5 Best Restaurants in Side Trips from Rome, Italy

Founded as a hotel and restaurant in 1720 and set beside the striking Roman Temple of Vesta and the Sanctuary of the Sybil, this establishment has an idyllic, wisteria-draped terrace overlooking the deep gorge of the Aniene River, with a thundering waterfall in the background. Standards are high, and the trip to Tivoli is worth it even if you do nothing more than order a lunch of upscale versions of local dishes and take in the spectacular view.

The Cacciani family has been running this stylish restaurant in the heart of Frascati old town since 1922, when it was a popular hangout for the likes of Clark Gable and Gina Lollobrigida. Perched high on a rise overlooking the town and the Roman plain, there are spectacular views from the Cacciani terrace, but you can also keep an eye on the gorgeous food being prepared in the open kitchen. The family runs a hotel in the same building in case you want to spend the night after dining on the celebrated local plates.

Set on the tranquil shores of Lake Nemi, next to the Roman Ship Museum, La Fiocina has been serving local specialties, including lake fish and homemade gnocchi with wild boar sauce, for more than 50 years. The interior is elegant and welcoming, with a roaring fireplace on cooler days; in warmer months, you can dine on the terrace.

Only a couple of miles outside Frascati, this 16th-century coaching inn has a tastefully renovated dining room and an old fig tree (its namesake) that shades a charming, table-filled garden. Long known for its excellent cooking, which was beloved by Italian director Federico Fellini, the classic restaurant still prepares typical Roman dishes, among them pollo al diavolo (spicy braised chicken) and abbacchio allo scottadito (sizzling grilled lamb).

Tucked on a side street off the medieval Piazza delle Erbe, the Osteria del Vecchio Orologio offers top-quality Tuscia specialties in a warm and informal atmosphere. It's a member of the Slow Food Movement, with a menu that changes according to the season.