So Rome was our last city on a two week Italian vacation. Like any large tourist city, Rome is full of tourist traps catering to the masses looking to stuff themselves with the "authentic" local experience. Here is some unsolicited but hopefully useful advice: if you want to eat well in Europe find the eateries tucked in neighborhoods away from the main tourist spots. If the menu is glossy, has photographs of the food and comes in three or more languages, stay away. As far as Rome is concerned, we chose to stay in the Trastevere district based on its reputation for being where the locals hang out for wining, dining and night time frolicking. We were not disappointed. As far as this restaurant, we picked it because we were looking for an authentic, home-cooked style restaurant away from the crowds and that is exactly what we got. The food was excellent, the service was excellent and the price was right. If you eat a full Italian meal with all its courses you will leave stuffed. It's almost too much food. There is plenty of food to share in each course. As far as the location, the good news is that it is tucked far enough away within the ancient labyrinth of streets that is Trastevere that you really do avoid all but the most discerning of curious tourists. The bad news, if you want to call it that, is that the restaurant is basically in an alley, so unless you get one of the corner tables (if you are sitting outside) your only view is of the wall of the building in front of you, which is only barely a car width away, and whatever you can see down the alley (which is just more alley). Having said that, if you're there for the food and not the view, you will not be disappointed. After all, there are plenty of other places in Rome where you can go sight seeing and get magnificent views. But when it's time to eat, come here. A note on service in Italy (at least in all the places we went to): if you are accustomed to American service standards you might find yourself a little frustrated. In the U.S. servers usually come back to your table with relative frequency to check on you and see if you need anything. Often they guess when you are ready to go and bring you the bill without you even asking for it. Sometimes it might even be a little too much service. Italy does not have this problem. We found that the typical server will visit your table when you first get there to take your drink order and drop off the menu, then will take some time to come back for your order, then will come back with each course as it becomes ready and then you will likely not see them again for a while. When you finally do ask for the bill do not expect the pace to get any quicker, it's going to be a while. Sometimes a long while. The Italian lifestyle, and I suppose Mediterranean culture in general, sits in contrast to the American in at least one important aspect: life, especially eating, is not something to be taken in a hurry. If you come to grips with this and embrace it you will save yourself a lot of anxiety and fretting. I think this is probably a good thing. Relax, take it easy. Talk, laugh, enjoy your meal. But, having said that, if you think you might want to order another drink or need something else, strike when the iron is hot and the server comes back to your table to drop something off. Otherwise chances are you will not see them again for a while. read more

Location closed? The Trattoria Da Lucia was closed on Tuesday around 7:40 PM with a sign on the door. I'm not sure if it is temporary or permanent... So, we went to Osteria il Botticelli right around the corner (cash only) and it was amazing. The best pasta we've ever had! read more

Trattoria Da Lucia - Notice on door - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

With so many trattorias in Rome catering to the tourist dollar, we have always felt we found a hidden gem with Lucia. First came here in 2010, courtesy of Rick Steve's guidebook, and it remains a steadfast and timeless eatery. We came for lunch this visit; light crowd for a waning October sun. Started w/ pecorino and honey, and salami/prosciutto. Complimented these w/ a Sauvignon Blanc, and what a wonderful start to a great meal. Cheese/honey were wonderfully creamy and tasty, and the salami had us wanting to order a roll to take home. Main courses were pasta ala grecia (sp?) and bombilloti all'amatriciana (see picture) . . . Perfection. Accompanied by a Classico Chianti, we could not have asked for a better luncheon. Add in friendly service, a quaint setting far enough off the path to minimize the tourist crowd, and reasonable prices, and you have a 5-star trattoria . . . Salut RS read more

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Great Service. The food was amazing we had the Coniglio ( rabbit ) . I will come this place next time we come back to Italy

We ate here a lot during our short trip to Rome. I think at least three times. The first was because we were hangry and tired after taking the train up from Salerno and couldn't get into our air bnb and the other two times were because it was that good. It's located on a tiny quiet street in Trastevere off of the beaten path. If we hadn't been staying on the street we never would have found it. I can only speak for the Cacio e Pepe and Bucatini all'Amatriciana but they were both amazing. And I guess I can also speak to the wine... If we go back to Rome this will probably be our first stop. We ate outside for all of our visits which I highly recommend. At night there were musicians passing through playing the music. It really felt like a small private patio in the middle of Rome. read more

