Poldo e Gianna Osteria — Restaurant in Rome

Tucked away in a quiet alley not far from Trevi Fountain/ Pantheon area, Poldo e Gianna Osteria was our very first dining experience in Rome—and what an introduction it was. The moment we stepped in, we were welcomed by the warmth of the staff and the cozy, home-like ambiance. Seated at a round table by our friendly server Ernesto, we immediately felt like family guests rather than restaurant patrons. Here’s a breakdown of our unforgettable meal:

Starter

Chips Cacio e Pepe – €8.00 An inventive Roman twist on the classic, these thinly sliced crispy potatoes were dusted in a generous helping of Pecorino Romano cheese and black pepper. The chips had the crunch of perfection and the flavour of comfort food with a gourmet edge. A brilliant starter that all of us absolutely loved.

Tempura Baccalà – €12.00 This lightly battered codfish was melt-in-your-mouth tender on the inside, with a golden crispy shell that had just the right amount of crunch. Served with a fresh herb-infused mayo, it was a refined take on a traditional dish. The balance between the flaky fish and aromatic dip made it one of the standouts of the evening.

Drinks

Acqua Panna – €3.00 Classic Tuscan still mineral water in a beautifully green bottled presentation.

Calice Franciacorta Satèn – €10.00 / wine glass I chose this glass of Franciacorta Satèn for its refined, creamy texture and subtle bubbles. Often considered the “Champagne of Italy,” this was a celebratory start with its elegance and softness, perfectly setting the tone for the evening.

Calice Gavi di Gavi – €8.00 / per wine glass This white wine, crisp and floral with hints of citrus and almond, was a perfect pairing for the seafood and lighter starters. Balanced and refreshing, it complemented the food without overpowering the flavors.

Mains

Cacio e Pepe – €15.00 One of the best versions we’ve had—simple yet so masterfully done. The pasta had the ideal al dente texture, and the sauce clung to each strand with creamy richness and a peppery bite. It ranked high among our favorites of the night.

Carbonara – €15.00 Another Roman classic, executed flawlessly. The guanciale (pork jowl) was crispy and so good, the egg-based sauce was silky and deeply flavorful, and the pecorino added just the right sharpness. Definitely one of the best carbonara we’ve tasted to date.

Quarto Pollo – €20.00 This roasted quarter chicken was juicy and perfectly seasoned, with crispy skin that crackled with savoury flavour. Served with giant green chili pepper in olive oil, it was hearty, homey, and deeply satisfying—comfort food at its Roman best.

Sfilacci di Manzo – €22.00 Our top favourite of the night. These slow-cooked, shredded beef strips were incredibly tender and flavorful, likely braised for hours. Rich, savory, and well-seasoned, they were a hit with both the adults and the kids. A must-try dish that we would hope to return for if only we lived longer in Rome.

Dessert

Tiramisù – €7.00 Think no more. Easily one of the best tiramisù we’ve had. What set it apart was the delightful contrast: a slight crispness in the cake layer, soaked just enough in espresso, paired with a velvety, coffee-kissed mascarpone cream that was rich without being heavy. Each spoonful was heavenly.

Final Thoughts: Poldo e Gianna Osteria is more than just a restaurant—it’s a warm, welcoming slice of Roman hospitality. Every dish we tried was thoughtfully prepared, deeply rooted in tradition, yet elevated in presentation and taste. From the bubbly Satèn to the show-stopping beef and that unforgettable tiramisù, this meal set the bar high. A true gem worth visiting, especially if you’re looking to kick off your Roman culinary journey with warmth and soul. Graci, Ernesto and to the entire team for all the hospitality and sharing this wonderful food with experience. We found this place as I arranged Michelin restaurant dinner experiences for this trip. I’d highly suggest booking ahead as the place could easily get full. And be there on time of your reservation. Overall, good value for...

An exceptional take on hearty Roman cuisine.

Michelin quality, service and flavors every step of the meal at this cost makes the experience even more special.

A restaurant that knows what they do well, and continues to make their dining experience accessible for a wide range of foodies

Complex flavors both salty and savory stood atop simple design in every dish.

Appetizer: Thin fresh eggplant and zucchini dusted in fried rice flour with a touch of olive oil and salt started our meal out wonderfully. What’s important with a tempura is that the light batter allowed for the flavor of the vegetables to stand at the forefront of each bite.

As we prepared for the Pasta portion of our meal we were not tied down in anyway by starting with something fried in oil.

Pasta: When in Rome Carbonara is King. That works for people who are not allergic to dairy. As for me. The kitchen was able to create a non dairy dish in the Pasta Amitriciana that was memorable.

The succulent crispy pork cheek may have been the highlight of the evening. Both being the star of the Carbonara and Amitriciana with chewy al dente Rigatoni. (The way Italian dining likes it)

Those traveling to Rome expect creamy, savory the Carbonara, and my dining guest called it one of the best Carbonara’s ever.

As for my allergy limited consolation, it proved that true mastery in a kitchen can adapt to almost anything. The rich creaminess of tomato and pork nuggets in Amitriciana blew me away. I could not believe the sauce did not use any dairy. Thank you for creating such a master piece, that was not only safe for me to eat, but one of my favorite pasta dishes ever.

Our main was just as divine as the Pasta dishes. Veal medallions glazed in a very light wine, rosemary sauce accompanied by thin potatoes.

Find this meal when you’re in Rome and come with an empty stomach.

All the better, a reasonable price point will allow for most, to round out this experience with a wide selection of fabulous wine.

We were one of the last tables of the day and the team of servers could not have been better. An overall display of quality across the board.

Bravo Poldo e Gianna Osteria! Hope to see you...

We have literally just left Poldo e Gianna - both my wife and I aren’t sure whether we want to laugh hysterically or be angry! This is my first review on tripadvisor - like everyone I’ve had great meals and bad meals but this was genuinely stunningly poor. The male and female owner were clearly understaffed but everything to begin with seemed very pleasant - we placed our order and were served our wine - normal.

Starters - tempura prawns Main courses - prawn pasta, vongole pasta Sides - chicory, potatoes

After 15minutes the owner returned to explain that the starters were finished. We decided not to bother with an alternative and carry on to the main.

Another 20minutes - 1 vongole, 1 plain pasta

We questioned the pasta as there were no prawns - the owner, instead of dealing with our query, left the table and sent over a waiter to say that “there should have been prawns on top but we have run out, so we made an alternative” i.e. pasta with no prawns! I genuinely had a ‘jaw drop’. He continued to try and convince that this was ok! Eventually we pushed him to bring back the menu for an alternative - a sea bass fillet.

No chicory appeared - I received a cold apology and then an assurance that he would bring it - after I had finished my main!!!

30minutes later!! A single bass fillet on a plate appears (absolutely no issue with that). So my wife is now eating around 40 minutes after I finished.

Incidentally the male half of the ownership completely avoided us thereafter.

At this point, genuinely the experience was calamity and laughable - fawlty towers-esk for anyone who knows of it.

We then ask for the bill - it gets better. Now both male staff (waiter and owner) disappear and send the only female staff member to our table to take payment. I am a poor ‘complainer’ and don’t come from a culture of asking for discounts or deductions. The bill was there - in full - no further apology, no deductions - zero. Incidentally the couple adjacent were also neglected by the service and were equally unimpressed.

All I can say is, I’m stunned but laughing - make your...