We went here for dinner while we were in Rome and had an amazing dinner! We had artichoke for a starter and it was great! The pesto gnocchi and the pizza were had were delicious as well! The service was amazing and everyone there was so nice! We really enjoyed the outdoor seating as well. We would highly recommend this restaurant to everyone visiting Rome. read more

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Nestled in Little Jerusalem you wont find a better spot to sit down and enjoy a wonderful meal, glass of wine or Aperol spritz. The staff are super attentive and make sure your experience is excellent feom start to finish. Our First visit was at lunch my wife ordred the Grilled Beed Steak medium with potatoes, I ordred the Tonnarelli Cheese & Pepper with Artichoke... All I can say "Hevean on our Plates" both our dishes were beyond flavor profiles the food was so good i made sure my last meal in Rome was the Tonnarelli Cheese & Pepper with Artichoke I did add for a starter the Artichoke Carpachio which sent my last meal to God Status!!! The wife ordered a pizza that had the crispy thin crust and she was to engulfed in her own flavor adventure. Both the waiters were awesome and the owners better keep them happy because they were definitely a large reason why we came back... There recommendations are the reason why this went from a lunch stop to a return visit leaving a mark on my life that was truly a wonderful food experience!!! Make this a stop while in Rome you wont regret it!!!! read more

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Listen, if you are in Rome for almost a week, there are more than enough restaurants to try, right? Why go back to the same place twice? We went to this place twice - excellent food, exceptional service, and a scarcity of tourists. This inviting establishment specializes in both traditional Roman cuisine as well as "Jewish ghetto" fare. For starters we had Jewish-style fried artichokes and fried anchovies. They really stood out as some of the best foods we tried all week. I had the Bucatini Amatriciana one night and the Carbonara the next. Both were superb. I had plenty of pasta carbonara on this trip, and this one was the best, hands down. My lady had the Artichoke Lasagne one night - this one of a kind meatless entree came layered with a heavenly bechamel sauce. On our second trip she had the Cacio E Pepe with artichokes, which she raved about before devouring it. The cheesecakes here are better than anything you will find on this side of the pond. They were warm and made more like a real cake than some creamy overly sweet mess. The house wine here is amazing- both red and white. The staff will happily sell you bottles to go, as well. Our server on our second night treated us to a round of limoncello and bade us return. That we will. read more

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This is a great place to dine. We stopped here after doing a walking tour. My tour director gave this place very good marks so we gave it a try. It wasn't busy that day, probably because it was extremely hot outside so service was pretty quick. The waiter was very attentive. They did place a bread basket down even though we didn't request one and of course it was an extra charge. Definitely try the artichoke. It was phenomenal! Our tour director said that they are known for their artichoke. read more

Il Giardino Romano - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

Lovely restaurant . Perfect location to people watch . Delicious food and spectacular view . I wish I could eat here again before traveling home . It's THAT good . read more

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This ended up being our first meal in Rome and it was amazing! I absolutely loved the fried mozzarella balls but the pasta and artichoke were delicious as well. We sat outside and it was fine (our table was a bit tilted but the service made up for this!) read more

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Delightful outdoor restaurant with shade and great service. I had oxtail! A recommendation from our tour guide to Pompeii. The beef melts in your mouth and the red sauce with carrots and celery was perfectly seasoned. Like a great beef stew (from America). The gnocchi with pesto was perfect and the pieces were sizable. But the ravioli with orange sauce was a hit! Perfect for a hot day. Refreshing! We loved this Jewish Ghetto taste of Italy! Stay eat and enjoy the day! read more

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This is a "must stop" when visiting Rome. Reservations are recommended and almost necessary if you want to dine indoors. We sat outside and started with carciofi alla giudia which was amazing and something you can find in very few places outside of Rome. Do not miss trying this out and certainly you can share but you will not want to share! I ordered a house wine to go with my meal and was surprised that the low price was for the ENTIRE bottle. We did classic Roman pastas - Carbonara and Cacio e Pepe. Of course the pasta was perfectly cooked ( who doesn't in Rome right?) and the sauces were prepared perfectly. The staff is serious about their food and service and are happy to help you to make your experience perfect. Tip if you cannot get a reservation - go early like 7pm and ask at the door they should be able to seat you outside. Again, this is a "must do" when visiting Rome read more

Service was great. Nice outside seating area. Caico e pepe with artichokes was very good. House wine was a steal.

