Talk about a triumphant homecoming. Rome-born chef Davide Puleio notched up some serious runs on the board working in Copenhagen and Milan before opening Pulejo in his hometown – and scored a Michelin star not long after opening his restaurant in Rome. Opt for one of the tasting menus (available in five- or seven-course options) and prepare to be dazzled. The standout dish is the Risotto MI-RO, where a classic saffron-studded Milanese risotto meets a typically Roman braised oxtail. pulejo.it

Anthony Bourdain was among the legions of diners who loved the cosy no-frills Settimio al Pellegrino restaurant near Campo dei Fiori, where diners had to ring the doorbell to be allowed in. The Roman trattoria shut its doors last year but new owners have since ridden to the rescue. The good news is that they adhere firmly to the “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” school and much about the restaurant remains unchanged, from the simple furnishings to popular dishes like the pan-fried meatballs, still made to the same recipe.

For some, it is the mouth-watering array of artisanal cheeses or the aromatic salume hanging from hooks that draws them in to this restaurant in Rome. For others it is the (literally) thousands of wine bottles lining one wall. Whatever lures you inside Salumeria Roscioli, be thankful you have found your way here. This revered outlet has been celebrating the best Italian products and produce for decades. (There is even a menu dedicated entirely to buffalo mozzarella.) Roscioli’s pastas are justly famous but everything on the menu is excellent, from the tuna tartare to the stuffed rabbit. salumeriaroscioli.com

Almato is the sort of restaurant you would love to stumble across by accident: a chic pocket-sized eatery serving up boundary-pushing food. So many in-the-know Romans regularly eat at this Prati diner, however, that this is strictly book-ahead territory. Chef Tommaso Venuti’s menu changes seasonally but a number of plates have already become classics. Pasta fans should look for the daikon tagliolini or the risotto with orange zest and bitter Modica chocolate. almato.it

L’Angolo Divino is the sort of cosy wine bar where you can enjoy a glass of red and a quick snack before dinner, or come with the express purpose of spending a couple of hours discovering your new favourite drop. Its extraordinary wine list includes everything from under-the-radar natural wines to sought-after prestige labels. The room is atmospheric and the service is prompt and friendly, so don’t be surprised if you find yourself lingering much longer than you planned. It is a must when in Rome. angolodivino.it

If you are in the mood for something fancy in Rome then walk on by. What makes Piatto Romano in Testaccio such a memorable experience is not its sophistication but its simplicity. The classic Roman trattoria experience doesn’t get better than this. From the classic antipasto selection, laden with marinated capsicums, grilled zucchini and artichokes, to the traditional daily specials (gnocchi on Thursdays, fish on Fridays), it ticks all the boxes that make a good restaurant. Round it off with a family-style dessert: the slices of fresh-from-the-oven ricotta cake are always a delight. piattoromano.com

Don’t expect to find Retrobottega chefs Giuseppe Lo Iudice and Alessandro Miocchi in the kitchen first thing in the morning – they will be out in the countryside foraging for ingredients that they will team with produce from the area’s best artisanal farmers. The ingredients may be hyper-local but the inspiration is global. Take a seat at one of the communal tables in this centrally-located restaurant in Rome (it sits halfway between Piazza Navona and the Pantheon) and you may feast on anything from ravioli stuffed with veal tongue to wild boar tartare teamed with grilled squid.