Skip this tourist trap. They might charge you extra, give poor service, lose your order, and waste your time. I wish they would have just said, we're too busy we can't seat you and saved us the trouble. This was a truly frustrating experience. We were seated quickly and told we either have to order the fixed menu (75 euro per person) or order a first and second course from a diverse menu. We ordered a first and second course and waited. The table next to us had ordered 10 min after us ( the ordered the same dish) and they got their food, and we did not. Our first dishes never came and after one hour of waiting we asked for the check for the sparkling water we drank and bread basket they set out for us so we could leave an eat elsewhere (we were hungry and there was no end to waiting in sight). They reassured us that food would come in 5 min. They placated us with some small bites ( these were tasty but very small) of food and another 20 minutes later our second course came. I got the pasta with mussels which was good. Then we waited some more, and asked for the check, then our neighbors did, they got theirs first and we didn't get ours. Finally 2 hours in, we received the check. You guessed it, it had all of the food on it even though we never received half of our meal. The charge was 130 euros for water, bread, pasta, and a serving of cod. we asked them to take the items off that we didn't receive and they returned 22 euros. This was for oxtail and squash blossoms (which was the incorrect amount). We were still hungry and just wanted to go (wishing we had left earlier and gotten food elsewhere before a lot of places closed). This was long, drawn out, and they were dishonest about the bill (it had a lot of extra charges). This is a tourist trap. It's way more expensive than other places around and had nothing to show for it. I recommend you skip. read more

This wasn't just a meal, but an experience. We started out our first ever trip to Rome with dinner here and had the coursed out menu. To. Die. For. And the service was impeccable. read more

Sora Lella is a must go when in Rome. Location is great, and the Roman taster menu is unreal. All homemade down to the ricotta cheese... and if you can, ask Giuliano to assist with your wine selection. He paired all of our dishes beautifully and made this dinner our most memorable and favorite of them all (this was our 4th night and we tried many marquee spots). Highly recommend for anyone wanting a local flavor with a classy ambiance and top tier wine list. A+ !!! read more

This is a classic Roman restaurant that has been here for a long time. Located on a small island it's a beautiful old style restaurant with multiple rooms downstairs and upstairs for dinner. The menu is quite big with a lot of choices for starters, mains and desserts. The wine list here is also good with a nice selection of Italian wines. We decided to have the Roman menu which is a multi course fixed menu and it was an excellent choice. One of the best gnocchis I have ever tasted and everything was really good. The saltimboca was good and the Roman dessert in the end of dipping biscuits in Vin Santo was also lovely. Service was good and friendly and the ambience was also very nice. I really enjoyed my meal here and I would happily come here again. One of my local colleagues brought me here and I was glad he did. read more

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Was excited to come to what seems like a low key restaurant that's been Michelin starred multiple times. Plus Anthony Bourdain showcased it on his show. We got here around 2:30 on a Tuesday and still had to wait 5-7 min, mainly it turns out because there was one sever for the whole room. We started with the sampler app with the rice ball (delicious, perfect rice, cheesy), meatball (perfectly flavorful and tastes homemade) & the seafood ball (so Soo flavorful). Pass on the bread basket which oddly has breadsticks in packs, saltine crackers and then some rustic bread; wasn't worth it. We had the rigatoni carbonara which was incredibly smoky because of the pork cheeks and salty from the good quality Parmesan. I still enjoyed the carbonara better at Zi Umberto. The squid was awesome though also on the saltier side. The eggplant parm was good as well, but the eggplant was thin to non existent and it was just covered in different cheese; good quality but still felt like loads of melted cheese. Didn't taste any honey and walnut though... Expect slow service especially in trying to get your check. Overall everything was pretty salty and the eggplant had an over use of cheese that felt more like a high quality cheese being used to the amount of olive garden's standards. But it's again Michelin star so I can only trust that its done in its careful culinary way. read more

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I regret not having a real meal here. I ordered gelato and had the coffee, pistachio and hazelnut flavors. All were amazing. Perfectly flavored, tasted fresh and authentic, not overly sweet. Best find for a hot day. Cash only. You can sample more than 1 flavor! read more

