Glass Hostaria

The story

Glass Hostaria – Michelin-Starred Contemporary Italian in Rome's Trastevere

A Contemporary Counterpoint in Trastevere

Tucked into the narrow Vicolo del Cinque, Glass Hostaria stands apart from the trattorias that define Rome’s Trastevere quarter. Its clean, contemporary design – all glass and essential lines – mirrors the cooking inside. Chef Cristina Bowerman’s kitchen offers a light, international take on Italian tradition, built on seasonal ingredients, original pairings, and a restless curiosity.

Chef Cristina Bowerman: From Law to Michelin Star

Bowerman’s path is anything but conventional. Born in Cerignola, Puglia, she earned a law degree before moving to San Francisco and later Austin, where a weekend coffee-house job ignited a passion for cooking. She earned a culinary degree, focused on flavour concentration, and arrived in Rome in 2005. After a brief stint at Convivio Troiani, she joined Glass Hostaria, then just a year old, and has held a Michelin star since 2010 – a distinction reconfirmed for the 2026 guide. Her cooking is a cultural crossroads, a dialogue between memory and place, tradition and reinvention.

The Cuisine: Light, Global, Rooted in Italy

Bowerman describes her food as “light” and “international,” but the foundation is unmistakably Italian. Dishes like white fish sashimi with beetroot miso and leche de tigre sit alongside a “kind of pappardella” with bisque, shrimp, saffron, and pink peppercorn. The signature “Amatriciana” stuffed ravioli – a clever nod to Roman tradition – features crispy cured pork cheek. A vegetarian menu is also offered, with creations such as Lion’s Mane mushroom with soy beans and peanut milk, or a liquid ravioli of 60-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano.

The six-course tasting menu (€135, beverages excluded) is served to all diners, with an optional add-on of duck “Laura Peri” – a dish that includes mole sauce, offal tortellini in spiced broth, and confit leg stuffed neck. À la carte ordering is also possible, with a minimum of two courses.

Beyond the Plate: Sustainability and Advocacy

Bowerman’s commitment extends well beyond the kitchen. She was named a FAO Food Hero on World Food Day 2024 for her work against food waste and for sustainable gastronomy. She is a founding member and president of the Italian Association of Ambassadors of Taste, and her restaurant has supported the “Ristoranti contro la Fame” campaign for over a decade, earning a Platinum award. She also sits on the Italy committee of Teritoria, the hospitality community founded by Alain Ducasse.

The Setting

The restaurant’s minimalist interior – a deliberate contrast to Trastevere’s weathered charm – provides a calm, focused backdrop for the food. Outdoor seating is available when weather permits. Private dining and parties can be arranged.

Glass Hostaria is a place where the chef’s global journey meets Roman roots, and where the Michelin star feels earned not through pomp, but through precision, creativity, and a clear sense of purpose.