Euro Bargain: Pigneto, Rome

Here's an essential guide to the Pigneto neighborhood of Rome—a delicious and economical foodie destination emerging in one of our favorite cities.

In Rome, Necci dal 1924 attracts neo-bohos as well as families piling in for Sunday dinner.

Picks

1. Primo
Chef Marco Gallotta previously worked at centro storico designer restaurant 'Gusto, and Primo shares some of its warehouse-chic bistro style, right down to the waiters' laid-back T-shirt uniforms. Alongside textbook versions of Roman classics like spaghetti cacio e pepe (with lashings of sheep's cheese and black pepper), Gallotta's menu embraces creative flourishes like herb-stuffed calamari with cream of broccoli rabe.
Via del Pigneto 46
Tel:011-39-06-701-3827
primoalpigneto.it

 

2. Contesta Rock Hair
No ordinary barbershop, here clients watch video art to the accompaniment of blaring indie rock, or observe one-off art installations. Look for the amused passersby outside the window.
Via del Pigneto 75
Tel:011-39-06-7030-0165
contestarockhair.com

 

3. Il Tiaso
This relaxed library-wine bar perfectly sums up Pigneto's alternative-but-unpretentious vibe. Down a glass of wine from the pan-Italian selection, graze on a plate of cheese and salami or a vegetarian kebab, grab an art book from the shelves and browse, or hook up to the free WiFi and surf the Net.
Via Ascoli Piceno 20
Tel:011-39-06-4547-4625
iltiaso.com

 

4. Necci dal 1924
Controversial film director Pier Paolo Pasolini liked to hang out at this hot spot in the 1950s. British chef Benjamin Hirst oversees everything from breakfast cornetti (croissants) to the creative dinner menu, which might include chickpea macco (puree) with eggplant and mint, or batter-dipped fried sardine rolls.
Via Fanfulla da Lodi 68
Tel:011-39-06-9760-1552
necci1924.com

 

5. Da Domenico
This is traditional Roman cuisine at its gutsiest, with huge portions of spaghetti all'amatriciana (with tomato and guanciale sauce) or abbacchio allo scottadito (grilled baby lamb chops) served up to tables of hungry regulars.
Via Attilio Zuccagni-Orlandini 6
Tel:011-39-06-295-613

 

By: Lee Marshall
May 2009