Il Segreto - Italian restaurant near the Vatican — Restaurant in Rome

FULL of food tour groups touting "the best of Rome." Part of a new generation of trendy spots that may not actually be Italian. Host generously gifted a glass of prosecco when we couldn't be sat for our reservation due to large food tour groups doing tagliere tastings. The good: cut, chew and cook of guanciale on the carbonara Is perfect. Barolo by the glass (€15) is tasty, and the small wine list well curated. Service is a bit inattentive, though very hospitable once they have a moment for you. Zucchini "pie/tart" was actually crustless, a sformatino, delicious with Parmesan cream and pickled red onion, the paprika accent completely lost. Ricotta and porcini ravioli (€23 for five) with saffron cream had almost no taste of mushroom, came out nearly cold, and the small amount of saffron cream a bit too dry and tacky, not warm and flowing, but it was a pretty yellow color. Tagliatelle on the carbonara was overcooked, and the sauce mostly forgettable. Torta Caprese with canned whipped light cream was spot on in chocolate/almond flavor, but very dry and crumbly. The pistachio cream was a miniscule afterthought, not even a garnish. We were generously gifted a tasting of (not a Roman thing) limoncello to finish, a charming touch. Drafty room near the front sliding door on a chilly night, unkempt bathrooms, power repeatedly went out. Lots of energy and hip feeling, but certainly not a "secret." No reason to seek this place out until they figure out what really makes a place special and do away with the multiple simultaneous (at one point over 2/3 of the entire restaurant) tasting-only in-and-out food tour groups. You can do much better and more Italian/less touristy in Rome for less money with more attentive service. Still these are very friendly and charming staff, when you can get their attention. €95 for 2 people sharing 1 app, 2 pastas, 1 dolce, and three...

This was quite an experience. So much better than I could have hoped for. We had a reserved time to enter the Sistine Chapel, but were early. We found il segreto and so glad we did. From our first walk through the door all the way through our exit was exceptional. We were greeted by four or five people, didn’t have a reservation, but asked if we could dine, which they accepted. They sat the four us at a table where the kitchen was, but this wasn’t any kitchen, this one has windows all around, so you can see the chefs going at it. Amazing! Then our server Patrick introduced himself and took our drink and appetizer order. We had that and were already very pleased. Then he took our pasta orders (cicio de Pepe, Amatriciana, Carbonara, and one with shrimp and zucchini). All made to order. The freshness of the pasta is like nothing I’ve ever tasted. In a word fantastic! I can’t say enough about our server Patrick. He was very but not overly attentive, and ensured that we had the absolute best experience. I can definitely say that we did. Food: the food was absolutely delicious and seeing it made was a very nice touch. Made to order, perfectly, and the carbonara was to die for. It was like having pork belly instead of bacon bits like in most US places. Really great Wine list too. The entirety of the meal was outstanding. Service: Again Patrick was really great, along with the other folks assisting him and running the place. Friendly, welcoming, informative, attentive. Everything you could want in best I. Class service. And Atmosphere: very comforting, superior decor, very very clean, and the open kitchen with windows all around added a significant special layer to the experience. Overall 5+ Will definitely dine here again and...

After a long day exploring the Colosseum and other attractions, my best friend and I were quite exhausted. Since we were also celebrating a birthday, we wanted to find a special place for dinner. After a bit of searching, we decided on Il Segreto — the restaurant looked stunning online, and the menu promised many intriguing dishes. Plus, it was conveniently close to where we were staying.

When we arrived, we were warmly welcomed and offered a glass of prosecco. Shortly after ordering our wine, we were surprised with a complimentary dish from the chef — a true work of art on a plate. The presentation was beautiful, but what impressed me most was how harmoniously all the flavors came together. And that was just the beginning.

For our starter, we ordered bruschetta — and honestly, I’ve never had one so delicious. The mozzarella and tomatoes were of outstanding quality.

Then came the highlight of the evening and the reason we had chosen this place — the grilled octopus. I must say, I’ve never eaten octopus that tasted this good! Everything on the plate worked perfectly together — the texture, the balance, the flavors — simply exceptional.

But what truly makes this restaurant stand out is the team behind it. They work like a perfectly tuned machine — friendly, polite, and incredibly knowledgeable about both food and wine. Their passion and professionalism made the evening truly unforgettable.

I would highly recommend Il Segreto to anyone who appreciates fine cuisine and excellent service. It was a dining experience to remember — pure...