Cantina e Cucina
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March 2019, an unexpected weekend in Rome. At the time I didn't know how popular Cantina e Cucina was, but we found our way here by chance. One of my coworkers goals is to have pizza in every country we visit. This was a work weekend, and a one night stay in Rome. The food was excellent and the ambiance fit the bill. Very nice decor to give a feeling that you are in Italy. The service was great as well, granted I don't speak Italian but I would say this was one of the best stops we made in Rome. The capricciosa pizza was one of my favorites, as I enjoyed the hard boiled eggs. I would definitely love to go back one day.
One of our favorite spots in Rome. So good we ate there twice. The place is adorable and fun inside. The service is fantastic. Friendly and attentive servers both times. The food is beyond delicious.
If you want delicious pizza by the slice and a great glass of wine. This is the place. The Calice di Chianti is a nice wine to pair with your pizza. They also have many pastries to choose from as well. Check this one out when in Rome
Food: The pizza was really good, and the meatballs were as well! Portions are also good size for splitting. Service: Food was really fast. Ambiance: There is a ton of seating inside. There are bathrooms as well. It's in a great area of Rome. I would come back to try other dishes!
Ambiance: the overall vibe is less Italian, and their food is generally more adaptive to the taste of international tourists Service: very friendly and patient with questions, provided useful suggestions about their specialities Food & Drink: classic menu for pasta, pizza, and meat entrees LASAGNA "Bolognese" - ***** so creamy and soft with flavorful meat sauce, tasted freshly made in the same day, melting in your mouth, highly recommend Hot Focaccia with E.V.O. Oil and Rosemary - **** very crispy and tasty, recommend Capricciosa - **** tomato, mozzarella, cooked ham, egg olives, artichoke and mushrooms, less traditional Italian pizza but still tasty, recommend Birra Peroni Gran Riserva 0,4 - *** average taste not worth the cost Price: generous portions and affordable prices for food and hefty for drinks, expect €25 per person
Cantina E. Cucina was absolutely refreshing and delicious. We are traveling here in Italy, and it's just amazing to find these spots. We had to wait in line for a bit, but I'd do it all over again, lol. It feels weird since we are from the state and dining in Italian restaurants. America usually over does the Italian "style" and then to just be in an Italian restaurant in Italy you just note there is not style to it. They have their vibe and history, and it's great. The service was perfect and attentive. It amazes me how many languages our hosts knew. We had Swiss German, Spanish, and English, and we were all able to communicate effectively. They were polite. Fun and just made the experience amazing. Food wise... Cantina E hit all the musical notes. It all was fresh, as you can get with distinct flavors. The Caprese was so amazing that we got two. The flavors' breads with them made it sooooo much better. We got two pizzas, which were so good with a light, crispy crust and flavorful. Both dishes were fantastic. The ravioli was stuffed to perfection, and you could taste ever cheese and sauce. This was definitely one of my favorite restaurants to go to while in Italy... I recommend this to anyone.
Don't tell Garfield about the lasagna here. It is truly magical. I'm not sure how they made this lasagna light as a feather yet oh so rich. As melty as each bite was, the structure of the lasagna stayed true and didn't collapse into an awful swimming pool of wrecked pasta sheets, watery tomato sauce and gut busting cheese. Yes, you know what I'm talking about, when the pasta sheets are overcooked prior to assembling, wilting under the enormous pressure of holding up layer after layer of sauce and cheese, contributing to a plate of what looks like a messy baked ziti when it is all said and done. Don't get me wrong, I like baked ziti but baked ziti is a weeknight, let's mash everything together, I-need-a-shower, after work quick meal. Lasagna is Sunday table best and each bite should represent as intended, each layer, a perfect bite. This lasagna was that truely perfect layered bite. I've never made a plate of lasagna disappear faster than the one I was served here. Garfield couldn't have eaten it any faster than I did. If lasagna was like this everywhere I'd be eating more lasagna in my life. Their rendition of spaghetti and meatballs were delicious, although the meatballs were a little more dense than the others I tried in Italy. The steak was also a tough chew, but maybe it was because I had just tried a Bistec Florentine the night before. Of the side dishes I tried, the potatoes were delicious. Get the potatoes as a side if feel you need more carbs. LOL. I wanted dinner at 6pm and didn't wait at all on a Friday night which I know isn't the norm. This was also yet another meal where I doggie bagged unfinished business but believe me it was finished before the evening passed. LOL. Edited 6/8/24 - Thanks to John D for reminding it was Garfield not Heathcliff. Thanks John!
