Rome is of course chock-full of sumptuous culinary corners, from cracking crustaceans to.. er... pasta and stuff. 

Check out this top guide to restaurants in Rome on The Guardian website. 

L'Archeologia is located on the old Appian Way, meals are served in the beautiful garden with its 300-year-old wisteria and Roman remains. The extensive menu satisfies all tastes and is a good mixture of traditional and new. There is excellent grilled meat served with a wide choice of sauces using olive oil from the Sabine hills, and the very fresh fish appears in an interesting way at every course. L'Archeologia, Via Appia Antica 139, +39 06 788 0494, larcheologia.it.Closed Tue. Average €60

Vascello, high up in the Monteverde area of Rome, is run by two Sardinian couples. In summer the tables outside get all the breeze and provide a welcome escape from the heat of the centre.Via G Massari 8, off Via dei Sprovieri, +39 06 580 6517. Closed Tue. Average €28

At Fortunato al Pantheon comfortable tables are not crowded and the service is friendly but slick. The menu is classic Italian cooking with daily chef's suggestions offering simpler dishes like meatballs with artichokes. The general menu offers classic pasta dishes and in season they serve delicious tagliolini with white truffles and fresh funghi porcini. The fresh fish is chosen with care and prepared in all the traditional ways and the chef also has a masterly hand with the top quality meat. There is a good wine list and a reasonable house wine. In warmer months there are tables set outside. Via del Pantheon 55, +39 06 679 2788, ristorantefortunato.it. Closed Sun. Average €40

Il Tempio attracts the many Romans who love good seafood. Pasta with granseola – spider crab – is delectable and the sword fish agnoletti with red pepper sauce must be ordered when on the menu. There are tables outside in the warmer months and an elegant new sala downstairs. Via Verri 11, off Via Labicana, +39 06 700 4741. Closed Sun. Average €50

Ditirambo is a small restaurant near Campo dei Fiori. It’s rather dark so best in the heat of summer. The good varied menu combines Roman specialities like cacio e pepe (pasta withpecorino romano sheep cheese and black pepper) with interesting innovations like thin slices of crisp potato with cheese fonduta (fondue) and slivers of black truffles.  There is an excellent wine list with fair prices and an unusually good selection of half bottles. Piazza della Cancelleria 74, +39 06 687 1626, ristoranteditirambo.it. Closed for lunch on Mon. Average €30

Toscano, naturally a Tuscan restaurant, serves some of the best meat in the capital. There are many dishes on the menu but most customers choose the grilled beef, which can be accompanied by fagioli al fiasco, dressed with prize-winning olive oil, or thinly sliced fried potatoes and Roman artichokes standing on their head. In summer there are tables outside. Via Germanico 58/60, +39 06 397 25717, ristorantedaltoscano.it. Closed Mon. Average €40

Il Convivio di Troianai is widely regarded as one of the best restaurants in the city. The menu is an exciting mixture of old and new. Many of the traditional Roman favourites are given a new twist, such as "new style" boneless oxtail with celeriac puree, and Angelo combines seasonal ingredients with panache in his new creations. This is great designer food and people are encouraged to order a series of half portions to create their own tasting menu. Vicolo dei Soldati 31, +39 06 686 9432, ilconviviotroiani.com. Closed for lunch and Sun. Average €120

La Tavernaccia is family-run with friendly service and good Roman fare. Start with garlic bruschetta served with prosciutto, sliced by hand, and then try one of the excellent traditional pastas. This is a place to order family-style lasagna when available and then one of the prepared main dishes, although the grilled meat and fish are equally good. Via Giovanni di Castel Bolognese 63, +39 06 581 2792,latavernaccia.com. Closed Wed. Average €25

Roma Sparita is tucked away in one of the most beautiful piazzas in Trastevere, surrounded by fading ochre and terracotta buildings. An oasis in a desert of bad food. In summer the tables are set out in the piazza and one can sit with a glass of wine enjoying the simple dishes of la cucina romana. Piazza di Santa Cecilia 24, +39 06 580 0757, romasparita.com. Closed Sun and Mon at lunch. Average €25