Sora Lella - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

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Sora Lella was solid, but I really had much higher expectations from all the Michelin and Zagat ratings and the 2.5 hour wait. Luckily, we weren't too hungry when we stopped by for reservations at 7, and I would highly recommend you stop by in advance to put your name down. We thought it helped, but by 9:30, there were a few tables left... The service was extremely slow. There only seemed to be one waiter for all of the upstairs tables (and maybe he was even handling some downstairs?). Either way, he would take forever to stop by our table even after we made eye contact with him multiple times. As for the food, we got the fettucini and steak. While the dried porcini and ham sauce on the fettucini was tasty and flavorful and the noodles filling, the steak was blander and forgettable--and thus was somewhat of a let down compared to all the other great steaks we had during our time in Italy. I doubt I'll ever be back just because there are so many other places to try in Rome, but I would probably splurge a little more and try the Roman tasting menu or just more Roman dishes if I did. I just didn't think there was anything that made Sora Lella any more special than all of the other great local restaurants we tried. read more

Sora Lella - fettucini and steak - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

A charming & delicious gem off the beaten path. It is a must visit! Family history was so fascinating & the service was friendly & the food was outstanding! read more

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To start, the location of this place is just magical. You walk across a thousand year old stone bridge just to get here. We got to the island around sunset and the bridge was a perfect place for some nice pictures. It was also a shoot location for Anthony Bourdain so I was fangirling on the inside. It's just so surreal going to the place of one of your favorite episodes. Pretty awesome experience just getting to the restaurant. We made reservations the day before so we had a seat in the front of the restaurant. We were also dressed very nicely because on Yelp it said that dress was formal and jacket was required. I could have not been more wrong. A lot of people came in with jeans and a t-shirt, which made me feel kinda overdressed, but oh well, at least we all looked good. To start we were each given a complimentary suppli, which was exactly what I wanted. A fried ball of hot cheese and rice, a perfect beginner to a comforting Roman meal. We ordered their meatballs for our antipasta and their house wine to drink. Our waiter told us that their meatballs were from their Mom's recipe and that they named the restaurant after their mother. I've had a lot of meatballs in my life from a lot of different places, but these were the real deal. The red sauce was balanced and the meatballs could be cut with a spoon. They just dissolved in your mouth. They weren't gritty or gristly, just smooth, soft and surprisingly light. Best meatballs I've ever had to this day. For our pasta course my Aunt and I split the creamy cheese and pork cheek pasta. It was a little too salty probably because the cheese sauce was salty and the pork was, but the thick pasta helped. I also tried my Dad's pasta dish which was with mussels, parsley, olive oil and a sprinkle of cheese. Dad's pasta dish was way better then my salty one. The mussels had that seafood umami flavor that every foodie loves. The thick pasta that they had was really unique and helped with the super flavorful toppings. My Aunt and I split the squid stuffed with eggplant. I had been splitting meals with my Aunt all throughout this vacation and I had learned that she really loves calamari. I had been picking all our meals mostly out of my own interests so I wanted to pick a dish that I knew she would like. Do something nice for her on our last dinner in Italy. I'm not exactly squid's number one fan, but I had to have an eggplant dish here in Italy. The squid actually wasn't all that bad. Not too chewy, but not exactly melt in your mouth. The eggplant inside was the real gift. It was slow cooked eggplant that was falling apart on the fork. The dish was a little small and I was also splitting it so of course I also ate some of everyone else's dishes at my table. My Dad got the stuffed lamb special with gravy and mashed potatoes. He gave me a crispy outside piece of lamb with some potatoes and gravy. My Dad said that the gravy reminded him of my Grandma's gravy. He loved it. My Aunt and Uncle split the chicken tomato, onion and pepper dish, which was the best entree out of them all. Super tender chicken topped with a slow cooked tomato sauce, onions and peppers. All these dishes took time, effort, pride and passion. Dessert was simple, yet delicious, the core of Italian and Roman fare. My Aunt had to get the tiramisu, her favorite dessert and I got their homemade crema gelato with strawberries. The tiramisu had a little too much coca powder on top, it made my Aunt choke up at the first bite. That cocoa powder is really easy to breath in and make you cough. I didn't have any of the tiramisu, I was already stuffed, I just wanted my crema and strawberries. The gelato was yellow since they made it in house with fresh eggs. Creamy gelato and sweet strawberries, a perfect last bite of Italy. This is an experience you have to have if you're in Rome. It's just a magical place. read more