Trattoria Da Lucia - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

We are visiting Rome this week and walked to Travestere and Trattoria da Lucia last night (Oct 19) only to find it closed completely. Not sure if the restaurant made it through the pandemic but it looked like it had been closed for a while. Around the corner several restaurants and shops were open and bustling in the area so there were other options for eating. We had always heard wonderful things about Trattoria da Lucia though and had wanted to try it. read more

Two of us came on a Sunday in September for late lunch and had to wait about 20 minutes to be sat. Not too bad on a clear and warm day in this super charming neighborhood. You could tell that the staff work hard and efficiently--we appreciated that--especially while we stood by for a table. When we did finally get to sit we did not at all feel rushed. The meal was easily one of the tastiest 2 or 3 from our two week vacation around the country. The spaghetti alla gricia was minimalist perfection with crispy/tender pork belly, pecorino romano, and fresh cracked pepper. The tripe alla romana was exquisitely tender and savory. Everything was so simply well prepared. Would eat here weekly if I lived here! read more

Trattoria Da Lucia - Spaghetti alla gricia being served--and tripe alla romana in the foreground. Would eat here weekly if I lived here! - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

Love this place.... stumbled upon it approx 5 years ago, and have been dreaming of the sounds from them slicing the crusty bread ever since. (So we had to make a visit here on our current trip!) You'll have to weave your way though the turnsy streets of the Trastavere neighborhood to find this gem. But we love it! Definitely order the bread service (3EUR)... i just love the hard slicing noise the server makes. It's so crusty on the outside, but delizioso on the inside. With the olive oil, balsamic, and some pepper. Mmmmm... With this visit my husband didn't want to drink anymore wine, so I order the small little carafe (3/4L) to myself. Only 2EUR! And then the house specialty (apparently) is the spaghetti alla gricia. Mmmm.... If you do not like parmesan, and specifically ALOT of parmesan, be sure to tell them to go light on the cheese. Cause the completely cover the pasta in parmesan, with some olive oil in the bottom of the plate -- so mix it around for sure. Small little slices of bacon pancetta -- OMG. So good.... But so full -- so full! Unfortunately no room for dolci. Cash only. And closed on Mondays. read more

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Yummy gricia spaghetti, meatballs and beef stew. We also loved the tiramisu! We will be back!!!

This place is amazing! Food was unreal and at a great price! Love the location. Favorite place to eat in all of Rome!!! read more

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After three days in Rome this has to be my favorite spot. This seemed like a traditional Italian place that has fantastic pastas, cheap house wine, and an awesome atmosphere in Trastevere. The patrons all seemed to be local, another couple or two that were tourists along with myself and my girlfriend. I'd recommend going on Thursday to snatch up their gnocchi. Otherwise their "spaghetti alla gricia" is spectacular. Be aware, they are cash only ahead of time. read more

Trattoria Da Lucia - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

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After seeing Da Lucia on a list of Rome's best trattorias, we ate there several times on our last two trips to Rome. It is a charming little local restaurant with very friendly and attentive service. Everything we had was excellent, and the dishes we saw other people eating looked great as well. We especially enjoyed the Gricia, Cacio e Pepe, and Carciofi alla Romana. The Amatriciana and Coda Alla Vaccinara looked great, but we'll have to try them on a future visit. The Panna Cotta was also excellent (Taste Atlas rates it among the best in Italy, and we can see why). read more

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The foods great but the tiramisu sucks ! The Sri Lankan server is a delight and really helpful and caring. But the business practices of the restaurant are devious! They are plain cheats! #1. They don't not accept cards to avoid Charges and taxes #2. They bill you for water even if haven't had any and you have to be careful when you receive the bill #3. The shocker: they will put some bread on the table and charge you Eur 7.50!!! They will just bill you for 2 portions !!! There are many places which serve you good food - but this place is a complete cheat and leaves a very bad taste on your palate in-spite of the food being good.. Will not visit again. read more

Wonderful trattoria in Trastevere. I ordered the Bombolotti con Sugo di Coda , with the sauce based on an umami dense oxtail tomato stew. We had Alici con Limone (again!!, our Italian culinary leitmotif). We shared also mixed grilled vegetables. The zucchini was scrumptious, with a nice tang, from balsamic I suppose ( I didn't get to ask) read more

