Terrible service. So so food. Husband and I went here on our last night in Rome. Had a 9 pm reservation and we were seated immediately. Usually a good sign but not in this case. Waited 45 minutes for pasta and then another hour for our two entrees but when only one arrived with a different preparation than what was described, and we were told they ran out of other order (but we're only telling us now!) It's now 10:30 and we have had half the food we ordered and it wasn't that great. Maybe living in NYC has spoiled me to food and service but this place was definitely a miss. read more

Like the last couple reviews that came in a couple weeks back, I have to down-vote this place. Disclaimer: we didn't actually get a seat so this review is purely about my abrupt experience and some comments. If you're looking for a menu review, please move on. When I walked into the place to ask for a seat for two, the old man at the counter said what I believe was "we're booked", in Italian. Funny thing is, there was at least 1/3 of the place that was wide open, and NO ONE standing outside waiting on their table to be ready. To be fair, as we chilled outside, trying to figure out what we were going to do as another lunch option, we did see two groups of around 2-3 people go in after us, and not come back out, indicating that they must've gotten a table. Those groups were both native Italians though, and again, there were at least 6-8 tables that were wide open as we waited there for 10 minutes trying to see where the mass of people that were waiting for their reservation. Super disappointing. On to my comments. So I did a little research on the place (i.e. checked out their web site), and admittedly, this place has a gimmick to it, where even the original owner would reject bunches of people even as his tables sat empty. This, plus previous reviews, and the price tag as stated here on Yelp (three €), lead me to believe this place is doing pretty well for itself, and therefore has every right to decide who/who not to serve. However, as it's their right to decide who/who not to serve so is it my right to let other's know to avoid a place that perpetuates such a gimmick, which clearly places its own pride before customer service. Every other place in Rome so far has been accommodating to foreigners, and even appreciates that we try and speak what meager Italian we know. Instead of wasting any more energy about this place, I would submit the uniqueness and friendliness of a place a few blocks away from here called Trapizzio. Their food and service are a hidden gem in this district of Rome. However, if you choose to proceed to Felice, just know you're rolling the dice. Ciao! read more

There seems to be a long running scam here and discrimination in regards to reservations. If you call in, they say the date is too early, they don't have their appointment book, to call back at a time when the business website says they're not open, or claim to not understand or hear you. I have a few of these recorded. Have called to reserve and got a handful of these random responses, and had a friend try in case it's just me with varying and similar excuses. The woman sounds exasperated seems nice enough but they make it really difficult for you. Following inane rules on calling at 9 (but their business opens at 10) and calling a different night when the book is there has really been a clever run around. Because the attempts have been during business hours and across either weekday or weekend in the right time zone also from different originations/people- They appear to be denying English-speaking customers systematically. read more

It was very nice that the owner was able to squeeze us in without reservations. We ordered 2 linguini, beef with tomato sauce and spaghetti. Food overall was ok. However, the waiter stated that several of the items on the menu were not available. My auntie wanted to order spaghetti with clams but was told that only shrimp was available. When her spaghetti with shrimp dish came out there was only 1 shrimp in the entire dish along with hair. The waiter was aggressive and pushy in recommending an appetizer of fried and grilled fish for our table. The appetizer came out after our main course and was the best part of our meal. However, we felt mislead as the price of the appetizer was 60 euros and cost as much as our meal. We would suggest going to Roman restaurants where the locals eat. Essenziale in the Travastere district was a homey authentic Italian experience with less tourists and more locals. Better value for your money then this restaurant. read more

Our first meal in Roma, it was packed with locals at 2pm and we waited only 20 min to get a seat. Was still nearly full at 330pm. Generally food was 4.2 stars, slightly above 4. Ordered the Cacio e Pepe. Absolutely delicious, we gobbled it down piping hot. So rich and creamy. Amitriciana, Bacon and egg carbonara was average, nothing special. Artichokes roman style. Mmmm delicious. Fried lamb was pathetic. Waiter should have warned us. I mean it SUCKED. They has run out of roasted lamb. Florentine t-bone, well-seasoned but slightly overdone for medium rare though. Veal escalops, very good. Involtini de manzo, beef rolls in tomato sauce were quite homey, nothing fancy. Decent quality though. Go if you're in the area. read more

