Another week, another restaurant opening. The Rome food scene is forever changing and it’s getting harder all the time to keep your finger on the pulse.
Here are 5 places that have opened this year.
Mercato Centrale (Termini)
I wouldn’t be caught dead around Termini station at night. There I said it. It’s where I go to catch my train to leave Rome. There are a select few places in the area that I head to. But it’s on a need basis. It’s not the nicest place in Rome to just hang around. Mercato Centrale now stands out like beacon. Located within the station area but with its own entrance (Via Giolitti) it offers three levels of food wonderland – where you can buy food to eat in the food court style seating area or fresh food to take home. Some highlights include meat at the Liberati stand (one of Rome’s foremost butchers), the Trapizzino (my favourite streetfood snack), Bonci’s pizza by the slice and even a casual restaurant by Michelin star chef, Oliver Glowig. It’s open every day until midnight. Visit: Mercato 
Va.Do (Pigneto)
Carefully created plates at this contemporary bistrot style place in Pigneto. For those of you who know the area, it’s in the Necci part of Pigneto (for those who don’t, address is supplied). The decor is so warm and the staff here are friendly. You feel very at home here. The menu is fun with each dish entitle with a fun play-on-words. The eggplant and buffalo mozzarella timbale and paccheri pasta with burrata and confit tomato were delicious as was the apple tart tatin for dessert. Visit: Va.Do
Hosteria del Mercato (Piazza di Spagna)
Located a hop, skip and jump from the Spanish Steps, Hosteria del Mercato caters for every mood really. Whether you’re wanting to buy food and wine, grab a bite to eat, a juice at the fresh fruit juice bar or enjoy a lazy afternoon tea in their tea salon, this is a great option in an area not renowned for its restaurants. Visit: Hosteria del Mercato 
Agaveria La Punta (Trastevere)
Take a trip to Mexico in the heart of my beloved Trastevere. The brainchild of the The Jerry Thomas Project Speakeasy and neighbourhood institution, Freni e Frizioni, the owners spent time in Mexico recently to refine and bring this authentic concept to Rome. The result? Fantastic Mexican (for Rome. Yep – I’m a Melbourne girl and my Melbourne is an awesome food city which has kinda spoilt me for life). The guacamole to start is as fresh and creamy as a guac should be, the tacos were great too and the cocktails. Ah the cocktails. Take your pick from your passport style menu – trust in your choice because these guys know how to mix one! Visit: Agaveria La Punta 
Sbanco (Appio San Giovanni)
Located in the Appia San Giovanni area, Sbanco is Roman pizzamaker and restauranteur, Stefano Calegari’s latest venture. Famous for his trapizzino invention (Rome’s popular pizza pocket style street food snack), he’s not one to shy away from left of the middle. Known also for his cacio e pepe pizza (an ode to the Roman pasta dish with black pepper and pecorino, sheep’s milk cheese), this together with a carbonara pizza is also on the menu. Start off with supplì (Roman fried rice balls). There’s a variety to choose for and we went the carbonara version. Visit: Sbanco
Happy eating always!
Signing off from Trastevere,
Baci, Maria
