
Felice a Testaccio | ROMA
A venerated Roman trattoria since 1936, renowned for its authentic cuisine, especially the tableside Cacio e Pepe. A true taste of Rome.

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Felice a Testaccio | ROMA

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A venerated Roman trattoria since 1936, renowned for its authentic cuisine, especially the tableside Cacio e Pepe. A true taste of Rome.
"This place was the vibe! Non touristy, large families/friends dining, having a laugh, the hosts/waiters all so sweet."
Book Ahead!
Reservations are essential, especially for this popular Roman trattoria known for its cacio e pepe.
Consider Off-Peak Times
Visiting on a Sunday afternoon might offer a more relaxed experience away from the usual crowds.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Roman
Price
$$$
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Cacio e Pepe Perfection
Experience the iconic cacio e pepe, expertly tossed tableside into a creamy, peppery delight. A true Roman classic.

Authentic Roman Atmosphere
Dine in a traditional setting with retro checkered floors, enjoying genuine Roman cuisine and friendly service.

Tiramisu Finale
Conclude your meal with a delightful tiramisu, often served in a glass with a rich chocolate topping.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Book Ahead!
Reservations are essential, especially for this popular Roman trattoria known for its cacio e pepe.
Consider Off-Peak Times
Visiting on a Sunday afternoon might offer a more relaxed experience away from the usual crowds.
Explore Beyond the Classic
While cacio e pepe is famous, try other traditional dishes like lamb or stuffed zucchini with meatballs.
Tips
from all over the internet
Book Ahead!
Reservations are essential, especially for this popular Roman trattoria known for its cacio e pepe.
Consider Off-Peak Times
Visiting on a Sunday afternoon might offer a more relaxed experience away from the usual crowds.
Explore Beyond the Classic
While cacio e pepe is famous, try other traditional dishes like lamb or stuffed zucchini with meatballs.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Felice a Testaccio is celebrated for its exceptional Roman cuisine, particularly its signature cacio e pepe prepared tableside. Diners often praise the authentic atmosphere and friendly service. However, some reviews mention that certain staff members can be rushed or inattentive, and cleanliness in the restrooms has been a point of concern for some visitors.
"This place was the vibe! Non touristy, large families/friends dining, having a laugh, the hosts/waiters all so sweet, helpful, welcoming and last but not the least, The food.. loved the pastas, the eggplant appetizer, the wine recommendations, the tiramisu (could have done without the chocolate sauce)everything was fantastic. Highly recommend to have a reservation for this place."
paridhi jain
"Overall, our experience at Felice a Testaccio was good, but it didn’t quite meet expectations. The pasta was excellent, but other dishes fell short. The wine selection was solid, though overpriced compared to similar wines at other Roman restaurants.
Service was mostly attentive and friendly, but a few staff members, especially the one managing the outdoor area and handling payments, were rude and rushed us through the meal. The general atmosphere was pleasant, but the bathrooms were surprisingly unclean, which took away from the overall experience."
Nestor Cerami
"I went there with my family. The pasta and lamb are all fantastic - we enjoyed it from the beginning to the end. The portions are also good, though the service here are not very attentive. If you don’t care about service that much, and focus mostly on the food like me, I can definitely recommend this restaurant."
陈思琪
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, reservations are highly recommended and often necessary due to the restaurant's popularity, especially for their signature cacio e pepe.
The restaurant is most famous for its Cacio e Pepe, which is prepared tableside, and its authentic Roman cuisine.
The menu features several pasta dishes and vegetable sides that are vegetarian-friendly, though specific vegan options may be limited.
The dress code is generally smart casual. While it's a traditional trattoria, many diners dress nicely for the experience.
Yes, it's a traditional Roman restaurant often frequented by families, with a lively atmosphere.
The restaurant typically serves lunch and dinner. It is advised to check their official website or make a reservation for exact times.
Many reviewers praise the lamb dishes, tiramisu, and other traditional Roman pastas like Carbonara and Amatriciana.
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Testaccio is widely considered the best neighbourhood for Roman cuisine, and this eatery is its unrivalled star. With retro checkered floors, white tablecloths, and a tantalizing array of traditional dishes, the old-school restaurant makes a perfect leisurely weekend lunch with family or a romantic choice for a gourmet dinner. Cacio e pepe is Felice a Testaccio’s signature dish; this tangle of spaghetti, melted cheese and black pepper comes freshly tossed at the table for you.