My mouth waters just thinking of the meal I enjoyed at Felice a Testaccio. Hands down THE BEST TIRAMISU I've ever had in my entire life and I don't even like tiramisu. As everyone has proclaimed, the cacio e pepe was excellent as was the artichoke fettuccine. I loved that this restaurant doesn't have a menu and it's not in a very busy or touristy part of town. I'm considering returning to Rome just to eat here again! read more

Lauren's extensive review pretty much summed up the experience. Not much to add other than another confirmation about how fantastic this place really is. Our server was a great part of the evening. He was fun and entertaining without being overbearing. The place has a great vibe and was filled with Italians. There were only a few tourists. We couldn't get a reservation before 10:30 - I agree with Matthew that you should try to get a reservation before you go to Rome. Since we were there so late, the kitchen had closed down and the kitchen staff was hanging out in the restaurant. We got to meet the chef, and learned that Felice was featured in an article in the New York Times from 2009 that posited it as the best trattoria in Rome. I think that we wholeheartedly agree. read more

Fantastic food and atmosphere at Felice a Testaccio. The restaurant is a bit far from central Rome and takes some effort to get to but that adds to the allure. We didn't plan very well and showed up around 9 pm without a reservation, but were able to get a table within 20 minutes or so. The restaurant was more modern feeling than most others in Italy, but I liked it. I will say it was surprisingly bright in the restaurant, but I'll admit I'm somewhat sensitive to this. There seemed to be a good mix of Italians and tourists here. I felt welcomed by everyone working here even though we were American tourists. As far as food goes, we trusted our waiter and ordered all of the dishes that he said were house specialties. We were not disappointed. The famed cacio e pepe was simple and tasty. Loved the mixing right at the table. I will say I liked the amatriciana pasta more but my expectations for the cacio e pepe were sky high. For entrees we shared the meatballs and a veal medallion dish that was absolutely fantastic. It was some of the best and most tender veal we tasted on our trip and we had it several times. Bottom line, I would stick with the house recommendations because all of them were spot on. Including a reasonable bottle of red wine from the region and the bill was around 90 eur. Not a bad value and some great food. I really enjoyed the atmosphere here as well. It's worth the effort to find this restaurant and we'll surely be back our next time in Rome. read more

OMG. So good. The mozzarella appetizer was possibly the best mozzarella we had in 5 days of culinary adventures. The tonnarelli cacio e pepe (pepper and cheese) was amazing! It's what earned them their Zagat review in 2014 - but more importantly, they've found a way to make pepper not so overwhelming and it's delicious!! Highly recommended by locals. You MUST make a reservation before going. read more

Had two great meals, including last supper, here during trip to Rome. Everything -- pasta, side dishes, wine, dessert -- was delicious. Service was friendly and attentive, too. No hidden cover/service charges either. Some Americans may balk at the €3 bread charge, but at least it is listed on the menu. Both times we were able to get in at the last minute without reservations. Best to come early, if you don't already have them. This area is easily accessible by mass transit. read more

If I could give Felice 6 stars, or 10, or 100, I would. We came in late one December night, without a reservation, and speaking no Italian. We waited a few moments for a table, but didn't have any problem getting in. Everyone was friendly, helpful, and kind. We ordered the cacio e pepe, the involtini, and the roasted potatoes. Everything was fantastic. We cleaned each plate. And did I mention we shared a table with Roberto Begnini? No joke. It could not have been better. When we return to Rome, we will make a reservation. But if you happen to stumble upon this place like we did, give it a shot! It's good enough that it's worth trying to get in even if you're turned away. read more

We had high expectations and they were mostly met. We especially wanted to try the cacio et Pepe pasta for which this place is famous. The dish is a staple here and was certainly good but not the finest fresh pasta dish we've ever had. Our English-speaking waiter Mike was very helpful and accommodating, often suggesting that we share dishes rather than get a double order. We did try a rather expensive bottle of Amarone that was thoroughly enjoyed. A pasta with porcini mushrooms was quite nice and the eggplant dish was outstanding. We shared a classic meatball. Overall, it was a good experience but the adoring patron crowds were not beating down the doors on a Monday night and the ambience was somewhat lacking. read more

