Margutta 54 is utterly private and awash in history (Picasso painted here). But its sleek suites are the draw with their ample sitting areas and cleverly configured bathrooms.
Accommodations at this 16th-century palazzo, restored in 2008, range from a welcoming single with a French double bed and lovely window seat to 500-sq.-ft. "family" rooms. Bonus: the subterranean spa.
Ignore the bright white lobby, overlit bar, and preponderance of questionable art: the 29 rooms are infinitely more appealing—spacious for Rome, and done up in soft shades of taupe.
The former Grand Hotel, built in 1894, was completely renovated in 2000; its 161 rooms are suitably vast, with Regency, Louis XVI, and Neoclassical elements.
Rich French silks, gilded furniture, and playful frescoes make up the interiors of this celeb favorite.
With its sprawling tiered gardens and mix of earthy pastels and dark woods, the Russie feels like a quiet urban oasis.
Traditions live on here: guests are greeted by a top-hatted doorman before entering the opulent lobby, which has an imposing staircase with ornamental wrought-iron railings.
Interior designer Michele Bönan has outfitted the sexy, Ferragamo family–owned hotel with black-stained oak, white-marble bathrooms, and ice-blue flannel chairs.
This hybrid of boutique, barbershop, and spa offers rigorous treatments and gorgeous guys’ stuff, from exclusive swim trunks by Orlebar Brown to unisex jewelry designs by Natsuko Toyofuku.
The top-flight leather-goods maker displays finely crafted bags and totes as well as the briefcases and signature drawstring bucket bags that made the brand in the 1950’s.
The 1883 palazzo is once again Rome’s cultural jewel. After a five-year renovation, the gallery hosts shows that put challenging works face to face with expository exhibits that span centuries.
The modern solo shows at the Zaha Hadid–designed National Museum of XXI Century Arts range from first-rate artists to architecture retrospectives of talents such as Carlo Scarpa.
Gagosian's first European outpost outside of London has become a fixture since it opened in 2007, where the consistent flow of marquee names (from Cy Twombly to Rachel Feinstein) is no surprise.
One of Rome’s most esteemed galleries is run by Lorcan O’Neill, an Irish dealer formerly based in London who brought with him Kiki Smith, Rachel Whiteread, and others of a similarly blue-chip stature.
An über-cool pizzeria-osteria in the edgy Pigneto quarter. There’s an omaggio a Katz’s pastrami panino, six variations on the burger, and 24 choices of the cracker-thin pizze rosse and pizze bianche.
A hybrid of L.A.-style organic eatery and caffè-trattoria. Indulge in a signature garden salad—think mozzarella DOP from Campania and mixed organic seeds.
A local favorite for aperitivi, thanks to the creative drinks and extensive wines by the glass. Opt for the cozy, oak-plank-floored interior during cold months or the sidewalk setups come summer.
This bohemian bar’s studied casualness has succumbed to a mildly controversial glamming-up. Still, the sophisticated cocktails and affordable salumi spreads attract both Converse and cravatta sets.
Guanciale, cacio, and chicory make lots of appearances at this Testaccio hit, and the chefs get bold with meat (oxtail takes many forms, and there’s a sublime suckling pig).
The design is a bit bizarre (a traditional alimentari counter sits under spaceship-like ceiling panels), but the food—like the ravioli with Castelmagno cheese and pumpkin velouté—is unparalleled.
It’s about seasonal fruits (from persimmon and quince to mandarin orange) and nuts (pistachio, pignoli, roasted chestnut) at this gelateria in Prati.
A trip to the (near) suburb of Prati is de rigueur for the most adventurous gelato flavors; Fatamorgana takes the prize for most out-there ingredients and combos—chocolate-tobacco; basil-walnut-honey.
The best way to explore this beautiful garden is by bike; the path from Ponte del Risorgimento to Villa Ada passes by the Villa Borghese gardens.
The best way to explore this beautiful garden is by bike; the path from Ponte del Risorgimento to Villa Ada passes by the Villa Borghese gardens.
For excellent pizza, cooked in an open oven, don’t miss this pizzeria in Trastevere.
One of American Academy in Rome director Christoper S. Celenza’s favorite sites in Rome: “The frescoes in the ancient Roman dining room are stunning and evocative and transport you back in time.”
If you’re craving sushi, there’s no place like this sleek white and gray restaurant in the centro storico.
This Italian restaurant opened in 1959 and still draws crowds, thanks to its classic regional dishes.