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I came here because Bourdain had recommended it on the Rome episode. It did not disappoint. In fact it was very good. When you walk in it has the feel of a your neighborhood restaurant. My wife had a local dish: Coratella d'Abbacchio con Carciofi Mixed lamb offal (liver, heart, spleen) with artichokes. It was superb. If in Rome pass by. read more

Made a reservation for dinner for two and were pleasantly surprised that there was a four course tasting menu. We ordered the house wine and it was delicious. The veal meatballs were amazing and so was the gnocchi. The lamb had a bit too much sauce on it for my liking but the meat was tender. The cheesecake for dessert was so good. Not overly sugary and definitely homemade. I would definitely recommend this quaint place for a dinner out! read more

I emailed earlier in the day and received a timely response that I would be blessed with a reservation that evening. I was seated immediately at a table in the front of the restaurant. From this vantage point, I was able to observe many people attempting to walk in for a table and kindly asked to return tomorrow. As I was dining alone, I opted to go for the half portions which allowed me to try a few dishes. I found the half portions to be more than adequate. The mint in the cacio e Pepe is a bold choice and surprisingly good. Subtle and not too overpowering, it gives a unique twist to the traditional dish. For my second course I had the Involtoni di Manzo alla Romano con Peperoni di Pontecarvo, which is beef roman style in a white sauce with red peppers. The sweet of the red pepper was perfect with the beef. I found God in the Gelato Amleto. I had tears of joy as I took in each bite. Described as "Zabaione Gelato topped with amaretti and reduction red wine, I would describe it as heaven on earth. The chef is in amazing artist who takes great pride in his masterpieces. Rightfully so. His creations are like a symphony in your mouth. Everyone who comes here leaves with a lighter step and a sparkle in their eye. There is something magical about this place. I hope it isn't too long before my return. read more

First, to clarify, this is a Michelin Guide restaurant NOT a Michelin Star restaurant. People seem to have the two confused. Inclusion in the guide does not mean a star, though the same criteria is used to qualify both inclusion in the guide and awarding of a star. Second, even though this restaurant is highly regarded in by locals, if you read the English reviews, experiences about the food are pretty mixed. Of the five cities I visited in Italy, Rome's "al dente" preference was the firmest. Yes, compared to American Italian food, it's so firm we'd say the pasta is unmistakably undercooked and raw in the middle, but I believe this is how the Romans prefer it since all the other pasta I ate in Rome were just as firm. If you want something soft, try the gnocchi or skip the pasta dishes. I'd also say Roman food is a lot saltier than what I'm used to. Now onto the review: VIBE// From the outside, it looks more like a residence than a dining establishment. Once inside, it doesn't look much different, just cozier. It feels like you're eating in someone's table-crammed parlor and living space, but I thought that was charming in itself. Space is tight, and you practically touch elbows with the next table, but as the place fills up, it builds up with a hushed chatter that creates its own special ambiance. Even though it's tight, tables somehow don't intrude on one another except through curious glancing eyes. FOOD// Having mentioned the two caveats about Roman food, it's not really suited to my palate so I didn't enjoy the food as much as I thought I would. The Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe may look like a small portion, but it's actually very filling. The egg-based tonnarelli is thick and coated in a generous amount of pecorino romano, which I found very gamey (but if you love sheep/goat products, then you'd probably enjoy this). The only thing I found okay was the tripe. Not gamey at all, very tender, use of mint was subtle, and the tomato sauce just right and not too acidic. SERVICE// was fantastic. No, it wasn't particularly extraordinary, but it was such a stark contrast to the way I saw (and experienced myself) foreign tourists treated in the most touristic Italian cities. There was no friendliness at the door, but once we were granted a table inside, we walked in to be greeted warmly and with smiles by the staff inside. Mind you, we look like non-European foreigners. We took some time going through the menu (which does have English) and were never rushed. The waiter spoke to us in English without us even assuming they would. When the first dish arrived, the server figured out right away that we were planning on sharing the dishes and brought extra plates without my needing to ask. This level of attention never happened again during my whole trip (but I don't eat at fancy restaurants, so...). Empty plates were taken away fairly quickly (during which time the lunch rush was well under way). On leaving, every staff member said their partings, including the hostess. Service itself was 5 stars. ENTRY// I'm not sure whether getting a table here is down to staff whim or one's manners, but having read other people's experiences at the door in preparation for my own visit, I was really expecting to be turned away at the door. We didn't have a reservation (though that was the first thing the hostess asked) and got in without a wait during lunch. There was also an Italian tourist couple that got sat without a reservation after us. The place also filled up quite quickly and easily as there aren't that many tables. If you want to avoid disappointment or wasting precious time, I'd say the safer bet is to reserve a table beforehand because there's already plenty of other stuff in Rome that you have to queue up for. read more

