La Carbonara (Monti) — Restaurant in Rome

If you're reading this, please please PLEASE trust me. Do NOT choose this resturant. Literally there's like 7 other resturants in the same square that are a lot more friendly and promising in food.

Here's what I had. I had first two appetizers, nothing special. The green vinegar sauce for the fried zucchini was pretty good.

But hey, the restaurant's name is LA CARBONARA. The main reason why I'm there is for the carbonara as a carbonara lover myself.

That sh* is the most disgusting carbonara I've ever eaten. For one thing, the pasta was very hard and chewy. Texture is absolute garbage. And the flavor? I couldn't taste anything except literal salt. That was the saltiest thing I've had in my life (no, LITERALLY. I was born and come from America. I KNOW whats considered salty. Even then this is the saltiest thing I've had in my life) and since in Italy they don't serve you free glasses of water, you can only drink wine or sparkling water by paying for it. I came out of that restaurant with my tongue stinging and throat dehydrated as f**. Seems like they boiled the pasta with literal salt which would explain why it was so damn chewy and salty.

On top of that the servers are so so so hostile. Me and my family are genetically Asian and according to other reviews, they treat people differently based on race but hey, even if you're white or Italian why would you bother paying for food and services made and served by racists?

The place was nice though. But even then, you have to reserve and pay extra to even dine INDOORS. I don't come from Italy so I won't comment on their possible culture about all that but the look they gave us when we were one of the customers going indoors were NOT nice.

So yeah thats my experience of dropping around 200$ for uncooked pasta caked with salt made by supposedly racist people. I can only pray that people reading this review listen to me and find somewhere to eat.

If you're gonna eat here even after reading all this, bring at least a gallon of water so you're not dying by the time you leave this...

Well, there are times when you go to a restaurant and you say “wow, that was absolutely phenomenal” and then there are those times, very few indeed, when the experience enters so deeply into you that you surpass “wow” and your dining experience becomes an indelible part of your favorite memories. Rossi, the beautiful lady who attended us, recommended the Maiale Gnocchi, which was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE for my husband and I had the carbonara, the signature meal, which proved itself worthy of its fame! We went with her wine recommendation which was wise for both its economy and its taste. We had antipasti (I will not say which ones, but they were great) as well as a tiramisu for dessert that was out of this world…not the traditional style, but EXCEPTIONAL; I am not a fan of tiramisu, but I loved this one. I hope everyone else will think the same. My husband ordered a special after dinner drink (hint: it had a bite) as well as a coffee. After two hours of culinary joy we left with a beautiful, life long, experience. However, the star of the show was Rossi!!!!!!!!!!! If every orchestra has a great conductor, Rossi was our conductor. Confide in her recommendations. Allow her to manage the pace of the meals so everything does not arrive all at once, but there is not too much time between the servings. She showed us a care and attention which one can only dream of when they go out to dine. Between the service and the quality of the food I must give La Carbonara (Monti) 10 stars, not five. Lastly, we ate there seven years ago. This experience was better than the first and the first one was the reason why we returned!! Grazie mille Rossi e a La Carbonara...

Our first sit-down meal in Rome had to be at the legendary La Carbonara Monti, and it surpassed all expectations. If you're looking for traditional Italian cuisine, this is absolutely the place to be. La Carbonara is an iconic spot that has even been blessed by the Pope himself!

From the moment we walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere made us feel like part of the family. The restaurant’s rustic charm, adorned with memorabilia and photos of its storied past, set the perfect stage for an authentic Italian dining experience.

The highlight, of course, was the signature dish: La Carbonara. This classic Roman pasta, prepared to perfection, was a symphony of flavors. The creamy sauce, rich with pecorino and guanciale, clung beautifully to the perfectly al dente pasta. Every bite was a testament to the culinary heritage of Rome, and it was clear why this dish is a must-try.

Adding to the magic of the evening, we had the incredible opportunity to meet the famous owner, Donna Teresa. Her passion for food and hospitality radiates through every corner of the restaurant, making our dining experience truly special. Meeting her was like meeting a living legend, and she graciously shared stories that made us appreciate the restaurant’s history even more.

In summary, La Carbonara Monti is an absolute must-visit for anyone in Rome. Its reputation for serving the finest traditional Italian cuisine is well deserved. The combination of exceptional food, historic ambiance, and the chance to meet the charismatic Donna Teresa makes it an unforgettable experience. If you’re in Rome, do yourself a favor and make La Carbonara your first stop – you...