I was drawn to Cantina e Cucina due to all the great reviews I saw & photos made the food look super delicious. It's located near Piazza Navona & lots of restaurants in this area seem quite popular & busy, including this one. When we got here, there was already a line/queue. The wait was about 30ish minutes for a table of 4. We ordered the bruschetta, 2 tonnarello spaghetti w/ meatballs, lasagna, & gnocchi w/ clams. All of the dishes were very underwhelming & mid. Spaghetti was undercooked, flavor for all the dishes were severely lacking. Our server also charged us extra for flatbread when we didn't order it + didn't touch it. Did not enjoy Cantina e Cucina & would not come back here.
Perf spot to end my visit to Rome! I went at a weird time, so was able to pick a little table in the corner. The staff was soooo sweet and def made the meal even better - which was tough because the cacio e Pepe was perfect. Portions are big, so expect a heavier meal if you get pasta (in a good way lol).
The food, service and atmosphere was amazing! Our waiter (Ali) was phenomenal! He was able to keep us laughing while working on numerous other tables...made our night! The pasta was out of this world, and my son swore the carbonara and tiramisu were the best he's ever had! We'll definitely be returning! If you're visiting Rome, Cantina e Cucina is a must!
This is one of the best pizza restaurant in Rome, Italy, while there are tons of pizza joint in Rome, none were able to compare to Cantina & Cucina. It was on a regular weeknight, around 8pm, this place was already packed. The line was moving fairly quickly, and we were finally seated after 30min. American style pizzas and Roman style Pizzas are not the same, and honestly Roman's pizzas are so much better, even their pepperoni tasted better... We ordered a pepperoni pizza, fried calamari, and fried potatoes, the meal was simple, yet very delicious. The pizza and calamari were not oily at all, minimum oil were used but still able maintain moisture inside. The pizza dough came with thin crust, and the cheese was generously prepared, cheese pulls were epicly created on almost every single bite, it was so satisfying! This place has a great vibe and ambient, I will def come back next time when I am in Rome again. https://www.instagram.com/p/CfzM-qzjDi4/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= read more
Cute restaurant in downtown Rome. A bit cramped. Waiter's really nice. 4/5 pizza's good but nothing shocking or standing out. Prosciutto kinda do things by itself and I wish it was a bit stronger flavor 4/5 pasta carbonara is very creamy and eggy. Porchetta's flavor's really good, just some bits are too hard. They also send some free alcohol drink. Too strong for me but you may like it. read more
This was one of our favorite restaurant in Rome. Everything we ordered were delicious. We especially liked the fried calamari and spaghetti with meatballs. The fried calamari was one of the best I've ever tasted. It was very lightly dusted and fried perfectly and extremely fresh. Although the carbonara was good it was also on the heavier side. If you are ever in Rome give this place a try. read more
This place was so cute. I picked it because we were starving and there were so many options near Piazza Navona. We did not realize that there would be a line, but there was. Luckily, our timing was great, but some people ahead of us waited a lot longer. First and foremost, this is not an authentic Italian experience in that this restaurant is full of expats and all of the servers spoke perfect English. Our server, Ella, was the best. She guided us through appetizers and wine. We had the fried artichoke (you eat the leaves whole), bruschetta, and two pizzas. If you are looking for great food, cool atmosphere, and sadly no Italians, this is your place. read more
9 months ago
Stopped here for lunch as we ventured around the city. Homemade pasta which was simply delicious. Personnel and service were great especially being in a very touristy area. Check this place if you want a really good homemade meal. read more
The location is situated on a very busy gastronomic street. When you get there, expect a line, as this place was very busy. However, a server welcomes you with a shot of prosecco to get your appetite going. The inside is very cozy and has a good ambiance for romance and friendship gathering. The music selection was memorable and was not monotone as there were various artists. The server was exceptionally pleasant and very amicable. Now, you may wonder why did I give it a 3 star? Well as a food critic, there are basic rules to follow in a restaurant. 1. Bread cannot be toasted for the Bruschetta. This is a basic dish that requires a semi-soft bread; not one that can possibly damage your teeth or gums. Nevertheless, the tomato were plentifull; however, the balsamic vinegar needed to be asked for. 2. The Pasta. I ordered the most simple dish that is an icon in Italy, which is Spaghetti Pomodoro. However, the pasta was undercooked by 3 minutes and the sauce was heavy (only ate a 1/4 of the plate 3. Roasted potatoes (appetizer). This dish needs to be "roasted" perhaps a bit of dill on top would help with the flavor. Again, the olive oil was asked for. 4. *****Lasagna***** This dish was actually delicious....