WIRT Guide to Ethnic Restaurants

WIRT Guide to Ethnic Restaurants in Rome

Upon reading the title of this article, you may be thinking “How could anyone get sick of delicious Italian food in Rome!”  Trust me, after a while one does need a break from the carbohydrate rich Italian diet. Here are some of our favorite spots for ethnic cuisine.

Japanese/Sushi:

Sushisen

Sushisen is tucked away on a side street just behind the Piramide metro station along line B of Rome’s Metropolitana. The food is consistently fantastic, and prices are reasonable (about 25 Euro per person with a glass of wine or beer). As this restaurant is quite busy, reservations are highly recommended. The dining room is divided into two parts, the sushi bar, and the general seating area. The staff are very efficient and helpful. 

Via Giuseppe Giulietti 21/A

Closed Mondays

Hiyashi Sushi

This new Japanese restaurant located a few blocks from the San Giovanni Metro station offers good competition to the beloved Sushisen (above). Prices are slightly lower, and there is no sushi bar to be found, but the general dining area is nicely decorated and has traditional Japanese style seating.

Via Faleria 36, Metro line A “San Giovanni”

Thai:

Thai Inn

Thai Inn is located in the Monteverde quarter of Rome. The owners and staff are all Thai, and are extremely gracious. Their restaurant has a back “garden” room in which clients can dine amongst exotic plants and flowers.  Especially good here are the soups and noodle dishes.

Via Ozanam 94
Tel. 06 58203145

Ethiopian:

Africa

This restaurant has received all kinds of praise from Italian restaurant critics as well as Let’s Go and other Rome travel guides. It offers very affordable Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine in a quiet atmosphere. It’s hard to imagine getting sick of Italian food, but if you are in the mood for something different, try Africa. Meats are generally cooked in thick sauces, and served on top of the African flatbread called ‘ngera along with okra and other vegetables. It is customary to eat with one’s hands, using the bread to “grab” your food.

Average cost: 15 Euros per person for entrée and beer or wine.

Via Gaeta, 26

Middle Eastern:

Ali Baba'

This restauant is a bit off the Rome sightseeing path, but if you happen to find yourselves in the Via Casilina area of Rome when a kebab jonesing sets in, try Ali Baba' in Piazza della Marranella. Though there are hundreds of kebab joints in Rome, none of them hold a candle to this place. The bread is home made, and instead of just meat and sauces they fill the sandwiches with fresh tomato, shredded cabbage, lettuce, olives, onions, and just about anything else you could want. There are a few stools to sit down on, but most of the business here is take-away.

Peruvian:

El Norteño

This family run Peruvian restaurant is new on the scene in the Termini Station area. The Ceviche de Pescado appetizer ( traditional Peruvian specialty made of white fish, marinated in lime, ginger, salt and pepper) is delicious and possibly big enough to be an entrée.

Via Castro Pretorio, 26

Tel. 06 49381722 open every day

Mexican

There are several Mexican restaurants in Rome. Most are overpriced for mediocre food, although La Cucaracha is fairly good.  Lots of traditional and spicy Mexican fare to choose from, as well as a nice cocktail menu.

Via Mocenigo 10a (Vatican Museum area, easy to integrate as a stop while sightseeing in Rome) Open every evening.

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