Taverna Angelica — Restaurant in Rome

We ventured to Taverna Angelica, lured by its glowing reviews. Upon arrival, we were greeted warmly and promptly escorted to a barren, windowless room—a setting that felt more penitentiary than culinary.

The service began promisingly. A kind and courteous lady attended to us, presenting a lovely arrangement of grissini and crackers, which, I must admit, were the culinary highlight of the meal. Sadly, it was all downhill from there.

For starters, we ordered a tuna with yuzu—a dish that arrived adorned with the flair of an Instagram post but tasted like it had lost the will to live. Then came the "four mushrooms," a dish that boasted a single sad slice of mushroom floating in a sea of what we were told was mushroom cream. A clever wordplay on the menu, perhaps, but the joke was squarely on us.

My wife, eager to try the fish listed among the mains, was informed it wasn’t available. The Maitre D offered an unconvincing excuse about post-New Year supply issues and suggested sturgeon instead. (Spoiler: she would come to regret accepting.)

After a baffling one-hour wait—despite the restaurant being eerily half-empty during peak season—our mains finally arrived. The kids' truffle pasta was a comedic masterpiece: a minuscule portion with no discernible trace of truffle. My wife’s sturgeon was inedible, and my dish was equally lamentable. No one could finish their plate, which speaks volumes.

When the plates were cleared, still more than half-full, the Maitre D didn’t even bother to ask if something was wrong—a remarkable omission for a place supposedly basking in high praise. At that point, we gave up, requested the bill, and fled. Starving and disillusioned, we found solace at the ever-reliable Baffetto, where we devoured a pizza to erase the memory of this travesty.

Taverna Angelica seems to have garnered glowing reviews, but from whom? Certainly not anyone with a grasp of Italian cuisine or a palate to match. Pretentious, disastrous, and utterly forgettable. Save yourself the...

This restaurant was just a horrible experience. Horrible food and horrible service.

We were sat and didn’t get any food for close to an hour. Would be normal but this was during lunch time and the place was empty.

We were recommended the pasta with mussels by the owner so we ordered two - horribly SALTY and just plain bad. Barely edible. The house wine is UNDRINKABLE. The pork is ok.

We were brought bread only after our meal (and charged for it, even though we didn’t request it) - why would I want bread after my meal and not before? I think she was just trying to pad the bill.

What takes the cake is the service - extremely rude. Just looking on here at the petty things she responds to customers already shows this clearly (that’s who was serving us).

My only bad experience in Rome and just plain distasteful. Don’t think I’ve ever met a ruder bunch of people serving...

After a number of indifferent meals I was concerned that I would not have a decent meal in Rome. Then luckily I came across a good review on google for this restaurant.

The restaurant is in the Vatican area. It has a nice interior with quiet music in the background. The staff are all very friendly and willing to give good advice regarding what to eat and drink.

The complementary prosecco & amuse bouche were much appreciated. For starters I had a tasty tuna & herb balls with red wine reduction. The main was even better - maltagliati pasta (like lasagne but chopped up) with pistachio pesto and shrimps. I don't normally indulge in puddings but I had to - and thoroughly enjoyed my pastry with figs, nuts & raisin wine. My waiter recommended a delicious local white wine (generous glass for 6 euros) and the coffee at the end was great. I really cant recommend this...