I was so excited to see what Chinese food in Rome would be like. Its definitely different than what I get back home(chicken and broccoli combination platter). They don’t have broccoli. The fried chicken my husband got which we assumed would be wings were like little nuggets. They were good. His fries were good too. Our spring rolls were really greasy. My shrimp fried rice was okay but super greasy. It was mostly rice and peas with a few shrimp which were halved so when I say few Im not kidding(maybe three halved). I ordered sweet and sour pork. It was not good at all. It came in the same form as the chicken my husband ordered, breaded nuggets of pork but slathered in their sauce which tasted terribly. The coke was good… Staff is nice. Thats the only reason Im giving three stars and not two. Wont be back.
Jaszon S.
Place rating: 3 Westchester County, NY
So, when you’re in Rome and you’re craving American style Chinese food(you know, the kind you find at your mall’s food court), where can you go? To Ci Lin, of course. From lo mein to sesame chicken, this place has you covered. Unfortunately(or fortunately) you won’t find soup dumplings here(fellow New Yorkers know exactly what I’m talking about). The service is really attentive, and the food isn’t bad. The best part of the experience here were the prices. € 20 for two people can’t be beat(we had two appetizers and two entrees).
James L.
Place rating: 4 Manhattan, NY
This place is off the Piazza di Santa Maria in TRASTEVERE, not Testaccio. Extremely cheap sit-down restaurant when you’re tired of cacio e pepe and pizza and just want some decent Chinese food. I liked it. We had four Chinese dumplings, 2 cokes, sweet and sour pork, Peking duck, and 2 orders of rice, all for 23 euro. Dinners in Rome before this one have been much closer to 75 euro, so it’s even more enjoyable.
C C.
Place rating: 5 Normal, IL
Easily the best AND cheapest Chinese food in Rome, Ci Lin looks like a little restaurant just off the piazza(only a few outside tables, but a cavernous and underused seating area inside), but serves American-style Chinese food at a fraction of the rest of the city’s prices. I lived in Rome for a summer, and ended up frequenting this restaurant and was always pleased by the quality food, good portions, and diverse menu options. Good for groups, expats, and students, if you’re looking for something neither pasta nor pizza, this is a great bet.
Rami H.
Place rating: 4 Tustin, CA
Ci Lin is the best place to grab tasty Chinese food at a great price. This place is probably the cheapest place to eat a good meal, and if you are a student like me you get sick of pasta after a while, so Chinese food is always a nice change. The restaurant offers dine-in service, take away, and delivery(within an acceptable radius). It is located off the corner of Piazza Santa Maria and is easily noticeable from its bright red door. The place is family run and the dining area is very comfortable and inviting. When the place is packed you feel at home rather than uncomfortable. When I’m hungry I can usually down five courses: beef ravioli, spring rolls, chicken chow mein, french fries(don’t judge me), and for dessert, a deep-fried ball of vanilla ice cream. The food is not the most spectacular, or authentic, of Chinese cuisine, but it is tasty. For that, Ci Lin is on my list of favorite places to go in Rome.
