Solid lunch spot near the Vatican. We made a reservation for lunch the morning of and didn't have any issues. I got the ravioli with octopus and it was good. My husband got the gnocchi with a sausage/white sauce which was very good. The carbonara looked delicious but we didn't get to try that. Service was good, super friendly and attentive. read more

Arlù - Gnocchi - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

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This cute restaurant tucked on a small street near the Basilica was amazing!!! I would suggest an outside table.

Food we ordered are all great. Taste are well balanced. Portions are ok. Service is good. The woman who served us took time to explain the dish. We ate outside "al fresco" on a hot summer day and it's not bad, the outside has a good cover and it's on a flat form. No service charge added to the check no tax, so leaving a well deserved tip to the servers I'm sure is appreciated. In Italy unlike in the USA ten percent is the standard which is great. read more

Arlù - Octopus with potato and saffron paste. Really good - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

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My girlfriends and I stumbled on this place after our Vatican tour and we feel SO LUCKY to have found it. It's the best meal we've had in Rome, from the simplest bread and olive oil/balsamic to the fantastic appetizers, delicious pasta, and the best tiramisu ever. It's a family-owned restaurant and the two sisters who run it are absolutely charming and beautiful. It's on a super quaint street with great shopping and the outdoor seating was lovely. We are so busy on this trip but we are 100% planning to return a second time before we head home to California. I can't recommend more highly! read more

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We came here around 8:30pm on a Monday night. To be honest, I saw a couple great reviews and said, "Let's go here." It was all very last minute and off-the-cuff. As soon as we arrived I knew I needed a reservation (based on size and appearance of the place) and I didn't have one. Still, we were greeted warmly and I acknowledged my mistake, fully expecting to be told there was no way to be accommodated. The waitress went inside and then, to our surprise, returned and asked if we could come back in 20 minutes. We did and had to wait a bit more which we completely understood as it was getting later by this point and we were asking to be forced in between reservations. As we waited, I lamented, "We've eaten a lot of good things here in Rome but nothing I'd be dreaming about back home." Well that concern ended tonight. This place is incredible! The staff is attentive and pleasant and so lovely. The food, oh, the food! It was the best we had during our time in Rome. The pasta was deeply flavorful and plenty. The tiramisu was light as air. Everything was just spectacular. The atmosphere, the people, the music, the neighborhood--all of it. I am so thankful we were able to spend our last night closing out this wonderful restaurant. Please come here. Enjoy it. But for sure make a reservation, for your own sanity because you don't want to miss out. read more

The food was immaculate. The one dude who greets people is very funny. That's ambiance probably.

Wow, when a restaurant gets it right, they really do; and Arlu did it for us. Arlu is a neighborhood gem. We looked on YELP for a restaurant near St. Peter's and Arlu stood out. We arrived without a reservation and were seated immediately. This is a small restaurant which filled up quickly. I love restaurants that have survived and this one has been around since 1959. This is a family owned business and it shows. The restaurants décor is so pleasing. They have created a very welcoming and beautiful atmosphere. Right away, we felt that they were happy to have us as guests. The service was impeccable. They started us off with freshly homemade bread and a amuse bouche of potato rosette with tomato and basil - off to a really good start. We ordered water and a 1/2 liter of house red wine. My husband was delighted with the homemade lasagna al forno. I wanted to try something different; so, I ordered the Tonnarelli pasta with crispy artichokes and bacon. I was thrilled with my new taste sensation. We finished with a Tiramisu for dessert and an espresso coffee. The total cost of our lunch was €45. We highly recommend this restaurant! read more

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We came here on a Saturday afternoon for a quick bite before heading over to St. Peter's Basilica for the Easter Vigil mass. The decor was very nice and the staff were very friendly and attentive. We had the selection of cheeses and meats of the Lazio region and the house wine. Once the staff learned about our time constraints, they understood and they were able to accommodate us. Thanks again! read more

Absolutely amazing food for a great price. Every dish was perfection, texture, taste and presentation 10/10. The dessert was like nothing I've ever had, it's deconstructed and I love the flavor mixing in my mouth but separated on the plate, sweet and citrus . Lamb chops on point. Ravioli melts in my mouth. read more

