Where to eat ethnic in Rome

Barbie Latza Nadeau has for the past decade been a Rome-based reporter for Newsweek, our partner site, as well as a contributor to BudgetTravel.com. Read her five picks of top ethnic restaurants below.

Surya Mahal This restaurant is upmarket Indian by Roman standards even though the wonderfully friendly owners have been known to lower the heat on the Vindaloo for the locals. A favorite with Rome's Indian diplomats. Via di Ponte Sisto, 67 - Piazza Trilussa, 50; 011-39/06-589-4554

Riccioli Cafe Rome's best (and only) champagne and oyster bar with the oysters flown in fresh from Brittany. Truly trendy near the Pantheon. Piazza delle Coppelle, 10; 011-39/06-6821-0313

Thien Kim Just off the Ponte Sisto, this long-standing Vietnamese restaurant is never disappointing. Via Giulia, 201; 011-39/06-6830-7832

Zen Sushi Never mind the revolving carousel, this is a great place to enjoy Japanese cuisine in Rome. The decor is obnoxious, but the food is great. Via degli Scipioni, 243; 011-39/06-321-3420

Fine International Seafood House (F.I.S.H.) Though seafood in Italy is hardly ethnic food, this restaurant will at least make you feel like you are somewhere else. The menu is decidedly Asian, the sushi bar is the best in Rome. Via dei Serpenti, 16; 011-39/06-4782-4962

You'll find a list of Nadeau's favorite classical Italian restaurants in Florence here.