Trattoria Da Cesare al Casaletto

"Following careers in fine dining in Italy and abroad, Leonardo Vignoli and Maria Pia Cicconi went back to basics with Cesare al Casaletto, a straightforward trattoria the husband-and-wife duo took over in 2009. The menu features Roman classics with a few restrained twists, like fried gnocchi served on a pool of cacio e pepe sauce. The pasta alla gricia has achieved cult status, the suckling lamb mains are exceptional, and the beverage list spotlights stunningly affordable natural wines from Italy, France, and Slovenia. Cesare isn’t particularly close to any monuments but is easily accessible by public transit — though don’t rule out a post-lunch stroll through the nearby Villa Pamphili, a vast public park." - Katie Parla

"This new-in-2023 sister property of a neighborhood favorite in residential Monteverde brings hearty, traditional Roman pasta and meat dishes to the centro storico. 'Run, don't walk,' says Bono, 'because this city location is super charming, and tourists haven't found it yet.'" - Travel + Leisure Editors

"Cesare is a trattoria specializing in Roman cuisine, and it nails the classics; the starters, pastas, and mains get so much attention, in fact, that the excellent pizzas can be often overlooked. But take it from us: Share a paper-thin, delightfully crispy pizza rossa (a 16-inch round pizza brushed sparingly with tomato sauce and drizzled with olive oil, then baked in a wood-burning oven) as a starter. And don't sleep on the excellent fried starters like eggplant croquettes and shredded beef balls." - Maresa Manara

"Cesare may like an average family-run neighborhood trattoria with unremarkable decor, but the food here is way above average. Located in a residential neighborhood a 20-minute tram ride from Trastevere, this spot’s great for a leisurely Sunday lunch.  Make the most of the large menu by coming with a group. Start with the rich fried shredded beef called polpette di bollito, fried eggplant croquettes, and gnocchetti fritti with pecorino sauce, followed by one of the pastas (the gricia, carbonara, rigatoni all'amatriciana and oxtail stew are all great). Another strategy: focus on entrees, like the fried lamb chops or braised veal. There’s also an excellent wine list with affordable bottles from traditional and natural producers from Italy, France, and Slovenia." - Gillian Mcguire, Team Infatuation

"Cesare is a trattoria specializing in Roman cuisine, and it nails the classics; the starters, pastas, and mains get so much attention, in fact, that the excellent pizzas can be often overlooked. But take it from us: Share a paper-thin, delightfully crispy pizza rossa (a 16-inch round pizza brushed sparingly with tomato sauce and drizzled with olive oil, then baked in a wood-burning oven) as a starter. And don't sleep on the excellent fried starters like eggplant croquettes and shredded beef balls." - Maresa Manara, Katie Parla