My family and I were lucky to be in Rome on Christmas Day in 2024. However, we found ourselves without a place to have dinner and were looking in the Vatican area for a place to rest, sit-down, and have a traditional Italian meal. Fortunately, we came across Ristorante Venerina and had one of the best Christmas dinners ever.
As luck would have it, we were back in Rome for Christmas 2025 but this time I made reservations at Ristorante Venerina (used email on website for restaurant and had ChatGPT help me with translating the request). Again, one of the best Christmas dinners that we have enjoyed! The atmosphere is that of a cozy and friendly family restaurant. The food is incredible, and after being in Rome two times and eating at any number of eateries, the food at Ristorante Venerina has toped them all!
I personally thanked the owner, Venerina Maresca, for the amazing meal and for feeling at home in her restaurant - two years in a row. She hugged me and thanked me for eating at her restaurant. Venerina told me that Pope Benedict used to come to her restaurant for her apple pie and other dishes (the attached article can be translated via Gemini or ChatGPT to provide additional info on VIPs who have eaten at her restaurant).
I do hope to return to Rome and the Vatican again soon. And when I do, I will certainly return to Ristorante Venerina for another incredible meal. Maybe even her famous apple pie!
Buon appetito!!!
Amador Estrada
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07 Marzo 2026
10,0
I must admit, I ate well, even though it was during a conference with a fixed menu. The waiters were very helpful (and very Roman), they made my evening enjoyable and were very understanding of a two-year-old girl who could have potentially ruined the restaurant. I had a few complaints about the artichoke cacio e pepe, perhaps too much parmesan mixed with the pecorino, but otherwise, it was really not bad.
Honorable mention goes to the house white wine, a Frascati Superiore DOCG from the most memorable discount store in the world—in other words, minimum spend, maximum return.
Daniele Mainella
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05 Marzo 2026
8,0
The palce is amazing!!! Real Italian food and atmosphere :) location is brilliant.
The place is not new and shiny but people, food and service are outstanding :)
No service charge was automatically added to the bill (and there were 6 of us), asked if we’d like to add it which is unusual in Italy :)
Agnieszka Debowska
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02 Marzo 2026
10,0
We had lunch there around 3:30 pm, so it was past lunchtime and very quiet, perfect for chatting. The food was excellent; we had the melon pizza and smoked fish. It was the perfect amount to share without being too hungry. The staff was very friendly and always attentive, making sure we had everything we needed. The place is very nice inside. Highly recommended.
Ludmila Kostic
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01 Marzo 2026
10,0
Delicious local food, friendly lady. And yes, there's a €2/pp service charge.
Milosty “Milosty9”
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18 Febbraio 2026
10,0
Excellent lunch and very friendly service staff. Fair prices and not at all commercial.
Stefano Bonacini
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13 Febbraio 2026
10,0
Excellent restaurant, far from the tourist traps. A truly authentic Roman experience. The chef's recommendations are spot-on; follow them without hesitation. I highly recommend the wood-fired lamb chops and the artichokes.
I recommend it without hesitation!
Guillaume G
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13 Febbraio 2026
10,0
SuperMario, a great waiter, very friendly and an excellent adviser. Nice place and reasonable bill (the best oxtail stew we've ever eaten).
Emanuela Cacco
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04 Febbraio 2026
10,0
Nice restaurant near Via della Conciliazione. Service is good but could be improved. Waiters who hum or don't speak fluent English are unacceptable in my opinion.
We had the supplì as an appetizer, which were good, although the breading wasn't well done, thin and flavorless. The filling, however, was good quality and tasty.
For our first courses, we had an amatriciana and a cacio e pepe. Both were well-executed, flavorful, and the pasta was cooked to perfection. Nothing to complain about.
Gianluca M.
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03 Febbraio 2026
8,0
I only went to that restaurant because it was a "trick." It's across the street. Impatient service. The atmosphere isn't good.
Teresa Raquel
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25 Gennaio 2026
6,0