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Il Buco Ristorante
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Italian, Tuscan, Romana, Lazio, Central-Italian
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, Late Night
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Highchairs Available
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Television
Wheelchair Accessible
Location
Can a vegan person get a good meal at this restaurant?
Reserve a table

Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed today
Sunday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Wednesday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Thursday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Friday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Saturday
11:30 AM - 4:00 PM7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Contribute
3.7
396 reviews
Excellent
155
Very good
113
Average
48
Poor
21
Terrible
59
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Ben L
7 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
Oh this restaurant was in a nice and slightly more quiet location of Rome. It was close to our hotel and very convenient. We were able to secure an outdoor seat which was nice. The waiter, who I think is the owner, was somewhat pushy - it almost felt like he was trying to get us to order more than we wanted. We were also charged 3 euro per bottle of water and after a long day of walking the bottles add up. I had a pasta which is overall pretty good. We also ordered the gnocchi which was tiny and didn’t Look or taste like gnocchi – more like a quiche. It was OK. Overall this restaurant was fine.
Written August 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathleen S
Paris727 contributions
May 2024 • solo
Tuscan treats are the reason to go here. With a genuine rustic toscane feel, it represents just plain good, cooking. Indeed it is a solid restaurant with generous portions of everything.
Along with Tuscan pastas, they include the (pervasive) Roman 3 (cacio et pepe, carbonara, arrabiata). Since this is a taste of Tuscany, go for Tuscan choices. A delightful addition to the palate and to the usual (good) Roman menu.
Chingiale, rabbit/hare, porcini pastas are superb. ALong with the main meat/game courses, rabbit, wild boar, erc, typically Tuscan and very good. Beef is of course on the menu, for which Tuscany is famous. Since I didn't try it, I have no comment But given the even, good quality of product and preparation, I'd place my bets on it.
A nice large vino della casa, white or red. I don't favor Tuscan whites, but very much liked their choice of the Tuscan red.
Prices are utterly fair, especially for the portions AND quality. It is a huge restaruant on a most delightfully quiet street near the Pantheon. A real haven and retreat from crazy crowds.
After reviewing the reviews, before going to the Il Buco, it was clear it is a bit of a roller coaster ride, with a variety of oppositional reviews/ and opinions. Lots of 5 stars, but also plenty of 2 stars.
I found the negative reviews helpful as they fairly reviewed the potential for pushy service. But those who gave a thumbs down to the food, are dead wrong. The quality of cooking appears wasted on some, but not on me. 5 stars and thumbs up.
Just know what you want when ordering, hold firm to your choices and that might mitigate the feeling of pushy.
Written May 2, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luca B
40 contributions
Nov 2023 • family
2 adults and two children... they had a plate of fettuccine with wild boar ragù for two, we had a mixed Tuscan appetizer presented on a side dish (???) consisting of three slices of finocchiona, half a wild boar sausage and 5 or 6 olives (???), a Fiorentina (slightly overcooked in my opinion) and two side dishes of baked potatoes. A bottle of Santa Cristina red and a bottle of water and a slice of apple pie for the children.
I count? 97 euros...but without The Fork discount the bill would have been 200 euros??!! Mha...

Written November 19, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norbert P
Kaiserslautern2 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
The visit to this restaurant, which had a promising atmosphere, was a disappointment. Starting with an annoyed waiter clicking his pen and standing on your neck almost all the time waiting for your order. To the food that didn't taste good, probably prepared by a chef who didn't know how to add some flavor to the food, this was the only disappointment of our entire visit to Rome.