Great dinner so good! Loved the artichoke pasta. Fried artichoke for appetizer was a treat.

Artichokes 3 ways is always a plus, but not too many other vegetables on this menu. Pesto gnocchi, 7 sins pasta, lamb cacciatore all great! Located right next to maybe its sister restaurant nonna bettas, the outdoor seating, menu, service, and location are indistinguishable. Reserve at whichever has space. Skip the dessert, and go two doors down to the kosher bakery. Service was impeccable, very welcoming, and also good for tourists. read more

Delightful restaurant in the Jewish ghetto. We tried a starter that included a variety of artichoke dishes and it did not disappoint. We also loved the falafel and the pesto gnocchi. Terrific service and reasonable prices. Lots of outdoor dining which was a plus on the beautiful day we were there. read more

Busy tourist restaurant on the main square in the Jewish Ghetto. We stopped for appertivo, but had to struggle through language barrier to get a table. We ordered a couple of glasses of wine and a tasting plate of fried artichoke, fried cod, and fried zucchini flowers. Fried fried fried! The only thing of note on the plate were the flowers. Stuffed with a delicious cheese and anchovies, it was a real hit. The server warmed up to us a bit, but service remained a little on the poor side. With dozens of restaurants in the area, not sure we will be back. read more

There are many choices near the Portico in the Jewish Ghetto, but don't pass up Il Giardino. I knew I wasn't going to leave Rome without having fried artichokes, and this was the first restaurant I came across without a wait. Right away, I was seated at a sidewalk table. The carciofi alla giudia were a given, and I followed that with cacio e pepe. Those artichokes may be the best vegetable I've ever tasted. It's a simple preparation: trim and flatten an artichoke, fry in olive oil, season with salt and pepper. And I'll never be able to get an artichoke to hit those nutty, sweet notes like the ones here. The cacio e pepe had fresh pasta cooked al dente, seasoned with a jolt of pepper, and topped with just enough freshly grated cheese. The chicory added a nice bit of colour and texture, to boot. Chased with a nice glass of Nastro Azzurro lager, it was a great meal for my first night in Rome. Prices are decent and service is efficient, but beware: you WILL get fresh bread (and €1,50 added to your bill) whether you like it or not. read more

Il Giardino Romano - Carciofi alla Giudia (Jewish style fried artichoke) - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

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For our last dinner in Rome, I chose Il Giardino Romano after scouring the Yelps. We didn't want anything too touristy, and we needed something close by to the hotel. I wish we had ventured this way sooner! Passing through a steel barrier, we entered a much quieter and calmer (and beautiful) residential area we hadn't seen yet. There was only light pedestrian traffic, and no cars, mopeds, or bicycles to dodge. After a turn we entered into a square ringed by restaurants offering outdoor seating, and we got several friendly greetings. This square was just starting to light up as the sun set. We arrived and were given a cool private dining room (Italy is experiencing a heatwave right now). We were then attended to by the best service we have received in Europe. Despite some language barrier, our host helped us make menu choices and made suggestions that we followed happily. After our courses of pasta, salads, lamb, chicken, veal, artichoke, and some fried vegetables, we even relented and ordered crème brûlée and tiramisu. Finally limoncello, and lots of laughs and pictures with our host. The entire group agreed this was our best dinner, and a perfect way to end our exciting adventure in Rome. I enthusiastically recommend this restaurant, and I wish I had taken more pictures! read more

A delicious lunch. Not a complaint about the service. Our meals arrived hot. Everyone tried something different, eggplant, veal, and pasta. Nobody left a crumb. We are fans of the Jewish style artichoke. Really anything artichoke. I can see how others may find eating artichokes cooked in the Jewish style unpleasant. They are a little greasy and prickly, but the big payoff is the creamy juicy heart. You know they are fresh because there someone in front of the restaurant prepping them. We left happy. read more

Il Giardino Romano - prepping the artichokes - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

The others in my party seemed to like it but I had different views on my carbonara, it was initially great but as I ate I couldn't help but notice the salt, so much salt. I am the poster child for unhealthy salt habits but even that was hard for me to finish read more

