Where to have Christmas lunch in Rome?

Where to Eat on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Rome

Rome is celebrated for the undisputed craftwork of droolworthy Italian dishes, and we are here to narrow down the very best spots in the eternal city to enjoy your holiday feasting! So, leave the oven turned off and this year join us in indulging in one of our expertly selected Christmas culinary experiences in one of the food capitals of the world.

After all, a day without dishes? Now that’s the ultimate gift.

We have selected 15 mouth-watering options for you, from the most classic lunches and dinners to innovative and extravagant dining experiences.

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Restaurants for Christmas lunch in Rome

Here’s a selection of some of the best restaurants in Rome that are offering Christmas Day or Christmas Eve lunch in Rome:

Beverly at The Hoxton

The food at this gorgeous spot is summer-inspired so imagine fresh inventive dishes that are both bright and flavourful like seafood salad with red onion chutney or wellington cod with bitter oranges. This elegant nature-to-table restaurant has you covered on Christmas day and even New Year’s Eve, if you like, for €75 and €140 respectively. Beverly also offers festive brunch every day from December 25 to January 8, 2023. What better time of year to treat yourself?

Il Marchese

Il Marchese offers a delicious Christmas lunch this year, classic and juicy. Try their lamb, tortellini, but also their delicate rabbit wrapped in lard, and the unfailing, evergreen, Roman puntarelle and Jewish-style artichokes. A bottle of wine is included, for at up to 4 palates – all for 80 euros per person.

Il Giardino at Hotel Eden

At Il Giardino Ristorante, mesmerising views of Rome accompany your meal for dining experiences like no other. Expect to celebrate in style. On Christmas Eve ravioli stuffed with tuna bottarga (tuna roe) and a turbot in a courgette crust await you among other dishes for 150 euros per person, excluding drinks (from 7-11pm, live music: piano and vocal duo). On Christmas Day, the classic cappelletti and lamb chops, accompanied by a glazed artichoke or a sophisticated fillet of sea bass with squid sauce and lemongrass, for 145 euros per person (12.30 – 2.30pm, live music: Jazz piano and double bass duo).

Aleph Rome Hotel

At Aleph hotel, this year the Christmas Eve dinner places us between sky and sea at the Sky Blu rooftop restaurant with an entirely seafood-based menu, featuring lobster zeppola, seafood pasta and cod steak, beautifully enhanced by vegetables and various sauces and spices (€120 per person, drinks excluded). December 25, starts with the special “Once upon a time” breakfast, with the presence of Santa Claus, and will continue with tea, scones and colourful cakes in the afternoon.

Jacopa 

Next on our list of the best restaurants open for Christmas feasting in Rome is Jacopa. This elegant restaurant located in the heart of Trastevere is inviting guests to join them for a traditional Christmas lunch featuring incredible Italian staples like tortelli cacio e pepe al guanciale or braised lamb, mashed potatoes with truffles and hazelnuts (cost €80 per person drinks excluded).

Rome Cavalieri/Waldorf Astoria

If you’re looking for luxury this holiday season look no further. The Rome Cavalieri is excited to welcome its guests by offering multiple spectacular locations and menus. The festivities begin with Christmas Eve Dinner at Heinz Beck’s La Pergola Restaurant with a star-studded menu, starring tortellini stuffed with Genoese sauce with artichokes and black truffle, mullet with leek cream, mallow sauce and balsamic herbs and more (price: €550 per person). The following day the chef comes back with the guest of honour smoked capon consommé.

Elsewhere, at the Uliveto Restaurant, Chef Fabio Boschero on Christmas Eve Dinner offers exquisite options among traditional dishes such as tagliolini with light pesto and red prawns or baked sea bass fillet, accompanied by parsnips and mushrooms (price: €100 per person). Finally, on Christmas Day, the Rome Cavalieri Christmas Brunch returns, for a tasty celebration in the name of the most authentic Italian culinary tradition, with bubbles of Spritz and Franciacorta, local products and delicious desserts (€180 per person). Also check out their offerings for NYE, January 1 and 6.