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Lady and the Tramp meal (in the best way possible). Situated in a less touristy, more off the beaten path part of Trastevere, this restaurant was the perfect family-owned Italian restaurant, with both locals and tourists eating side by side. A friend and I split a plate of sheep's milk cheese (very good), got the bread service (best bread we had in Rome), and the bacon spaghetti that the server recommended (phenomenal). So simple yet so flavorful, the pasta was just seasoned with olive oil and Parmesan cheese, and we were happily stuffed at the end of the meal. Would return, would recommend. The only thing missing was some nice accordion music! read more

Trattoria Da Lucia - Bacon spaghetti - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

My husband and I stayed right around the corner from this place while in Trastevere and liked it so much we went back for a second round before leaving! The food is straight-forward, authentic Roman cuisine and executed perfectly. The rabbit cacciatore was so delicious and flavorful, it made it's way into the second meal without hesitation. Honestly, the best rabbit I've ever had. My husband stuck to pasta and wasn't disappointed, first trying their carbonara and then their Thursday gnocchi special. The carbonara pasta was perfectly al dente and the sauce rich and flavorful. The gnocchi were the lightest, most pillowy gnocchi I've ever tasted and a really nice tomato sauce to compliment them. You definitely can't go wrong with anything on the menu here and they've got a good wine list to compliment the excellent food. The service is very friendly and homey as well. read more

This is a solid place. There are clearly locals enjoying dinner. If I could give 3.5 stars, I would. But, I'll round up. But, this is pretty standard fare. And, with so many fantastic restaurants in Rome, I'd be hard pressed to come back to this clean, well serviced family spot. Everything we had was well executed, fresh, and tasted good. Gnocchi with red sauce...tasted good. The bread is fresh. And, the service was attentive. read more

Absolutely not recommendable! This restaurant, recommended by Lonely Planet's Rome guide as "authentic Roman kitchen" with "simply the best Antipasti" is a complete tourist ripp-off. May it be that it once was, but if, then I suspect it to be under new ownership, selling out the name while the light lasts. You'll be served by a Bangladeshi, your cook will be Bangladeshi and I suppose the dishwasher too. Just the unhelpful patron who counts the money seemed of the local brew. (And mind you, I have nothing against Bangladeshis or anyone else. I just don't like poor performance and high price.) I spare myself and you the time to go through the series of atrocities, just be assured, no Romans eat here, and for good reasons I may add. The pinnackle to me seemed the "Original Roman Salad", one (yes, one!) type of salad with a spat on anchovies-sauce, I am talking a desert sized plate which's surface the salad leaves barely covered, 6,50EUR. We haven't tried elsewhere in this touristy area, but it seemed in passing that it hardly could be worse anywhere else, excluded Mac Donalds perhaps. Stay away is what I say. read more

Yummmmy! The beef stew with onions was great. My sister and I split the seasoned vegetables as a starter and they were fantastic as well. Great prices and the bread served with dinner is so fresh! Adorable little spot. read more

Trattoria Da Lucia - Beef stew and spaghetti with cheese and pepper. - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

Food was tasty and good. We had a seasonal vegetable appetizer of green beans in tomato sauce. It was quite good, with just hint of heat. I had the beef stew with tomatoes and onions. Delicious! My wife had the spaghetti with cheese and black pepper which she liked as well. The only disappointment was desert, which was just kind of flat. Overall a nice place, good service, and good food. I'd just skip the desert. read more

This was our first dinner during our 4 day stay in Rome, and nothing else compared! We wish we had gone back again before we left. We did not have a reservation but they were still able to accommodate us. The waiter's food recommendation was fantastic and their house wine was to die for, we are working on finding this wine back home. Highly recommend, but probably a good idea to call for a reservation first. :) read more

Trattoria Da Lucia - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

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I loved this place. It's old with garlic n pictures hanging from the wall. Their special is cheese and pepper pasta.

