A hidden gem next to the Trevi Fountain: Quirino Restaurant
Sometimes, Rome gives you moments that seem like they're written in a movie script.
We arrived today from Barcelona, where I live, because I wanted my aunt Myriam, recently arrived from Colombia, to experience this beautiful and spectacular city.
My aunt Miriam and I were walking, enjoying the eternal charm of the Trevi Fountain, when, a few meters away, we ran into Emma. With a bright smile and a friendliness that invites you to follow her, she led us to her family's restaurant: Quirino.
Founded in 1959 by her grandfather—who arrived from Sicily with his brother, carrying recipes and dreams—this place exudes tradition. It's not just a restaurant; it's a living piece of Roman and Sicilian history.
Within its walls, fresh pasta is not a fad, but a legacy passed down from generation to generation.
The restaurant's decor itself is part of the experience: every corner tells a story, showing how Quirino has adapted to each era and every life without losing his essence. It's like walking into a memory album where the walls hold the memories of all these years.
We ate a delicious Carbonara with its spectacular guanchale and freshly made pasta, and some finger-licking taglietelle al ragu. They also gave us a piece of freshly baked apple pie, which Emma says is her mother's recipe that they are trying to replicate with one of the chefs! It must be said that it was delicious!
It was then that we met Elisabetta, Emma's mother, who shared a story that left us speechless: her mother—Emma's grandmother—made a cannoli so extraordinary that Pope John Paul II was captivated by its flavor, making it his birthday cake year after year.
And the surprise didn't end there. Chatting with Elisabetta, we discovered we had many things in common: her daughter is studying dentistry in Madrid, but her passion is the restaurant; my husband is a dentist, and so is his. So many coincidences made us feel at home, as if we had known each other all our lives.
Our experience was simply fantastic: the warm service, the welcoming atmosphere, the aromas that enveloped the room, and, of course, the flavors… Each dish felt like a hug. We left feeling like we had experienced something unique.
Quirino is not just a restaurant: it's a journey back in time, a bridge between Sicily and Rome, a place where stories are told through food… and even the walls have something to say.
If you are lucky enough to be in the Eternal City, don't pass up the opportunity to experience it.
We wholeheartedly recommend it.
Tatty and Myriam.
tatiana dossmann
.
10 Agosto 2025
10,0
Carbonara is so-so...old-school atmosphere, but professional and knowledgeable waiters. Prices are reasonable for being right next to the Trevi Fountain.
It's a period restaurant with fantastic service and delicious food without making us wait.
They offer gluten-free pasta. We were warmly welcomed, and it's only a two-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain.
Jorge Muñoz Martínez
.
30 Luglio 2025
10,0
Family-run and very welcoming restaurant! Right next to the Treviso Fountain, affordable prices. We felt so good there that we went back 4 times during our stay. The dishes are delicious!
Maeva echevarria
.
30 Luglio 2025
10,0
The dishes were delicious.
The arancini di riso (the dumplings in the photo) were just the right amount of crunchy. The caponata was incredibly delicious, with fresh and flavorful ingredients.
I would definitely go back to Quirino.
Daiana Silva
.
29 Luglio 2025
10,0
I visited Ristorante Quirino and left with a smile and a full belly! I ordered the carbonara and can say without hesitation that it's one of the best I've ever had in Rome: perfectly creamy, with crispy and flavorful guanciale, and a perfect creaminess that envelops every forkful. The pasta was al dente, as per tradition, and every bite was a treat.
What makes the experience even more special is the fact that the restaurant is family-run: you can feel the love and care they put into their work in every detail. The staff was kind, welcoming, and authentic, making me feel at home from the first moment.
The atmosphere is warm, elegant, yet informal—the perfect balance for enjoying authentic Roman cuisine in complete tranquility.
I'll definitely be back to try the other dishes on the menu!
Emma pelagalli
.
29 Luglio 2025
10,0
Very good service, very pleasant and attentive waiters and waitresses. The typical Italian food of quality. An authentic pasta, Artisanal and delicious dessert. Very good coffee.
Sandra Miquel Farré
.
28 Luglio 2025
10,0
Nice place with amazing food and friendly staff
Wael Adam
.
27 Luglio 2025
10,0
Mi restaurante favorito en Roma. Fui por primera vez en 2994 y siempre que estoy en Roma voy. Imperdible la Lasagna excelente los mocos y Assia la dueña gran cocinera
APDEST
.
06 Aprile 2025
10,0
Visitó este restaurante en una visita de fin de semana a Roma. El mejor restaurante en el que comimos y me sorprende que haya recibido críticas tan pobres.
Mike Harvey
.
15 Febbraio 2025
10,0