Famous for its sumptuous Renaissance and Baroque palaces, such as Villa Aldobrandini and Villa Torlonia, which enchant visitors with their elaborate gardens and fascinating architecture, Frascati is also famous for the production of local wine, which is appreciated worldwide. With its traditional restaurants and new contemporary eateries, cobbled streets and magnificent views of the capital, the best-known of the Castelli Romani towns is an ideal destination for an escape from the city.
The best restaurants in Frascati
La Belle Epoque Cocktail Bar
It is not just wine that you live on in Frascati: on the cocktail front there is Giorgio Colonna and Manuel Boncompagni's La Belle Epoque Cocktail Bar: Jerry Thomas school, great links with the world of international bartending that often passes through here for special events; since 2015 they have been a reference point for high quality mixed drinks between experimental drinks, use of cooking techniques and great attention to the territory. Accompanied by a food proposal with local products.
La Belle Epoque Cocktail Bar – via Borgo S. Rocco, 21 – tel. 06 87726589 – labelleepoquefrascati.com
Cacciani
The history of this area passes through this centuries-old sign, now in the safe hands of Leopoldo, Caterina and Paolo Cacciani. Here, in the restaurant that also benefits from the beautiful panoramic terrace overlooking Rome, we find the cornerstones of Roman cuisine, dishes that have been present since the restaurant opened and novelties that appear on the menu from season to season (you will find the dates on the menu). So if since 1922 there has been the unmissable homemade porchetta tuscolana with misticanza and the whole pollo alla diavola for 4, among the latest tastes here is spaghetti with pink prawns and seared 'panzanella'. Territorial wine cellar. Professional service.
Cacciani – via A. Diaz, 13 – tel. 06 9420378 – cacciani.it
Cantina Bonasera
Many remember him in his passages between kitchen and dining room, in various establishments including that Mazzo which is much missed. Antonio Benedetti, after his experience in the Benedetti winery (which boasts centuries among the vines), decided to go it alone, tracing a thread with his family history, great-grandson of art and wine. He has opened in Frascati, in a place that is a synthesis of memories: just look around, at the paintings on the walls or the salvaged counter that Antonio can tell you a lot about, to realise this. It is here that he gives the best of his being an innkeeper of rank, with the selection of wines (many natural but without obligation or madness), the drinks as old-fashioned as the atmosphere, and the proposals of cold gastronomy, but no less mouth-watering: porchetta (how could it be otherwise), cheeses, and the connected where taste and fantasy lead.
Cantina Bonasera – piazza Paolo III, 6/7 – tel. 342 8545240 – @cantinabonasera
Cantina Bucciarelli
Perhaps the first among them have contributed to making the name of the Castelli Romani great and also to pulling the new course. Among these 'veterans' is certainly Alessandro Bucciarelli with his Cantina Bucciarelli in Frascati: in the beginning, a typical fraschetta, then evolved into a trattoria with an outdoor space and a breathtaking view (a feature shared, moreover, by many of the local restaurants). With the latest generation, the proposal, though still linked to tradition, shifts towards an osteria style with a thoroughly contemporary twist that looks to the raw materials, the processing, the rigour of the choices; all with a view to full enjoyment: the meatball of oxtail alla vaccinara or the baked abbacchio are perfect examples. The wine list follows the mood: small artisan producers, unconventional labels, in every sense.
Cantina Bucciarelli – viale Regina Margherita, 27 – 06 94010871 – @cantina.bucciarelli
ConTatto Ristorante
In one of the alleys of an increasingly lively Frascati, in the heart of the Castelli Romani, Luca Ludovici seems to have found his forge of taste together with his life partner Lorena. The restaurant, with its essential elegance, is set in underground caves where Luca experiments with fermentation and seasoning, producing preserves, mushrooms, cold meats and cheeses. His cuisine is creative but reasoned, without daring, capable of hitting exactly where he wants to as with the cave cardoncello, egg and beer, on a scale from strong to aromatic as in the risotto, Fiuggi water, herbs, lemon and parmesan. Good wine list, excellent reception.
ConTatto Ristorante – via Gioberti, 11 – tel. 06 21700957 – contattoristorante.it
DLR DopoLavoroRicreativo
Little attention is paid to form and a lot to substance in Jacopo Ricci's restaurant: the ambience and atmosphere of an old tavern, spartan mise en place and arrangements, the hand of a talented chef in the dishes, which make use of excellent raw materials. The tastings - drawn from a rather spartan menu as well - alternate with a certain satisfaction, especially for some items that we hope will not easily leave the menu: livers, pan brioche and turnips; rice, crusco peppers, smoked provola cheese; fettuccine with courtyard ragout; tagliata of beef, figs, snow peas and herbs. The wine selection focuses on the natural world. Courteous service. On some festive occasions, picnics and outdoor events are organised.
DLR DopoLavoroRicreativo – via N. Bixio, 1 - tel. 06 630640 – @dlr_frascati
Primo
Opened in August 2021, Primo is a wine bar with a predominantly natural wine bar, tapas and accompanying dishes: platters, meat tartare, bread butter anchovies, oysters in summer. While in the cellar, the selection is constantly changing: over 170 labels, ranging from local producers to Slovenian, French and New Zealand.
Primo – via Vardesca 1/a – tel. 333 4525653 – @enotecaprimo
Il Torchio
In a small street in the centre, it remains a solid landing place in an area that, gastronomically, is experiencing a lively moment. Here at Il Torchio, amidst walls of living stone, old farming tools and modern antiques, you can sample good local cuisine that makes a virtue of seasonal ingredients, excellent vegetables and well-chosen meat. Try the acquacotta, the mouth-watering gricia with figs, the spaghetti alla Nerano. The Torchioburger and the beef tuna, a fun dish with many components, are the war horses. Desserts to taste. Fast service, somewhat cold welcome. Wine cellar is predominantly regional, with a preference for artisans from the natural world. Mention for value for money.
Il Torchio – via G. Mameli, 3 – tel. 06 9425520 – torchioristorante.com
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