Da Cesare Al Casaletto

Tucked away in a quiet residential corner of Rome’s Gianicolense neighborhood, Da Cesare Al Casaletto proves that some of the city’s finest cooking happens far from the tourist crowds. From the outside, this family-run spot looks like any other neighborhood trattoria with its unassuming decor and casual atmosphere. But step inside and order from the expansive menu, and you’ll quickly understand why locals have kept this gem close to their hearts for years.

The kitchen here excels at Roman classics executed with precision and care. Start your meal with the polpette di bollito, wonderfully rich fried beef croquettes that shatter at the first bite, or the addictive gnocchetti fritti swimming in velvety pecorino sauce. The pasta selection reads like a greatest hits of Roman cuisine, with the carbonara, gricia, and rigatoni all’amatriciana all prepared exactly as they should be. For those craving heartier fare, the braised oxtail stew delivers deep, comforting flavors that showcase the kitchen’s mastery of slow cooking.

This is the kind of place that rewards coming with a crowd. Gather a group, order liberally across the menu, and linger over bottles from their thoughtfully curated wine list featuring affordable selections from Italian, French, and Slovenian producers. The twenty-minute tram ride from Trastevere feels like nothing when the payoff is a leisurely Sunday lunch surrounded by Roman families doing exactly the same thing.

Whether you’re seeking an escape from the centro storico chaos or simply hunting for authentic Roman cooking at honest prices, Da Cesare Al Casaletto delivers. Come hungry, come with friends, and come prepared to eat like a local in one of the city’s most genuine dining rooms.