Il Giardino Romano - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

Little trattoria in Jewish quarter that seemed to have as many Italians as foreigners dining there. It serves traditional Italian dishes but specializes in artichokes including flattened and fried ones, Jewish style. Of course I had the Jewish style, and it was an experience in textures and flavors: the thin edges of leaves were both chewy and crisp like thick homemade potato chips. The flavor was sweet and nutty, recommend 9/10! Next I had cacio e pepe with little flecks of artichokes that lent an additional umami layer of flavor to the salty, peppery handmade pasta. What's up with Italians and their ultra-al dente pasta, regardless of whether it's dry pasta or fresh? On this, my second trip to Italy, I'm finding that all the restaurants cook their pasta way more underdone than what I understand American style al dente to be. So I get that, after multiple plates at many eateries, it's my problem and not their deficiency. But jeez Louise I'm seriously thinking about asking them to over-cook mine for my savage American palate. We also had ravioli with orange sauce-too sweet for my taste; and osso buco-tough, undercooked (is this an Italian theme?) and not full flavored. The worst thing about Il Giardino Romano is they charge €1.50 per person for pre-sliced bread, dried out at the edges because it's been sitting around in baskets for hours before serving. What is up with that? Service was perfunctory. The electricity went out for a couple of minutes toward the end of our meal. The staff went about their business in the dark (it was late afternoon so not pitch black but still too dark to see your food or get up and walk to the ladies room)--so hilarious to watch them acting like it was nothing. All in all I'd say go here maybe if you're in the area. If you like artichokes try them out, but literally every restaurant in the area does Jewish artichokes or fried or braised ones, so the ones here may but be that special. read more

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Feb 18, 2012: Sometimes when watching Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations show, I jot down notes on places or restaurants. Not too long ago I saw a show which included Nonna Betta, located in the Jewish quarter of Rome. I was in the area so I popped in for lunch. It was about 2:30pm and the place was completely full. It took a good 20 minutes before I could get a table, which was fine. I didn't mind waiting, as the dishes I saw looked great, even the pizza. I was seated in the center of the restaurant, which has a sky light, four pillars in the center of the room, and several small, closely positioned tables. Further back was another room, which I believed was the garden area. I posted my review on Nonna e Betta on Trip Advisor and received a private message from the owner of ... Il Giardino Romano, who asked me to correct my review, which I said I would. When I first arrived to the restaurant I saw the sign for Nonna Betta and several postings on the window, including a photograph of Anthony Bourdain. I walked into the restaurant door assuming I was walking into Nonna Betta. I was wrong. Looking back at my photos, I thought the two doorways were for the one restaurant. What's interesting is that where I sat for lunch is where Anthony Bourdain filmed his show for Nonna Betta. Why didn't he film his show in the correct restaurant? Are these two restaurants owned by the same owner? I'm not sure, as I have not received a response back from the owner of Il Giardino Romano. In any case, I had a very good lunch at il Giardino Romano. I didn't want a big meal so I ordered the Antipasti di Ghetto, which was a good mixture of fried artichoke (trimmed, flattened and deep fried), mozzarella, zucchini flower, and battered cod. All for 10€ (I wasn't charged for the bottled water). It was the perfect amount for my lunch without being stuffed. Everything was full of flavor, the batter light, and not greasy. I think the bread they served was the best bread in town! The place was busy the entire time I was there. As people left, tables were quickly cleaned and new guests were seated. I was lucky to get a table. I'll be sure if I return again to make reservations (especially for dinner). read more

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I've been back from Rome for almost a month now. While there I reviewed a ton of resturants but this one sat unwritten in my drafts for weeks. I can't figure out why I don't want to review this place. Based off hearing about the food in the Jewish Ghetto we decided on this restaurant based on Yelp reviews. We arrived on an extremely wet day and had a slight issue finding it. There were multiple resturants right in a row and it was hard to tell which was which. Once inside we were seated at a small table and began to look over the menu. I knew we needed a fried artichoke based on the praise it received along with Cacio e Pepe. After ordering a server dropped off some un ordered bread at the table. Being from America I just assumed it was free because why would you place it on the table if it wasn't free? We ate the bread up and eventually the fried artichoke came to the table. I'll be honest, it looked extremely unappealing. After some hesitation we dug in and it was good, definitely not something I would find in the states. I Even spread a little bit of it on the bread. I can definitely recommend that way of eating it! The Cacio e Pepe came out a little after and it was very heavy on the Peter. It also had some sort of greens, (maybe spinach) tossed in. The pasta was cooked aldente which seems to be the Roman way. The portion was a good size and I was not able to finish. I would have given this place four stars but when we received our check we noticed we were charged $4 for the bread. I know what you're thinking, this is an Italian thing and it happens everywhere in Italy... but no it doesn't. This honestly only happened at this restaurant the entire two weeks we were in Italy. It also makes me wonder what would have happened to the bread if we didn't eat it. I assume they would have thrown it away and not charged us. It all seems very silly especially to throw it away. At the end of the day there was nothing overwhelmingly special about this restaurant. Nothing that would make me remember it or suggest it to others. There was good food, and a decent location in the Jewish ghetto, but nothing that wow'ed me. read more

