Eating in Prati, Rome

Prati sits directly across the river from the Vatican, and most people only pass through it on the way to the Vatican Museums — which is exactly why it's underrated for food. Because it's genuinely residential rather than built around a landmark, the restaurants here cater to people who live nearby and eat out regularly, not to a one-time tourist crowd, so quality tends to be more consistent and prices more honest than the streets immediately around St. Peter's Square. It's a grid of wide, orderly boulevards rather than winding medieval lanes, which makes it easy to navigate but less atmospheric than Trastevere or Monti. Go here specifically if you're already spending the morning at the Vatican and want lunch or dinner that doesn't cater exclusively to tour groups — just walk a few blocks away from the Museums entrance first.