Discover restaurants & bars in Rome best for a student budget
In the latest “Essential Student Guide” series, 14 restaurants and bars cover a range of cuisines and dining atmospheres all while fitting a student budget. Students can discover a variety of pubs, restaurants, and cafes offering lively night outs, artistic adventures, or laid back outings.
RESTAURANTS
Maybu Margaritas Y Burritos
Via Candia, 113 (Prati/Vatican)
mayburoma
Mexico has arrived to Rome! If you’re craving some comfort food that comes from the other side of the world, this new gourmet fast food burrito and nacho place is the place to go! Frozen margaritas, crunchy nachos, ensaladas and flavor-packed burritos with the best homemade sauces and fillings await you. It almost feels like you’re in Texas eating authentic Tex-Mex cuisine. Except you’re not in Texas – nor in Mexico – you’re in Rome, just footsteps from the Vatican Museums!
La Prosciutteria
Via della Scala, 71 (Trastevere)
You won’t regret squeezing into a table at La Prosciutteria, a popular salumeria for locals. La Prosciutteria’s tight courters foster a cozy, intimate space for sharing a meal with friends and loved ones. The front display case reveals an overwhelming array of meats, sauces, and cheeses for sandwiches, bruschetta, and shared platters for take away or a sit down meal. Bring a friend or two and order one of La Prosciutteria’s chopping boards (taglieri), which serves up an assortment of bread, cheese, vegetables, sauces, cold cuts, and olives. Small, medium, and large chopping boards are available, ranging from five to fifteen euros per person.
Beveria Monteverde
Via Francesco Bolognesi, 16 (Monteverde)
If you’re looking for a chill place for burgers and cocktails, the Beveria is the perfect spot. Located on the Gianicolo, this cozy “ristopub” serves salads, skewers inspired by Japanese cuisine, wraps, burgers (including veggie), and homemade desserts. Sip on a delicious drink from the Beveria’s vast selection of cocktails, wine, and beer while you relax indoors or outside.
Cajo and Gajo
Piazza San Calisto, 9A (Trastevere)
cajoegajo
You can never go wrong with a dinner at Cajo and Gajo, a traditional Roman restaurant just a few steps from Piazza Santa Maria. Customers rave of Cajo and Gajo’s carbonara, pizza, and friendly staff. The chill atmosphere, yummy Italian food, and cheap prices make Cajo and Gajo the perfect restaurant for a relaxed night out, or for sharing traditional Italian food with visiting family and friends.
Sushi and Noodles
Viale Aventino, 117 (Aventino); Via Giuseppe Gioachino Belli, 69 (Prati)
sushienoodles.it
Need a break from Italian food and burgers? Sushi and Noodles is the best restaurant for your late night Japanese and Chinese food cravings. Its seventeen page menu offers all your favorite appetizers, noodle and rice dishes, sushi rolls, and Chinese dishes. Both locations provide a fine dining feel, but the prices for the quality of food are unbeatable. Take away is also an option for the Prati restaurant via Deliveroo, perfect for students looking for a night in.
Ba’Ghetto
Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 57 and 2/a (Jewish Ghetto)
baghetto.com
In the heart of the Jewish ghetto, the Ba’Ghetto serves kosher specialties, Jewish-Roman cuisine, and Middle Eastern dishes. Students, tourists, and locals alike boast of the range of delicious food available between Baghetto’s two restaurants on Via del Portico (there is another on Via Livorno and yet a third on Via del Portico), with one specializing in meat dishes and the other on dairy dishes. Number 57 serves traditional Mediterranean and Jewish food like falafel, hummus, malawah, goulash, and skewers. Its second location at number 2/a offers food with dairy and milk, like white and red pizza, pasta, and mozzarella. Whether you’re looking for traditional Roman-Jewish cuisine or craving a taste of the Mediterranean, Ba’Ghetto will not disappoint.
Carlo Menta
Via della Lungaretta, 101 (Trastevere)
PizzeriailCarloMenta
Although Carlo Menta is not one of the first names that comes up when asking where to eat in Rome, it’s a safe bet. From the classic Roman pizzas and pastas, to signature dishes from all over Italy, Carlo Menta’s true strength lies in its variety and prices. In fact keep in mind that you need a reservation, and that you and your party must all be present before they seat you! With one of the most affordable menus – €4 for a round margherita pizza – you’ll leave Carlo Menta with a full stomach, and wallet!