Il Giardino Romano - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

I'm glad Nonna Betta was packed so that we got to try this place instead. Food was bomb! Luckily, there was no line but the restaurant was full. Service was great and they speak English quite well. The menu was well written in English too. I was going to try the stuffed cheese with anchovy but decided to stay in the safe zone. Started off with fried mozzarella balls and honestly didn't expect it to taste so good! I didn't want to stop eating. It comes in 4. It was lightly battered; once you bite into it.. the little salty taste of the mozzarella just adds an unexplainable taste that bring it all together. Thumbs up! Then I got the fettuccine with artichoke and sea bass. Yum yum yum. A bit of tomato, artichoke, sea bass and pepper. The fettuccine was a bit more chewy than I expected but it wasn't hard to eat. Only a little bit of sea bass. My husband got the Roman style braised veal. That was delicious... dip the bread with the sauce. the veal tasted great, soft and tender. It has small lentils which was also soft. They take credit cards! read more

Food was beyond expectation fresh and very favorable. Artichoke trio is perfect for one who can not chose which style they wish to order. Sea bass was perfect , tender and deboned in front of you.. Pasta with pepper , cheese and artichoke. Just the way mamma used to make. Service was great .. Ambiance was good. read more

Tastiness!! Jewish ghetto is that small but not so small area with amazing food. They are all lined up on cobble stones street next to the beautiful ruins!! I've walked past this area a thousand times but never had anything but coffee/ shopping. Glad I finally gave the place a chance!! Caccifiore! Yes that's what they love here. It's is almost all the dishes. So you might as well order it. And you're in the Jewish area. Don't be asking for pork/things that they don't eat. Love~ service!! I can't stress how your attitude and manners reflect your service abroad. Especially in Rome. I try my best in broken Italian! They were extremely nice to me!! They were nice to other people too. Not to that one couple came with "I'm the tourist" chip on their entitled shoulder though. Embarrassing to say the least! Moving on~ the servers are all super nice. The owner too. Food: Pasta!! Different menu than what you'll see in other areas but it's quite good. Tagliorini e spigola e carcifiore :pasta with fish and artichoke. Surprisingly tasty!! Abbachio aka Lamb chops ~ drool! Frito misto ~ good Tripes ~ had a kick! Another pasta dish but with pecorino and peppers. Delish again! I've also had their appetizer and dessert. But their house wine definitely stand out. Love that they have their own wine label! For a hot September day, chilled Pinot Grigio was exactly what I needed! We left happy and full!! Forgot me waiter's name but he was amazing! Brought me their house special hot sauce!! That was omg I'm in love hot!! Overall, I loved it! So much so that I went back twice! Cash always work well but they take cards too. Just be polite and bring your appetite! It will be a fun meal! read more

Il Giardino Romano - Spigola!!! - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

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One of the best restaurants in Rome! The food was so tasty and yummy. The stuff is more than great! Thank you so much for your service and for your customer care! I'll never forget this place. read more

Il Giardino Romano - Roman Near Me - Rome, RM

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Magnifico! At least in my book. I had the gnocchi with pesto and it was perfect, the gnocchi were so light and tender and melted in my mouth. Oh and I had these fried olives that were fabulous ( I wish I could remember the name). They are green olives breaded and fried, a must at this restaurant! I loved this place, we sat outside on a warm September evening and as the restaurant filled up and the street got busy it was such a lovely ambiance. Ooh and the waiter was so nice, when he offered coffee after dinner and I told him I couldn't have caffeine. He told me the decaf was just as delicious! And he was right! read more

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A wonderful spot for a relaxed, Sunday afternoon meal sitting outside, sharing good food and enjoying the neighborhood with couples, families and lots of locals. We tried every style of artichokes that were offered (all delicious, but Romana was our fave), mozzarella balls, caprese salad, fried cod and several pasta dishes. Too stuffed for dessert, we finished with good espresso and an unhurried visit. read more

