Review: Armando al Pantheon Restaurant

Armando al Pantheon has been a staple in the Rome restaurant scene for more than 50 years. The eatery serves classic dishes at affordable prices, but is virtually impossible to get into on short notice. It is located right next to the famed Pantheon, making it one of the city’s busiest restaurants.

The food here is authentic Italian cuisine with a heavy focus on recipes popular for ages. You won’t find much in the way of ingenuity or experimentation, but you will find some truly delicious food. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and there are a few touches of modern décor that help it fit in with the times. However, the building is old and it shows, but that’s part of the appeal.

The staff is absolutely delightful. Friendly, welcoming and warm, they never failed to offer suggestions or make guests feel at ease. The menu itself is full of homemade pasta dishes from carbonara to classic spaghetti. You’ll also find plenty of chicken options for meat lovers, alongside rabbit, duck and lamb. Armando al Pantheon also boasts an impressive wine list with options to go with any meal.

Be prepared for a crowd. The restaurant books days in advance and is not open Saturday or Sunday evenings. You’ll need to call a few days ahead of time to secure a table. Once inside you’ll notice the tables are packed in tight, so you’ll be getting pretty friendly with the neighbors. However, this only adds to the authentic Italian experience, where a meal is meant to be shared.

Armando al Pantheon Restaurant

Salita dei Crescenzi, 31

00186 Roma RM, Italy

tel 39 06 6880 3034