Food. It's a Necessity.

When the hunger hits, it is so easy to just step out of the hotel and wander down the main street, settling on the first Italian restaurant you see. DON'T. Earn your decadent carbs by walking away from the main drag and finding restaurants that don't scream tourist! It is the only way to get authentic and delicious Italian food (I learned this the hard way). Here are a few of my and my peers' finds!

L'archetto Spagetteria is located near the Piazza Navona, but off a small street away from the busy tourist spot. We knew we had found a gem as soon as we saw that the customers were primarily locals. This is the place to get spaghetti. There is no shortage in choice with the menu boasting over 30 types of spaghetti. I'd recommend the Nuclear Bomb spaghetti!

Maccheroni Ristorante is on a small street that leads to the Pantheon and offers absolutely delicious Italian food. Anything on this menu is worth your time. My favorite part of this restaurant is sitting at an outside table watching the business men in fancy suits and the women with their children walking by. It is the ideal place to people watch and see what the real Roma is like!

Inside the Pantheon, a short walk from Maccheroni!

Pasta Love is a great restaurant located in the heart of Rome (the closest landmark probably being the Termini Train Station). The atmosphere in the restaurant was what made me love the place. The walls were covered in wine corks and the restaurant was cool and quiet. They offer free champagne, bread, and dessert biscottes with fair priced meals.

CG