If you’re looking for a great restaurant near Rome Airport, I have a superlative tip for you: restaurant QuarantunoDodici (4112), in Isola Sacra, Fiumicino.
This smart seaside restaurant near Rome was only open at lunchtimes in the past, but is now also open for evening dining, which is a real boost to anyone travelling to Rome airport or looking for something to do near Rome Airport if you get stuck with a layover.
QuarantunoDodici is located in the same building as sister restaurant Il Tino, a Michelin-starred dining project which excels in serving the freshest fish. Chef Daniele Usai, along with his business partners Stefano Loreti and the Stillitano family are the names behind this high quality project.
Like Il Tino, fish is at the heart of the menu at QuarantunoDodici, although this is a slightly more relaxed ‘pop’ dining experience. So it’s perfect if you’re looking for a pleasant lunch near Rome Airport on your way into town, or a good way to spend those last euros at the end of your Roman holiday.
My dinner at QuarantunoDodici started with a scrumptious selection of tasting plates, including an exquisite amberjack tartare with guacamole, a winter gazpacho with crispy prawns, squid tempura and smoked swordfish.
Served in tempting tapas portions, this was a great introduction to the restaurant’s rainbow approach to fresh fish and fusion flavours.
Next up, I tried two pasta dishes. The first, ravioli alla pescatore, was a delicate blend of white fish and samphire, served with wild mushrooms. Simply delicious.
This was followed with a nice, garlicky spaghetti with clams. Due to the garlic being infused in the oil while cold, however, the flavour didn’t stay on the palate but faded straight after the last forkful. Perfection!
For the second course, we turned to a classic seaside mixed grill, with tasting portions of the freshest catch of the day. This was a light but satisfying end to the savoury courses.
It’s hard to leave without dessert and what arrived below turned out to be the sweet of choice when you want something to finish your meal without overdoing it. This delicate white chocolate mousse served with meringue biscuits was perfectly balanced by the fresh fruit and mint leaves.
I would definitely come back to QuarantunoDodici and in particular recommend it for the long evenings or warmer days when you can also enjoy the fabulous outdoor terrace. However, as an off-season dining experience it was wonderful to escape to the seaside for a night and feel transported away from the city.
Just 15 minutes in a cab from Rome Airport, QuarantunoDodici is the perfect pampering solution for a layover day!
Testaccina was a guest of QuarantunoDodoci
