I was there yesterday (dinner) - food was great! Though the amount of meat in the "Meatball spaghetti" was hardly enough [you only get 1 meatball]. We also had lunch at Nannarella which had the Exact same menu - I think it's the same chain. Most likely same food. But without the whole queue that Tonnarello gets. Food was great at both places :) If you're in the city center of Rome, near the Pantheon - I strongly recommend "Mimi e Coco" - incredible food, especially the meatballs! Nice service and cozy atmosphere - authentic Italian restaurant. And it's right next to "Two Sizes" which is the best Tiramisu in Rome! (Try the pistachio one!) Second best tiramisu is Mr 100 Tiramisu (they're a bit more like cakes than authentic Tiramisu, loved them as well ofc). Whoever reads this and is on their way to Rome - enjoy :)
I went solo to this place & was pretty hesitant but the people there made me really comfortable. Amazing with recommendations and the pasta portion was just huge. Had it for diner as well. Love Italy ❤️
I personally look for much smaller restaurants that aren’t on significant piazzi to eat. A small place on a lesser piazza or down a narrow street whose patrons are speaking Italian and whose menus are limited to a few items in each piatti is my set of criteria.
On top of spaghetti, all covered with cheese, I lost my poor meatball, when I had to sneeze. We're going to be in Trastevere in April, and we appreciate the review.
In Rome/Italy nobody would put meatballs in their pasta. I'm not saying that it does not taste good, but that is just not a roman/italian thing. Pasta is part of the first course of a meal (also called "primo"). Meat balls are "secondo" or second course. We eat them separately, never together...
Great video! I went with my parents and was lucky to find a table really quick. We went on the second branch, I was not aware that there was the other one, only after we passed through. Also, I was not aware of the hype, so we went because of the good reviews but didn´t know it was such a historical place. The food was really awesome and they are super nice as well. It definitelly deserves the praise and fame.
Another great post, thank you. Have to giggle at your complaint of only one meat ball with you saying you were so full and couldn't eat anymore. How could you have eaten a second one??!!!😅
Loving your content Italian Guy! We ate at the original Tonnarello in May. I ordered 2 meatballs, we found them so awful no one wanted to finish them. It was our second to worst meal in our 2 weeks in Italy. We are NY Italian American so we have an appreciation for the cuisine. My tip for tourists is don't go to any of the "tourist recommended" restaurants. Ask your concierge, tour guides, taxi drivers or any local you meet for a recommendation.
Another great video! I've seen so many Italians saying spaghetti and meatballs it not an Italian thing. My grandmother immigrated to the US in the 1920s and she made spaghetti and meatballs. How could it not be Italian? It's not like she was watching Food Network, she obviously brought it with her, like so many other Italians did at that time.
Does the appearance of spaghetti and meatballs prove it's touristy? I always heard that's an American thing. I really need to try those artichokes next trip! It's been nearly 4 yrs since I was in Rome but I think I remember walking by this place and its long line of folks waiting.
Me and my partner went to tonnerello but the other one as this one was to full it was lovely especially the oxtail meatballs and lasagne, We will definitely go to this one next time
Unfortunately, they gave me a very bad experience while I was waiting in line. My two friends next to me went to the restroom, so they didn't let me get a table by myself. When I told them that they were coming with me and we could go to the table, they told me to wait. After waiting for half an hour, I realized that there was a queue at the door even though there were empty tables. The interior was also empty. When I told them it was a marketing strategy, the waiter insulted me by saying that you wait for a bus for an hour, you can wait here too. No meal is worth these insults. I do not recommend anyone to go to a business that humiliates its customers while making them wait in line.
Almost ate here, then decided against it for some reason I can't remember. Walked a few minutes, saw a place in a smaller square filled with locals. Place was called Osteria Bacco. Had an excellent Sunday lunch there. Paid less than 20 euros for pasta and wine.
I was under the impression spaghetti and meatballs is an Italian American invention . Looks good , but why didn't they give you a plate ? Eating out of a pan would be like balancing a ball on my nose for me.
Do you understand these restaurants are making pasta with meatballs for the american turists, right? There's no "fettuccine all'Afredo" in Italy, it's an italian-american thing but they know you expect it and so they offer it. I would recommend instead one of the countless typical roman dishes (amatriciana, carbonara, coda alla vaccinara, cacio e pepe to name a few)
My wife and I ate here last night. It’s not that amazing. We had a much better meal at Mozzichi up the street. The meatball was the best part, but the pasta amatriciana lacked flavor and freshness - it tasted like it was from a jar. 😢
Expensive? Man, Im from Serbia, not a rich country as anyone would guess, and I was at this restaurant in March 2023, with my brother and two friends. Four meals and four drinks (wine and beer) were 70 euros. My lasagna was 10 euros, really tasty and really nice portion. How is that expensive?
I’ll never understand the point of going to places following the recommendations or the judgements of a foreigner instead of a local! A Roman would never recommend to go and eat in Trastevere that has become a dump packed with tourists, quality lowered and prices raised. Delicious dish I hear… Well, and how many Romans are sitting there ? Lines, lines and lines of tourists due to social… Hrs of lining up to then post a selfie on social… Ridiculous!!! You guys go there, you deserve it since you all keep following social made by non locals, we go somewhere else
I do not understand the hype. It was my very first lunch in Rome, and was fogetable, just ok. I didn't even remember the name of the restaurant, I watch your video and I realized that I've been there. Not planning coming back.
