Fascinating restaurant in the back of a wine bar with partially open kitchen (can view final prep) and with seating at common u-shaped bar tables (but deep enough for some privacy). The food was creative and well-prepared. The wine equally esoteric and delicious.
Located in the center of Rome, it's easy to reach on foot.
The entrance is the Wine Bar, and it's very popular. The atmosphere and decor are elegant. The downside? When it's full, people are so close together that you can't leave.
The part we visited is the restaurant.
The atmosphere and decor mirror the entrance; the food is served at a shared table.
The service is good, and the quality of the ingredients is good.
Enrico Baragli
.
02 Marzo 2026
8,0
Great experience, unique place. Overall good food- the lamb was a bit chewy and we had one dish that was a bit eye wateringly strong but nice place great service
Laura Warburton
.
01 Marzo 2026
8,0
Great flavors without a "pretend" attitude. Excellent service. We visit it every time we are in Rome. Worth every cent!
Αικατερίνη Καλογερά
.
27 Febbraio 2026
10,0
An interesting discovery in the heart of Rome.
Retrobottega is a unique experience: perfect for both an aperitif in a wine bar and a more formal dinner.
The minimalist and modern atmosphere is characterized by an industrial aesthetic (iron and resin "warmed" by wood) and soft yet well-calibrated lighting, which enhances the dishes and immediately creates the right atmosphere.
Entering from Via D'Ascanio, the restaurant presents itself as a wine bar with high tables, stools, and open wine cellars. The space then expands, through corridors and more intimate corners, with secluded tables (including a dedicated DJ area): a solution that breaks away from the classic restaurant format.
The main room features large wooden "social tables," immersed in the kitchen, some of which takes place before the eyes of guests.
The kitchen, in fact, interacts with the dining room at several points: various preparations are made "live," thanks to the pass that also serves as a garde-manger (an immersive solution that's always fascinating for those who enjoy observing the work "behind the scenes").
The concept of the social table involves cutlery and napkins stored in a hidden drawer integrated into the table itself: an original idea consistent with the restaurant's style, perhaps just needing a better explanation for first-time visitors.
Dishes tested:
– Rossini-style veal with tuna sauce and truffle: a creative and super-balanced reinterpretation, with raw veal (almost like a tartare), a generous amount of tuna sauce, and truffle to top it off.
– Mushroom salad with chestnuts and marinated egg sauce: extremely delicate, very harmonious in its contrasts.
– Mackerel with pecorino and winter melon: an interesting pairing, but the pecorino tended to overpower the delicacy of the mackerel.
– Risotto with pumpkin, mussels, and chili pepper: creamy, well-blended, balanced in flavors with a pleasant spicy finish.
– Pigeon on a drip pan with white turnips and corn: excellent ingredients and a bold flavor; the cooking was less convincing, lacking the expected crispiness and leaving a sense of a lack of texture contrast.
– Tiramisu reinterpreted by the chef (kindly offered!): absolutely spectacular. No traditional ladyfingers, but a very thin sponge cake that melts in your mouth. Among the best I've tasted in recent years ♥️
The idea of pairing wine with each course is interesting: it's consistent with the menu, but not all the options were memorable.
The service was very attentive, kind, and knowledgeable. Special mention goes to the young and passionate approach of the staff! There were a few small inaccuracies in timing or in some details, but overall the experience was extremely positive!!
Retrobottega is definitely worth a visit! Even more than once :)
Eliana Miglietta
.
26 Febbraio 2026
10,0
This restaurant is worth a try, with its original menu and top-notch cuisine. The entire place has its own personality...very simple, refined, and welcoming. The food and wine are top-notch. The price is in keeping with the experience.
alex ba
.
26 Febbraio 2026
10,0
Modern style Italian restaurant. Excellent food and drink. Modern style.
Ulf S
.
25 Febbraio 2026
10,0
Nice for an afternoon drink or wine - looked pretty for a dinner date too… cute staff and very accommodating.
Motherland Cafe
.
24 Febbraio 2026
8,0
A very good restaurant, with a pleasant, subdued atmosphere and quality dishes. All this at a very reasonable price, making it excellent value for money.
Stered Leclerc
.
21 Febbraio 2026
10,0
Different and with a fun touch. The food, in terms of flavor and taste, fell short of its price. I wouldn't have ordered the Katsusando; the best dishes were the mushroom salad and the pumpkin risotto. Good selection of wines by the glass.
Natalia Ramos Donate
.
17 Febbraio 2026
8,0