The Bottom Line
- Fantastic traditional Roman food.
- English menus have good descriptions of the food.
- Nice dining room and good service.
- Out of the main tourist center - in the Testaccio District.
Description
- Trattoria Checchino dal 1887 is an old Roman eatery serving traditional Roman specialties.
- The dining room is beautiful and comfortable and the service is excellent.
- Wait staff, many of whom speak English, were eager to help and make suggestions.
- Large wine cellar includes over 600 wines. Most are reds to best accompany the food.
- Lunch 12:30-15:00, Dinner 20:00-24:00
Closed Sunday, Monday, and all of August
Guide Review - Rome Restaurant
Once inside the restaurant, however, I was pleasantly surprised. Looking over the menu, there were sufficient choices that did not involve the insides of animals. I chose a simple but tasty bruschetta for my appetizer that was accompanied by a traditional before-dinner drink. The waiter took time explaining to me what it was and it's origins. For my second, I had a traditional Roman lamb dish. It was one of the best lamb dishes I have ever had.
James, who will eat anything, eagerly tried several of the traditional dishes made with innards. His dishes were well-cooked and the innards were very palatable. His favorite was the veal trotter in a warm vegetable salad. He did not do so well picking the wine but the waiter came to the rescue. Read James Martin's blog for more about the wine experience.
We went to Checchino dal 1887 for lunch on a summer day and had no trouble getting a table. It's probably wise to make a reservation, especially for dinner.
Via di Monte Testaccio, 30
Phone: 065746318
Public Transportation: Bus 75 to the stop nearest ex Mattatoio or subway line B to Piramide station.
