Bentu e Soi Rome

I discovered Bentu e Soi on the recommendation of a Roman friend, and if it hadn’t been for her, I might never have found it. Located on the unglamorous, industrial border of Pigneto, it’s not the kind of place most people stumble across by chance. But once you do discover it, you’re a convert for life.

Bentu e Soi is a Sardinian restaurant; the name means “wind and sun” in the Sardinian dialect. The food is to die for, and everything comes with an explanation – even the bread. I recommend the pane carasau (Sardinian flatbread) with the seafood antipasto, which includes a variety of oysters, mussels, shrimp, anchovies, octopus salad and fish carpaccio. And that’s just to start!

The food isn’t cheap, but fresh fish and seafood of this quality has a price. It’s a restaurant for special occasions, a date or a memorable meal with friends. The owner/waiter Luca is very friendly and clearly proud of his restaurant – and rightly so. If you’ve been jaded by an experience with a forgettable carbonara in a touristy restaurant with indifferent service, Bentu e Soi is just what you need. As much as I love Roman dishes, Sardinian cuisine definitely makes for a refreshing change.