(I did not eat it, but tried a piece of it and was definitely a better choice.... 5. The drink, iced tea is iced tea; not an energy drink. 6. Coffee was ok, although asking for an American coffee is not to an expresso. American coffee is a more blended with a soft taste. Nevertheless, the server came by with biscotti which was on point. 7. Bathroom...this is by far the worst experience. If there is anything in this world that a restaurant must have above expectations is the bathroom. The floor inside the stall was wet and there were pieces of paper on the floor. I would only use it for a number 1, but I extremely doubt anything beyond that. The entire was experience was awkward; however, knowing what I know about the place, it would not allow me to return that easily. read more
Just a short walk from the Piazza Navona is this gem of a restaurant. Prices are reasonable and the service is excellent. Everyone there was friendly and despite my poor and very non-existent Italian, the staff was amazingly helpful. This place is what travelers want when they visit Rome. Friendly service and amazing Italian food. Crispy Roman Artichoke - This dish seemed so simple. A deep fried artichoke with olive oil and some salt. You literally just eat the whole thing and you won't feel bad about it. It's worth an order. Wonderfully crispy and delicious. Tonnarello - Amazing pasta with huge meatballs. This dish was filling and kids or the inner child in yourself will love it. Excellent execution of ingredients on all fronts. Meatball was well season and you can taste how fresh the meat and sauce was. Ravioli - The ravioli here was in all words amazing. A simple and rustic dish with fresh ingredients. The restaurant lets their fresh ingredients and execution do all the talking for them. Healthy servings of sauce and cheese cover the ravioli making this dish an experience you'll never want to walk away from. Risotto - The flavors in their risotto was on point. Cheese, rice, and mushrooms in this dish were excellent. Rice was cooked al dente if that's the right term. There was some bite or chew to the rice to the point it wasn't all mush despite how much liquid/cheese was in the dish so that it wasn't just a porridge. All in all, this was a great stop for a meal. Authentic Roman cuisine and near a well known part of Rome with plenty to see. It's also just a skip, hop, and a jump away from other sites like the Pantheon and the Trevi Fountain. read more
1 year ago
It's a good place, I don't think it's worth the wait. Staff is friendly food is good nothing to wow about. The fried squid was great the fried artichoke was ok, I didn't think it was worth it. Lasagna was good more like how it's made in America not the way it's made, very saucy, I like how they make lasagna in Bologna where it looks dry but very moist and tasty. The gnocchi was also good. All was good meal but no wow factor. I was surprised on the limited choices of a meal you can get. Mostly pasta dishes with very limited in protein serving. read more
2 years ago
HANDS DOWN THE BEST RESTARAUNT IN ROME!!! MAKE SURE YOU STOP BY AND SHOW THEM SOME LOVE AND EAT EVERYTHING ON THE MENU YOUR HEART DESIRES!! Thank you to my fellow yelpers for posting, reviewing, and uploading your photo's to make me and my cousin both stop by here to get our grubb on! DEF a spot you do NOT want to miss at all! They were the best spot we've gone to eat at in rome. SERIOUSLY!!! From the pizza, charcuterie board with meats and chesses, the cheese fries. Everything was very tasty and flavorful!! Everything was cooked perfectly and there was not a single thing we did not like. Staff is very friendly and will provide you an english menu for those other who are traveling here and wanting the full experience. read more
5 years ago
11 minute walk in the rain at 10PM at night from my hotel- well worth it! Lol. Was afraid they wouldn't be open late as usual due to the Roman holiday and because no one answered the phone when I called. But I took a risk and soo happy I did! Located in a cute alleyway full of foodie restaurants and gelato shops in the rione Ponte, this place was one of the few eateries in Rome open until 1AM, but had high Yelp reviews. There was a 10 minute wait even at 10PM at night but they move quickly to seat you and place your order. The staff are gentle and kind - taking the time to provide suggestions and answer any questions you have. I was initially seated in the back corner because there was no other open table, but without asking, they suggested I move to a table that opened up in the central area which was cozier and "better seating". Not one for rating on service, but the staff deserve 20 stars! I decided to start with the Melon, Ham (prosciutto) and Arugula appetizer and ordered the Lasagna for my entree. Wished I could have ordered a pizza because they look FIRE! but since it's just single gal traveling through the city, that would have been too much food (*cry). I also got a glass of peach fruit juice which tasted oddly like canned American peaches but more natural without that strange orange color. The juice definitely grew on me! Melon and prosciutto was refreshing and that lasagna!!! So melt in your mouth delicious. Not super meaty but had enough gooey cheese and slight grounded beef to carry it through properly. If you're craving meat, get the meatballs. It seems like a specialty here! Portions are surprisingly large. My check came out to 22 euros which I consider such a deal because the ambiance and quality of food was superb. read more
