Osteria dei Gracchi 19 Alla Bracioleria — Restaurant in Rome

I visited Alla Bracioleria with my family, all of us hungry and excited for a good Italian meal. The staff were friendly and welcoming, and they seated us promptly. The overall service was warm and attentive, which was a positive start.

The food we ordered tasted quite nice, and we could tell it was made with quality ingredients. However, I was very disappointed with the portion sizes given the prices. It genuinely felt like we were being overcharged for what we received. For example, I ordered the Buffalo mozzarella with ham on toast – I’m not sure what it’s called in Italian – and it cost €8. I was expecting something substantial, but what arrived was just one piece of toast cut in half with some melted cheese on top. For that price, I honestly felt ripped off. I could have made something very similar at home for a quarter of the cost.

Another issue I had was with the drinks. Italy is famous for its wines and alcoholic beverages, but I don’t drink alcohol and was hoping for some adventurous or unique non-alcoholic options. Unfortunately, when I asked, the only options they had were Coca-Cola, Fanta, and water. Nothing creative or different, which was disappointing.

Lastly, what bothered me most was the unexpected service charge. When the bill came, I noticed a €2.50 service fee added on. The waiter later pointed out that this charge was mentioned on the menu – but it was written in extremely tiny text tucked away in the bottom left corner, making it easy to miss. I’ve eaten at many restaurants across Italy, and this is the first time I’ve come across a service fee like this. If anything, I believe it should be embedded into the menu prices or at least communicated clearly upfront.

Overall, while the food was decent and the staff were friendly, I wouldn’t return. The high prices, small portions, and hidden charges made it feel like poor value for money. There are definitely better, more transparent dining experiences elsewhere.

Sono venuto ad Alla Bracioleria con la mia famiglia, tutti affamati e desiderosi di gustare un buon pasto italiano. Il personale è stato gentile e accogliente, e ci ha fatto accomodare subito. Il servizio è stato cordiale e attento per tutta la serata, il che è stato sicuramente un buon inizio.

Il cibo che abbiamo ordinato era piuttosto buono e si sentiva che gli ingredienti erano di qualità. Tuttavia, sono rimasto molto deluso dalle porzioni, soprattutto considerando i prezzi. Sembrava davvero di pagare troppo per quantità molto ridotte. Ad esempio, ho ordinato la mozzarella di bufala con prosciutto su pane tostato – non ricordo il nome esatto in italiano – e costava 8 €. Mi aspettavo una porzione abbondante, ma mi è arrivata solo una fetta di pane tagliata a metà con un po’ di formaggio fuso sopra. Per quel prezzo, mi sono sentito sinceramente fregato. Potevo preparare qualcosa di simile a casa con pochi euro.

Un'altra cosa che mi ha deluso sono state le bevande. L’Italia è famosa per i suoi vini e alcolici, ma io non bevo e mi piace comunque provare cose nuove. Quando ho chiesto se c’erano opzioni analcoliche particolari, mi è stato detto che avevano solo Coca-Cola, Fanta e acqua. Nulla di originale o diverso, il che è stato un peccato.

Infine, la cosa che mi ha dato più fastidio è stata la sorpresa del coperto. Quando è arrivato il conto, ho visto un addebito aggiuntivo di 2,50 € per il servizio. Il cameriere poi ci ha fatto notare che era scritto sul menù, ma in un carattere molto piccolo in basso a sinistra – davvero facile da non notare. Ho mangiato in tanti ristoranti in Italia e questa è la prima volta che mi capita di trovare un costo del genere separato. Secondo me, dovrebbe essere incluso nei prezzi del menù o almeno segnalato in modo più chiaro fin dall’inizio.

Nel complesso, anche se il cibo era buono e il servizio gentile, non tornerei. Prezzi alti, porzioni piccole e costi nascosti hanno reso l’esperienza poco soddisfacente. Ci sono sicuramente ristoranti con un miglior rapporto...

Our family had the pleasure of dining at Alla Bracioleria Vaticano, and it was nothing short of amazing! After a long day exploring the many beautiful attractions of the city, we were in need of a cozy, welcoming spot to unwind—and this gem delivered on every level.

From the moment we arrived, the friendly staff made us feel right at home. Their warm hospitality set the tone for what would become the perfect end to our evening. We enjoyed an excellent selection of cold beers, expertly crafted cocktails, and delicious wine that paired perfectly with the meal.

The pasta dishes were nothing short of divine—clearly made with love and fresh ingredients. And the pizza? Absolutely perfect! Each bite was a celebration of authentic flavors that made our taste buds dance with joy.

Thank you to the incredible team at Alla Bracioleria Vaticano for your exceptional service and for providing a relaxing and memorable experience for our family. This will definitely be a highlight of our trip and a spot we’ll recommend to anyone...

For our first meal in Rome, we were dealing with jet lag and mentioned to the server that we hoped to be served quickly. They brought the seafood salad promptly, but we then waited 50 minutes for the pasta. Throughout, we kept asking the server when it would be ready, and they kept saying, “soon,” but it took 50 minutes. Meanwhile, we noticed other tables that arrived later were already being served pasta, which made us wonder why ours took so long. After eating quickly, we asked for the bill, and the server told us to wait again as they were busy serving others. We ended up waiting an additional 20 minutes before being able to pay and leave.

-The bill automatically included a service charge. -The servers were not impolite; it just...