Il pagliaccio In Roma

I really wanted the reviews to be correct. We had the Scantielle 6 course tasting. The chef and team are very talented, incredible service, although the food itself was not tasty. It was innovative, creative, intricate and artistic, but only 1 out of the 6 courses we actually enjoyed and would eat again. We’ve been all over the world and dine at many tasting menus, sometimes this happens, when creativity over powers taste. If you enjoy foams, pastes, gels and the art of food you may enjoy. Wish the food was more enjoyable especially given the bill of 650 Euros. The atmosphere also was quite cold and stiff.

Dining at Il Pagliaccio was a very enjoyable experience. We had the 10-course tasting menu, and every course was thoughtfully prepared, beautifully presented, and thoroughly explained by the service team before being served. The pacing was excellent, allowing us to appreciate each dish. The service was attentive, professional, and warm throughout the evening. A special touch was the chef personally welcoming us upon our arrival and coming by again after dinner to greet us, which made the experience feel even more personal and memorable. We hadn’t realized that there was no service charge added to the bill, and have not tipped generously. Overall, an excellent fine dining experience with outstanding food, attentive service, and genuine hospitality. A restaurant well worth visiting for a special occasion.

A dream place with cuisine that's never boring, perfect, and amazing. The chef is a master, but special mention also goes to the pastry chef. The welcome is elegant but always warm, as is the service. Impeccable. The only thing that could be improved is the seating, which after a three-hour experience ends up being a bit uncomfortable. The chef welcomes you at the entrance and comes to greet you at the table at the end of the dinner, friendly and smiling. Absolutely worth trying at least once in your life.

I don’t even know where to start. Il Pagliaccio was one of the most mind-blowing gastronomical experiences of my life, and I mean that genuinely, not as a throw-away compliment. It started with a personal greeting from the chef himself, which immediately set the tone for everything that followed. The service, the care, the attention to detail, it all aligned in a way that felt completely intentional, like every single person in that room was working toward the same thing: making sure your experience was extraordinary. Get the Circus menu. Don’t overthink it, just get it. And when they tell you how to eat something, listen. There were moments where I followed their suggestions on how to actually experience a dish and it completely changed what I tasted. The thought that goes into that level of detail is insane. The way the food flows together, course after course, is something else entirely. Nothing feels random. Everything builds. The environment is curated to put you at ease while simultaneously taking you somewhere, it genuinely feels like a journey rather than just a dinner. I came in with high expectations and left completely humbled. If you’re in Rome and you’re serious about food, this is non-negotiable.

The food was delicious, and the service was excellent. Romeo was especially friendly and welcoming. Thank you for making our visit so enjoyable!

One of the best restaurants in Italy. A sensory experience.

Food and service of the highest level, a place that can aspire to the third star

Food: Very complex dishes with intricate aromas and flavors, the result of a quest for perfect balance. I don't recommend the 9-course menu because, like a wine tasting, you can't overlay too many elements, making it difficult to appreciate and recognize the ingredients. I would have appreciated some "sweet" desserts! The sommelier was nonexistent despite a 200-page wine bible. SERVICE: Adequate and attentive staff, yet they were forced to reach across the rectangular table to serve diners with the wall behind them. AMBIENCE: Elegant, more for couples (max 2) than for our group of 7. The chef, who introduced himself at the beginning, never showed up again, despite the meal lasting 5 hours. A tablecloth, even a perforated or transparent one, or a banner, would have been more appreciated than the bare, precious wood table. High price despite the group menu.

Wonderful experience start to end. Grazie

Finding the right words to describe an experience at Il Pagliaccio is a difficult task, because what Chef Anthony Genovese and his extraordinary team create goes far beyond the concept of "dinner": it is pure sensory poetry. The journey didn't begin this evening at the table, but long before. From the first phone call and subsequent email exchanges seeking clarification, we were enveloped by a care, kindness, and attention to detail rarely encountered, even in the elite of global dining. The dining room staff and customer service team demonstrate a crystal-clear class, making guests feel awaited, protected, and pampered even before arriving at Via dei Banchi Vecchi. Once seated, the experience exceeded our already high expectations. We chose the "Scintille" tasting menu, and the name could not have been more fitting: a succession of ingenious combinations, a perfect balance of masterful technique, tradition, and innovation. Each dish from Chef Genovese tells a story, an emotion that ignites the palate. Two Michelin stars are even too small for a restaurant that shines not only for its avant-garde cuisine, but also for its heartwarming humanity and dedication to its customers. A huge thank you and the highest tribute to the entire Il Pagliaccio team. Thank you for making this evening an unforgettable memory. An essential stop in Rome for anyone who loves Haute Cuisine with a capital "A." See you on your next trip! Gabriele & Ligeia