Rome is a city drowning in its own history, a place where the weight of antiquity often overshadows the reality of modern life. In the eighth season of Parts Unknown (filmed in 2016), Anthony Bourdain arrived in the Eternal City not to gaze at the Colosseum, but to capture the cinematic, almost melancholic essence of a city that has seen it all. Partnering with controversial director Asia Argento, Bourdain’s Rome was presented through a lens of stark realism, stripped of the usual romanticized tourist gloss. The culinary focus here was unapologetically traditional Roman fare—the kind of robust, unpretentious food that locals rely on. Bourdain sought out the deeply rooted trattorias and osterias that serve up the fundamental flavors of the region: artichokes, offal, and perfectly executed pasta. He wasn’t looking for innovation; he wanted the comfort of the classics, the dishes that have sustained Romans for generations. This episode was an exploration of how the past continuously informs the present, reflected in the simple, perfect execution of the meals he shared. Here are the true Roman institutions he visited to find the soul of the city.
The great Anthony Bourdain left his mark everywhere he went. When his death was announced to the world in June 2018, media throughout the globe chimed in and listed all the great things he had done for their respective city. Whereas before, tourists would shy away from exotic foods, thanks to him, travellers now go the extra mile to find and try local bites. With this in mind, here are all the restaurants Bourdain visited and the dishes he tasted when he shot Parts Unknown Rome Season 8 Episode 10 (originally aired December 4, 2016):
READ MORE: OUR MUST-SEES TO DISCOVER HISTORICAL ROME
DISH – Carciofi alla Romana and Ravioli Burro e Salvia – Anthony Bourdain Rome
WHAT IS IT?
Carciofi alla Romana – Roman-style artichokes; Ravioli Burro e Salvia – homemade butter and sage ravioli.
READ MORE: ROME: ALL OF THE RESTAURANTS PICKED BY ANTHONY BOURDAIN ON NO RESERVATIONS
WHERE IS IT?
Osteria dal 1931
Via di Donna Olimpia, 44
Roma RM, Italy
PARTS UNKNOWN ROME NOTES
In this episode, Anthony Bourdain shares a tip: “Some people ask me at my hotel where they should eat… just where the concierge tells you to go, don’t go there.”
DISH – Peroni Red Label – Anthony Bourdain Rome
WHAT IS IT?
Peroni Red Label is a dark beer brew of malted barley, hop pellets, hop extract and corn.
WHERE IS IT?
L’angolo Amici
Via Danilo Stiepovich, 271
Lido di Ostia RM, Italy
Unfortunately, this restaurant has since closed its doors.
PARTS UNKNOWN ROME NOTES
Anthony Bourdain describes L’angolo Amici as a bar “where everyone knows everybody’s name”. The bar is now reported to be closed.
DISH –Lumache alla Romana – Anthony Bourdain Rome
WHAT IS IT?
Roman-style snails.
WHERE IS IT?
Trattoria Morgana
Via Mecenate, 21
Roma RM, Italy
PARTS UNKNOWN ROME NOTES
This is where Anthony Bourdain dined with filmmaker Abel Ferrara and his family. Abel Ferrara on Trattoria Morgana: They had a variety of pasta dishes, Roman snails and Roman artichokes.
DISH – Fettuccine al Ragù – Anthony Bourdain Rome
WHAT IS IT?
Fettuccine with meat sauce.
WHERE IS IT?
Settimio al Pellegrino
Via del Pellegrino, 117
Roma RM, Italy
PARTS UNKNOWN ROME NOTES
According to Bourdain, this restaurant is one of the places in Rome where you can “find the most extraordinary of pleasures in the most ordinary things”
READ MORE: INSTAGRAMMABLE PLACES IN ROME: 20 PHOTOGRAPHY DESTINATIONS
The Rome episode of Parts Unknown is often cited as one of the most visually and emotionally distinct of the series, heavily influenced by its cinematic framing and Bourdain’s personal life at the time. By deliberately avoiding the quintessential tourist traps and focusing on the stark reality of everyday Roman dining, he stripped away the cliché to reveal a more complex, lived-in city. The insistence on simple, classic dishes—like a perfectly made pasta or a humble artichoke—reinforced his philosophy that greatness in food often lies in restraint and respect for tradition. This episode remains a powerful testament to finding profound beauty in the ordinary. When you visit Rome, look past the monuments and seek out the quiet neighborhood joints where the real history is served on a plate.
