This summer I was able to enjoy a spectacular Michelin tasting menu in Rome at Ristorante All'Oro. This was my second time at All'Oro, and often restaurants can disappoint you on a return visit. This was not one of those times. Again, we had the classic tasting menu and again we were amazed at the creativity and flavors of our food. Every dish is a work of art, but what keeps this restaurant memorable is the aspect of fun that they incorporate into every plate.
Location and Atmosphere
Located near Piazza del Popolo, the restaurant is housed in a five star boutique hotel called the H'all Tailor Suite. The dining room is small, intimate, and perfect for a romantic evening or a spectacular meal with friends.
All'Oro is the creation of chef Riccardo Di Giacinto, who runs the kitchen while his wife, Ramona Anello, oversees the dining room. The couple opened their first restaurant together in 2007 and earned a Michelin star just three years later, a track record of consistency that is part of why we keep sending clients back. The restaurant has held onto that star ever since, which is no small feat in a city where the fine-dining scene turns over quickly.
The Tasting Menu
The classic tasting menu starts with an elaborate amuse-bouche followed by its first course and my most favorite dish: the All'Oro version of Tiramisu. It looks like Tiramisu but it is in fact an assembly of whipped potatoes, salted cod, and smoky bacon. This dish is what encouraged me to make a return visit.
Standout Dishes
Other standout dishes were their Carbonara Reduction and a savory Ravioli stuffed with duck and mascarpone, glistening with a red wine sauce.
This six course menu includes the Chef's welcoming amuse-bouche and an extravagant pre-dessert served on antique carousels and neo-classical small sculptures. It is indeed edible art immersed with the visual arts.
Pricing and Wine
Reservations here fill quickly, so book well ahead—our guide to restaurant reservations in the age of overtourism covers the timing strategy. The tasting menu at Ristorante All'Oro is currently 140 Euros per person, not including alcohol. A four glass or five glass wine pairing is available for an additional cost. I opted for the four glasses considering I had a long flight home in the morning. The whites were crisp with strong minerality while the full bodied reds paired beautifully with the heavier courses.
I have tried many Michelin starred restaurants in Rome over the years, but All'Oro has been the most memorable. For tips on stretching your fine-dining budget further, see our guide to Michelin dining in Italy and France: the lunch strategy.
Practical Logistics: Booking Your Table
All'Oro serves dinner only, nightly, with service running roughly from 18:00 to 23:00. There is no lunch seating, so build it into your evening plans rather than treating it as a midday option. Because the dining room is intimate, the restaurant requires a credit card to guarantee every reservation, and cancellations made less than 48 hours ahead are subject to a charge, so lock in your date only once you are confident in your plans.
Book well in advance. For Friday and Saturday evenings especially, we recommend securing your table three to four weeks ahead in high season, and earlier still if you want one of the coveted outdoor tables when the weather cooperates. The dress code is smart rather than formal; think elegant evening wear rather than a strict jacket-and-tie requirement, but this is not the place for beach sandals or gym clothes. If your Italian isn't strong, don't worry: the team is well used to international guests and communicates easily in English by phone or email.
Who This Table Suits
All'Oro rewards diners who want to be surprised. If you love knowing exactly what you're eating, a menu built on reinterpretation and visual sleight of hand (a "tiramisu" that is nothing of the sort) might not be your idea of comfort. But if you enjoy playful, technically precise cooking and don't mind a longer, multi-course evening, this is one of the most entertaining tasting menus in the city. It suits couples celebrating an anniversary, small groups of food-curious friends, and solo diners happy to sit at the counter and chat with the kitchen. Families with young children will likely find the pace and format better suited to a night when the kids are with a sitter.
Seasonal Notes
Rome's fine-dining scene, like much of the city, softens in August, when many restaurants scale back or close for a stretch of the summer. All'Oro's outdoor tables, when available, are a particularly lovely option in the shoulder months of May, June, and September, when evenings are warm but not stifling. In winter, the intimate indoor dining room takes on a cozier character, and tables can be somewhat easier to secure outside of the December holiday period.
A Perfect Pre-Dinner Stop
Before you head to your dinner reservation at All'Oro, head over to Piazza Del Popolo for a relaxing aperitivo at the Hotel De Russie. This luxury hotel's gardens are a small oasis amongst the crowds in Rome. Located in a former palazzo, the courtyard is home to the Stravinskij Bar, a perfect place for summer cocktails and watching Rome's well heeled.
Ristorante All'Oro Via Giuseppe Pisanelli 25, Rome
Making an Evening of It
Piazza del Popolo is one of Rome's grandest public squares, anchored by an Egyptian obelisk and flanked by the twin domed churches of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto. Arrive an hour or so before your reservation and you have time to wander the piazza, pop into Santa Maria del Popolo to see its Caravaggio paintings, or climb the terrace at the edge of the neighboring Pincio gardens for a sweeping view over the rooftops as the sun goes down. The sprawling green of Villa Borghese sits just above the piazza as well, making this corner of Rome an easy, walkable place to linger before your table is ready.
The Flaminio and Popolo area is also well connected for the rest of your stay. It's an easy stroll to the Spanish Steps and the boutiques of Via dei Condotti, and not much further to the shopping streets around Via del Corso. If you're staying centrally, consider pairing a night at All'Oro with the Umilta 36 hotel near the Trevi Fountain, close enough for an easy taxi or evening walk home after dinner.
Pair a night here with the perfect 3-day itinerary for Rome, and if you'd like help securing the table, Italy Awaits Travel is happy to plan it with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Ristorante All'Oro located?
Ristorante All'Oro is located in Rome near Piazza del Popolo. It is housed in a five star boutique hotel called the H'all Tailor Suite at Via Giuseppe Pisanelli 25.
What is the atmosphere like at All'Oro?
The dining room is small and intimate, making it perfect for a romantic evening or a special meal with friends. The service is attentive without being intrusive.
How much does the tasting menu cost?
The classic tasting menu is 140 Euros per person, not including alcohol. Wine pairings are available as four glass or five glass options for an additional cost.
What dishes are most memorable at All'Oro?
Standout dishes include the savory Tiramisu made with whipped potatoes, salted cod, and smoky bacon, the Carbonara Reduction, and duck and mascarpone ravioli with red wine sauce. The pre-dessert presentation on antique carousels is also spectacular.
Do I need a reservation at All'Oro?
Yes, reservations are strongly recommended for this intimate Michelin-starred restaurant, especially for dinner and weekend visits.
References
- Ristorante All'Oro menu and pricing information from official sources.
- Michelin Guide Italy restaurant listings and star designations.
