The story
Il Pagliaccio is a modern Italian restaurant in Rome at Via dei Banchi Vecchi 129/a, and it earned two Michelin stars in 2026 for its excellent cooking. The kitchen works through multi-course tasting menus built around chef Anthony Genovese's personal style.
Genovese describes his cooking as a photograph of his life, a personal way of connecting with each guest at the table. Born in France to a Calabrian family, he trained in the south of France, Tokyo, London and Malaysia before returning to Italy. The 50 Top Italy guide notes strong Asian influences on the menu, with land ingredients featuring more prominently than seafood.
The main dining room has ten tables, with wood, iron and soft light, and a painting of a clown at its center. A separate private room seats up to six guests for the Parallels menu, a ten-course route with dedicated service. The champagne list is especially deep, and sommelier Luca Belleggia guides guests through the pairings with a light touch.
Recognition
Ambience
Details
History
Excellent cooking
It promised "Sparkles," and sparkles it delivered. Antony Genovese is fully mature. At his Pagliaccio, refined and occasionally playful conceptual transparencies take center stage. His evolution is distinctly contemporary. Each impression aims to captivate with sharp and bitter notes, sometimes piercing. Asian influences are abundant, Italian ones more restrained; land-based ingredients feature prominently, while seafood plays a lesser role. But above all, France stands out with an overflowing champagne list. Credit also goes to sommelier Luca Belleggia, captivating with his subtle, teasing reveals. "Sparkles" was the name of the chosen menu, granting the chef free rein: to such power, such responsibility, displayed with confidence. The aesthetics of the plating will never go unnoticed.
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