Spanish food in Rome: a guide by occasion
Not every Spanish restaurant fits every plan. Using the Google ratings, review counts and the dishes we have confirmed on each menu, here is how we would play Rome depending on the occasion.
For a date
Pequeño | Atypical Tapas Bar (Largo Somalia, 39, 00199 Roma RM, Italy) — the strongest all-round rating in the city (★ 4.8 from 774 reviews; the menu confirms churros). Book ahead at weekends.
Tapas with friends
llama y tapas - Cucina Spagnola (Viale di Valle Aurelia, 30, 00167 Roma RM, Italy) — the widest confirmed Spanish spread in Rome: Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), pan con tomate, paella, chorizo, gazpacho / salmorejo and torrijas (★ 4.3 from 7 reviews; the menu confirms Spanish omelette (tortilla española), patatas bravas, croquetas, Ibérico/serrano ham, Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega), pan con tomate, paella, chorizo, gazpacho / salmorejo and torrijas). Order several plates to share and ask what is on special.
A special occasion
La Taberna de Pedro (Via Pietro Wührer, 15, 00133 Roma RM, Italy) — ★ 4.2 from 1,056 reviews; the menu confirms paella. Tell them you are celebrating when you book; Spanish restaurants are usually generous with a celebration table.
A quick, casual bite
La Casa Iberica Roma (Viale Parioli, 144, 00197 Roma RM, Italy) — ★ 3.8 from 105 reviews; the menu confirms Ibérico/serrano ham and paella; around €30-€40 per person. Bar seating and a couple of tapas is the fastest way to eat well here.
Something sweet to finish
Pequeño | Atypical Tapas Bar (Largo Somalia, 39, 00199 Roma RM, Italy) — one of the few places in Rome whose menu confirms churros.
What to order in Rome
These are the classic dishes most often confirmed on the menus we checked, each linked to our recipe so you know exactly what should arrive at the table:
- paella — confirmed on 3 menus in Rome
- Ibérico/serrano ham — confirmed on 2 menus in Rome
- Spanish omelette (tortilla española) — confirmed on 1 menus in Rome
- patatas bravas — confirmed on 1 menus in Rome
- croquetas — confirmed on 1 menus in Rome
- Galician-style octopus (pulpo a la gallega) — confirmed on 1 menus in Rome