This gem is located away from the major tourist areas in Trastevere, and is all the better for it. It's a beautiful little restaurant, and their pasta is superb. They serve wine in tumblers, which I wish was done everywhere. It's a very unpretentious restaurant - no wank, just good food and good service. I'd recommend booking ahead so you can guarantee getting a table outside. Also note: they don't take credit cards, so you'll need to make sure you bring enough cash to cover the meal. The nearest ATM (bancomat) is about 10 minutes walk away. read more

Food was 'ok' but nothing amazingly special. I think Da Lucia might have forgotten where they came from and are riding the tourist train a bit too much. Service not bad but way too quick. Almost like a fast food. You didn't feel especially welcome. Just order, eat, pay and get out. Steak was very good. But you get exactly what it says on the menu. Nothing more. Price quality was average. read more

Traditional Italian food! The waitress was so nice and understanding. The people speak English there too which is great. I got the cacio a Pepe and the dish was delicious. It's crazy how good pasta can be with just pepper and cheese. Prices are cheap too read more

If I ever opened up a small bistro this is what it would look like. Tiny establishment tucked away in the Trastevere area of Rome. As the residents of the area walk their dogs, and drive by in their Vespas, you sit outside on a slightly unlevel table (because the ground beneath you isnt level) and sip your chilled white wine while watching Romans around you having intense conversations in Italian (all their conversations always seem so raison d'etre). Lucia herself appears, smiling, and gives you your first course, an excellent cheese with some whipped marmalade (it had a more romantic name in Italian but I forget). The cheese is slightly sharp yet nutty, and the marmalade complements it well. You tear off chunks of homemade bread to get the last bits of marmalade as you finish up your appetizers .The pasta course is once again brilliant, made even better by the atmosphere. Mine has these delicious bitter greens in them (think sauteed chard but softer, a little more bite and way more flavor) . Again very little sauce but the pasta has absorbed it all so is uber flavorful. Sitting at this tiny trattoria, watching the world go by in this enchanting neighborhood, eating a magnificent plate of pasta and getting slowly lulled by good wine, you promise yourself that you'll come back to this eternal city and hope that you will be able to walk back here again and be greeted by Lucias shy yet generous smile . read more

Wow. Excellent meal in a lively neighborhood. We chose this place based on a recommendation from a friend and based on several reviews. The bread and house wine were great starters. I ordered the cacio e pepe and it was excellent- great flavor with slight peppery accent. My husband ordered the oxtail which had a wonderful seasoning almost like a slow cooked roast. He also ordered the green beans mixed in a tomato sauce - so yummy. Then we had the panna cotta for dessert and it was delicious- not too rich nor too light. The berries were very fresh. We sat outside with most tables filled and anyone without a reservation was turned away. I highly recommend Da Lucia. read more

Amazing pasta, little hidden gem of a place. If ever in Rome map it out its worth the walk. Make reservations in advance if you want to sit outside. delizioso read more

Service, food, and location all set the stage for an amazing dinner. We were fortunate to get a recommendation for Trattoria Da Lucia from a bartender at Ma Che Siete Venuti A Fa (great craft beer location) and it was spot on. Our plates, gnocchi and pomodoro, were simple, elegant dishes that has forever changed the way we will eat pasta... grazie mille! read more

Trattoria Da Lucia - The gnocchi was incredible! - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

I liked this place a lot. Wonderful cheese and honey (Pecorino e miele) and primo piatto, spaghetti alla gricia. My secondo was a grilled steak and I didn't like it at all: it tasted like the grill with no seasoning. But maybe that's how Romans like it? Still a neat place. read more

CASH ONLY Not a tourist trap! Make a reservation and ask to sit outside. Simple, Roman food - which I recommend. The fresh anchoives with olive oil and lemon were A++. The pecorino and honey starter was also awesome! The amatriciana pasta was a bit light on the sauce but it was tasty. Several of the items on the menu are seasonal, which I appreciated (either a winter or summer dish) - the Roman bean dish was great. read more

