Art Cibò Ristorante dai Pupi — Restaurant in Rome

I know some of the bad reviews of this restaurant say the food was at least good but to me it wasn't. The portions were small and there was nothing special about the fish I had. We payed 43 euros (50% discount) for a slice of fish, one small eggplant, a tomato, 200 grams (at most) of fried squid and anchois, and one egg. We booked a table on the fork because there was a 50% discount but to our surprise the owner said that to be able to have the discount we needed to order 2 plates per person. Now he says this is mentionned on his website but you can go ahead and check for yourselves there was no mention of this neither on the fork description nor on his ai generated website. We also know that in Italy they charge people for water even though their tap water is perfectly drinkable, so we generally refuse it. The owner however found this weird and had a bad expression of disbelief on his face. We had to drink in secret when he was not looking to avoid his judgy eyes. I'm writing this fully expecting him to tell me that im not restaurant material and that I should just eat sandwiches or pizzas like he does to every person who's not satisfied with his expensive food so ask yourself before you visit this place if that's the kind of attitude you want to encourage.

Edit: This is a response to the owner. I would take a sandwich any day over what we had in your restaurant. Good life to you too...

Tucked away in a quiet corner of the city, this small, charming restaurant is a true hidden gem. From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with warm smiles and genuine hospitality that make you feel like part of the family. The owners are not only polite and kind, but they also go above and beyond to ensure every guest has a memorable experience.

The atmosphere is cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxed meal or a special occasion. The decor is simple yet tasteful, with attention to detail that adds to the overall charm of the place.

But the real star of the show is the food. Every dish is crafted with care and passion, using fresh, high-quality ingredients that shine through in every bite. Whether you're enjoying a classic favorite or trying one of the chef's special creations, the flavors are consistently excellent, with each plate beautifully presented.

Service is impeccable, with the staff striking the perfect balance between attentiveness and giving you space to enjoy your meal. The owners often check in personally, adding a warm, personal touch that makes the dining experience truly special.

In a city filled with dining options, this restaurant stands out not just for its outstanding food, but for the heart and soul that the owners pour into every aspect of the business. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a delicious meal served with genuine care...

Attentive server but honestly, the food quality was the worst meal that we had during our recent Italy trip. We booked this using a discount 50% coupon, so it's not clear to me if they lowered the quality of the food because of that, they think that we were tourists and couldn't taste the difference, they had a substitute amateur chef, or they are just not good, period. Either way it was a laughable experience that we would like to share:

1. We ordered a "Crispy Cod" and the fish was cooked steamed/boiled, definitely not crispy lol
2. We ordered another fish dish that supposedly have an "orange sauce", but the fish again was cooked steamed with very little favor other than salt. There's no "orange sauce" other than a slice of orange on the plate lol
3. The grilled vegetables were burnt as shown in the picture with again, no favors
4. The seafood risotto was very watery that I can cook better than that The server did repeatedly check in on us (good for her, thus the 1 star). Not sure if she is aware of these issues and felt guilty. We didn't complain since it is what it is and the meal at least was cheap after the coupon. The cashier also short-changed us 20 Euro until we pointed out. Overall, it was just a laughable experience. We hope that this was a mistake and they can take some pride and improve their quality for future tourists, but we will definitely not...