Best Restaurants in Rome With Kids: Family-Friendly Places We Tried
One of the best parts of visiting Rome with kids? The food. Pizza, pasta, gelato… what more could you want!
We ate our way through Rome one meal at a time, discovering some lovely restaurants, grabbing quick slices of pizza between sightseeing and, of course, eating plenty of gelato.
If you're looking for family friendly restaurants in Rome, these are the places we tried during our family trip, including our favourite meal of the holiday, quick lunch spots and the sweet treats we kept going back for.
Are restaurants in Rome family-friendly?
In our experience, absolutely! We found plenty of places where we felt comfortable eating out with our children, whether we wanted a quick lunch or a proper sit-down meal with delicious pasta.
We travelled with a 12-year-old and a toddler, so finding places that worked for both ages was important. We appreciated welcoming staff, menus with simple options and little touches like highchairs or complimentary bread to keep hungry children happy while waiting for their food.
Rome can get busy, particularly around popular restaurants and tourist sights, so it's worth thinking about meal times and booking ahead where possible. But don't feel that every meal needs to be planned weeks in advance. Some of our favourite food stops were places we discovered while exploring.
The best family-friendly restaurants in Rome we tried
Mariuccia, Campo De Fiori
Bufala Pizza
Our first meal in Rome, such a nice way to ease into the trip. We arrived for a late lunch around 3pm, so the restaurant was lovely and quiet. A highchair was brought over straight away and our order was taken by one of the faces smiling at us out of the menu.
We ordered the Bufala and Diavola pizzas alongside the Polpette al Sugo (meatballs in tomato sauce). Everything was delicious, generous in portion size, and great value.
Good for families - Yes! Relaxed atmosphere, welcoming staff, and a varied menu with something for everyone.
Little Tip - A great option for a lunch spot if you’re exploring around Campo de Fiori.
Mimi e Coco Trast, Trastevere
‘The Best’ Pomodoro
Undoubtedly our favourite meal in Rome! We had to wait in a very small queue, which is the case for many of the popular restaurants here, but we arrived at a good time so weren’t waiting very long. This is a cosy, lively restaurant with such a lovely atmosphere and definitely worth the wait.
We ordered the Cacio e Pepe, which was gorgeous and the best I’ve had, alongside a lovely Hugo Spritz and a Carbonara, another beautifully cheesy pasta dish. The kids shared a pomodoro, which was declared “the best pasta I’ve ever tasted” by my 12 year old!
Good for families - Yes! The staff were super welcoming and just so friendly. The complimentary focaccia to start was also perfect for little tummies who can’t wait for the main meal to arrive.
Little tip - If you don’t want to queue, arrive early, ideally as soon as the restaurant opens!
Antico Carbone, Trastevere
Tagliatelle Alla Norcina
Our final meal in Rome was at Antico Carbone in Trastevere and it felt like the perfect final dinner. Warm, comforting, and full of flavour. We tried the Tagliatelle alla Norcina and the lasagna, both of which were delicious. The kids shared one final pomodoro pasta, which also went down very well.
Good for Families - Yes! Relaxed atmosphere, comforting food, and plenty of simple options for kids.
Little tip - Perfect for a slower evening meal after a busy day exploring Rome.
Quick and easy places to eat in Rome with kids
Not every meal needs to be a long sit-down affair. When you're sightseeing with children, quick and easy food stops can be a lifesaver, especially when little legs are tired and everyone is getting hungry.
These were some of the places we tried along the way.
Trapizzino, Various Locations
Perfect for a quick lunch or snack while exploring. A great grab-and-go option for busy sightseeing days. We fuelled up on the Chicken Cacciatore and Tomato Meatball options here after visiting the Colosseum.
Alice Pizza, Various Locations
Ideal for pizza by the slice when you need something quick, easy, and guaranteed to keep everyone happy.
The best sweet treats and gelato shops
You can't visit Rome without making time for gelato. We certainly didn't, and by the end of the holiday, our toddler was asking for ice cream every evening!
Unicorn Gelato
Our favourite gelato spot from the trip. By the end of the holiday, our toddler was asking for “ice cream” every evening after dinner.
Two Sizes
I have a confession… I don’t actually like tiramisu. However, after Two Sizes was recommended to us multiple times, we had to try it. We went for the strawberry and caramello flavours and both were lovely.
Lo Sfilatino
We grabbed pastries here on our final morning in Rome and they were so fresh and delicious. The perfect final breakfast before heading home.
Tips for eating out in Rome with kids
After eating our way around the city, here are a few things I'd keep in mind if you're planning a family trip to Rome.
Arrive early at popular restaurants. We only had a short wait at Mimi e Coco Trast, but arriving earlier can help you avoid longer queues, especially with hungry children.
Look for simple pasta and pizza options. We found that familiar dishes such as Pomodoro pasta and pizza worked brilliantly for our children.
Keep quick lunch options in mind. Places like Trapizzino and Alice Pizza are useful when you don't want to spend a long time sitting down for a meal.
Don't underestimate snack stops. Bakeries, pastries and gelato make excellent little breaks between sightseeing stops.
Consider booking ahead. Some restaurants may require reservations by phone or email. We found email a straightforward option when arranging meals.
Build in time to rest. We often returned to our apartment between sightseeing and dinner, which helped everyone recharge before heading back out.
If you're planning a family trip to Italy, don't be afraid to eat out with the kids. We found Rome really welcoming, with plenty of simple pasta dishes, pizza and sweet treats to keep everyone happy.
If you're still planning your trip, you might also enjoy our guide to Where to Stay in Rome With Kids: Best Areas for Families, our review of Our Rome Apartment Stay: Numa Rome Trastevere, and our Rome With Kids: An Honest, Real-Life Guide: What Worked and What Didn't.
Final Thoughts: Where to eat in Rome with kids
Rome is one of those cities where food becomes part of the experience. Some of our favourite moments from the trip were simply sitting outside together, sharing pasta, watching the world go by, and ending the night with a gelato.
Mimi e Coco Trast was our standout restaurant, while Trapizzino and Alice Pizza were great for easy meals on the go. And, of course, Unicorn Gelato became an almost nightly tradition.
If you're wondering where to eat in Rome with kids, my advice is not to overthink every meal. Make a few plans for places you're especially excited about, but leave room to discover somewhere along the way. You might just stumble across one of your favourite meals of the trip.