Osteria da Zi Umberto — Restaurant in Rome

Rude service manager that holds the reservation book. There are many reviews here talking about how racist the manger and staff are. I did not believe it until my own experience. Those people calling this restaurant an “institution” and assigning other grand accolades are condoning this business’s conduct.

They cannot serve sub standard food with racist displays and clearly arrogant waiters and claim it part of their Roman charm. That is an insult to Roman hospitality.

I asked the manager about a dish called “beef roll” .. how often does one see beef roll on an Italian menu? he asked me where I was from and then proceeded to draw circles on the dining table paper covering. You can see the handy work in the photo with the red chilli flake bowl ( more on that later) Super condescending, really bad attitude. Disinterested servers too.

Lemon veal had the smell and taste of raw meat and not a hint of lemon in a hazy sauce, meant to be usually clear.. Fried zucchini was more like deep fried stale bread with barely noticeable zucchini flower. Never mentioned it was also full of sardines

Caprise salad… raw tomatoes and cheese was hard and lacking any flavour. Barely any olive oil.

Booked dinner due to a YouTube review but this is a subpar and overhyped restaurant, courtesy of some popular Influencers.

My server was rude. Never brought the bread. Never refilled water / nor even opened the bottle. Didn’t even serve the wine.

They charge you £2 per person for chilli oil and sea salt. I asked for the 4£chilli oil. The server asked if i wanted it “dry” and upon asking what he meant by dry he just stormed off to the kitchen and came back with a bowl full of red chilli flakes, per photo, near slammed on table and said “DRY” and stormed off again.

If this is what some people want to justify as an experience that tourists should embrace, I have to disagree. This is bad tasting food and an unprofessional restaurant manager and rude waiters.

People suggesting that tourists should expect less because this is a popular local spot does not make sense. Rome or NY, restaurants owe a good service and respect. This is not a food bank. People pay for good food and good experience. This place offers neither.

This restaurant is the most overrated in my...

Restaurant Review for Zio Umberto in Rome

Zio Umberto in Rome is an absolute gem that offers what might just be the best pasta you’ll ever taste. Tucked away in a charming corner of the city, this restaurant has gained a stellar reputation for its homemade pasta, and it truly lives up to the hype.

The star of the menu is undoubtedly the Cacio e Pepe, a Roman classic that Zio Umberto elevates to an art form. The dish features perfectly al dente pasta bathed in a creamy, peppery sauce made from Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper. Each bite is a symphony of flavors, with the sharpness of the cheese beautifully balanced by the heat of the pepper, creating a dish that’s both simple and exquisite. It’s the kind of meal that lingers in your memory long after you’ve left the table.

But the delights don’t stop there. The menu boasts a variety of other pasta dishes, all crafted with the same dedication to quality and tradition. Whether you choose the rich, savory Amatriciana or the fresh, herbaceous Pesto alla Genovese, you’re in for a treat. The pasta itself is a revelation—homemade, with a texture and flavor that far surpasses anything you can find elsewhere.

Due to its well-deserved acclaim, Zio Umberto is always bustling with patrons eager to savor its culinary delights. The place is constantly full, and for good reason. To ensure you don’t miss out on this unforgettable dining experience, it’s highly recommended to book a table in advance. This way, you can avoid the disappointment of a long wait or, worse, being turned away at the door.

In summary, Zio Umberto is a must-visit for anyone seeking the pinnacle of pasta perfection in Rome. The atmosphere is lively, the service is warm and attentive, and the food is nothing short of exceptional. Make sure to secure a reservation and prepare yourself for a meal that redefines what great pasta can be. It’s a dining experience that you’ll cherish and want to repeat on every visit to the...

We visited Osteria da Zi Umberto during our recent trip to Rome, and overall, it was a charming experience with some standout moments.

We kicked off with Aperol spritzes, which were perfectly refreshing, a great start to our evening. For our appetizers, we shared a dish featuring cheese, tomato, and olive oil, and it was absolutely delicious—simple yet fresh, with the flavors really shining through. It was the perfect way to warm up our appetites.

As for the rest of the meal, things were a bit hit and miss. I ordered a salad, which was fine but nothing extraordinary. It was a bit underwhelming, especially given the incredible quality of the other dishes. My wife opted for a vegetable dish that was somewhat similar to spinach, but it wasn’t to our taste. We didn’t quite finish it, as it was unlike anything we’d had before, and it just didn’t appeal to us.

For the main courses, however, things really picked up. I had the Carbonara, and it was fantastic—rich, flavorful, and indulgent. Every bite was packed with that perfect balance of creaminess and depth. My wife went with a stuffed beef dish, which she loved. It was fresh, tender, and full of flavor.

Overall, Osteria da Zi Umberto has a lot to offer, especially in terms of quality mains and excellent starters. While not every dish hit the mark for us, the service was warm and welcoming, and the atmosphere felt very genuine. If you’re in the area, I’d recommend trying the Carbonara and the cheese, tomato, and olive oil starter—it’s worth the visit for...