10 Best Jewish Ghetto Rome Restaurants for 2024
Looking for the best restaurants in Rome’s Jewish Ghetto?
From the best Jewish-style artichokes to the best kosher food in Rome—and all of the dishes in between—we have the best Jewish Ghetto Rome restaurants for you!
Roman Jewish food is a must-try if you want to truly sample the authentic local cuisine of the Eternal City. And, there’s no better place to do so than in the small area of Rome right in the centro storico called the Jewish Ghetto (in Italian, Ghetto Ebraico Roma).
Of course, all of the best kosher restaurants in Rome, Italy, can also be found in the Jewish Quarter. But not all Jewish restaurants are kosher, and not all kosher restaurants serve all the dishes of Roman Jewish cuisine. Read on and we’ll explain.
Popular dishes of Jewish Ghetto Rome restaurants
Best Jewish Ghetto Rome Restaurants
1. Piperno Ristorante
Piperno is the best Jewish ghetto restaurant in Rome for carciofi alla Giudia.
Dating back to 1860, Piperno is the oldest restaurant in the Jewish Quarter and one of the oldest restaurants in Rome.
Of the many Jewish Ghetto restaurants Rome has for carciofi alla Giudia, this is the only one that calls itself the “Kingdom of Jewish Artichokes.” And the name is well deserved.
Piperno is my favorite restaurant for this most famous dish of cucina Ebraica Romana. Their perfectly fried artichokes keep the outer leaves crispy and the heart nice and soft. But there’s so much more to love at Piperno!
From the starters to pastas, meat dishes, and dessert, everything that comes out of this Roman kitchen is absolutely delicious! Be sure to leave room for dessert and order their palle del nonno (grandfather’s balls)!
Tucked away in Piazza Cenci, Piperno is also one of the best Rome Jewish Ghetto restaurants in which to celebrate a special occasion. The decor is refined, and you’ll receive excellent service. The best part—the prices are very reasonable!
Address: Via Monte dè Cenci, 9, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
2. Nonna Betta
At Nonna Betta and most Jewish ghetto restaurants, the mozzarella ’n carozza will contain anchovies.
You’ll find Nonna Betta in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto of Rome.
It’s one of the most famous restaurants in the quarter thanks to Anthony Bourdain. He gave their Jewish artichoke the thumbs up, and foodies in Rome have been flocking to it ever since.
But as for me, I like many of their other dishes of Jewish-Roman cuisine way more, especially their antipasti (the Italian word for starters).
In fact, this is one of the restaurants in Jewish Ghetto Rome where I like to skip the main course and just load up on apps. It’s also one of the best cheap eats in Rome!
I highly recommend the fiori di zucca (fried zucchini flowers), filetto de baccalà (fried salt cod), alici fritte (fried anchovies), mozzarella ’n carozza (Italian grilled cheese w/ anchovies), and, of course, the carciofi alla Giudia.
After all, if Tony said it’s a great place for artichokes, you should at least try one.
Address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 16, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
3. Al Pompiere Roma
Al Pompiere Roma, one of the best restaurants in Jewish Ghetto Rome for cacio e pepe
A short walk from the main street of the Jewish Quarter, Via del Portico d’Ottavia, Al Pompiere Roma is easy to find in the Piazza delle Cinque Scole.
The restaurant’s huge windows open onto the square and after just one look inside, without even entering or taking a bite, you’ll know you should eat here. Brilliant idea!
The first time I ate at Al Pompiere it was over a decade ago. We returned recently and were happy to find the food was still amazing and the service really excellent.
Al Pompiere is one of the best restaurants in the Jewish Ghetto Rome for traditional Roman dishes like coda alla vaccinara (oxtail stew), spaghetti alla carbonara, and cacio e pepe. Order a variety of dishes and share; you’ll want to taste as much of the menu as possible.
Address: Piazza delle Cinque Scole, 28, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
4. Ba’Ghetto Rome & Su’Ghetto
Across from Ba’Ghetto, Su’Ghetto is sandwiched between two other Jewish Ghetto restaurants.
If you’re looking for kosher restaurants in Rome, the Jewish Quarter has the highest concentration of them.
Interestingly, three of the kosher restaurants Rome has on Via del Portico d’Ottavia are owned by the Dabush family.
Ba’Ghetto and Su’Ghetto are both strictly kosher and dairy-free, and they are located across the street from each other.
They both offer the traditional kosher food Rome Jewish restaurants typically serve, along with some Middle Eastern specialties like couscous, and a number of lamb dishes.
The restaurants observe Shabbat, the Jewish Sabbath. Therefore, on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoon, only Shabbat meals are served, and by reservation only.
Sit outside on the large patio of Ba’Ghetto to enjoy a view of the Portico d’Ottavia, an ancient structure erected by Emperor Augustus in honor of Ottavia, his sister.