The best.. I mean really the best Cacio e Pepe in Rome.. Tried several places but this one hands down is awesome.. I would just fly back to Rome to just eat this. Make sure book before you go.. Service is great and they have a different menu everyday.. read more

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I really liked the ambience here, and clearly it is a favorite of the locals as well. It's hard for me to rate the food, because several of the dishes we would have liked to order had run out by time we arrived for dinner. My party had a spaghetti and tuna dish (passable), fried calamari and shrimp (calamari was tough), and veal with roasted potatoes (delicious). So the good that we had, which in my mind wasn't among the favorites (as those had run out earlier in the evening), was just ok. What makes me give this restaurant 4 stars was the dessert! We had a deconstructed tiramisu served in a glass - crumbled coffee soaked lady fingers at the bottom, a beyond delicious mousse that filled most of the glass, and topped with a dark chocolate sauce. It was heavenly!!! Order one for yourself, don't share LOL. read more

Oh god this place was simply divine! You have to make a reservation approximately one week in advance but it's really worth it. The food is just insane, great quality, fresh ingredients, and good presentation. The Cacio e Pepe though.. My god that Cacio e Pepe. I will always remember that. So fresh and tasty. Wish I could eat it more often. We also got some home made ravioli and also those were really good. Everything paired with a good wine and the dinner turned out to be memorable. The only thing is that you can definitely see that if you are not a usual customer you are treated a bit differently (usual customers get better tables, more attentions, etc.). Some waiters at times can come across as a bit snobbish. Prices are high but the quality of the food justifies that. read more

Overrated. I came to this place two years ago and had some delicious cacio e Pepe, it was so good that I was able to overlook the really bad service. This time around...meh. bad service and super overpriced pasta. Avoid. Many other local spots worth going that are a fraction of the price. read more

The food is exquisite! It sums up what Italy is about in terms of food. Their linguine al frutti di Mare was amazingly perfect. Don't forget to order their tiramisu for dessert! I had to try very hard not to lick the plate it was that good. The service was very good too. They were very patient at explaining the menu and answering our questions about it in English. A must to go if you are in the area :)) read more

Oh my god. The best Italian meal I ever had. The Caccio e Pepe pasta and the lamb shoulder with roast potatoes were just incredible! A great bottle of Chianti helped to wash it all down! Da Felice is on an unassuming corner in Testaccio since 1936 doing beautiful work. The people working there know what they have and make your meal an event to remember. Just go..... read more

Felice a Testaccio - Caccio e Pepe - outstanding! - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

You must try the house special, Cacio y Pepe, that is prepared table side! Delicious, fresh and authentic. (Posted a picture so you can see the preparation.) read more

Felice a Testaccio - Nothing like Cacio y Pepe prepared table side! - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

This review is long overdue and after my second, unintentional experience, I felt it was time. I don't like writing a bad reviews because it's a waste of energy but people need to know how awful this place is and how horribly they treat tourists. The first time I tried eating here was a couple of years ago with reservation. I was traveling alone at the time and had heard this place was good so decided to get dressed up and treat myself to a nice dinner. I got to the restaurant and was turned away immediately in the worst way by this awful, disheveled looking woman who basically shamed me for being by myself. No table for one she said, we are too busy, even though I had a reservation and the restaurant was not full. I went back to Rome a couple of weeks ago with my mom and forgot about this place. Our hotel recommended it and made a reservation for us. When our taxi pulled up, I remembered this was the place I got turned away from a couple of years back. My mom and I went in and the same woman again, looked us up and down and turned us away saying that she doesn't see our reservation and they are too busy, no table. She was so incredibly rude and was so bothered that we even had the nerve to enter her establishment. I was so upset because it was also my birthday dinner. I may not be carrying a Louis Vuitton but I'm a conservatively, well dressed, tall and respectful woman and so is my mother. This place made us feel so terrible. We ended up at a different restaurant around the corner that was happy to seat us and take our business. I love Italy and I visit often and the people are lovely. Avoid this place if you want to keep your pleasant thoughts of Italy. There are so many wonderful restaurants as well that want you to enjoy the culture and their food. Hope this helps! read more