3 years ago
3 years ago
Cozy atmosphere with very friendly and knowledgeable staff. The pizza and pasta were authentic and delicious. A visit after the Vatican is a must!. And this cafe has the only clean bathroom that provide hand soap, toilet paper and hand drying towels. read more
10 months ago
2 years ago
Really great for our first night in Rome! My fiancé and I had the ham and melon to start off followed by the meatballs and the pasta with bacon and tomato sauce! The sauce is a chefs kiss! The spritz and Prosecco were also great! Super nice vibe in here, overall causal wear. Would deff return, I want to try the pizza! Highly recommend! The only reason I took one start was because it was hot in there not much air flow lol nothing to do with the food or service! They were both great! read more
2 years ago
This was a great place to eat. Especially after the a long flight. The food is authentic as it gets and everything is delicious. Ask for Mary the waitress. Good food Italian style. read more
1 year ago
1 year ago
This place is a tourist trap. You are paying to eat close to the Pantheon. The food is very average. With all the good food in Rome, why eat average food. The service was good and the staff was incredibly friendly, but again, there are many better options. read more
3 years ago
Amazing food and incredible service. Best service we received in Rome. The drinks are bomb. My husband is from South America and he said this place makes the best caipiriña he has ever had. Vegetable cheese platter was huge and pasta was great. Have to give a shout out to Giancarlos. Ask for him! He gave recommendations and provided the most friendly service we received in Rome, period. Muchas gracias mi pana! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Valentina took very good care of us on a very busy evening. Had 2 glasses of Chianti, Napoli pizza plus squid. Did not disappoint for flavor and taste plus arrived very quickly to table. Very pleasant atmosphere even at the table at the entrance. I rehearsed there's a line. read more
2 years ago
Been traveling to Rome Italy several years and it's a must stop to eat and have a few drinks. The staff is the friendliest ever. read more
Walking around checking out some tourism places and happen to find this place. Omg omg omg !!! Italino at its best. Service is great and food is great. You can taste the freshness in the homemade pasta noodles. Who doesn't like some good ole pasta? Those meatballs with pasta are juicy and tasteful. Now this is what I'm talking about ... simple but ohh so delicious and the perfect amount. The vibe is decorated with the Resturant theme of course which is ... Italian ! The tables are kind of romantic with a candle burning in the middle of it. This place gets busy and packed - so go early if you want to check it out. The prices are very reasonable also - location about a block over from the big tourism hot spot. Worth the five minute walk. read more
An awesome hole-in-the-wall-type restaurant. Lots of delicious food, including pizza, pasta, and burgers. The service was awesome too. The lady seating people was probably super stressed seeing the line wrapping around the corner and rearranging tables, but still found time to talk to us and be friendly. And our server was really funny and helpful. Highly recommend! read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
This place is a gem! My husband and I were in Rome for 5 days and we planned to eat everywhere but we fell in love at first, second, third and fourth bite! We did eat elsewhere for several meals but we ended up eating here 4 times during our trip! The staff greeted us like we were regulars! I guess we were for a short time. Lol! Anyway the vegetable platter was AMAZING and huge! The sausage pizza (I believe it was called rústica) was absolute fire! The deliciousness cannot be put into words. The fresh flavors were so perfect together! The bruschetta Trio, just wow! The lasagna was tasty. The olives were so good! America just doesn't have this type of freshness. Our tastebuds were dancing on cloud nine! When we visit Italy again, we will certainly make a special stop to come here at least once! Oh and it's looks very nice and clean inside. read more
4 years ago