We stayed in an apartment around the corner from this place and decided to eat here on my birthday since it shares a name with my wife's sister. Pros: 1. The raw honey from the pecorino and honey appetizer was awesome. 2. We arrived shortly after it opened for dinner and were seated immediately, 45 minutes later the line for a table was about 15 people deep. 3. Wine and cold appetizers arrived quickly. Cons: 1. The waiter didn't write our order down, and then proceeded to screw it up completely. He brought my wife's salad and gnocchi, thinking the gnocchi was for me, he forgot my pasta order completely so by the time I had my pasta she was already done with her dinner. When I was finished with the so-so pasta I asked if he remembered I had ordered rabbit as a main, and he had not. We asked for the check and left. 2. They charge you 3 euros for the bread they put on your table without asking if you want it, when everywhere else I went in Rome the bread was free. 3. They didn't give us oil and vinegar for the bread until we asked, and then when we were about halfway done with the bread they took the oil and vinegar and gave it to the table next to us. 4. The cheese for the cheese and honey appetizer comes as one big block with paper wrapping and wax included - you get to slice it as yourself. The pecorino was only so-so, so while the portion is large, it just means you have a lot of generic cheese to eat.5. 5. Cash only. Really, in the center of Rome in the 21st century? Nearest ATM is a hike. For all of this we paid 45 EURO, not so bad for central rome if the restaurant had been worth it at all. Might be a traditional Roman trattoria, but if so, the Romans don't eat so well. Cute place, nice location, completely underwhelming. read more

A really great meal located close to where we were staying in Trastevere. My sister had a delicious beef stew (one of the most popular dishes) and I had the spaghetti with pepper and cheese! We shared the seasonal vegetables (green beans in tomato sauce). Delicious food. Everything was cooked perfectly! Definitely check this place out! read more

It was just OK. Not bad but falls short of our expectations for a meal in Roman osteria. I've had a tripe in tomato sauce. And my husband had a pasta cacio di Pepe. It was not bad. Just nothing special. Service was OK, friendly but responding NO to every request. read more

We had high expectations for our last meal in Rome. However, unbeknownst to us, they did not accept credit cards, and we weren't made aware of this until it was time to pay the bill. We were shown a small sign on a 4' by 6' chalkboard at the entrance that made the statement, but it was never mentioned before we ordered. My wonderful husband headed off to try to get a cash advance (left the ATM card at the hotel and we were 12 Euros short). I decided to talk to the "manager" while he was trying to make things right and explained that we should have been told about the cash only payment at the beginning of the meal. At this point a self-righteous Asian-American man in his thirties accosted me by telling me how I was portraying the typical "Ugly American." .#1 None of his business. # 2 I'm Canadian. #3. I have worked MANY years in the restaurant business and know restaurant protocols and proprieties!!! We were led to believe this restaurant does this to avoid paying taxes and credit card fees. Be aware that even though the food might be wonderful, their business practices are ANYTHING but! What an awful way to end an amazing 4 week trip to Italy. I was in tears. read more

Talking about quality. This place was amazing and the food tasty with quality. Had the tripe and wine with some bread and it was truly delicious. Will definitely come back in my next trip. read more

While living in Rome I ate out at Da Lucia on several occasions and was a huge fan. The food was delicious, authentic and very well priced. The outdoor seating is lovely and the atmosphere is slow and relaxing. Another pro is that it is located in the heart of Trastevere. I strongly recommend the gnocchi (only served on Thursdays), the Cacio e Pepe, Rabbit dish and the cheese and honey appetizer. I think it takes a while for the waiters to warm up to you but once they did I felt very at home at this restaurant. Regardless, the waiters were very attentive:) Since the restaurant is very small I would suggest making a reservation. Overall, I highly recommend this place. read more

This place is certainly a hidden gem. After trying several other well reviewed restaurants in the area and finding most were closed despite listing hours we ended up at this little spot. You feel like you are worlds away from the Travestere night life. The service is friendly and engaging and willing to make recommendations. The menu is not oversized so there are fewer choices but what they do, they do well. I have to admit our visit was improved by the jovial nature of the servers and other guests seated outside and it made the night all that much more memorable. read more

Very good, the food was fresh and tasty. The service was good. The house wine is a good value. I'd recommend this place. Inside is very cozy, outside seating as well. read more

Great meal! We had the pecorino and honey antipasti; the spaghetti with bacon, cheese, and pepper; and the stew; followed by the tiramisu. The food was delicious (although I've had better tiramisu), and the bread was very fresh. Some items on the menu are only offered on certain days so either don't get your hopes up or plan accordingly (I wanted the gnocchi but it's only on Thursdays- hopes were up; the tiramisu was only on weekends).The restaurant is small so make sure you have a reservation! We saw many couples and groups get turned away. Would definitely recommend! read more