Trattoria Da Lucia

Reviews

• Loki A.

  star star star star star 27 May 2026

  So Rome was our last city on a two week Italian vacation. Like any large tourist city, Rome is full of tourist traps catering to the masses looking to stuff themselves with the "authentic" local experience. Here is some unsolicited but hopefully useful advice: if you want to eat well in Europe find the eateries tucked in neighborhoods away from the main tourist spots. If the menu is glossy, has photographs of the food and comes in three or more languages, stay away. As far as Rome is concerned, we chose to stay in the Trastevere district based on its reputation for being where the locals hang out for wining, dining and night time frolicking. We were not disappointed.
  
  As far as this restaurant, we picked it because we were looking for an authentic, home-cooked style restaurant away from the crowds and that is exactly what we got. The food was excellent, the service was excellent and the price was right. If you eat a full Italian meal with all its courses you will leave stuffed. It's almost too much food. There is plenty of food to share in each course. As far as the location, the good news is that it is tucked far enough away within the ancient labyrinth of streets that is Trastevere that you really do avoid all but the most discerning of curious tourists. The bad news, if you want to call it that, is that the restaurant is basically in an alley, so unless you get one of the corner tables (if you are sitting outside) your only view is of the wall of the building in front of you, which is only barely a car width away, and whatever you can see down the alley (which is just more alley). Having said that, if you're there for the food and not the view, you will not be disappointed. After all, there are plenty of other places in Rome where you can go sight seeing and get magnificent views. But when it's time to eat, come here.
  
  A note on service in Italy (at least in all the places we went to): if you are accustomed to American service standards you might find yourself a little frustrated. In the U.S. servers usually come back to your table with relative frequency to check on you and see if you need anything. Often they guess when you are ready to go and bring you the bill without you even asking for it. Sometimes it might even be a little too much service. Italy does not have this problem. We found that the typical server will visit your table when you first get there to take your drink order and drop off the menu, then will take some time to come back for your order, then will come back with each course as it becomes ready and then you will likely not see them again for a while. When you finally do ask for the bill do not expect the pace to get any quicker, it's going to be a while. Sometimes a long while. The Italian lifestyle, and I suppose Mediterranean culture in general, sits in contrast to the American in at least one important aspect: life, especially eating, is not something to be taken in a hurry. If you come to grips with this and embrace it you will save yourself a lot of anxiety and fretting. I think this is probably a good thing. Relax, take it easy. Talk, laugh, enjoy your meal. But, having said that, if you think you might want to order another drink or need something else, strike when the iron is hot and the server comes back to your table to drop something off. Otherwise chances are you will not see them again for a while.

• Katie F.

  star star star star star 17 May 2026

  We ate here a lot during our short trip to Rome. I think at least three times. The first was because we were hangry and tired after taking the train up from Salerno and couldn't get into our air bnb and the other two times were because it was that good. It's located on a tiny quiet street in Trastevere off of the beaten path. If we hadn't been staying on the street we never would have found it. I can only speak for the Cacio e Pepe and Bucatini all'Amatriciana but they were both amazing. And I guess I can also speak to the wine... If we go back to Rome this will probably be our first stop.
  
  We ate outside for all of our visits which I highly recommend. At night there were musicians passing through playing the music. It really felt like a small private patio in the middle of Rome.

• Ryan G.

  star star star star star 16 May 2026

  After three days in Rome this has to be my favorite spot.  This seemed like a traditional Italian place that has fantastic pastas, cheap house wine, and an awesome atmosphere in Trastevere.  The patrons all seemed to be local, another couple or two that were tourists along with myself and my girlfriend.  I'd recommend going on Thursday to snatch up their gnocchi.  Otherwise their "spaghetti alla gricia" is spectacular.  Be aware, they are cash only ahead of time.

• Rich S.

  star star star star star 12 May 2026

  With so many trattorias in Rome catering to the tourist dollar, we have always felt we found a hidden gem with Lucia. First came here in 2010, courtesy of Rick Steve's guidebook, and it remains a steadfast and timeless eatery.
  
  We came for lunch this visit; light crowd for a waning October sun. Started w/ pecorino and honey, and salami/prosciutto. Complimented these w/ a Sauvignon Blanc, and what a wonderful start to a great meal. Cheese/honey were wonderfully creamy and tasty, and the salami had us wanting to order a roll to take home. Main courses were pasta ala grecia (sp?) and bombilloti all'amatriciana (see picture) . . . Perfection. Accompanied by a Classico Chianti, we could not have asked for a better luncheon.  
  
  Add in friendly service, a quaint setting far enough off the path to minimize the tourist crowd, and reasonable prices, and you have a 5-star trattoria . . .
  
  Salut
  RS

• Chr M.

  star star star star_border star_border 10 May 2026

  Food was 'ok' but nothing amazingly special. I think Da Lucia might have forgotten where they came from and are riding the tourist train a bit too much. Service not bad but way too quick. Almost like a fast food. You didn't feel especially welcome. Just order, eat, pay and get out. Steak was very good. But you get exactly what it says on the menu. Nothing more. Price quality was average.