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Reserve early and often at Armando al Pantheon, and hope that someone cancels at Felice a Testaccio so that you can get your cacio e pepe (pasta dish with cheese and pepper) done just the way you dreamt of it. Nothing will ever taste quite like the bread from Antico Forno Roscioli, and no one will ever be able to convince you that the slabs of pizza from Gabriele Bonci’s Pizzarium aren’t crumbs sent to lead you straight to heaven.
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The best trattoria in Rome — if there is one — might be Felice a Testaccio (Via Mastro Giorgio, 29; 39-06-574-6800; www.feliceatestaccio.com; closed Sunday dinner). Felice is a Roman institution. Tucked on an obscure block in the nontouristy neighborhood of Testaccio, Felice has been run by three generations of the same family since 1936, and neither the décor, the patrons nor the recipes have changed much since.
Classic Pasta: The best cacio e pepe in Rome
If you’re looking for a version of cacio e pepe in Rome that’s a bit more high-end but equally authentic, you should try Felice’s version in Testaccio: this restaurant undoubtedly makes one of the best versions of this classic dish in the city. It’s an old-school Roman restaurant that has been serving local classics since 1936 and has become a real institution in the neighborhood and the rest of the city. Another thing that makes Felice’s cacio e pepe stand out, is the fact that the waiter finishes the dish in front of your eyes by throwing the pasta, cheese, and pepper on your plate and tossing the ingredients to perfection.
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Da Oio, Felice, Perilli a Testaccio and Pecorino are other family-run restaurants in Testaccio that have preserved the authentic recipes of popular cucina povera dishes that have since become synonymous with modern Roman cuisine. Adventurous eaters shouldn't leave Testaccio without trying coratella (lamb offal cooked with vegetables like artichokes), trippa alla romana (beef tripe with Pecorino cheese and mint) or rigatoni con la pajata (pasta with a sauce made from the intestines of milk-fed calves).
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Felice a Testaccio is a historical restaurant that today has expanded but the original location is right here, in the Testaccio district of Rome. Felice opened his restaurant in 1936, and today it is his son Franco who runs the business and who has added a slight contemporary touch – yet the cuisine remains up to the same hearty standard as in the past. Here, the cacio e pepe is renowned, and each meal is prepared with meticulous attention to raw ingredients.
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Felice a Testaccio is famous for its creamy cacio e pepe but all the traditional Roman recipes including bucatini amatriciana recipe prepared according to tradition. I have been to Felice many times with my family and tried many dishes on their menu. They are all great and even though famous for the cacio e pepe, they prepare it with the addition of Parmesan, which is not strictly traditional, while their bucatini amatriciana recipe is more authentic.
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Felice in Testaccio is one of the best restaurants in the city and is well known for serving a superlative cacio e pepe. Here, a waiter mixes your bowl of pasta directly at your table, carefully incorporating the ingredients until every noodle is generously layered with cheesy goodness. With its retro checkered floors and local feel, this stylish bistro has been popular since it first opened in 1936, so be sure to book your table well in advance.
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Since Felice Trivelloni opened his osteria in 1936, the restaurant has been something of an institution – famous for Roman cuisine. Their forte is indeed the cacio e pepe, it’s plentiful and delicious and made with tonnarelli, cooking water from the pasta, pecorino, and olive oil, for an irresistible creaminess. The finishing touch is the way in which it’s served: the pasta, cooking water and pecorino are mixed directly on the customer’s plate.
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This is a Rome institution and allegedly the place with the best ‘cacio e pepe’ (cheese and black pepper pasta) in the whole of Rome. The place has the typical Roman feel with simple decor and brick walls and the food is the real star: go there hungry as it is simply delicious!. Once again, there is nothing specific fir kids, but children are welcome and you can ask for a doggy bag to bring home should the serving prove too big for them.
