Agustarello in Testaccio

Just a few blocks away from the Nuovo Mercato di Testaccio lies Agustarello, a family-run trattoria boasting excellent traditional Roman dishes that taste just like mamma’s cooking, so to speak.

Named for its founder, Agustarello, the trattoria is now run by his son, Alessandro, and Alessandro’s wife Antonella. Over the years, they’ve built a reputation for delicious dishes and friendly, attentive service by keeping the family in the kitchen and on the floor. Alessandro and Antonella both cook and take care of their guests, making a meal at Agustarello akin to being invited into a Roman home for dinner.

Here I’ve compiled a menu of Agustarello’s must-try specialties. Stick to this menu and you’ll walk away having experienced the authentic Roman philosophy on life and food away from the tourist circuit. (Important note: I recommend having an overflowing basket of their fresh bread on hand to wipe up every last drop of these fabulous dishes.) For primi, I recommend tonarelli alla gricia – a traditional Roman pasta dish, gricia consists of olive oil, Pecorino Romano cheese, and guanciale (cured pork jowl). It’s the epitome of Roman comfort food. For your secondi, try coda alla vaccianara (oxtail prepared in the butcher’s style) with an insalata di puntarelle (chicory salad). The oxtail is stewed to tender perfection and served up drenched in a rich cocoa infused sauce, while crunchy curls of young chicory are dressed in a mixture of olive oil, garlic, and anchovy paste.

Wrap up your meal with an espresso and a slice of one of Antonella’s homemade desserts! Pictured above is her crostata di visciole (cherry tart).

They say the best way to fully appreciate Italian culture (and food) is to sit down to dinner with a Roman and his family in their home. Dining at Agustarello is a lot like that. So if you find yourself exploring the Testaccio neighborhood, make sure to stop in at Agustarello for a meal of classic Roman cuisine!