Stumbled across this fantastic gem by chance and it was the best meal I had in Rome. Do the fried artichoke, cacio e Pepe and the beef stew . The restaurant itself is romantic and if it's gorgeous weather sit outside. Let the ambiance of this quaint and quiet street take all your worries away. The flavors of the food were fantastic! All I can say is go and eat here. Don't hesitate just go. read more

Hard to stomach good food when your waiter is charging you €6 for NAPKIN SERVICE. Don't be fooled by their Anthony Bourdain (RIP) images. This is a tourist trap and a scam. Recommend going to other neighborhoods in Rome for better service, value and food. The bathrooms were also really dirty. read more

Spaghetti Carbonara was out of this world good. Exactly what I was looking for in Rome. Artichoke was also very good both Roman and Jewish versions. read more

While visiting the Jewish Quarter in Rome we picked Il Giardino Romano This area of is chocked full of good places to eat and this is one of them. Fabulous artichoke dishes of all kinds! We sat on the sidewalk and watched the Roman world parade by while savoring every bite of our meals! The staff is very friendly and accommodating. Great place read more

After a long Saturday of sight-seeing, my friend and I were looking for a restaurant to settle at for a good dinner. Il Giardino Romano was amongst the top-rated on Yelp, so we walked over and were lucky enough that they had one table left in the cobblestone front outdoor sitting area. Our server was a warm and welcoming, and the food was just fantastic. We ordered a bottle of the house red wine and the Antipasto del ghetto and Carciofi alla Giudia to start -- this is something you simply must get while in Rome -- and I had the Ossobuco alla Romana as my main. I don't know if I had a more delicious main course during my trip in Italy; I could have put the red sauce in a cup and drank it. To top things off, the prices were very reasonable. I'd definitely recommend this place to others looking for a solid Italian meal for solid prices. read more

I searched and searched for a good restaurant in this area - I was recommended this by Yelp and have to say I am starting to trust Yelpers less and less. Firstly the staff was rude. They were even reluctant to show me the bathroom. I decided to forgive them and try the food anyway. The bread came and it was stale. I returned it for another which was the same stale bread simply reheated. I ordered the vegetable lasagna. It was one of the most tasteless lasagna meals I have ever had. After the first bite I basically had to force myself to eat it. I had originally thought to order the antipasto del ghetto to try the traditional artichoke dish but has to change my mind based on these two things. The worst was that they actually tried to charge me for the stale bread that I didn't even touch after already bringing it to their attention. There are many other restaurants in the district and I hope that others are better than this one. read more

Best vegetarian Italian food in Rome. Orange ravioli, fried artichoke, falafel antipasto were delicious. Very friendly & lovely staff. Must stop for vegetarians and everyone else.... read more

I stopped to have lunch en route to the Tempio Maggiore. I had the artichokes which were delicious. The service was prompt-if you are in the area it is worthwhile. read more

Everything was great! Service and food amazing. We had rice balls as appetizer as well as the Jewish style artichoke. And our dinners we had gnocchi, cacio e Pepe, carbonara, and veal saltimbocca! Definitely recommend read more

Had supper here last night. Really enjoyed our pasta's. I had the bucatini amatriciana which had excellent tomato sauce and tasty bacon. My wife had the pecorino and bacon spaghetti which was also a winner. The fried artichoke was also awesome although at Il Portico we received 2 heads for just a little more than the 1 we got here. The house wine came in it's own bottle but it cost a bit more than in other restaurants but went well with our meals. As well when we refused the bread at the beginning (eating too many carbs lately ;) we were adamantly told that bread was included and he left it on the table. At the end if our meal, sure enough, we were charged €3 for bread. I'd prefer they just come clean and call it what it really is, a cover charge or coperto and not pretend it's a charge for bread, especially if you didn't eat it or didn't want it. Anyways, very nice meal, we'd go back. read more

The lasagna and spaghetti carbonara were the best on the block. The wait staff was the most pleasant as well. Of the 4 on the street we tried, I'll Giardino was the best! read more

One of my absolute greatest European meals. Very romantic experience. Can not recommend the fried artichoke, seabass pasta, and oxtail stew enough. read more

We came here for a light lunch - their fried artichokes were great! However, service was just ok. We had to repeatedly ask for olive oil and as another reviewer mentioned, they provide a basket of bread as you're seated, but charge you for it. The bread was ok, I'd rather choose my starter. read more

Dinner here was our best meal in Rome! Each dish was cooked to perfection. Prices are reasonable.