Antica Pesa — Restaurant in Rome

An honest review - Nordfolk/Nordic’s Travelers Taste

Antica Pesa, Rome – A Night of Contrasts Beneath the Glitter

I had long anticipated my dinner at Antica Pesa, one of Trastevere’s most storied dining establishments. With its reputation as a celebrity magnet — frequented by the likes of Madonna and George Clooney — expectations were naturally high. So much so that I extended my stay in Rome just to experience this much-hyped culinary landmark.

The evening, however, turned out to be a study in contrasts — of finesse and frustration, promise and disappointment.

Atmosphere & Service

Upon arrival, the setting was elegant and understated. The terrace had an effortless charm, and our waitress brought warmth and professionalism throughout the evening. Her service was attentive, sincere, and refreshingly unpretentious.

But any ambiance the restaurant had so carefully cultivated was later undermined by the presence of the owner, who sat directly behind us. Throughout the dinner service, he engaged in loud FaceTime calls, played memes and YouTube videos on speaker, and at times blasted music. It was disruptive, jarring, and frankly unthinkable at a restaurant of this caliber. One might expect such behavior from a distracted tourist, but for it to come from the host himself? It shattered the illusion of refinement.

While I am aware that Antica Pesa’s ownership is known for being outspoken and unapologetic — and that reviews like these may trigger defensiveness — I believe it is not only fair but necessary to say: a guest who pays €xxx+ for dinner deserves the same care and attention as any VIP, regardless of how many Instagram followers they may have.

The Food (hopefully I get the dishes correct - apologies if not)

We began with a selection of antipasti: • Duck, delicately sliced and subtly seasoned, was a standout — earthy, tender, and beautifully balanced. • carpaccio, was equally refined, offering a whisper of citrus and a silken texture that lingered. • Unfortunately, the octopus — lacked seasoning and felt more like an afterthought than a crafted dish. It was rubbery and uninspired.

For mains, the inconsistency continued: • My homemade fagottini, filled with a creamy ricotta and paired with a delicate herb emulsion, was genuinely enjoyable. It struck a nice balance between tradition and elevation. • My husband’s “seafood” pasta, by contrast, was shockingly bland — the broth flat, and the dish lacking any of the briny depth one hopes for in a Roman coastal plate. • My father’s pluma — a cut of Iberian pork — was a triumph. Juicy, precisely cooked, with a charred exterior that gave way to a buttery center. • The low point came with my mother’s “fried lamb with chamomile”. The menu’s poetic description led us to expect a delicately pan-seared lamb dish infused with floral notes. Instead, it arrived deep-fried, heavy, and devoid of discernible flavor. The chamomile was indetectable, and the texture bordered on greasy.

Final Thoughts

Antica Pesa clearly knows how to impress — and has done so for decades — but my experience suggests that its charm may be reserved for those already within its inner circle. When a restaurant builds its brand on exclusivity, it risks alienating those who arrive with reverence and are met instead with indifference.

This is not a scathing review. It is a lament — a reflection from someone who genuinely wanted to fall in love with Antica Pesa, but instead left feeling like a spectator to a performance that never quite began.

Consistency should not be a luxury reserved for celebrities. For a restaurant of this stature, every guest deserves to feel like the main event — not the...

Disappointing experience.

This place in general had great reviews, and we were encouraged when we arrived by the Wall of Fame pictures of celebrities and the very welcoming aroma of live jasmine flowers blooming in the springtime garden dining room.

That quickly waned after we were sat, given menus, and consequently waited for 25 minutes for anyone to come back to get our drink order. By then we were ready to order food.

We got the cod espresso and ravioli to start. The espresso was pleasant enough and tasted like a glorified clam chowder.

The ravioli was presented well but undercooked (not Al dente), dry and crunchy on the edges. The filling tasted like it had been made with slightly moldy cheese, as it had that almost a blue-ish after taste to it, even though only ricotta and pecorino were listed in the filling. We ate it because we were famished by then, and while it was on the edge of inedible, sometimes being in a place that has a Michelin star can make one feel like “maybe it’s me?”, plus we were hungry and didn’t want to wait another 30 minutes for service to come by, clear the plate, and order something else.

The entrees (pork and grouper) seem like they were portioned for children. Three of the smallest potatoes I have ever seen came with the pork dish, which was the star of the night for flavor and consistency, but my young adult son definitely left hungry.

The 1.5-2 ounce portion of grouper was over cooked to the point of it being almost chewy., and glazed with a very salty marinade which turned the entire protein brown. The greens on the plate were nicely done and served as a cylinder shape.

Service during the meal was practically nonexistent. While we appreciated being given our space to converse, we had to flag down staff for drink refills and the check. Courses took half an hour, and no one came to check on us in between. They did get us the check quickly, however, when it seemed like they needed to turn the table.

We were so jaded by the experience that we didn’t even hear about the desserts.

We were very much looking forward to our “upscale” meal in Trastevere, but left a bit deflated.

I rarely leave reviews, but felt that I needed to share about our time there so others can make an...

Antica Pesa in Rome promises a delightful culinary adventure that showcases a blend of delicious offerings. Our dining experience kicked off on a positive note, with service that managed to strike a balance between professionalism and friendliness. Our waiter was knowledgeable and friendly, helping us navigate the menu smoothly.

However, a slight hiccup arose when we interacted with the lady who escorted us to our table and handled the billing process. She came across as a bit arrogant, swiftly taking away the bill before we could examine the details. This left us with a feeling of unease, as transparency in such matters is crucial.

The pasta dishes were decent and highlighted the freshness that Italian cuisine is known for. But the standout star of the evening was undoubtedly the smoked duck breast. Each bite of the tender and perfectly smoked duck was a testament to culinary expertise. The combination of flavors and textures showcased true culinary artistry.

Moving on to desserts, our expectations were high. The choice of berries with melon sorbet sounded appealing, but unfortunately, the execution fell short. The melon sorbet was marred by unwanted ice crystals, disrupting its smooth texture. The syrup drizzled over the berries was overly sweet, overwhelming the dish's potential elegance.

The highlight of Antica Pesa's charm was the captivating ambiance that engulfed us. The atmosphere transported us to a magical space, creating an intimate and enchanting dining setting. The restaurant's rich history and meticulous design contributed to an unforgettable experience.

In summary, Antica Pesa offers a culinary journey with both highs and lows. The service strikes a good balance, although one staff member's arrogance dampened the experience. The pasta dishes celebrate freshness, and the smoked duck breast steals the spotlight with its exquisite flavors. Desserts, unfortunately, stumbled due to technical flaws. Yet, the real magic of Antica Pesa lies in its captivating atmosphere, making it a unique and memorable dining...