A relative newcomer to the Ba’Ghetto family, Su’Ghetto is both slightly more modern and modest. But it does have some things not found at the original Ba’Ghetto restaurant, such as artichoke soufflé and caponata—Yum!
Ba’Ghetto address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 57,59,61,63,65, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Su’Ghetto address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 1C, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
5. Ba’Ghetto Milky
Fried zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella and anchovies at Ba’Ghetto Milky, one of the kosher Jewish Ghetto restaurants serving dairy
Most of the kosher Jewish Ghetto restaurants follow the principles of the Torah by avoiding dairy.
This is the Jewish restaurant Rome has for those who prefer to stay kosher without eating meats. By not serving meats, they can use dairy products like fine Italian cheeses in their Judeo-Roman cuisine.
The antipasti menu is a mix of Israeli street food (hummus, falafel, etc.) and Roman street food (supplì, fried cod, and so on). The rest of the menu offers tasty seafood, veggie, and dairy options of pastas, pizzas, salads, and main courses.
Address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 2/A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
6. Casalino Osteria Kosher
Homemade pasta at the Kosher Rome restaurant, Casalino Osteria Kosher
We had a great night in the Roman Jewish Ghetto dining at Casalino Osteria Kosher.
Our server had lived in Israel and helped us select a bottle of Israeli wine to enjoy with our meal. We were both very pleased with it and with the good service.
The housemade pastas were what we enjoyed here most—there are better artichokes to be had. But the burrata and truffle ravioli were right up my alley, as was the calamarata pasta with sea bass.
Somehow I didn’t notice the menu contained absolutely no meats until we returned to our hotel. The point being—even if you’re not looking for Kosher Rome restaurants, Casalino has great food and a friendly staff.
(If you’re now wondering what the difference is between an osteria and a ristorante, read this next: Osteria vs Trattoria vs Ristorante . . . )
Address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 1e, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
7. Renato al Ghetto Hostaria Kosher
Get an extra dose of Jewish culture at Renato al Ghetto Hostaria Kosher.
From the outside, Renato al Ghetto Hostaria Kosher looks like a little shop with artifacts of Jewish culture in its windows. On the inside, the atmosphere is cute and cozy with a brick archway in the back and wood beam ceilings.
At the tables, they serve some of the best kosher food in the ghetto by preparing traditional Roman dishes with a kosher twist.
If you’re wondering if Renato al Ghetto is meatless or dairy-free, they do not serve dairy products.
Renato al Ghetto is also another kosher restaurant in Rome that offers Shabbat dinner Friday nights and Shabbat lunches on Saturdays.
Address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 5, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
8. Il Giardino Romano
Trimmed artichokes for traditional Roman dishes at Il Giardino Romano
Il Giardino Romano is one of the Jewish Quarter restaurants where you can sit al fresco (outside) and see the ancient ruins at the end of the street.
Usually, you can also watch someone sitting near the front door expertly trimming artichokes for a variety of dishes—some with stems, some without.
True artichoke lovers will not want to stop after enjoying the typical fried artichokes. Try their tonnarelli cacio e pepe con carciofi and their carciofi alla Parmigiana.
Il Giardino Romano specializes in cucina Romana, not kosher cuisine. So in addition to the local Jewish specialties, you can also try the traditional pastas of Rome that incorporate both meat and dairy, like spaghetti alla gricia and spaghetti carbonara.
Address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 18, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
9. Sora Margherita
Sora Margherita, one of the best Jewish Quarter restaurants for families
Located just off the Jewish Quarter’s historic center in the Piazza delle Cinque Scole (yes, the same piazza as Al Pompiere), Sora Margherita is the only restaurant with outdoor seating in the Cinque Scole Square.
With a long list of primi and secondi piatti menu items, Sora Margherita is a good choice for families with picky eaters.
You can even find a few pasta dishes from other regions of Italy, such as Genovese pesto from Genoa, and polenta, which is usually a food associated with Milan and northern Italy.
The thing I really appreciate about Sora Margherita is that they serve more than a dozen different side dishes. Oh, and don’t forget the homemade desserts!
Address: Piazza delle Cinque Scole, 30, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
10. Giggetto al Portico d’Ottavia
Gigetto al Portico d’Ottavia, one of the best restaurants Jewish Ghetto Rome has with a private patio
Giggetto al Portico d’Ottavia is the last Jewish Ghetto restaurant before the actual Portico d’Ottavia.
What makes this location even more special is not so much the food but the charming back patio that provides a truly unique experience.
Let’s face it, you’ll never need a Jewish Quarter Rome map. All of the restaurants on Via del Portico d’Ottavia are all on top of each other.
They are so close that I once left my outdoor table at Nonna Betta to go to the restroom, and I accidentally walked into La Taverna del Ghetto next door.
