There are plenty of trattorias around Rome, but when nothing but a fancy tasting menu will do, Zia in Trastevere is your best bet. It’s one of the rare fine dining places where you’ll want to go for fewer courses, since the portions are so rich and satisfying. One standout is the tender filet of peppery steak on top of a smooth hazelnut purée and drizzled with sesame vinaigrette, served with crusty bread and warm incredible butter.

Genovese’s modernising influence is spreading, with former Il Pagliaccio chef Antonio Ziantoni opening his own restaurant Zia (ziarestaurant.com) in the bohemian Trastevere neighbourhood late last year.

Address: Via Goffredo Mameli 45Unlike the other selections on this list, Zia is not a bakery or a cookie shop or a chocolate factory, but rather a restaurant, and a spectacular one at that. The dishes at Zia are creative, beautiful, and delicious -- in that way where a telltale hush falls over the table as all parties take their first bite -- and the desserts are no exception. Zia's incredibly talented pastry chef Christian Marasca is responsible for desserts like the the Nocciola (hazelnut) which consists of hazelnut mousse, vanilla caramel, and praline and hazelnut cookie, all encased in a milk chocolate shell finished off with edible gold dust; the Tourbillon (whirlpool) or a buttery, swirly, intensely vanilla-y tart; house made chocolates; or Risolatte with cherries and black garlic, a fancier take on the typical rice pudding, complete with a crackly brulee shell to dig in to.

Zia: Named after chef Antonio Ziantoni, whose first restaurant this is (following a superb learning curve with Anthony Genovese at the Michelin-starred Il Paliaccio), Zia is an intimate space. With 30 covers and an interior design that fuses clean, sleek Scandi lines with delicate hints of Roma, Zia is one of those restaaurants in one of those areas of the city (Trastevere) that can too easily be overlooked by the tastemaker cognoscenti. Search it out, though – you won’t be disappointed with a seasonal menu hat smacks of true culinary refinement.

For four years Antonio Ziantoni worked with Anthony Genovese of Rome's two-Michelin starred Il Pagliaccio and even with England's Gordon Ramsey. For his own venture, he chose Trastevere - a neighborhood in need of dining evolution, and the dividends have paid with the venue now boasting 1 Michelin star in its first years of operation. The interiors and fit-out at Zia are an ode to those all too familiar Scandinavian lines infiltrating the city but with Made in Italy design touches, Ziantoni and co. have truly made it their own.

The young staff, brimming with enthusiasm, passion and determination, make the difference at Zia, a little gem in the heart of Trastevere that serves whimsical dishes in an intimate setting. The cuisine here is sophisticated but unpretentious, and chef Antonio Ziantoni’s creativity shines through in dishes such as plin ravioli stuffed with blue cheese served in an onion and clove broth, or cabbage stewed in milk and chocolate. The whole dining experience is aesthetic and the desserts are true works of art.

Zia Restaurant, nestled in a tranquil and charming Trastevere, distinguishes itself from the district's typical eateries with its fresh and elegant ambience, professional service, and exceptional cuisine. Guests are warmly welcomed into the culinary world of Chef Antonio Ziantoni, where his accessible yet elaborate recipes take centre stage, treating the palate to a memorable feast. With over 350 labels, the extensive wine list offers a diverse selection, including intriguing options by the glass.

Our review of the best restaurant not to be missed in Rome for 2024 continues with Zia Restaurant, a Trastevere corner awarded with a Michelin star. After amassing a wealth of experience around the globe and spending four years at Anthony Genovese's Il Pagliaccio, gifted chef Antonio Ziantoni embarked on his entrepreneurial venture in 2018. On Via Goffredo Mameli, a tucked-away street in the heart of Rome, he showcases a cuisine that is talented, solid, and fun.

After years of experience around the world at prestigious starred restaurants, Lazio chef Antonio Ziantoni has returned to his roots and launched the Zia project. For his new home, he has chosen Trastevere, the Roman quarter par excellence of good food. His cuisine, strengthened by the French technique he has acquired over the years, puts the quality of the ingredients first alongside the taste and enjoyment that a fine dining experience must offer.

Zia Restaurant in Rome offers Chef Antonio Ziantoni’s fresh approach to Italian cuisine in a cozy, contemporary setting. The atmosphere feels comfortable yet refined, reflecting the chef’s attention to detail and the team’s youthful energy. Guests can expect an inviting space that balances tradition with a hint of modern flair.

Zia (Via Coffredo Mameli, 45, in Trastevere) where we particularly enjoyed sweetbreads, the tortellini, and the guinea fowl wrapped in a vine leaf. Minimalist décor, which I love, and great attention to details. This is a high-end formal dining experience exploding in flavors that earned the chef a Michelin star.

A very young chef with a cheerful talented brigade who in just a few years since opening has conquered the heights of Roman restaurants. A dynamic cuisine but focused on fresh and local ingredients. A breath of fresh air in Trastevere, one of the coolest and avant-garde neighborhoods of the city of Rome.

Our sixth choice, Zia Restaurant, is a sophisticated gem helmed by the talented Antonio Ziantoni. This one-Michelin-star establishment offers an intimate dining experience that celebrates the authentic flavors of Roman tradition. The menu at Zia is a carefully curated journey through taste and sensation.

My top pick for a contemporary meal in Trastevere (and honestly in most of Rome) is Zia. Headed by young Roman Chef Antonio Ziantoni. Zia is modern and airy with an innovative menu that changes with the seasons.

A Michelin Star restaurant in Rome where every bite was divine. Zia is an incredible experience. You can order a la carte or opt for a 6 ($100 pp) or 8 ($130 pp) course tasting menu.