La Nuova Piazzetta — Restaurant in Rome

RESERVE IN ADVANCE! After visiting the Colosseum, we headed to this highly-rated restaurant nearby, as we were planning to visit the Roman Forum afterward. We ended up waiting in line for about an hour. Upon finally being seated, we noticed that several tables had finished their meals long ago but had not yet requested the bill. While I understand that good service is crucial, a busy restaurant with a wait time of over an hour needs to manage table turnover more efficiently. Once we were seated, we were warmly greeted by the host and server, both of whom were very kind and friendly. The table service was satisfactory. We ordered seafood pasta, lasagna, grilled vegetables, and a pizza. The lasagna was very good, but the rest of the food was just average and not particularly special. The prices were reasonable. When we requested the bill, the restaurant offered complimentary shots to everyone, which was a nice touch. However, the servers then brought a card with a QR code for us to scan and leave a review. They waited for us to open the review site on our phones before leaving, which felt a bit pressuring to provide immediate feedback without fully reflecting on the experience. This approach likely contributes to the high number of reviews and positive ratings, but it may not be the best way to genuinely engage with customers. In summary, my experience at Ristorante La Nuova Piazzetta was okay. The staff is very friendly, but certain aspects of their approach could be improved. If you decide to visit, be sure to make a reservation in advance to avoid...

Don’t understand the hype… seems like a tourist trap, would avoid. Overpriced for what you get, in addition to a cover charge.

the fresh noodles were good/okay (similar in taste and structure to udon noodles) but not outstanding/need to go back/better than other places offering fresh pasta. Ordered the cacio e pepe (first time so maybe it always tastes like this), but didn’t taste like pepper nor sheep cheese (the 2 main ingredients of the sauce); only tasted the Parmesan which was already on and under it. (Prefer to add it myself if at all). We also ordered the fantasy of the sea ($22!!!) - supposedly with seafood/fish/catch of the day (lol!) We asked what the fish of the day was and we were just told a mix. Turns out that was basically the same as the mussel pasta plus 1 shrimp and 2 mini langustini and mini slices of octopus/squid. The naming was misleading and thus disappointing.

The pizzas are much smaller than at other places. Cannot attest to their taste, but from the looks nothing I wanted to try.

the Cuperto/cover charge is unnecessary and old school. Given their prices, no need to add this extra charge… usually it covers at least bread or something small like that but not at this place. And then the menu makes a commentary that tip is not included 🤷‍♀️

Water comes in cheap plastic bottles.

Wait staff rushed us to order despite just sitting down and not even having time to get the WiFi to work to access the menu, otherwise staff was friendly and...

A True Taste of Italy – Unforgettable Dining Experience! Special thanks to our waiter Bimbo! ❤️❤️

From the moment I stepped through the door, I was transported straight to the heart of Italy. You can tell the owners care deeply about the experience they create—from the music playing in the background to the attentiveness of the staff. Bimbo our waiter was so nice and attentive. great service, thanks to him 🙏🏻

Now, the food… absolutely divine. We started with the pizza, which was impossibly creamy and paired with heirloom tomatoes that tasted like they were just picked. For the main course, the house-made pasta was a revelation—perfectly al dente, with sauces that tasted like they simmered for hours. The ravioli was a standout, and the seafood pasta with clams was packed with fresh, flavorful clams.

Dessert was just as impressive. Their pistachio and nutella tiramisu was the best I’ve had in Italy—light, decadent. Paired with a smooth espresso, it was the perfect ending to a flawless meal.

The service was impeccable—friendly, knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about the food and wine. Our server Bimbo made excellent suggestions that elevated the meal even more.

Whether you’re celebrating something special or just want a soul-satisfying Italian dinner, this place is an absolute must. I can’t wait to...