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We came here for lunch after our morning tour of the Vatican and arrived just a few minutes after they opened at 11:30 a.m. we didn't have the reservation, but none was needed and we were sat promptly. The restaurant was very cute. We had seen the menu, so we were well aware that the prices were a bit higher than many of the other lunch spots in Rome, but the reviews were good, so we thought we'd splurge. I ordered the burrata, which was not bad, but it didn't blow me away, and my wife ordered the eggplant parmigiana, which did blow me away! I ordered the cuttlefish pasta from my main dish, just because it was so unique and I knew that I would never try anything else like it in the states. It was enjoyable and definitely unique! My wife got the pasta carbonara with beef cheek and it was quite good, as well (the beef cheek almost eats like crispy pieces of rendered bacon.) All of this was enjoyed with a unique varietal of white wine recommended by our waiter that was really pleasant to drink with lunch. read more

Arlù is a favorite restaurant of my family in law, so I went in with high expectations. The tiny, all-white dining room and cloth napkins would suggest a more formal place than it actually was. There was quirky artwork, too, which toned down the ritzy vibe. The staff wasn't stuffy, service didn't take too long though we were a large group, and the prices were okay. But the food, in my opinion, left something to be desired. I ordered a take on the pasta alla Norma, and was disappointed to find that it focused more on presentation than on flavor. It was beautiful but bland, with noodles atop an eggplant-tomato purée. There wasn't much of it, either, which turned out to be fine since the dish was so boring. I passed on desserts, but my fiancé thoroughly enjoyed his deconstructed cheesecake. read more

Arlù - Tomato-eggplant pasta - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

Amazing food. Great service. Highly recommend this place! We tried their bolognese and apps.

Very nice, small restaurant right near the Vatican. We stayed there during Christmas 2016 and passed by it almost day and decided to give it a try. Not touristy, which is nice. No one out front hustling folks, no pictures on menus (that I remember). Reasonably priced given their convenient location, and we're returning to Rome in nine months and we will be back. read more

Enjoyed a delicious lunch! I highly recommend the carbonara. It was one of the best meals I've had in Rome. Our waiter was friendly, helpful, and made us feel like we were family. We dined outside. The street was busy but not overcrowded or distracting making it easy to enjoy the food and each other's company. I will definitely be back! read more

Delicious food and charming atmosphere just a short walk from the Vatican. One of our favorite stops when we come to Rome. Inside and outside seating on a beautiful side street. read more

Really disappointed with my meal based on the shining reviews here. I ordered the beef fillet with fruit sauce in addition to the seemingly popular carbonara. The beef fillet was seriously underwhelming in terms of flavor. It just felt like I was chewing on a chunk of raw meat as it wasn't all that tender or juicy at all. The fruit sauce itself didn't stand out as anything special. Now the carbonara... How did it all go wrong? I've seen plenty of the pictures here that showed its silky, creamy goodness. Multiple reviewers here praised it as one of the best (?!) But what I got instead was a salty, hot scrambled mess. I've eaten my fair share of pasta in Italy and this has got to be one of the saltiest yet. Didn't even end up finishing it. Most of my grievances were due to the food itself, which in my opinion did not live up to the expectations based on reviews, and was not worth the price! The service was at least friendly, but friendliness can't cover much for mediocre food. I suggest you take your business elsewhere if you want a satisfying meal worth your money. read more

Arlù - Scrambled carbonara. Wasn't silky or smooth like the other photos showed. Really salty as well, wouldn't recommend. - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

Excellent menu! The grilled squid was tremendous. We didn't expect to see a hamburger on the menu but it was recommended and for good reason, it was superb :) read more

Very good service and food. Nice option for lunch after visiting the Basilica. Quick 5 minute walk. My kids loved their burger.

Elegant place, delicious food, and friendly staff!