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I cannot deny the charm and quality of these three restaurants for my favorite Roman pastas: Il Matriciano's signature bucatini all'Amatriciana, the cacio e pepe at Felice a Testaccio, and Trattoria da Danilo's carbonara. All have a yesteryear vibe, and you half expect Alberto Sordi from I Maccheroni to show up. While Danilo is old-school, Il Matriciano is a bit more formal, and Felice is the trendy bistronomia, a stylish gastro-bistro.
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I love the charm of an old school Roman restaurant but more importantly, I love Roman cuisine and the GOAT of pasta dishes- carbonara, cacio e pepe and amatriciana. Il Matriciano has an unbeatable bucatini all’Amatriciana, the cacio e pepe at Felice a Testaccio is both a show and taste, and Trattoria da Danilo’s carbonara makes me feel at home. All have a yesteryear vibe, and you half expect Alberto Sordi from I Maccheroni to show up.
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You can’t leave Rome without trying the city’s signature pasta dish. Cacio e pepe may be the best example of the power of simplicity, a bowl full of flavour made with just three ingredients: spaghetti, aged pecorino Romano cheese and freshly ground black pepper. Unsurprisingly you will find it on many menus but the version to beat is at Felice a Testaccio, one of Rome’s best restaurants, where the pasta is tossed at the table.
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Since 1936, Roman heritage and food have been the cornerstones of why this restaurant is so popular, and why reservations ahead of time are strongly recommended (especially if you go on the weekends!). In this inviting restaurant, enjoy timeless Italian meals like tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe (pasta with pecorino cheese and black pepper) while maintaining a family atmosphere while establishing a modern, contemporary style.
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Felice a Testaccio is more than just a good restaurant in Rome; it symbolizes the vibrant Testaccio neighborhood, one of the most visited places in Rome. Founded in 1936 by Felice Trivelloni, this unassuming trattoria has evolved into a legendary dining destination within Rome and beyond. Felice a Testaccio is one of the best places to eat in Rome Italy, offering a classic Roman menu with occasional Italian twists.
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This place exudes a traditional Roman feel which translates well to their menu. Tourists looking to try something a little more exotic won’t be disappointed (they’re famous for their offal dishes) but to really experience the charm of old Rome, go for the pasta. In Felice a Testaccio, their carbonara should be on your “must order” list but if you’ve had your fill of cream-based pasta, try the penne all’Arrabbiata.
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Felice a Testaccio, a Roman culinary icon since 1936, is known for its simplicity and tradition, with rustic decor that echoes old-school Rome. The restaurant’s tiramisu, served in a glass, is definitely a favourite. This version replaces the traditional savoiardi with buttery shortcrust biscuits for added crunch, topped with a rich mascarpone cream and a warm dark chocolate ganache.
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Welcome to Felice, an iconic eatery rich in history where each dish takes you on a time-traveling journey through Roman gastronomy. Let’s just say that dining at Felice offers an enchanting taste of the past, with a Cacio e Pepe that’ll knock your socks off!. The restaurant is located in the heart of Testaccio, a neighborhood that’s known for its lively atmosphere and historic charm.
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We can’t talk about the best trattorias in Rome without mentioning another legendary spot: Da Felice a Testaccio, a family-run trattoria founded in 1936 by Felice Trivelloni. This place was made famous by the late Trivelloni’s caustic character. Legend says that if he didn’t like you, he would tell you the restaurant was “fully booked,” even if it was completely empty!
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Amatriciana comes from the Lazio town of Amatrice, which was devastated by an earthquake a few years ago. Despite its mountain-top origins, the pasta has been thoroughly claimed by the city of Rome (and contested by the neighboring region of Abruzzo). Amatriciana features a tomato-based sauce that includes crispy guanciale (aged jowl bacon).
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From the early 1930s, Felice a Testaccio represents a veritable institution of traditional Roman cuisine. Located in the Testaccio district, one of the most fashionable and youthful areas of Rome full of all kinds of bars and restaurants, you will be enveloped by the Roman charm as you enter this area. Sourced from Felice’s Instagram
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Since 1936, this “fine dining” Trattoria, da Felice a Testaccio, in the heart of one historical neighbourhood of Rome, delights everyone with freshly prepared traditional roman dishes. It is a restaurant you can’t miss to try. Every time I am back home, I book a table here to make sure I will eat the perfect “welcome back” meal.