At Giggetto, shrubs and umbrellas shield the patio from the rest of Rome, and if you’re lucky, musicians will be playing while you enjoy your meal.
This a particularly good place to sit outside with a glass of wine and share a couple of appetizers of la cucina Ebraica Romana.
Address: Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 21/a, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Jewish Ghetto Rome Restaurants FAQs
Now you know where and what to eat in the Jewish Ghetto. Here are some good tips for optimizing your experience in—and answers to frequently asked questions about—this intriguing and inviting Rome neighborhood.
The ancient ruins of the Portico d’Ottavia is at most a short walk from most Rome Jewish Quarter restaurants.
1. Why is there a Jewish Ghetto in Rome?
It was Pope Paul IV who in 1555 demanded by papal decree that all of Rome’s Jews move to the then undesirable, often flooded area by the Tiber River that became the Jewish Ghetto.
This papal bull forced more than 4,000 Jewish people to live packed inside seven muddy, mucky acres. The papal edict also mandated curfews and many restrictive laws, including those regulating which foods the Jewish community could and could not eat.
Unfortunately, these ghetto conditions lasted not only through the 16th century, but up until 1870.
2. Is the Jewish Ghetto safe for tourists?
Absolutely! The area today is not what you might think of as a “ghetto.” The name is a holdover from history that basically means a secluded neighborhood. The area today is not only historic but clean and vibrant—one of my favorite places to visit when I travel to Rome.
Artifacts affixed to the wall down the alley next to Renata al Ghetto in Rome’s Jewish Quarter
3. Where is the Jewish Quarter in Rome?
The Jewish Quarter is located in the city center of Rome. It’s about a 10-minute walk from Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Venezia, and the Roman Forum. To the south, the quarter is bordered by the Tiber River; the north end is marked by the Piazza Mattei with its Turtle Fountain. On the west is the Largo di Torre Argentina, and to the east, Teatro di Marcello, aka the Jewish Colosseum.
4. What is there to see in the Jewish Quarter?
You should definitely take time to explore the Jewish Quarter of Rome, Italy. Although it is home to a history of heart-breaking persecution, the neighborhood also remains a testament to the enduring perseverance of Rome’s Jewish population.
In addition to the culinary culture of the area, other highlights include the Great Synagogue, which includes the Jewish Museum of Rome, as well as the ruins del Teatro di Marcello and the Portico d`Ottavia.
As you discover the nooks and crannies of the Roman ghetto, take time to read the plaques displayed in its alleys. Stop and acknowledge the markers in front of the homes from which Roman Jews were taken during the dark days of World War II.
When you walk the streets of the Rome Jewish Ghetto, look in front of the doorways for these poignant reminders of the horrors of WWII.
5. Is it possible to eat 100% kosher in Rome?
Yes, with so many kosher restaurants in the Rome Jewish Ghetto, you can easily eat kosher when dining out. Additionally, for snacks, there is the cheese shop called Beppe e i Suoi Formaggi on Via di S. Maria del Pianto. You’ll also find a couple of kosher bakeries on Via del Portico d’Ottavia. Note that these are not Roman cafes with sit-down service, but they are great options for a grab-and-go treat.
6. Are Jewish-style artichokes available all year round in Rome?
Although artichoke season is mainly in winter months, from roughly February to April, they have become so popular that you can now usually find them in restaurants year-round.
If you can’t get an order of Jewish artichokes at a restaurant in the ghetto, try the markets of Rome, especially Testaccio and the Mercato Centrale.
7. What is the best dessert to eat in the Rome Jewish Ghetto?
The most popular dessert from Rome’s Jewish Quarter is crostata ricotta e visciole (ricotta and sour cherry tart). And the most famous one is the original from one of the best bakeries in Rome: Pasticceria Boccione. This kosher bakery is also known for its pizza Ebraica—a Jewish pizza that is much more like a breakfast pastry or a not quite so hard biscotti than a Roman pizza.
Crostata ricotta e visciole, the most popular dessert in Rome’s Jewish Quarter
8. What are the best food Tours in Rome?
Taking a food tour in Rome is always a good idea! There are a number of tours that hit multiple neighborhoods and include the Jewish Quarter. The ones we recommend can be found here: Rome Food Tours.
9. Do you need reservations to eat at restaurants in the Rome Jewish Quarter?
Most of the restaurants in the Jewish Quarter do take reservations. Even if restaurants do accept walk-ins, I always advise to make a reservation if you can. Note: You will probably not get into dinner at Piperno without one.
10. Do any of these Jewish Ghetto restaurants serve breakfast?
Since an Italian breakfast usually consists of a pastry and a coffee, most restaurants in Italy do not serve breakfast. You’ll have better luck with a morning meal at a cafe or bar.
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