Rome is not known to have the best food in Italy. In fact, Rome typically has been my least favorite place for dining in Italia. However, Sora Lella, with its inventive, yet still traditional, Italian cuisine, inspired me. Sora Lella is located on the island of Tiburtina in Rome, which I think is a pedestrian island. Approaching it from the outside, you see all of the many touristy awards that it won in stickers on the windows. However, the outside is decorated like a nonna's house, all lace curtains, old-school style. The crowd is a mix of tourists and Italians, and the waiter and other staff were courteous and kind. We started with an inexpensive, but really good, bottle of house red (a must have in Italia), but I recall that they had a pretty decent wine list outside of the house. The food is mid-range in price (15ish for primi, 20-25 for mains). Now, to the food! I had the best eggplant parmigiana I ever had in my life. EVER! It was insanely delicate, so smooth and soft, cut extremely easily. The parm was made with honey and walnuts, which sounds kind of strange but was amazing -tthe slight touch of sweet was a nice compliment to the acid of the tomatoes and earthiness of the eggplant. It was truly an outstanding dish. We also got meatballs, which are a house special, and are as light as air, and the Roman artichoke (one huge artichoke), which was also delicious. Definitely a must visit in Rome. read more

I think my expectations were set just a little too high by all of the Michelin stickers on their door. We made the mistake of arriving 10 minutes early for our reservation. The door was locked and when I rang, they said they weren't open and re-locked the door, thereby leaving us on the street, in the wind, while a small crowd gathered. When they did finally allow us in, we were greeted by the overpowering smell of cigarette smoke. Lovely. I started with the Suppli Aldo, or rice balls, which were OK, but nothing I would recommend. For the primi, I had the ravioli, which was good, then I got the oxtail, which was a disappointment. There was hardly any meat on the oxtails and the sauce was rather bland. I did try my companion's chicken with peppers and was a little jealous, as it was far better than my meal. I just didn't find anything special about my meal or the experience. read more

I come to Sora Lella with some friends of mine, who lives in Rome, and they assured me that I would have found the best, absolutely typical, original Roma's kitchen...so it has been! I never ever eaten a such delicious "Carbonara" (italian pasta with eggs, guanciale = a kind of italian bacon, cheese and pepper). Simply simply amazing! So too tasty and rich in flavour and ingredients. It had a very satisfying lunch for sure (portion are big enough to eat only one dish of food) and the service very kindle and supplied with "italian style" mood. To summarize for you: to be tested for sure for everyone in Rome coming from a foreign country to taste the original italian flavour. (the location is amazing too...it is directly located on the Tevere River, in the center od Rome as well). read more

One of my favorite restaurants in Rome! We went on the recommendation of Anthony Bourdain and it did not disappoint. While eating we were making a list of our favorite places and two little Italian women who are dining next to us saw our list and gave us more recommendations in Italian! We were able to converse through our limited Spanish abilities. Overall: you should go! read more

We saw Sora Lella on The Layover and decided to give it a try. We started with The Caprese salad and Meatballs as an appetizer. The Caprese Salad was perfect, fresh tomatoes and mozzarella with pesto. The meatballs were also great, made of tender veal and sauced to perfection. For our main course we got veal fettuccine and pork cheek carbonara. The veal fettuccine was good but I would not say it was anything special. The pork cheek carbonara had a good sauce but the pasta was a bit undercooked. I understand that pasta should be al dente but this was definitely just undercooked. The Hostess was awesome but the service was mediocre. read more

