Il Porto di Ripetta — Restaurant in Rome

We are older affluent women who made a reservation after this restaurant was one of several recommended by the concierge at our 5 star hotel, The First Roma Dolce. We arrived around 6:30 which was earlier than our 8:00 reservation and they had no customers. We announced we had a reservation and we had even picked our table the night before. Instead of being sat at our reserved table, we were escorted to a table by the door. We did show them the table we booked. Our words fell on deaf ears. We had a basket of bread, bruschetta and an appetizer sized pasta and a ravioli (5 pieces) and 2 glasses of wine. We noticed a woman directing the staff and when she came by our table stressed out placing a reservation marker on the table and mumbling something about reservations coming in making us feel we had to hurry up and leave. We then saw this same woman going to incoming tables and telling them about their gourmet specials, showing fresh fish to tables and paying a lot of attention to them. We ordered a tiramisu and I it was taking so long to get I went up and said skip it, we were ready to go. She said it was coming so we stayed and when she came to our table, we stated we were terribly disappointed in how we were treated compared to the 5 star service being given to other customers. I mentioned we noticed she seemed stressed about upcoming reservations so we informed her we had an 8 PM reservation but came early as we had advised when we walked in and told her our name. It turns out she had no idea we were there even though we told the staff and her stress was about our reservation. She pointed to the table we were supposed to have per our request saying she had it ready for us and said that was supposed to be our table sort of laughing. She was clearly embarrassed. We told her we were never given the service she gave to others, never told about the chef's special, nothing. We were given 2 menus and the kid taking our order was rushing us. I told him 2 times I wasn't ready as I was still reviewing the menu. Bottom line, the food was fine (had much better other places in town) but to pay $75 Euros for a basket of bread, bruschetta and 2 appetizer sized pasta dishes and a glass of wine was exorbitant. When the Manager presented us with the bill, she made a big deal about not charging us for the tiramisu. She was apologetic that we were mistreated and basically ignored the entire time there. Terrible disappointment for what was supposed to be a romantic gourmet dinner celebrating our 25th anniversary. Advice, women....don't go unless accompanied by men. I never write long reviews but our experience as 2 women customers was so bad we felt we need to alert other women out there. Also, our food looked nothing like the...

Here's your updated review with more emphasis on the great food:

A Memorable Dining Experience at Porto di Ripetta

During my recent visit to Rome, I had the pleasure of dining at Porto di Ripetta, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. Nestled in a charming location near Piazza del Popolo, this restaurant offers an elegant yet welcoming atmosphere, perfect for a special evening.

From the moment we arrived, the service was impeccable—attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. But what truly made this experience exceptional was the outstanding food. The menu features a perfect balance of traditional Italian flavors and creative, refined touches, with an emphasis on fresh, high-quality ingredients.

We started with a crudo di mare, a beautifully presented selection of raw fish that was incredibly fresh and delicate. Each bite was a testament to the kitchen’s commitment to top-tier seafood. For the main course, I chose the homemade pasta with seafood, and it was simply spectacular—perfectly al dente pasta coated in a rich, flavorful sauce that let the freshness of the seafood shine. Another standout was the tender and flavorful grilled fish, cooked to perfection and accompanied by vibrant seasonal vegetables.

The wine selection was equally impressive, with an excellent variety of Italian wines that paired wonderfully with our meal. And to finish, the tiramisu was a dream—light, creamy, and perfectly balanced between sweetness and espresso richness.

Overall, Porto di Ripetta delivered an exceptional dining experience with top-quality food, outstanding service, and a beautiful setting. Whether you’re a seafood lover or simply looking for a fantastic meal in Rome, this is a place...

This was the worst customer service I have ever received. I made a reservation for 5 and requested wheelchair access. Upon arrival they said there was no reservation and to wait outside (in the cold weather.) I pulled up the reservation on my phone and showed where I had received the reservation confirmation. She refreshed her screen and saw my reservation. At this point she told me again we could not wait inside. After finding another co-worker they explained they did not see the reservation and would be unable to accommodate us. Again, this was a confirmed reservation. There was a table available with wheelchair access. When I asked why we could not be seated there she said it was already reserved. When the couple arrived it was apparent it was friends of the worker. Unfortunately, there was no other option but to leave. We had a reservation and walked to the restaurant expecting a warm meal but were left with a negative experience and terribly disappointing service; no apology was even offered or any accountability taken on behalf of the business. I have never seen a business act so disrespectfully to a person needing special accommodations. I will never return. However, if you need a great meal Life is great and full...