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Via Mastro Giorgio, 29, 00153 Roma RM, Italy www.feliceatestaccio.itThis was our fancy final night place. Dan found this online and it was a little out of the way, but easily reachable for us by tram. From the outside, it doesn’t look much, but inside, you will find yourself inside a trattoria which has been there since 1936!
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Felice is a traditional Roman Trattoria in a very traditional Roman neighborhood. Founded 1936 by Felice Trivelloni, the restaurant was a lunch place for the street workers and poor folks in the neighborhood. Testaccio changed, but it’s still a true residential neighborhood and Felice is still run by the Trivelloni clan.
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Another dynastic eatery of Roman cuisine is Felice, owned by the Trivelloni family since 1936. Like Checchino dal 1887, it’s located in the once working-class turned chic neighborhood called Testaccio named for the Monte de’ Cocchi. Felice’s star dish is tonnarelli al cacio pepe, whisked at your table.
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Felice a Testaccio - This is the most famous spot in Rome for carbonara or cacio e pepe?. The atmosphere is very casual and crazy, just as you would expect a local roman eatery to be. Don’t miss ordering the cacio e pepe though, they prep the pasta for you at your table and it is utterly delicious!.
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A crowded restaurant which is very popular, both among locals and tourists. Pasta is the star of the menu: Gricia, Cacio e Pepe and Ravioli are among the dishes you must absolutely taste. Don’t forget to also ask for a slice of their homemade tiramisù or to try another one of their desserts.
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Now gentrified chic local Roman hotspot, Felice’s menu boasts classic roman dishes, with daily specials based on Roman tradition “giovedi gnocchi, venerdi pesce” etc. The sleek, modern dining room attracts a younger, more showy crowd than the classic osteria, and you have to book in advance.
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Another best Italian restaurant in Rome that is run by a family and known for their recipes handed down over many many generations is the Felice a Testaccio. You will find it tucked away in the trendy Testaccio neighborhood. The locals line up to eat here so booking ahead is a good idea.
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When it comes to Roman food, my favorites are Tonnarello, Bucavino, and Felice a Testaccio. Andrea Palmieri from Bucavino is one of the chefs who do our Interactive Virtual Cooking Classes. Angelina and Zia are great upmarket options where tradition meets modern food.
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located on via mastro giorgio, offers the best italian food customers have ever had. With a rating of 4.4, customers rave about the delicious pasta and traditional roman dishes. The atmosphere is cozy and traditional, making it a great spot for a casual dinner.
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Limonaia di Villa Torlonia – Caffetteria, Focacceria e relax (Café, Focaccieria, and a place to hang out while the kids are playing at the science center of the Villa Torlonia)Tuesday through Saturday hours 10:00-11:00, Sundays 10:00-7:00, Mondays 5:00-11:00
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We were reading an interview with Eataly CEO Nicola Farinetti about his favorite restaurants in Rome and Felice a Testaccio was at the top of the list. He seems like someone we could listen to, so we made reservations for lunch and we are SO glad we did.
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Bucatini, carbonara, tonnarelli…take your pick from all the classic Roman pasta dishes served here. It’s a very popular spot, so you can expect it to be crowded, loud, and hard to get into without a reservation or showing up early.
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FELICE AL TESTACCIO (Testaccio): serving up classic Roman dishes in the traditional neighborhood of Testaccio. Prices are slightly higher but the quality of the food is fantastic. The Cacio e Pepe is a standout dish.
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A Roman institution since 1936, Felice serves one of the creamiest and most flavorful cacio e pepe in the city. They toss the pasta right at your table — a show as delicious as the dish itself.
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🍽️ Felice a Testaccio – Known for their creamy cacio e pepe, but their Amatriciana is just as legendary. The sauce here has a deeper, richer tomato base that sets it apart.
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This upscale restaurant in Rome is known for its high-end dining room and classic dishes. The professionally curated wine list draws wine lovers from around the world.
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Via Mastro Giorgio, 29, 00153 Roma RM, ItalyPhone: +39 06 574 6800 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Roma Food Porn (@romafoodprn)
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Abbacchio al forno (roast baby lamb) is the best, and they are also known for tonnarelli a cacio e pepe. Via Mastro Giorgio 29Rome, 00153+39-06-574-6800
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