Great food and friendly service! I've had the salmon special, fettuccini and tiramisu. Everything tasted amazing. I also loved the outdoor seating to people watch. Close walk to Vatican but not too crowded. read more

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Stop by for lunch today after exploring St. Peter's square. Arrived around noon so we were seated inside right away and offered free wifi! The whole restaurant has a very cute decor and home like type feel to it. I ordered the carbonara and it was fantastic! Pasta cooked perfectly! My friend had one of their home made pizza which was delicious as well. Great place to stop and grab a bite to eat if you are near the Vatican. read more

Arlù - Carbonara, yum! - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

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Fantastic flavors and quality ingredients in the food at Arlu. The octopus ravioli was delicious. Creamy cheese inside the ravioli pair well with the tomato and mushroom sauce. The smooth texture of the octopus contrasted nicely with the richness of the other ingredients. The squid and potato cake was incredible. The squid was cooked to perfection; I loved the slight crispy sear on the squid. The lamb chops with potato was a simple pairing which works nicely. The lamb chops were flavorful and cooked properly. The passion fruit with hazelnut praline cheesecake was a symphony of flavor. The tart of the passion fruit gives nice acidic notes which cut through the richness of the cheesecake. The hazelnut praline gave a slight crunchy texture to the smoothness of the cheesecake. read more

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My brother who has been living in Rome for a few years took us here when we visited Italy last fall. We had the antipasto platter to start. We each got our own pasta dishes (carbonara, cacio e pepe, and bolognese). All were so delicious in their own way, but the star was the carbonara! It was so good, I almost cried. Well priced considering its location. Service was a bit on the slower side, but the restaurant was pretty crowded. Out of all the restaurants we visited in Rome, this was our favorite. Highly recommend! read more

Wow, wow, wow. Like the final taste test in Ratatouille where the critic has his childhood flash before his eyes. Not gonna lie when it comes to food I usually go for the stuff that's familiar - so I had lasagna and for every bite I was transported onto the Sistine chapel floating around somewhere between Adam and God. Absolutely heavenly! By far the best I've had in Rome and maybe anywhere else :) read more

What a great meal we had! It was nice to find a place in the middle of the tourist trap zone that didn't have the exact same menu as all the other restaurants. Our waiter recommended the steak with raspberry sauce and it was absolutely fantastic. Hands down. I only wish our Italian was good enough to tell the staff how great it was. Also the best cheesecake ever. If you are in the area this is a can't miss spot! read more

Arlù - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

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I think this was my favorite Rome meal. A short walk from the entrance of the Vatican, down a quiet walking road. The seafood here was fresh and delicious. The calamari appetizer (slow roasted not fried) was soo good. I ordered the Tuna which also was perfect, especially looking back, we ordered tuna from two other places and neither was even close to as good. My wife ordered the lasagna, which was a wow. Highly recommend if in the area. read more

After an exhausting 550 steps climbing to the top of the Vatican this place felt like a mirage. Don't fall into a tourist trap after a long day at the Vatican when this is right under your nose. I would leave my fiancée if it meant I could marry this lasagna. Excellent service, incredible food, what more could you possibly ask for? read more

Arlù - This lasagna cleared my skin and cured my depression. - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

Adorable doesn't even begin to describe it. And I'm not talking about the decor. Family-owned. Family-operated. Family-feeling. My group of about 9 sat at two different tables after a long and chaotic visit to the Vatican Museum. We had a reservation for 2pm (I would recommend a reservation - wait times at that time were around 25 minutes). FOOD: Arlù was the best food we had in Italy. Overall, every dish was magnificent. I had the Cacio e Pepe which was a table favorite. Others got the Gnocci with spinach & ricotta, pumpkin & truffle spaghetti and Amatriciana pasta with bacon. The bread was also the best we had in Italy! Our other table of five agreed with their dishes. We concluded you simply can't go wrong with this menu. FEEL: We sat outside as one of the daughters served us with a huge smile. We could see Mom, Dad and the other sisters working hard inside serving everyone with ease (our server didn't even take notes. We speculated it was because she knows the plates so well. She probably had them all the time growing up!) You never feel rushed when eating in Italy, but the flip side of that coin is not feeling noticed at all. Arlù was the best of both worlds. Our server chatted with us and learned about our family and asked about our adventure. Her English was great. PRICE: We spent around €88 for four main dishes and two salads. I'd say this more than we'd normally spend on a lunch in Rome but we were getting what we paid for. Average dish was €10-15. CONCLUSION: Just go! If you are dying for an excellent meal in Rome, go to Arlù. We were 10 days into our trip in Italy and this place was a highlight. *There were several beggers that came by so beware. At this point in our trip we knew just to ignore them. It's quite normal in Italy and especially in Rome. Some came with music which was beautiful but they have ice in their veins! They will wait you out especially if you seem interested while they are performing. read more

