Giulio Pane e Ojo

This rustic Roman osteria is always crowded, especially at lunch, when crowds clamor for the $11 menu (primo, secondo, contorno, vino). The pastas are hearty and top-notch, especially the spaghetti cacio e pepe, the bombolotti alla gricia, and the tonarelli with sausage and porcini mushrooms. If the bustle and the noise are too much, nearby Abbottega and Casa Tua are part of the same family and (somewhat) more relaxed.