During my week in Italy, this was my favorite restaurant that we visited! The food was phenomenal. The staff was so beyond friendly. While we were in line outside waiting to be seated, they handed out complimentary Prosecco! To start we got the calamari (PLEASE TRY IT) and focaccia. Best calamari I have ever eaten in my life... mind you, I grew up on the Florida Keys so I've had A LOT of calamari. The focaccia was so yummy between the olive oil and saltiness that take over your tastebuds. Then the pasta. Wow. Still dreaming about the pasta. I ordered the cacio e pepe and that was the most delicious cacio e pepe I have ever eaten. My fiancé got the carbonara, which was also outstanding! Be mindful that there's sardines in it, so if you're not a fan just so you know. But the winner here was the good ol' spaghetti and meatballs. My sister jumped on it before I could take a picture. That sauce was the most delicious red sauce in this whole world, I swear. The meatballs, OMG. That whole dish was just such an experience. Lastly, we finished the meal off with tiramisu. Wow again. So delicious. It was served in a cappuccino cup and gave a decent amount. When we thought we were done, they gave complimentary liquor. What kind? Beats me. I learned Italians are big on finishing a meal with liquor, especially limoncello. No idea what brown liquor was served to is, but it was strong and delicious. Please do yourself a favor and visit this restaurant! Best authentic experience in the heart of Rome! read more
2 years ago
Very popular spot! We had heard nothing but good stuff about this place so decided to try it. Waited in line about 45 minutes to get in so not too bad. The appetizers were really good, service was excellent, and restaurant had a really nice vibe . Lasagna was good but not terribly impressed with the carbonara. Host and wait staff were great!! read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
Food here is amazing! Walked here from our hotel on our second day based on GREAT Yelp reviews and it was excellent came back two more times even tho it was a pretty lengthy walk. A lot of places show open in afternoons but are not - C e C is open through the afternoon and that is a good time to come as evening there will probably be a line. The atmosphere is pure Rome - small tables squeezed together but you will meet some nice new friends and see what they ordered! We for one of the pizzas the first night - amazing. Cannot remember the name but Calabrisi is close. The salad was excellent too. Next trip we got Lasagna and Carbonara (- little different because it had artichoke hearts but I really liked it). Third trip was another Carbonara and spaghetti with meatballs. And we also tried their Tiramisu - it is a short one (one layer) but large piece and great for two to share. Staff is busy but super nice especially when they recognize your return visits. Loved this place - will dream about it back home! read more
4 years ago
After all the hype, finally went to this place. I had heard about it as a hole in the wall place however seems like they've created a hype for themselves and are super busy now. We tried their rosemary focaccia bread and it was absolutely delicious. It was crunchy, soft and filled with flavours. The margarita pizza however was just what you'd get anywhere else in Italy. Nothing special about the pizza. The staff is very sweet and helpful, they've got a bit of a struggle understanding my English, but that's okay. Also, I ordered iced tea in the hopes of homemade fresh tea but what came was just a canned iced tea which was disappointing. read more
2 years ago
First meal in Rome and hands down the best pasta in town that we had to eat here twice! The meatballs are to die for. Perfectly seasoned and moist. The pasta is the definition of al dente. If you're looking for a nice crust on your pizza, try it out! None of that drooping in the center. The second time we ate here, we ordered their lasagna and vivaldi salad. Although it was our last meal in Rome, I stuffed my face as much as I could. Just an FYI, they do not take reservations!! Go early or be prepared to wait in line. Try not to get run over by any cars going through that narrow road! read more
The pros & cons of Yelp - we headed here solely because it was the #1 results when browsing general dining near Piazza Navona, and I left feeling a little disappointed that this is where we spent a meal. Service was friendly & fast and we did beat the line that forms outside, but the best thing about this meal was my beer. We'd read reviews about the spaghetti & meatballs (hindsight 20/20 with this being an American dish) so we ordered that along with the carbonara. Food was basic & good, but comparing to other meals in Rome, it would rank further down on the list. I'm happy that we tried it to decide for ourselves, but if you're in the area, I'd recommend passing this up and finding something else. SO many options in that area, my reco is to live on a prayer and try something close by read more
4 years ago
Tourist trap!!!! Beware !!! Pizza - meh!!! Beyond mediocre ! Tasteless cheese, lots of it , doughy crust, supermarket quality . Fried artichoke, gross, soaked in low quality oil. Why kill the artichoke like that ? Mozzarella di búfala, dry mozzarella , no búfalo involved ! Just go somewhere else! Follow me for good tips ! I won't let anybody fool us! Food means a lot to me. Fried calamari and bruschetta people... you might like this place. Oh one more thing , complimentary Lily pop at the end of your meal !!! In Italy !! Absurd!! read more
4 years ago
Good - wonderful, ambience - homey, service - impeccable. I cannot Say enough wonderful things about this charming restaurant. We went back twice. The manager is a charming young woman! read more
More info about Cantina e Cucina
Via del Governo Vecchio 87
00186 Rome
Italy
Centro Storico
Directions
06 6892574
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https://cantinaecucina.it
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