Est Artigiani del Gusto — Restaurant in Rome

"Cum accepisset cibum, confortatus est."

Rome changes lives. This food gives you the strength to face your new destiny.

This place reminds me of a restaurant that used to have two Michelin stars, but is too singularly dedicated to the pure pursuit of food to be bothered to jump through the hoops necessary to keep them. Yes, that means exactly what you think it means, Scott Bryan fans.

The Latin motto adorning the door and menu at Est: Artigiani del Gusto refers to Acts 9:19 in the Biblia Sacra Vulgata and finds Saul, the future Saint Paul, immediately after his road to Damascus conversion, at the very moment when the scales fall from his eyes. "And when he had received food, he was strengthened." This is indeed the root of the English "comfort", but in Latin the meaning is deeper, with a sense of being united not just with strength, but with courage—strength and courage sufficient to ready you to undertake a mission from God.

It's pure bloody poetry. The food lives up to it.

This isn't a dinner that trips all over itself trying to change your life; it doesn't need to, and is far too sincere for that. However, no matter how sharp the volta in your life may be at any moment, this is food that will carry you through it.

The Cacio e Pepe here may well be its Platonic Form, with its simplicity and authenticity matched only by the perfection of each element. Venerating tradition does not mean boring or cowardly, however. We didn't try the octopus, but found anchovies used so skillfully in dishes you can feed them to your kids. They make the pasta themselves, so why not make it out of something you've never had before that works intelligently with a D.O.C. cheese you've never had before? The black truffles come in plainly genuine shaved cross-sections, the Parmigiano Reggiano is old enough to savor by itself, but still young enough to cook with. Sure, they've got Prosciutto di Parma, but so does everybody. The local stuff is Prosciutto di Bassiano, and it's awesome, try it. We poked the wine list in several places over a few courses. It's not extensive, but I would wager it hasn't a weak link anywhere.

Staff that know their business, and a cozy, refined, tucked-away atmosphere. Bachelors, bring heavy dates here—the ones that are too shallow to understand and appreciate all the levels of goodness going on here aren't keepers. All this at a price point that's half of what I would have paid in New York. Ten years ago.

Every new life needs a home. This your destiny's...

Est Artigiani del Gusto is a cozy, family-run Italian restaurant tucked away on a quaint side street near Piazza Navona in Rome—really a hidden gem. Here's a detailed look:

🏡 Ambience & Setting

Discreet, intimate location on Vicolo della Cancelleria, with a charming indoor dining room and optional outdoor seating .

Warm, tasteful decor featuring wine displays and a welcoming vibe that often draws repeat visitors .

🍝 Cuisine & Menu Highlights

Emphasis on homemade pasta, seasonal Italian ingredients, and local sourcing—vegetables from trusted nearby farmers, whole wheat flours, and regional cheeses .

Signature dishes include:

Tonnarelli Cacio e Pepe, Gricia with truffle, Spaghetti Carbonara .

Special seasonal pastas like Cavatelli zucchini-tomato, and Ravioli ricotta-spinach .

Secondi such as Veal alla fornara, Tagliata di manzo, Saltimbocca alla Romana, and Eggplant parmigiana .

Menu spans antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni, vegetarian dishes, and artisanal desserts .

🍷 Drinks & Wine

Features a well-curated wine list with over 600 labels, including local varietals—ideal for knowledgeable pairings .

Attentive sommelier-style service complemented by guests’ excellent pairings .

⭐ Reputation & Reviews

Consistently rated 4.7/5 on Google (800+ reviews); Quandoo gives it 5.6/6 with outstanding ratings for food, atmosphere, and service .

Recent guest highlights:

“Miglior carbonara di Roma... servizio di qualità, location elegante” “Attentive service and fantastic food!”

💶 Price & Timing

Average spend is around €35 per person for a full meal .

Open daily for dinner (typically 7–10:30 PM); also serves lunch and breakfast on weekdays with a value counter menu (€8–10) .

✅ Best For

A romantic dinner, business meal, or a refined yet unpretentious evening.

Ideal if you're after authentic pasta classics, curated wine pairings, and a friendly, attentive service.

Ramsey-experience-seekers who appreciate local, seasonal quality away from the tourist crowds.

🔖 Tips

Reserve in advance—it fills quickly due to popularity and limited seating .

Try the handmade tonnarelli carbonara or cacio e pepe—it's been called the best in Rome .

Ask about daily specials—they often feature fresh, house-made treats like ravioli or desserts .

In short: Est Artigiani del Gusto is a delightful find for anyone craving warm hospitality, impeccably crafted Roman cuisine, and an intimate...

This restaurant was suggested to us by the manager of our hotel next door. It was a fine place to have coffee and pastries for breakfast, but when we returned for dinner we had no idea of the magnificent surprise we were in for! The chef/owner Filomena and her family do a beautiful job of preparing and presenting the VERY BEST food I have ever had in Rome, and I have travelled here many many times over the years. The pasta is homemade and the menu offers the typical Roman standards (cacio e pepe, Amatriciana, carbonara, etc), bit if you’re coming here you should really consider the daily specials... they were SO PHENOMENAL that we couldn’t leave Rome without eating here a second time on this week long trip. I had the homemade fettuccine with seasonal porcini mushrooms as my first course and the saltimbocca with a side of sautéed chicory the first night and my taste buds were so pleased that i almost cried. The second night we had the cacio e pepe and the fettuccine with truffle oil for the primi and took the chef’s suggestion and had the cod with chicory as well as the organic eggplant parmigiana for our second courses and even though we were quite full, there was no way we could leave one morsel on our plates because they were so incredible. The cod was perfectly sautéed to a crispy exterior without compromising the buttery flakiness of the tender flesh. The eggplant had just the right amount of breadcrumbs to allow the full flavor of the vegetable to come through and the freshly made marinara on it was brilliantly flavorful. The family was gracious with so many special touches including their homemade limoncello as a digestif. This is one of those places where Romans who are passionate about their food and culture come to eat... off the beaten path, not touristy, but a true gem. If you love true italian food, this place is a must. Reservations are essential... and definitely ask if there are any house specials that aren’t...