Orma Roma is the newest Michelin-starred restaurant in Rome, and this modern restaurant with Colombian-Italian influences and a sleek Scandinavian dining room is worth a visit when in the Eternal City.
Chef Roy Caceres, who hails from Colombia but has spent most of his adult life in Rome, presents a menu which is all about journeying – physically and metaphorically. During the dining experience I tried, we were invited to travel across the restaurant’s different levels in search of world flavours.
The food primarily shifts between South American influences and the flavours of Rome, with a few unexpected outcomes.
On 14 November 2023, Orma Roma was unveiled as Rome’s newest Michelin-starred restaurant winning one Michelin star. The award follows a Michelin star for Caceres’ previous restaurant in Rome, Metamorfosi.
I went for dinner just a couple of weeks before the new Michelin star for Orma Roma was announced, so read on to discover what I liked best about Orma Roma.
Orma Roma review – one Michelin star
Dinner started on Orma Roma’s magnificent roof terrace, which is also a great place to drop in for an aperitivo. The finger food selection is characterised by international flavours and innovative curing techniques.
After the rooftop cocktail, we were invited to return to the dining room, with its warm Scandinavian lines and intimate corners. The next pitstop was at the chef’s ‘standing’ table, where we tried a scallop accompanied by a cup of Peruvian-style tiger’s milk or leche de tigre.
Then we headed to the dining table where stones were plates and combinations were unexpected, like endive with almonds, apricots and olives, or tomato lulo and prawns. The tripe-style squid is a meeting of two worlds, while the spaghetti with pine nut milk was another surprise. Look out for the oyster ravioli or catch of the day in Caceres’ characteristic plating style, plus the roast mutton from Abruzzo with bread baked on a liquorice stick. For dessert, we tried baked plantain, followed by delicious petits fours.
The whole experience is one of the most interesting modern restaurants in Rome today, and Orma Roma is worth travelling for.
Highly recommended!
Testaccina was a guest of Orma Roma
Orma Roma – Via Boncompagni 31 – Rome – Italy – Tel +39 06 854 3182