Fourth nite in Rome, and our concierge made a reservation for us for Sunday. Per chance, while looking for a place to have a late dinner Saturday nite around 11, very few places were open so guess where we accidentally wound up. I won't repeat most of the previous accolades (all true!) but with the help of our excellent waiter Alessi, his suggestions, like unbelievably succulent sliced veal with chicory, made me swoon, as did everything else. Cool crowd, cool decor, and so good we're going back tonite. read more

Super friendly staff. Only ordered the cacio e pepe because it was lunch hour. It was prepared table side and was so delicious. Meat dishes at other tables looked excellent as well. read more

Felice a Testaccio - Cacio e pepe - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

The cacio e Pepe is hands down the best pasta I've ever had in my entire life. Just completely elevated my perception of pasta. The bucatini is thick and eggy and soft with texture and just incredible. The flavor of the cheese and pepper was truly remarkable. I really can't give justice to this dish. Priced at €13 so about €4 more than the average place but on par with the price of some the nicer restaurants we've been to (and still not expensive). My husband has a pasta with tomato sauce and anchovies which would have been the best pasta dish I ever had, if I hadn't had the cacio e Pepe. read more

This place was refered by a co worker and it was amazing. It is definitely a place to go to if in Rome. The veal was amazing and they give complimentary liquor shots when finished. read more

Not often do I write reviews but I felt I needed to share this. I researched all the best restaurants in Rome and surprisingly this was highly rated. I was sorely disappointed. Avoid this place. I did thing the pasta was good but avoid the meat. Our waiter convinced me that their lamb was their specialty. I don't usually order lamb in an Italian restaurant but he assured me it was excellent. This was one of the worst pieces of meat I have ever been served. It was the rib cage that was mostly fat with just a thin tendinous piece of meat. It also was the most expensive dish on the menu. My wife had the veal saltimbocca, this was dried out and in a most unappealing gelatinous sauce. The waiter then tried to push deserts. Finally when I payed my check, another waiter pressured me on tip. This is a restaurant that should be avoided, there are plenty of places with excellent pasta without the used car sales tactics. This is a tourist trap filled with Americans read more

We got lucky getting seated on a busy night without reservation and that was the best part. It turned out to be a rough and inaccurate introduction to the gastronomic scene in Roma. Food was mediocre at best and the service was rude and snobbish. Lucky we won't have a chance to go back there read more

Food was delicious, I had the roasted lamb and artichoke. Followed by tiramisu and cherry tart for dessert. Maximillian was a phenomenal waiter. Must try restaurant. read more

Da Felice a Testaccio is situated in a distinctly unpromising, residential area of Rome but its authentic Roman dishes draw in the locals and the tourist alike. A speciality of the house is tonnarelli cacio-pepe, a Roman dish that is home-made pasta, with cheese and pepper mixed in by the server at the table. The menu is just as Roman as ever, with classics including bucatini all'amatriciana (hollow spaghetti served in a sauce of tomatoes, onion, pancetta and pecorino cheese) and abbacchio al forno con patate (lamb baked with potatoes). Their tiramisu di felice served in a glass, with more rich chocolate and less coffee flavour than is usual was nonetheless enjoyable. Pairing it with grappa set the night. Wine selection I shall say is comprehensive. They have a few of my fav Italian wines such as Aglianico, Amarone, Barolo, Barbaresco, and so much more. Although the service is poor, I gave them 4 stars as to be honest, the food is nothing less than stellar! Book in advance as this is the place to come for real Roman cooking. read more

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Everything from top to bottom made this place fantastic. Having the sommelier pick your wine is such a luxury. She chose a fantastic bottle that was 60 euro, which is a bargain compared to Chicago. We had the artichoke appetizer which was amazing. Soft and basted in olive oil made it delightful. Also had the ravioli to split and that had excellent flavor. Fettuccine pasta was next (my favorite) was splendid. You could really taste it was fresh and handmade. I should have ordered 2. Finally the wife and I split the meatballs, they were tender and tasty as well. There is nothing bad I could say about this place. Make reservations early as they book up quickly. I barely got in a month in advance. Very nice and quaint location. Enjoy read more

