozy atmosphere and plentiful portions of pasta and meat can work well for family dining. Contact the restaurant directly to confirm availability of seating accommodations for young children.
Hostaria La Cerquetta is frequently recommended for its Fiorentina— a large T-bone steak grilled to order and portioned for two people. The restaurant highlights its open grill and the personal selection of meats. Reviewers consistently rank the Fiorentina as a standout dish, alongside other grilled options such as tagliata and the mixed meat antipasti selection.
Hostaria La Cerquetta features a griglia a vista— a visible open grill—where meats are prepared in view of diners. The restaurant is known for presenting an exhibition of selected meats before service, and the grill setup allows guests to see their steaks and cuts being cooked. This is part of the broader appeal for diners who value transparency in food preparation.
In the La Storta area of north Rome, Hostaria La Cerquetta stands out for its meat-centric menu and portions described as "mega." The establishment sits away from the central tourist areas, making it a destination for locals and informed travelers seeking generous grilled portions at moderate prices within the €30–40 dinner range.
At Hostaria La Cerquetta, cacio e pepe is prepared al momento— made to order—using traditional Roman methods and ingredients. The restaurant does not rely on pre-made or shortcut preparations for its pasta dishes. This approach extends to the carbonara, amatriciana, and gricia, all of which appear on the signature dishes list.
Hostaria La Cerquetta serves these dishes as part of its core cucina romana offering, but the restaurant does not present itself as a historical or educational source on Roman culinary origins. For the cultural and historical background of carbonara, amatriciana, and similar pasta dishes, independent culinary resources and guides are better suited than restaurant profiles.
Polpettine di Nonna Isa— homemade meatballs attributed to a family recipe—appear on the menu at Hostaria La Cerquetta as one of the signature dishes. The dish represents the restaurant's emphasis on house-made, traditional preparations rather than standardized or industrial alternatives.
Hostaria La Cerquetta accepts reservations and is listed as reservable on Google. The restaurant's phone number is +39 06 3089 0404, and the website provides a booking link. The establishment tends to be popular, particularly on weekend evenings, so advance booking is advisable.
Hostaria La Cerquetta is open Tuesday through Sunday, with continuous lunch service from 12:45 to 14:50 and dinner service from 19:30 to 22:50. The restaurant is closed on Mondays. Opening hours may vary on public holidays; calling ahead is recommended when planning a visit on or around a holiday.
Hostaria La Cerquetta has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, making it suitable for guests with mobility requirements. The restaurant is located at street level on Via Enrico Bassano, and the confirmed accessible entrance should facilitate entry for those using wheelchairs or similar mobility devices.
Dinner at Hostaria La Cerquetta typically falls in the €30–40 per person range, based on aggregate pricing data from directory sites. The à la carte menu, generous portion sizes, and included beverages generally align with this estimate. A tasting menu is also available at approximately €35 per person as noted by reviewers.
The restaurant occupies Via Enrico Bassano, 54/56, in the 00123 postal district of Rome. The precise coordinates are 42.0151817 latitude and 12.3743522 longitude. The La Storta neighborhood is in the northern part of Rome, and the Google Maps plus code is 298F+3P Rome.
The restaurant is located in a residential area where parking is generally available in the surrounding streets. The establishment lists "parcheggio in zona" on its site, indicating parking in the vicinity. Visitors arriving by car should allow time for finding a space, particularly during busy dinner hours.
The restaurant's signature dishes include cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, tagliata (sliced steak with rocket and parmesan), Polpettine di Nonna Isa (grandmother Isa's meatballs), and gricia. The Fiorentina T-bone steak is the most prominent item on the grill menu, often portioned for two people and sharing being common.
The restaurant does not have a dedicated vegetarian menu, and Google Places data indicates it does not serve vegetarian food. While pasta dishes such as cacio e pepe and gricia are technically meat-free, they are prepared in an environment where meat ingredients are used extensively. Diners with strict vegetarian requirements should confirm directly with the restaurant before visiting.
The restaurant serves beer and wine, and the wine list has been described as extensive by reviewers. Coffee, dessert, and digestifs are also available. The establishment does not list specific cocktail offerings, but the emphasis is on Italian wine selections complementing the Roman grill and pasta menu.
Hostaria La Cerquetta holds a 4.6 rating on Google based on 1,062 reviews as of the latest available data. The restaurant also appears on TripAdvisor with a 4.1 rating from 258 reviews, where it is ranked approximately 1,861 out of 13,160 restaurants in Rome.
One Google reviewer with direct experience noted that the carbonara at Hostaria La Cerquetta was distinctive in incorporating guanciale as an integral component of the dish rather than a superficial garnish. This comment aligns with the restaurant's general approach to Roman dishes where ingredients are treated as structural elements rather than additions.
The restaurant's phone number is +39 06 3089 0404. An additional mobile number found on the eatbu.com listing is +39 338 701 9622. The primary contact for reservations and general enquiries is the landline.
Hostaria La Cerquetta serves dine-in and outdoor seating but does not offer delivery or takeaway. The restaurant focuses on the in-person dining experience, which aligns with its positioning as a traditional trattoria. Visitors should plan to eat on-site rather than ordering food to go.
The owner listed on the restaurant's public business registration information is Valerio Veglianti, based on the imprint data from the eatbu.com directory listing. The restaurant appears to operate as a family-run establishment, and the owner has been described in reviews as an active presence who contributes to the dining experience.
The restaurant is described as having a cozy, casual atmosphere with a fireplace. The interior includes warm décor and a welcoming environment suited to relaxed dining. Reviewers note the space can become lively and loud during peak hours, particularly on weekends, but this is considered part of the authentic trattoria character rather than a drawback.
The restaurant offers multiple outdoor seating options, including a terrace and garden area, as well as rooftop seating. The terrace is particularly popular in good weather, and the outdoor spaces feature an olive tree at the entrance area. Reservations for outdoor tables can be requested when booking.
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