It's interesting that a non descript restaurant can exist on this tiny little island on the tiber with a church and some other buildings. Some people look at the menu and walk on. It maybe touristy in The area but they have a Michelin star! With the promise of elevated traditional Roman cuisine which has been here since the 50s i had to go. At 1.50pm i was told to come back in 20 minutes! So i walked around and then they had a space for me. The house special tonnarelli Cuccagna with sausage, cheese and pancetta with walnuts and cheese seemed popular so i got it to start. Then trippa alla Romana was a must to see tradition. Finally, the house ricotta gelato made for a fine finish. The servers here are fairly friendly and the one girl that is here for lunch is awesome. There's two dining rooms on the main floor and one upstairs i didnt see. Old school decor and the view into the square and over the bridge make it a unique setting. 4.5 stars. read more

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My husband and I walked to this gem of a restaurant because it was recommended by the concierge at our hotel. This recommendation was on point. It's one of my favorite restaurants in Italy. It is clear that the restaurant is not a tourist trap. My husband and I were surrounded by locals who were speaking fluent Italian. The ambiance is cozy and warm. The food is outstanding. We ordered one suppli as a starter. It was perfectly crisp on the outside and creamy and decadent on the inside. I ordered the fettucine al pomodoro and my husband ordered the gnocchi all amatriciana. I could write poems about the fettucine al pomodoro. It's such a simple dish, but when prepared properly it is life changing. The tomato sauce was not bitter or sour, but the taste of tomato really shined through. The handmade noodles were thick and substantial to hold onto the sauce. My husband's dish was also incredible. The homemade gnocchi had a smokey tomato flavor. For dessert we ordered the tiramisu, which was rich and decadent. Later, I discovered that this restaurant was featured on The Layover. I'm so happy that Anthony Bourdain agrees with my opinion that this place is fabulous. read more

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Great experience overall; very well prepared and fresh ingredients, so the flavors were clear and layered. The service was attentive and frequent so courses were brought out very timely and thoughtfully. Can't wait to go back when I return to Italy. read more

We didn't really think it was mind blowing as Mr. Bourdain would have us believe. That being said, a solid 4 star for food and service. Gnocchi Alla with pork cheek was delicious. Such a unique combination, tenderness in a perfect package. Oxtail was the standout dish, excellently prepared, nearly flawless in texture, bite, and flavor, and so meaty. Calamari, grilled, was alright. Baby lamb: quite tender. Suckling pig was underwhelming, it wasn't crispy, rather soggy instead. Coratella d'Abbacchio con Carciofi (Mixed lamb offal) was very very good. Definitely go back if I could. read more

Sora Lella was the best meal we had in Italy!! This old school family-run restaurant is located on the Isola Tiberna- such a lovely setting! The tasting menus are a great way to sample the menu! They even have a vegetarian tasting menu!! Standouts were the Eggplant Parmigiana (unlike any other I've had, made with honey and walnuts), and seafood risotto. They also make they own sorbetto and gelato which are both excellent! Simone, one of the proprietors was friendly and so helpful. He made us feel so welcome. and even wrote us a list of authentic Roman eateries in NYC (our hometown), where he lived for a few years. If you want the authentic Roman family restaurant experience- this is it! read more

Talk about unnecessary discrimination. After lying to us about their hours (while people were walking in and their doors were open) and lying about availability (as there were countless empty tables), they aggressively forced us out. Their manager, a big burly man, was in our face and used his girth to push us out. They made comments about "Americans" and didn't even allow us to experience their eatery. We have never been treated so badly in all of our travels to Rome/Italy. If you're American, skip this spot. read more

One of Anthony Bourdain's recommendations from his Layover in Rome and it was fantastic! We had the suppli and veal meatballs for an appetizer and the Eggplant "Parmigiana" with ricotta cheese honey and walnut for the main course! The ambiance was cozy, trendy and semi-formal. read more

Pretty average. Had pasta and was not impressed at all. The seafood tasted pleasant but the pasta was undercooked. Wouldn't come back. However the gelato shop next door is amazing. read more

Sora Lella - Pretty average seafood pasta dish for 14euro - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