I very seldom feel inclined to leave a yelp review but in this instance I find it necessary. My wife and I came to Italy for our honeymoon and the food was one of the biggest contributing factors in that decision. We spent four days in Rome and had it not been for this place we would have left disappointed. Most fortuitously, the staff was able to sneak us in at a table despite a full lunch booking. I cannot explain how grateful I am for that. The meal we received completely redeemed every other lackluster experience we had in Rome (tourist traps and overpriced dried pasta left and right). I came to Rome wanting cacio e pepe made with fresh pasta and Felice did not disappoint. Prepared table side, the dish is heavenly. Easily the most delicious thing I had in Rome and one of the tastiest things I've eaten period. My wife had linguine with a ragu, which she quantified as the best ragu she had ever tasted and she is a person who does not dole out culinary compliments casually. Again, all the pasta is all hand made and exquisitely fresh, which I have found is a surprising rarity in Rome. Then we moved on to the second course. We both ordered meatballs (as Americans who grew up on Italian comfort food, how could you not?). They were amazing. Excellent flavor and consistency and the red sauce was simply incredible. We had a few other side dishes, artichoke and a traditional Roman salad, but the fresh pasta and the meatballs were what made the meal. We finished with a tiramisu, also delicious. Again, the pasta is fudging amazing and worth every Euro penny (if that's even a thing). The place is full of locals, which is a testament to the quality of the cuisine and, while the waitstaff is busy and the service is unfrilled (we poured our own wine and water and the bread is served unaccompanied by oils or butter), it was hands down the most magnificent Italian food to have ever graced my taste buds. The fact that we were seated without a reservation was purely good fortune, and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to sample their wonderful cuisine. You have to venture off the beaten path to get there and, unless the heavens shine upon you as they did with us, you would be best served reserving a table in advance, but I would never dream of a trip to Rome where Felice wasn't a requisite stop. If you're looking for amazing fresh pasta and, in particular, if you are looking to try cacio e pepe, don't look anywhere else. read more

Following the great reviews on yelp I made a reservation through the concierge to dine at this restaurant. Upon arrival I was disappointed to see that the seat that was reserved was right in the doorway where I constantly experienced cold air every time someone open the door. The seat was also next to the cashier and a cooler. Moreover it was where all of the waitstaff brought the dishes right behind my back. Had this been the only seat available I would have been okay with that. But the whole time I was there I was looking at other seats that were much better and I would've been much happier with which kind of pissed me off. So for ambience I was very disappointed. The food was some of the best that I had in Rome. I had the caccio e Pepe which was my first time and found that it was very yummy. The artichoke Roman style here is excellent. Service was slow. Also the waitress gave me what looked like leftover bread while everyone around got a nice bread basket. WTF! I recommend this restaurant actually trattoria with reservations. My reservations being that you make sure you get a good seat. The place is very small so I recommend you request a window seat. read more

Ordered the Tonnarelli with pepper and cheese for primi then meatballs for secondi. Amazing dinner. Would highly recommend. The server chose a bottle of wine for us, which was a wine of the year. It was a bit pricey but worth it. My mother ordered the ravioli, which I liked a bit more than my dish! A must go when in Rome. read more

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2.5 stars. Despite the great reviews, DH and I thought Da Felice was just mediocre. We came on a Friday night but since we didn't have a reservation and they were fully booked, we made a reservation for Saturday at 7PM. When we arrived, we were the first and only table, and were seated immediately. Service was neither great nor bad, but our waiter didn't tell us they had any specials or we certainly would've ordered one of them. Also, when we inquired about the seasonal vegetables, he only told us there was one kind (and we heard from the table next to us, who had a different waiter, that there were 4-5 different vegetables). We ordered the popular cacio e pepe, which was essentially just pasta with cheese with minimal to no pepper taste. We also ordered the T-bone steak which was pretty decent except that it was undercooked for medium. The redeeming factor was the tiramisu mousse which included bits of what tasted like shortcake/biscotti. The mousse also had very rich chocolate fudge without being too sweet. Overall, it was an ok meal but definitely overrated and nothing to rave about. read more