Frezza

For Christmas Day, Frezza, the new restaurant recently opened by actor Claudio Amendola in the centre of Rome, offers a menu designed by chef Davide Cianetti, dedicated to authentic Roman and local Christmas tradition. A cartoccio of fried vegetables, meat cannelloni, ricotta and spinach ravioli with tomato and basil sauce and roast lamb with potatoes are among the main options, and to finish, panettone and torrone could not be missing! Fully immerse yourself in the Roman Christmas tradition for only €60 per person (wine and coffee not included).

Terrazza Les Etoiles

For the Christmas Eve Dinner and Christmas Day Lunch, the Terrazza Les Etoiles proposes new creations of Chef Anzidei in addition to their à la carte menu. Expect amberjack carpaccio marinated with pomegranate and sweet and sour mini navettes along with home made fusillone, oyster and caviar on Christmas Eve Dinner. Sashi beef, crispy parmesan and quail egg along with traditional cappelletti with fine black truffle on Christmas Day.

Casa Coppelle

Casa Coppelle is preparing for the holidays starting with the Christmas Eve dinner on December 24 and exceptionally opening for lunch on December 25 and 26. For the occasion, an a la carte menu designed by Executive Chef Gabriele Cordaro and Restaurant Manager Francesco Bertolini.

Aqualunae

Aqualunae stands out as a unique reality. They remix Italian regional food with international cuisine, finding the perfect harmony. This year you won’t want to miss Chef Emanuele Paoloni’s extravagant paccheri with ombrine, yuzu and bottarga on Christmas eve or his fagotti in truffle-flavoured capon broth on Christmas lunch. Both menus cost 78€ per person  (wine pairings available for an additional 34€). Whether you prefer to spend Christmas eve or Christmas lunch with the folks at Aqualunae you’re in for an exquisite experience, no doubt.

Osteria Fratelli Mori

Another of our favourites is this hidden gem in Ostiense. Crafted for those who love good authentic Roman cuisine and seeking wallet friendly dining. This holiday season they’re offering a price fixed Christmas lunch for 55€ per person which includes antipasto, a first and second course as well as a dessert handcrafted by pastry chef Nonna Giuliana. Trust us, you’ll return if not only for her famed Ricotta Di Ambrogio.

Hosteria Grappolo D’oro

Roman tradition reigns during the holiday season at Hosteria Grappolo D’oro. Enticing guests with dishes like broccoli and arzilla soup and cuttlefish fettuccine with crispy artichokes on Christmas eve and tortellini in capon broth or the artichoke flan with pecorino cheese and fresh mint on Christmas day. We’re positive this is a spot you’ll be happy you chose. Check out their menus starting at just 60€ per person. 

Acquolina Restaurant

Acquolina restaurant inside The First Roma, which has just earned its second Michelin star, is preparing for the holidays. For those who want to spend Christmas Eve under the banner of haute cuisine, chef Daniele Lippi’s menu might be for you. On the menu: Red mullet, mandarin, duck liver; Lobster, pumpkin, tonka bean; Tortelli pasta stuffed with amberjack, lemon, caviar; Spaghettoni pasta, chick pea, langoustine, rosemary; John Dory, oyster, borage; Chestnut cassis, white chocolat.

Cuoco e Camicia

This gem in Monti is one of those places that just hits the spot every time. That’s most definitely thanks to Chef Riccardo Loreni who dedicates himself to the perfection of each and every dish that leaves his kitchen. This year he planned an exquisite Christmas Eve dinner. Oysters and champagne are followed by tuna sashimi, salmon caviar, by the more classic tagliolini with clams and bottarga (roe), an earthy turbot, accompanied by cardoncelli mushrooms and truffles, and a delightful and delicious ending with chocolate, caramel, mandarin and popcorn (the menu costs 85 euros each, drinks excluded).

Borgo della mistica

At Borgo della Mistica, Christmas is traditional, heartening and warm. A cosy atmosphere and a lunch with the classics: boiled beef salad, giardiniera and horseradish mayonnaise; artichoke alla giudia; cod with pecorino cheese crumble; traditional tortellini; braised beef cheek, sweet potatoes and spring onions…. And a chocolate mousse, hazelnuts, and mandarin (50 € p.p. – drinks not included).

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