La Mucca Biricchina — Restaurant in Rome

WARNING. Dine here at your own peril!

I don't usually write reviews but this one forced me. This is definitely one of the worst restaurants I've been to in my travels (30+ countries).

My girlfriend and I were walking back from the Coliseum and decided to stop here for dinner as we passed by. The wait to sit down wasn't long but after we sat there were too many issues, and the best way to describe the chain of events is by listing them chronologically:

It took 90 minutes from the time we sat down to getting our food. I understand that this is a touristy area and things can get busy, but during all the time waiting there was no checking-in by the staff to see if we needed more drinks or water.

Salad was ordered and got to our table 60 minutes after. It was "dry" and had no dressing or even some basic olive oil. We've asked for some dressing and they brought in some balsamic vinegar and olive oil, which we were charged extra for. Feels like it was purposely set up this way to overcharge those who are unaware.

Got a glass of wine and it was evidently watered down. My girlfriend was in Napa just a week before and this was a major disappointment. I should've complained but at that point I was already wanting to just eat and leave.

Food eventually got to us and it was cold and stale. I got the Tagliata de Manzo and it must be the most rubbery meat I ever ate in Italy. Definitely low quality for the price of admission. Imagine chewing bubble gum with bloody meat flavor and you'll get the picture. My girlfriend got the Sea Bass and it was better tasting, though very thin and meatless with lots of bones.

Up to this point, we were being patient and understanding. I mean, shit happens during busy times, but the nail in the coffin was when I tried to go to the bathroom and the server inside kicked me out. She was extremely rude and aggressive, invaded my personal space and literally pushed me out. Granted there may be lots of tourists just trying to use the facilities but the lack of awareness and willingness to check if I was a customer was baffling (FYI - I was sitting outside). It was just a surreal experience. I ended up not even going to the bathroom and just asked for the bill as I was done dealing with the bad service at that point.

Mind you that this was also not cheap. The bill landed at 80 euros for basically a dry lettuce + tomato salad, two mediocre meals, one glass of watered down wine and an extra touch of disrespect for desert.

NOT RECOMMENDED! Avoid...

Saw melanzane parmigiana plus carbonara for €10 which seemed very reasonable, reviews seemed decent so thought I'd give it a go... Girl who seated me was nice and friendly so I placed my order, and then it went downhill... A very sullen looking man came and dumped a basket of bread on the table without a word, there were two types of bread and both had clearly been sat out a while - was was so solid I couldn't even bite it, the other was dry and greasy. Needless to say I gave up and tried the house white... Which was vile, and expensive. Actually didn't know you could get such unpleasant wine in Italy. Got a coke to wash it down. Oddly my carbonara came first - the sullen man slammed it down and informed me the melanzane would be served second, it was certainly advertised as starter so presumably they forgot. Or maybe they just wanted to get the carbonara out before it turned green... It was obviously not fresh, there was little to no sauce and dried and burnt pellets of what I assume was once meat (the brown bits in the photo). I'm fairly sure it had been sat out for most of the day then shoved in the microwave. Then came the melanzane which was sloppy and tasted like a ready meal, but I believe was actually freshly made. I don't know what happened to the smiley girl who'd first seated me, I didn't see her again and instead had the angry looking man... I went in to pay and he thrust the bill at me without a word. Turns out that disgusting bread he slammed on my table without asking cost me €1. I pointed out I hadn't eaten it but that didn't seem to matter; couldn't be bothered to argue, especially as he kept pulling his mask down and moving closer to me. I then went to the restroom and found no seat, no paper, no water in the basin and no hand sanitiser. I spent 3 weeks in Italy and this was by far the most disappointing meal, most disgusting toilet and most unpleasant person.... What I was served certainly did not look like most of the pictures, and I can't for the life of me understand how it could get 4 stars. I think I was slightly after lunch, maybe 2.30 or 3 ish so possibly that's why the food had been sat out and why I got the vile man to serve me instead of the nice girl? But based on my experience I would definitely...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at La mucca biricchina during my visit to Rome, and I can confidently say it was one of the highlights of my trip! Nestled just a stone’s throw away from the majestic Colosseum, this charming Italian restaurant offers not only delectable cuisine but also a warm and inviting atmosphere.

From the moment we walked in, the friendly staff welcomed us with genuine Italian hospitality. The decor beautifully blends classic Roman elegance with a modern twist, creating a cozy yet vibrant dining space perfect for both couples and families.

The menu is a delightful homage to traditional Italian flavors, featuring a range of dishes that celebrate the essence of Italian cuisine. We started with the bruschetta al pomodoro, which was bursting with fresh flavors, and the house-made pasta was nothing short of divine. I opted for the halal carbonara, and it was the best I’ve ever had—rich, creamy, and perfectly seasoned, it transported me straight to Italy’s heart.

For dessert, we couldn’t resist trying the tiramisu, which was light and luscious, offering the perfect sweet ending to our meal. Pairing our dishes with a bottle of local wine recommended by our server added an extra touch of authenticity to the experience.

After our meal, we strolled over to the Colosseum, which was beautifully illuminated at night, making the evening even more magical.

I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Rome. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner or a family gathering, this restaurant offers a perfect blend of delicious food, excellent service, and an unforgettable atmosphere. I can’t wait to return on...