Pierluigi Rome

Pierluigi sits at Piazza de' Ricci, tucked away from the heavy foot traffic of the nearby landmarks. It is a five-minute walk from Piazza Navona, placing it close to the city’s major thoroughfares while maintaining a quieter street-level presence. The restaurant holds a 2024 Wine Spectator Excellence Award, a distinction that defines the focus of its cellar.

The room runs smart, favoring a polished, Mediterranean-inflected style that feels more considered than the quick-turn tourist traps lining the neighboring piazzas. While many restaurants in this district prioritize speed to accommodate the constant flow of sightseeing crowds, Pierluigi relies on its seafood-focused menu to command a longer, slower evening. It is a better choice than its peers if you want a formal meal that justifies the walk from the Pantheon, as the kitchen trades the usual rustic, hurried pace of the old quarter for a sharper, more measured approach to service.