The Pocket RG to Rome has a few options in there, including Piperno (in the atmospheric Ghetto), Dar Filettaro da Santa Barbara (al fresco – delightful), Da Tonino (an established, local favourite) and La Gensola (the place for a special meal; it serves Sicilian food, heavy on the fish).

It might not be particularly Mum-friendly but the slightly rough-and-ready Pigneto district hides loads of cool little restaurants: you could try the good-value Pigneto Quarantuno or swankier Primo al Pigneto.

These sound brilliant – thank you for your help!

San Crispino, around the corner from the Trevi Fountain, is well worth seeking out for a gelato treat – it attracts plenty of customers year-round, but if that’s not a good sign, I don’t know what is…

Sounds like a must do! Thank you very much for the recommendation.

Da Bucatino, in the Testaccio district, is really good. Try the Butacini all’Amatriciana.

Brilliant – thanks Kia!

LA MUCCA BISCHERA, in San Lorenzo neighborhood (student, trendy area, busy mostly on weekend) I’d recommend to go for dinner (Saturday is probably the best day).
Amazing meat and prices!
Not far from Termini, this is not a tourist area worth to check if it’s not your first time in Rome, which means you can also see not just the beautiful and busy tourist areas.

Alison, please don’t take your mother all the way to Pigneto for a celebratory meal. It’s just not the place. Nor is da Tonino. It’s for when you want bright lights, paper tablecloths and nothing fancy.

There are loads of great restaurants, so you might need to narrow it down. What month are we talking about? What do you hope to spend? What do you like to eat? It’s a big city, with lots of restaurants. If you can be more specific, I can recommend something that shouldn’t disappoint.

Hi crosspoll,

Thanks for your message. We’ve arranged for her go at the end of Feb with my aunt, so I guess the budget would be about £150 for the two of them for dinner. They are both pretty open-minded in their food preferences, but particularly like Middle Eastern and Italian food. Look forward to hearing your suggestions!