Recommended by a friend and über foodie from NYC this restaurant was lively, busy and friendly to English speaking Americans. My husband and I were very impressed. The pasta was cooked so perfectly al dente style and the meatballs with tomato sauce were bursting with delicious flavor. Desserts were excellent too. Reservations are a must. read more

Felice a Testaccio is located in a quiet residential neighborhood. It was nice to be away from the hoards of tourists and off the beaten path. The restaurant has been serving Roman classic dishes since 1936. It is Roman tradition that each day of the week corresponds to a traditional dish. Your waiter will review the menu options of the day. There are seasonal options. The restaurant offers over 200 wines. My friends made a reservation for our dinner when they had dinner at Felice a Testaccio a few weeks prior. The restaurant is small and they were busy. Reservations are highly recommended. (We were told they were booked three months out.) The restaurant serves lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are taken by telephone. The Tonnatelli Cacio e Pepe exceeded my expections. The table-side preparation was fun. The pepper broth, Pecorino Romano, and the egg pasta made in a fast and furious manner is a Roman technique and tradition. We also enjoyed the Saltimbocca alla Romana and the eggplant parmigiana. Abbacchio al forno (roasted lamb) and polpette al sugo (meatballs) were very popular choices this evening. We were craving leftovers the next day! www.feliceatestestaccio.it read more

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This restaurant was recommended to us by our hotel. They have a daily menu and a menu of specialties for each day of the week. They did not have many items available on either menu.......less than half. My husband ordered sliced grilled beef and the cut of beef was not good, very tough. I would definitely not go again. Not good! read more

I arrived at the restaurant at 7:10pm right after they opened. Dressed in simple business attire. Unfortunately I am American and by myself. Even though the restaurant was empty I was told that I could not be seated without a reservation. I asked if I could eat quickly since the restaurant was empty? I was told no. Just then a couple of people(who spoke limited English, but obviously not American) walked in and asked to sit even though they did not have reservations. The same woman told them in English, they could sit but would need to hurry and be finished by 8:45pm. An hour and half. They said no thank you and left. I politely asked if I could eat quickly and she said "I only have tables for 2 or more without a reservation". So apparently my order would have been too small and I'm pretty sure she doesn't care for Americans for some reason. I didn't raise my voice or act in any strange behavior. I simply walked outside and opened this app. I have been in Rome for three days and have been treated very very well, except for this one woman. I'm going to assume that any other person or employee would have made room for me. read more

Locale carino, ben frequentato, cibo ottimo e tipico romano! prezzi non esagerati... lo consiglio a tutti, io ci sono stato di domenica a pranzo ed alle 15.00 era ancora pienissimo! a proprosito cacio&pepe TOP CLASS!!! read more

Very disappointing. Food was over cooked, some dishes cold, low quality ingredients were obvious. Staff argued with us when we complained about the quality. Don't go. read more

Worst service ever. I made a dinner reservation for 7 pm for four. When we arrived we were shoved into a corner table by the service station, the staff repeatedly, bumped me during dinner getting dishes & never apologized. When we sat down we were given two menus for four people. When we asked for more we were given one more menu with a lot of attitude. A number of the dishes we wanted, several of them specials for the day, were not on the menu. Disappointed, we declined to order alternate dishes despite the head waiter's obnoxious bullying to order more. Service was inordinately slow, people who entered after us were almost done before our first dishes showed up. When my meal arrived I was rudely informed that a side I had ordered was not available. The waiter pressured me to order another dish, but I refused. At this point I was steaming mad at the rudeness of our waiter. The meal was so-so. It certainly does not merit such snotty pretentious behaviour on the part of the head waiter. I don't mind spending a lot of money on a good meal, but this meal was terrible. I do not go out to be treated like garbage, but this is how the staff treated us. I have eaten in restaurants around the world, but this restaurant is by far the worst mainly because of the snotty staff and piss poor service. read more