Bulzoni

Sometimes the best travel experiences happen when you venture just a little bit away from the tourist-packed city center. That’s exactly what we discovered at Bulzoni Enoteca, a charming restaurant in Rome that is clearly a beloved neighborhood favorite with the locals. This spot was just down the street from our hotel, and we are so incredibly glad we found it. Bulzoni is well-known for its extensive and impressive wine list, and the cozy atmosphere makes it the perfect place for a relaxed, later dinner, which is exactly what we did. We weren’t super hungry, so we decided to just grab two main plates and, of course, dessert.

I was on a personal quest to try all four of the classic Roman pastas during our trip, so I had to order the Amatriciana. This iconic pasta is a beautiful combination of tomatoes, savory guanciale (cured pork cheek), and sharp pecorino romano cheese. Bulzoni serves their version with rigatoni, which is probably my favorite pasta shape because its ridges hold the rich sauce so perfectly. It was absolutely delicious. My husband opted for a lighter plate and ordered the grilled octopus. And let me just say, well done to Bulzoni! So often, octopus can be tough or chewy, but this was cooked to perfection. It was incredibly tender and served simply in a butter and lemon sauce that added a wonderful freshness and brightness to the dish.

Then came dessert, which might have stolen the whole show. We ordered both the tiramisu and a berry pie to share. The tiramisu may have been the best one I have ever had—it was so unbelievably creamy and luscious, with deep, rich undertones of espresso. But the berry pie was also a surprise hit! It was almost like a sugar cookie-buttermilk pie hybrid—creamy, light, and just the perfect, sweet end to the meal.

Bulzoni Enoteca was a fantastic find and a perfect example of the magic that happens when you dine where the locals do. If you’re looking for an authentic, high-quality meal with an incredible wine list, it’s more than worth stepping a few streets away from the main attractions to find this neighborhood gem.