Some people ride or die for carbonara, or think cacio e pepe is the pinnacle of Roman cooking. But for us, Trecca shows it’s all about the quinto quarto, or what’s known as offal, the discarded animal parts that are “I can’t believe I’m eating this and actually enjoying it” kind of delicious. Their regaje di pollo e patate is the perfect example—lusciously tender chicken innards sauteed with rosemary and white wine, served in a pan alongside the crispiest potatoes you’ll ever taste.

Capo Boi serves arguably the best seafood in all of Rome, but that’s just one of the reasons you should have dinner here. On paper, it seems like it might be stuffy: the upscale restaurant is located in Parioli, one of Rome’s most elegant districts. But the atmosphere is more relaxed, like attending a dinner party hosted by your fun uncle who owns a megayacht (but doesn’t tell anyone).

You should have your last meal in Rome at Trattoria da Enzo. It’s a simple, lively restaurant with checkered tablecloths and daily specials scrawled on a chalkboard, and it’s exactly the type of place you’ll be dreaming about once you’re back home and nothing in your fridge looks good. Although it’s located on the quieter side of Trastevere, this trattoria is always buzzing, with a perpetual line snaking out the door.

Everything in Rome comes with a history lesson, including a meal at Piatto Romano. It’s located in Testaccio, a neighborhood where cucina Romana was basically invented. Order the offal, amatriciana, and the great daily specials like crispy artichokes. They also offer a fantastically-fresh salad with local mixed greens dressed in a zesty, light vinaigrette (yes, Italians do eat salads). Dessert is equally old-school: go with the tiramisu or the ricotta e visciole.

Giggetto is in the heart of Rome’s Jewish Ghetto. Once a place of poverty and oppression, this vibrant and historic neighborhood is home to the city’s main synagogue, shops, an ancient archaeological site, and fantastic restaurants where you can try Roman Jewish cuisine. You’ll find traditional Roman Jewish appetizers like filetto di baccalà and deep-fried whole artichokes whose leaves become thin and crispy like potato chips.

Everybody and their mom might've told you to go to Roscioli while you're in Rome. Beyond being extremely difficult to get into, lately we've found the quality has slipped—maybe that's just what happens when you expand and open a restaurant in NYC. Head to its sibling bakery instead. Antico Forno Roscioli is ideal for quick slices of pizza, supplì, and panini, especially the pizza con patate stuffed with freshly-sliced porchetta, which tastes even better if you order a side of chicory greens.

Osteria Der Belli is the type of restaurant where you might run into an Italian actor you’ve seen on TV. Grab a seat outside on their shaded patio, and go to town on a bowl of spaghetti alle vongole while discreetly Googling that famous-looking person at the table over. Then, order their thin slices of melt-in-your-mouth tuna on top of a bed of crispy potato rounds, or whatever the fish of the day is. End the meal with their refreshing crema gelato crowned with strawberries.

You may finish your lunch at La Tavernaccia Da Bruno and walk out wondering “What year is it?” Or more importantly, “When can I move in?” You’ll be at this Trastevere spot for a long time, not only because their hefty wine list reads like a novel, but because they serve comfort food so good, you simply won’t want to leave. It’s one of the best places to try some of Italy’s greatest hits, like cheesy eggplant parmigiana, hearty coda alla vaccinara, and thick slices of oven-roasted maialino.

Even though there are white tablecloths on every table, the atmosphere is anything but pretentious at Pecorino. A Sunday lunch here has the vibe of your long-lost cousin’s home who has old family pictures hanging on the wall of relatives you’ve never met or even heard of before. Yes, the waiters are dressed in fancy white button-downs, but you can tell they’ve been working here since they were teenagers, particularly because of how sarcastic and decisive they are.

If any restaurant could make you feel like you’re living in a Federico Fellini film, it’d be Roma Sparita. Especially when you’re having lunch outside, beneath umbrellas and checkered tablecloths in a vast, tranquil piazza, snacking on zucchini squash blossoms and artichokes, both fried to perfection. Everyone around you will likely order the cacio e pepe made with handmade tagliolini noodles and served in a shell of pecorino, but the star of the show is their gnocchi alle vongole.