La Montecarlo
Vicolo Savelli, 13 (Piazza Navona)
lamontecarlo.it
Crispy thin-crust pizza, delicious pasta, good house wine, a friendly service and an amazing price for quality. What else could a student ask for? This pizzeria footsteps from Piazza Navona is a real hidden gem, frequented by tourists and locals alike. No reservations allowed, just show up with your party and wait to be seated. A loud crowd in a simple setting, just like the Romans like it! Just a heads up, credit cards aren’t accepted, cash only.
BARS
Freni e Frizioni
Via Del Politeama, 4 (Trastevere)
freniefrizioni
Along the Tiber and just a few steps from Piazza Trilussa, Freni e Frizioni is a great spot for a night out with friends. The stylish interior, relaxed vibe, and excellent bartenders surely won’t disappoint. Aperitivo hours run from 6:30p.m. to 10p.m. (beer & wine for 6€, long drinks for 8€), and after 10p.m. drinks cost 5€ and 6€ accordingly. A buffet is also open between 7 to 10 with vegetarian options. If you can’t snag a table inside, join the crowd in the piazza and enjoy live music while sipping your “Jessica Rabbit,” “Jack Sparrow,” “William Wallace,” or “Joker” cocktail.
Sacripante Gallery
Via Panisperna, 59 (Monti)
sacripantegallery
If you’re looking to sit down and converse over a delicious cocktail, check out Sacripante Gallery in Monti. This cocktail bar/art gallery is filled with retro couches and chairs, prints, and paintings for an aesthetically pleasing experience as well as a gustatory one. This artistic nook has also held painting sessions, tarot card readings, and live music groups, making it a great bar for a creative, enchanting experience.
Luppolo Station
Via G. Parini, 4 (Trastevere)
LuppoloStation
Craft beer, friendly staff, yummy food, and Pearl Jam await you at Luppolo Station. Inspired by the roaring twenties, Luppolo Station’s artwork, clocks, and furniture immerse customers in a cozy, casual spot for great food and drinks. The pub prides itself on pairing the best craft beer from Italian and foreign breweries with authentic Roman cuisine. You’ll find burgers (vegetarian included), pasta, and fried munchies to enjoy with a glass of craft beer. Relaxing with friends, listening to a great soundtrack, affordable prices, and service from a passionate staff make Luppolo Station a go-to bar for students.
Litro
Via Fratelli Bonnet, 5 (Monteverde)
LitroVineria
Seated atop the Gianicolo, customers enjoy Litro’s relaxed atmosphere, passionate staff, and good wine. With twinkling lights strung up on the outside patio, Litro invites customers to grab a seat and chat over a glass (or two) of their natural wine and classic cocktails. With platters of prosciutto and cheese, bruschetta, and sandwiches also available, Litro is the perfect spot for students to sit back and unwind.
L’Emporio alla Pace
Via della Pace, 28 (Piazza Navona)
LEmporioAllaPace
Tucked behind Piazza Navona, L’Emporio alla Pace is the perfect spot for a cappuccino and cornetto in the morning and glass of wine in the evening. While customers particularly like the café’s relaxed, literary vibe while enjoying breakfast or lunch, the coffee bar transforms into a lively hang out spot at night. Younger crowds spill out of the café and into the street while sipping craft beer and excellent wine. With its versatile atmosphere and proximity to Piazza Navona, L’Emporio alla Pace is one of the best bars for students.
The Drunken Ship
Piazza Campo de’ Fiori 20/21 (Campo de’ Fiori)
TheDrunkenShip
Right on piazza Campo de’ Fiori you’ll find one of Rome’s most beloved student meeting points for a fun night out. It’s called Drunken Ship, and it’s a student bar where you can get pretty much anything you want. It’s lively and packed with an international crowd, especially full of Americans. One of the biggest crowd pleasers is Drunken Ship’s beer pong table. Head to the bar, buy a beer pitcher, and get yourself in line to play a game of beer pong. Don’t forget your student ID, they offer student discounts! Just a heads up, there’s only one bathroom.
Scholars
Via del Plebiscito 101b (Piazza Venezia)
scholarslounge
If you’re an international student in Rome, you’ve probably heard of Scholars. Footsteps from Piazza Venezia, Scholars is the go-to place for a fun night out at Rome’s biggest Irish bar. Come by for the food, served till midnight, for the exceptional beer, for the fun expat community and for watching sports. If you’re into Karaoke, mark Tuesdays on your calendar.
Check out the Essential Student Guide: Transportation in Rome
Check out the Essential Student Guide: Setting up your life in Rome