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My husband and I came here after a recommendation from our Vatican Museum tour guide- Deborah. It's a family run business. The food is tasty and fresh. The octopus appetizer was my favorite. My husband enjoyed his entree - clean plate at the end. This is a must do. read more

Arlù - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

I found this restaurant on a food blog prior to visiting Rome - Arlu did not disappoint. My partner and I ate at Arlu at the beginning of our trip to Rome and came back THREE TIMES. We brought our grandparents here the 2nd time and made it a priority to come back the day before our departure home. Everything we ate was amazing - specifically the burrata cheese with anchovies and the truffle linguine with raw shrimp! My partner loved his lamb chops as well. The restaurant is a little more pricey compared to other places, but it's very well worth it. There are no cons to eating here! The staff are amazing, friendly and so helpful especially Federica! They made us feel like home read more

Wonderful food and service! We tromped all around Rome to find a great "red sauce" and finally found it here! The lasagna and carbonara are so good! I would recommend this place to my Italian grandmother in a heartbeat! It's also close to the Vatican and St Peter's Basilica. read more

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We found this little gem on our way to Castel St Angelo. It's located in a super touristy street but far beyond a tourist trap. We ordered lasagna, margherita pizza, and fettuccine with fried eggplants. All the dishes were amazing but the lasagna must have been the best lasagna we have ever had - tangy, super cheesy yet light with a thin layer of noodle. Can't ever forget the taste. You must check this place out if you are around the area and if you want to experience authentic Italian food. read more

Very friendly service. I had the lasagna and my sister had the tonnarelli cacio and pepe. The dishes were tasty and simple, they also serve many other more finessed dishes. read more

Arlù - Lasagna - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

Amazing!! Seabass was delicious, as was the dessert which was a tart of some sort. Best meal in Rome so far. read more

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I went to Vatican City and was very unfamiliar with the area. After reading the reviews, I decided this place sounded lovely and stopped by for lunch. This was undoubtedly the best meal I have had not only in Italy, but ever. It is down the cutest street, very quiet and relaxing. Get a glass of wine and the house lasagna and you won't regret it! read more

Arlù - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

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This place is amazing for being so close to the Vatican tourist area Don't fret the 20-30 minute wait, just wait. We had a Greek salad, Lasagna di verdure and Fettuccine ai funghi porcini. Their tiramisu is the best I've ever had. The house red was terrific and only 8 Euros for a half liter. The staff was very friendly and spoke great English. read more

The food here is excellent, eaten outside (or inside) on a cobbled street in Borgo, one of my favorite areas of Rome, and a 2-minute walk to St Peter's Square. Their carbonara is by far the best I have ever tasted - one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. Their lasagna was similarly delicious - in fact I ordered a second portion. 5 stars for taste, 5 stars for atmosphere, 5 stars to service and friendliness. read more

Fantastic find for a good lunch. Valentina a great server. Food exquisite. Recommend the Rocket Salad. Crema dessert a concoction of chocolate caramel and Cream. Delicious. Cacio y Pepe divine. Also cool with air conditioning on a hot day visiting Vatican. read more

My friend and I were looking forward to having a good meal on our last day in Rome, but I'm sad to say that arlu wasn't any better than other mediocre restaurants in the city. The beef fillet was very chewy and really, really rare to the point where it felt like we were just eating raw meat. The fruit based sauce on the beef didn't do anything to enhance the flavor, either. It was definitely not worth 24 euros. We also tried the carbonara pasta which seemed to be the most popular dish according to the yelp reviews, but were utterly betrayed. I know it's a thing in Italy to undercook pasta ("al dente") to a point where it's unenjoyable, but the pasta was just overwhelmingly salty and tasteless overall. We only had a few bites before leaving the rest of the dish untouched. I don't know if I can trust yelp reviewers or their tastebuds anymore, because this place was just disappointing. read more

Arlù - sad salty carbonara pasta. - Italian Near Me - Rome, RM

We stumbled upon this gem because my gf is a talker and asked a salesperson a recommendation for good pasta . We were lead here and let me tell you nothing annoyed me more than the people trying to lure you into their restaurant. Their food was made like the love of a mother of a child. So much care and delicate touch was added to everythingk we ate. My gf who usually is a tough critic was asking for another bowl. This place is beautiful and why I love rome and Italy and its culture read more

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