I was very excited to try this restaurant based on the reviews. We had made reservations a week in advance. Took the bus and walked in the rain to the restaurant. When we walked in, we said we had a reservation at 8. He laughed and said no. We thought he was joking so we laughed back and replied are you serious? Oh.. he was serious. We asked multiple times if it was under different names, thinking maybe they wrote it down wrong. When we asked if we could get a table, he then laughed again and said no. When we walked out to tell the others, they locked the door behind us. Horrible service! read more

Great meal - last night of an 8-day stay in Roma! Was unaware of all the exposure that this restaurant had received in the US - just looked in the window walking by one morning - and liked what I saw. Came back the next day in the morning and made a reservation for that same night. Cmae in at the reserved time - and was seated immediately - service was attentive. Just the two of us - enjoyed the Tonnarelli alla Cuccagna - and the lamb (Abbacchio alla Cacciatora) - lamb braised with white wine - and just a touch of vinegar to brighten it up and balance out the rich/fatty meat - perfect. Accompanied by a nice, reasonably priced Barbera. Another typical - very-good - meal in Roma! read more

A recommendation of a Roman friend. Solid Roman style meal. Meatballs and the prosciutto and cheese delicious. Carbonara was tasty.

Excellent, food was wonderful and great price. The "degustation menus" are well served portions. 2 adults and 2 children enough ordering 2 menus. Reservation required 48hours before. Service 5stars! read more

This restaurant is fantastic. When in Rome I go at least once. I never look at the menu I leave it to Simone or Mauro to surprise me. The food the atmosphere are fantastic. You never feel rushed. It is located on a small island. Quite charming. Don't miss this restaurant. read more

Definitely my favorite restaurant in Rome. The Trabalza family outdoes itself every time I eat there. I honestly don't know what is on the menu as I let them feed me. The last time I was there it was small plates with a glass of accompanying wine. Then I had my bottle Habemus wine suburb. My daughter was there and she was stuffed with delicious tidbits of food. I highly recommend Sora Lella to all. read more

Sora Lella - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

This place deserves a solid 5 stars and is a must-try if you're in Rome. One of my absolute favorite restaurants in the world! read more

Everything was great with the exception of my Rigatoni...It tasted like they took Velveeta cheese and a pound of salt and blended them together. Unfortunately I couldn't even finish it because of how much salt was in it, just horrible. Having said that everything else was phenomenal...the veal ragout pasta and the homemade pistachio ice cream especially! read more

Husband and I came here after seeing Anthony Bourdain eat here on the Layover. Again, Anthony did not let us down. We started with the cured meat plate. It wasn't the most impressive spread, but enjoyable nonetheless. I ordered the gnocchi with pork cheek and my husband got the veal and mashed potatoes. We split a side of chicory. The gnocchi was the best I have ever had. The gnocchi were larger in size than what I am used to, with an amazing, soft texture. Husbands veal was very good as were the mashed potatoes. The chicory was fantastic! Husband and I feel in love with chicory while in Italy. For dessert we split the tiramasu. I honestly don't remember how good the tiramasu was. By the time dessert came out I had the better part of a bottle of vino bianco in me. When/if I come back to Rome, I'll definitely come back to Sora Lella. This was the best meal we had in Rome. It was the best meal of our honeymoon, before we ate at Kofein in Prague. read more

Delicious, delicious, delicious. If you're looking to avoid the tourist traps and have a great meal in Rome, this is your spot.

My wife and I visited Sora Lella while on our honeymoon. It was our favorite meal in Rome. We were fortunate to be seated without a reservation and the waiter and staff were very hospitable. The food was the best. Grab a drink at the bar around the corner, sit on their patio and watch mass take place at the church steps away before dinner. This was our favorite Rome experience and look forward to returning. read more

Maybe I hit this place on a bad night, but I was very disappointed with our dinner here. My husband and his sister's pasta was under cooked, and my dish was a little bland. The service was ok, and it has a very family feel about it. It was on one of Anthony Bourdain's recommendations list, so we thought it was worth a try. read more

Seriously great food, attention to detail and great service. A small, intimate restaurant with a small menu where they can make sure they do everything well. The island location offers a romantic setting to have a quick apertif or a nice river walk after dining. read more

What an amazing experience. We had 2 Traditional Roman Tasting Menus with Wine, and a seafood tasting menu. Everything was absolutely delectable. The owners and staff were kind, patient, and courteous. 10/10, would dine again. =) read more