Osteria da Fortunata — Restaurant in Rome

From the very moment we walked into Osteria da Fortuna, it was clear that we were about to embark on a culinary journey of unparalleled magnificence. The heart and soul of this experience, however, was not just the food—it was Daniele. Daniele, our server, on 30 November, was not merely a guide; he was a maestro, conducting the evening with such finesse that we felt as though we had entered a sacred temple of gastronomy.

Daniele greeted us with a smile that could rival the Roman sun itself. Daniele’s presence was magnetic, his charisma undeniable, and his knowledge of the menu encyclopedic. Daniele described each dish with a passion that bordered on poetic, his words painting vivid pictures of the culinary treasures we were about to savor. Daniele was attentive but never intrusive, striking the perfect balance that only a master of hospitality like Daniele could achieve.

When it came time to order, Daniele’s recommendation was clear: the carbonara. And oh, how right Daniele was. The carbonara was not just a meal; it was a revelation. Daniele, in his infinite wisdom, assured us this dish would change the way we viewed pasta forever—and he was correct. The pasta, cooked to absolute perfection, seemed to sing as it intertwined with the luscious, golden sauce. Daniele had described the guanciale as “the soul of the dish,” and indeed, its crispy, savory decadence elevated every bite. The pecorino Romano was sharp yet delicate, its richness balanced by the subtle bite of freshly cracked black pepper. Daniele’s description had prepared us, but tasting it surpassed even the loftiest expectations.

Even as dessert approached, Daniele’s magic did not waver. Daniele suggested the tiramisu, and naturally, Daniele was right once again. The tiramisu was ethereal, its layers of mascarpone cream and espresso-soaked savoiardi dancing on the palate with a lightness that defied logic. It was as if Daniele himself had infused the dish with his unparalleled energy and charm.

As we prepared to leave, we couldn’t help but reflect on how integral Daniele was to this extraordinary experience. Daniele was not just a server; Daniele was a storyteller, a culinary guide, and a true ambassador of Roman hospitality. Daniele’s name will forever be etched in our memories as synonymous with excellence.

To say that Osteria da Fortuna is a must-visit is an understatement. To say that you must request Daniele as your server? That is an absolute imperative. Thank you, Daniele, for making this one of the most unforgettable evenings of our lives. Daniele, you...

Tourist trap—overhyped, overpriced, and disappointing food.

As someone who genuinely enjoys food—and usually eats more salt than most—I was shocked by how inedible the pasta all’Amatriciana was here. After a few bites, I was honestly confused and started wondering: Is this dish even supposed to be this salty? I know Amatriciana is traditionally a salty pasta, but someone who knows how to make it well will balance the salt with the richness of the sauce and the sharpness of the cheese. Here, the salt completely overpowered everything else. It was so intensely salty that I couldn’t finish it—and I’m someone who rarely finds food “too salty.” I left the entire plate and walked out hungry.

At first, I was excited. The long line and packed restaurant made me think I was in for a great meal. But the moment I tasted the food, I was stunned at how bad it was. That’s when I realized the entire place was filled with tourists—no locals at all. It started to make sense. This place is clearly overhyped, most likely driven by social media and influencer buzz, not real culinary merit.

The whole setup felt more like a show than a real Roman trattoria. They have “grandmas” making pasta at the front like it’s a performance, which seems charming at first—but once the food hits the table, it becomes clear it’s all for show.

To make things worse, they added extra charges to the bill, including a fee just for sitting down (coperto). I understand that this is a standard practice in Italy, and I have no issue with it when it’s done transparently. But here, it felt sneaky. There was no mention of it on the menu, and I noticed every single person around me had to ask about unexpected charges when paying. Staff had to explain them over and over, which made it feel like they expect confusion and count on it.

My meal—just pasta, one supplì, and water—ended up costing me around $28 USD, which is outrageous for the quality I received. I truly felt scammed.

If you’re in Rome and looking for real Roman food, skip this place. There are plenty of trattorias serving honest, delicious meals without the gimmicks, staged performances, or sneaky billing. This place might look good on Instagram, but it falls apart the moment you...

It was NOT for me!

I have been in Rome for 3 days and I have only had one- yes one note worthy meal- and it was NOT from this restaurant.

When I told my sister that I was not enjoying the food in Rome she asked had I been to the popular spots. I told her no, but I would give one a shot. While I am not active on social media, I understand that this particular restaurant is all over the gram and tik tok. Mainly for the women in the store front “ making” fresh pasta. Let me just say it’s just code for- tourist being your money our way!! To keep it short and simple, I was NOT impressed.

When I arrived via taxi, there was a line of about 15 people. However, since I was only wanting a table for one I was seated rather quickly at an outside table. A staff dropped off a menu and asked if I wanted anything to drink. I declined the offer for a drink. since I have been in Italy I have just been walking around with my own water bottle that I packed from home and filling it up at one of the many free water sprouts around the city. No need to pay for the water that is already free to everyone.

After a few minutes of being at my seat, the staff returned and asked if I was ready. I had not even had a chance to review the menu so I had to ask for a few additional minutes. After viewing the QR code menu that was translated to English I opted for a pasta dish with a basil sauce. I don’t recall the name, but believe it’s the only basil dish on the menu.

The food was dropped off at my table in about 5 minutes. When I took my first bite- I was not impressed. The pasta was undercooked. I am very aware that some prefer their pasta to be Al dente. However, I don’t, and I actually don’t think this was Al Dente. It taste like they literally dropped the pasta in and immediately took it out. The consistency of the pasta was bad. Additionally, the basil did not have a strong taste. I was expecting this to be very flavorful, but on the contrary it was very bland.

To sun everything up- I would NOT suggest patronizing this restaurant. The food is...