Written June 6, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GIOIA76
20 contributions
Nov 2024 • friends
Very retro setting, central location.
The staff is friendly, the 'environment little heated and with a strong smell of closed.
The food unfortunately very sad, both in presentation and flavor.
Some dishes were doubted not to be fresh, the taste was very ambiguous and borderline edible.
Not recommended.
Automatically translated
Written December 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carlos
1 contribution
Jun 2022 • couples
DO NOT think about eating here. It looks nice from the outside but the hell begins as soon as you sit down. It was about 15 minutes before the waiter came over despite the fact that the restaurant was almost empty. We ordered an appetizer (decent) and then had to wait 45 minutes for the main course to arrive. My wife ordered grilled fish with potatoes and what she got was 2 square inches of mediocre fish with some greens (no potatoes or truffle cream as per the menu), the potatoes came eventually after my wife had finished her course. I initially ordered the ravioli but was informed that they had run out. Went for the lasagna (big mistake), overcooked and largely flavorless.
Stay away!!!
Written June 12, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Razvan P
Bucharest5 contributions
May 2022 • couples
We were looking after an Italian restaurant to eat something traditional, not too fancy. We wanted a not so crowded place so we walked by “Il Buco” and we decided to enter. BIG MISTAKE! The menu has only complicated dishes with big prices but we thought it’s because the food will be delicious. Not even close! The food wasn’t good and the services were awful. The waiters were like sellers who tried to sell their products and hurry to finish the bill so they can fool the next customer. Such a bad experience!
Written May 29, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
C F
1 contribution
Sep 2022 • family
We went here on two occasions during our trip to Rome it was awesome! The food was spectacular, the pasta is self made and the sauces were delicious. The menu offers a wide variety of food and drink, thats also offers options for vegetarians.
The absolute gem was our waiter though, he took the time to give advice about the wine, split our portions and did it all with a charming smile.
All in all, its a quite little restaurant, with absolutely excellent food and an even better waitstaff that are there to fulfill the wishes of the customer.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ben G
London1 contribution
May 2022 • none
I came here twice, once with 3 others and once alone. The first time I went (with the group), there was barely anyone else there and so the servers were very attentive and always asked if we needed anything. I will say as per some of the other reviews, they were a bit pushy in terms of trying to suggest things and there was a miscommunication with my buddy where he asked if one dish was vegetarian, and instead, they brought him out a whole platter of vegetables, but they humbly apologized and returned it.
Regardless of those things, the food I had was absolutely delicious and some of the best I had in my 2 months in Italy. I had the carbonara and I loved it.
The second time I went, I went alone and it was very busy. I got a table, but then ended up waiting for about 30mins just to get some water and a menu, and when I opened it, it didn't even have the menu in it XD It was honestly pretty funny, I didn't hold it against them because I could tell how busy and stressed they all were (they immediately got me a new one).
This time, I had the amatriciana and ossobuco con funghi and then the ricotta and pear cake for dessert, which was all amazing, though the amatriciana was the better of the 2 meals.
Written August 3, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Patrick C
London55 contributions
Oct 2021 • none
One of the gastronomic highlights of Rome, and it’s a Tuscan restaurant! Trust me, there are no weak or poor dishes here - though I would especially recommend any of the excellent steaks (I had one served in a brandy sauce). As an antipasti, the crostini is also exceptionally good. For dessert, the ristorante bakes a variety of home-made cakes, the apple one being a particular favourite. The staff are also very attentive, and have been known to provide several glasses of sweet dessert wine as a palate cleanser, on the house. Overall, il Buco is definitely worth a visit. Or two.
Written October 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eric L
Seven Corners183 contributions
Jul 2023 • solo
Great restaurant for dinner in Rome! With a Tuscan flavor to the menu, it offered a lot of great options. I started with the caprese salad, then the steak with peppercorn sauce and topped off with an ice cream dish for dessert. Paired with a nice bottle of Tuscan wine, it made for a great meal. I was there on a Sunday night and made a reservation to ensure I got a table, but I think you could probably walk in. I sat inside because of the heat but they do have outdoor seating as well. The service was excellent as well. All in all, a great meal.
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle T
1 contribution
Mar 2023 • family
The waiter, Alfredo, was agressive. He wanted to us to order at least three courses. He screamed at my mother and me in Italian, and even followed her to the bathroom.
I asked to speak to the manager, but while I was trying to explain, the waiter continued yelling. The manager didn't seem to have any kind of authority over him.
In the end, she tried to justify his behavior by saying it was rush hour and they needed to offer the tables to people who decided to spend a lot of money there. The restaurant was almost empty.
I wrote a review a few months ago but they never apologized. I also noticed that many people have complained about the same waiter but the restaurant has done nothing about it.
I would never go back to that restaurant, the whole experience was really scary.
Written November 4, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Drew K
Ballwin893 contributions
May 2022 • none
We stopped for lunch after our tour of the Colosseum. The service was friendly and efficient. The outdoor dining was filled so we ate in the charming and delightfully cool interior. All other patrons were Italian so it's likely they serve authentic Roman cuisine. I wanted to try authentic pasta carbonara but the preparation was not to my taste with miniscule amounts of guanacole, a pasty sauce, and underdone pasta. My wife had the lasagna which the waiter recommended. She said it was OK but could have used more sauce.
Written May 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Barbara B
Montreal13 contributions
Jul 2023 • family
My husband had discovered this place many years ago when he was travelling solo. Our family went for dinner here in the height of tourist season. The place was very quiet despite the fact that it is very centrally located. There were a few locals and us. We don't know why it was so quiet because the food and service were excellent. The menu has a few Roman dishes but is mostly Tuscan food. We had the wild boar stew which was very good. The waiter was charming. He took the time to give us a history of the restaurant. It was a great evening.
Written July 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Duncan P
Glasgow2 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
Went to this restaurant at the recommendation of a friend who lived in Rome for a few years and is a bit of a foodie.
Off the beaten track but worth the visit and deserved to be busier. The food was superb; I had the slow cooked Wild Boar which was melt in the mouth.
Service great and would thoroughly recommend this establishment.
Written December 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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