Checchino Dal 1887 In Roma

To break away from the same old Roman classics. Tripe, kidneys, liver and sweetbreads cooked to perfection!

This historic traditional Roman restaurant in Rome doesn't disappoint.

If there's a place in Rome where time seems to have stood still to make room for legend, that place is Checchino dal 1887. Located in the heart of Testaccio, directly across from the old slaughterhouse, this restaurant isn't simply a trattoria, but a true historical monument to the most authentic and aristocratic Roman cuisine. Crossing its threshold is like taking a journey back in time, to an era when food was a ritual, a passion, and an absolute respect for the raw ingredients. The atmosphere is reminiscent of times gone by: a simple, classic elegance, with walls that tell stories of generations of innkeepers and diners who celebrated the pleasures of the table here. The welcome is impeccable, courteous, and proud, free of the modern rush that often ruins the experience of conviviality. Lunch began under the best culinary auspices. We kicked off the meal with traditional appetizers: an honorable mention goes to the offal with artichokes, expertly cooked, where the delicate flavor of the artichoke blended beautifully with the savory offal, and to the veal head, served warm and fragrant, a true rarity for modern palates but a staple for those who understand true Roman cuisine. Moving on to the first courses, the sky's the limit. The rigatoni with pajata is simply sublime: the sauce is thick, rich, with an ancient and unmistakable flavor, with the pasta cooked strictly al dente, absorbing every nuance of the sauce. The preparation of the sauce and the balance with the Pecorino Romano DOP demonstrate a mastery that only nearly one hundred and forty years of history can bestow. The classic Amatriciana also proved to be a true culinary poem, with crispy guanciale and an enveloping flavor that invites the traditional "mopping up" of the pasta. But the true masterpiece, the dish for which people make a pilgrimage to Checchino, is the legendary Coda alla Vaccinara. It's said that the recipe was born or perfected within these very walls, and every bite confirms it: the meat, slowly cooked for hours in its fragrant sauce of celery, pine nuts, and bitter cocoa, is so tender it falls off the bone at the touch of a fork. An opulent, majestic dish that warms the heart and reconciles with the world. The cellar is another hidden treasure: dug directly into Monte dei Cocci (the ancient Roman hill formed by the remains of amphorae), it offers a selection of historic labels and small local producers, curated down to the smallest detail.

An exceptional evening, a Roman gem. The dishes are homemade, well-seasoned, and freshly made (hot food). The atmosphere is welcoming and very regional, off the tourist track. Excellent service; we are Brazilian and don't speak English, and we were very well taken care of. The wine list is great, and the tiramisu was wonderful… a good memory of Rome; I love more traditional places with that familiar touch.

I wish you at least another 100 years and that you don't change anything. The service is great and professional (which is as rare as dinosaurs these days). The food is traditional and as it should be, and cooked which is also rare to find these days. So here the chef cooks and knows how to cook. Greetings, and thanks for the experience.

We had a delicious meal and the service was very friendly and knowledgeable. Thanks! 😊

It confirms its status as a HISTORIC LOCATION, ensuring respect for Roman culinary traditions with special attention to the dishes served at the "Quinto Quarto" (the trattoria is located in the Testaccio neighborhood, near the former slaughterhouse). For our first visit, we tried the "usual" dishes: rigatoni with vaccinara sauce, mezze maniche with cacio e pepe, saltimbocca, meatballs, and sautéed vegetables...and that's when we saw the high quality of the ingredients used and the dishes. The courtesy, friendliness, and professionalism of the wait staff enhance the restaurant. If, as is customary, you order dessert, the dessert + wine/liquor combo is definitely worth trying. The indoor and outdoor spaces are a bit limited, so booking in advance is recommended. The bill was proportionate to the dishes ordered.

Was recommended to eat at this restaurant in the Testaccio neighborhood and was thrilled that we did. Food was delicious and fresh. Service was wonderful and they were even kind enough to give us a tour of their wine cellar- which was worth the trip alone.

If you want to taste Rome, eat here. Thats all.

Feeling home, with the best wines and a unique blend of traditional roman food that you truly don't find everywhere.