Il Matriciano

For a less touristy (and less pricey) alternative to Piazza del Popolo’s Dal Bolognese, head across the Tiber to Il Matriciano for al fresco dining and old fashioned Roman cuisine. A few blocks north of the Vatican, the restaurant is in the residential Prati district. Though some warn that the institution is getting a bit inflated because of its great reputation, the restaurant nevertheless has a loyal, local following, mostly after their signature dish: bucatini alla matriciana. Closed Wednesday.