Rome – Gastronomy
Romans don't drink much, at least they don't do it in public. However, in view of the relatively poor nightlife, in the city, a popular pastime is going to the pubs. Italian restaurants predominate, but we also list some places with foreign cuisine, which are becoming more and more fashionable lately (especially Chinese cuisine).
We also provide a handful of addresses, where you can get a bite to eat (though most bars serve panini and tramezzini), as well as the best gelateries (ice cream parlors) the pastry shops, along with a list of places open until late at night. Look for gay bars and nightclubs under Nightlife.
Bari
You can find a bar in Rome on every corner, but all over Italy they are excellent daytime venues, but one would not like to spend the evening there. To get around the inn permit, many of the bars open in the evening function as private clubs (usually called centri culturali), which means, that you have to pay a membership fee (especially there, where is live music), although with one-off visits, sometimes you can enter without any formalities.
Many bars are expensive and exclusive, where people come to flaunt their wealth. They have this advantage, that they are open for a very long time - in the summer to 4.00 water. Prices are usually horrendous - from 6000 L for average (0.51) beer; more for anything more fancy. The only cheaper places are rare birreries (beer halls) and wine bars with a more relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices.
Central Rome
Caffe Greco, via Condotii 86. Founded in 1742 r., attended here, among others. Casanova, Byron, Goethe i Stendhal. Today it is a place for tourists not characterized by excessive cleanliness or quality. Only antiquarian value.
Peace Bar, via della Pace 5. Right next to Piazza Navona, the most popular summer bar, with tables outside, occupied by beauties aware of their beauty. Calm down (though just as expensive) it is during the day, when you can admire the 19th century interior: marbles, mirrors, mahogany and palm trees.
TRACKS, Piazza Sant’Eustachio 54. One of the three or four holding bars, that it serves the best coffee in Rome (another is Eustacchio across the street). Crowd until late hours, but otherwise nothing special. A few tables on a quiet one, but not a particularly beautiful square.
dead end, Piazza del Pasquino 73. A wine cellar consisting of two narrow ones, always packed rooms with an interesting atmosphere. Wines from all regions of Wioch at surprisingly low prices and good snacks served from the historic marble counter at the front. Open at lunchtime and from 20.00 until midnight.
Of the Fig, Piazza del Fico. Typical bar, but cheaper and less snobby than the Bar della Pace around the corner. From the tables outside you can observe the street life.
Small wine shop, via del Govemo Vecchio 75. An intimate candlelit wine bar with a dozen types of wines served by glasses and more bottled. Open 17.00-2.00, wt. closed.
The Fox, via Monterone 19. Women, the drunken beer hall behind Largo Argentina, Tuesday night, “you can drink, as much as your heart desires ”for 10000 L. Some expatriates and a loud jukebox. Open 21.00-2.00, pn. closed.
Ice cream parlor, via della Pigna 58. Calm, an unsophisticated bar with a 1950s decor. Convenient for daytime rest, unlike the neighborhood venues near the Pantheon with thieving prices.
The Golden Cup, via degli Orfani. Right on Piazza del Pantheon. Locally obscure, but according to popular opinion, the best coffee in Rome.
Trasteyere
Malva Bar, Piazza della Malva 14. Day and night bar for the more dodgy Trastevere guys. The tables outside in the summer are usually full of foreign students. In the back there is a room with a TV and slot machines.
Bar San Calisto, Square of San Callisto 4. Common bar near Piazza Santa Maria. Various people who like to drink in the evening come here. In summer there are tables outside and a smoky side room full of ancient dog card players. Nd. closed.
La Scala, Piazza della Scala. The most popular beer house in Trastevere - large, lively and crowded. Bar menu, cheap beer and music sometimes (awful). Wed. closed. Worth recommending.
Melvyn’s, via della Politeama 8. Large, noisy and a bit dingy bar, where faith converges, to watch video and listen to live music. Nice place to start your evening, but then it gets a little less safe. Open 21.00-3.00.
Pub-Brewery, Vicolo del Cinque 3 the. True to its name, it is an unpretentious beer house with a skimpy bar menu, where it is worth visiting if only because of the ceilings.
Fret, via della Lungheretta 76. Favorite meeting place of young cultural society from Trastevere. Rare teas are the attraction rather than alcohol drinks. Good place, just to grab a bite to eat without too much ado. Open 17.00-23.00.
Colosseum and surroundings
Druid’s, via San Martino ai Monti 28. Nice Irish pub with an authentic Irish atmosphere (and owners). A clientele of expatriates and Italians. Cheap and fun, sometimes musical improvisations. It is worth spending the whole evening here. Open 20.00-1.00.
Cavour wine shop, via Cavour 313. On via Cavour, from the side of the Roman Forum, a place little known to tourists. Loose, student atmosphere, lots of wine and bottled beer, but also (drug addiction) snacks. Nd. zamnk.
Fiddler’s Elbow, via delPOmarta 43. Another Irish bar, more spacious than Druid's and much more Italian atmosphere. Open 17.00-1.00. Pn. closed.
Tempera, street of San Marcello 19. Centrally located behind Piazza Venezia, potentially the best beer house in Rome, with cheap beer, good bar meals and a warm atmosphere. Open 12.30-15.00 i 19.00-23.00. Nd. closed.
Venice LA, via del Boschetto 132. One of the rare alternative bars in Rome. The latest punk fashion, video, you can be invited to a party and get information on informal nightlife.
Ice cream shops (ice cream parlors) the Patisseries
Alberto Pica, via della Seggiola 12 (between Ponte Garibaldi and Piazza Arenula). The plant specializes in fresh fruit sorbets in over a hundred flavors. Open 8.00-1.00. Nd. closed.
Bemasconi, Argentinian Long 1. One of the oldest and busiest pasticcerie in the city. Also a centrally located bar in the center.
Dagnino, in the arcades near via E.. Orlando, near Piazza Repubblica. Great bar and 40's style pasticceria with Sicilian specialties and a wide selection of other delicacies.
Galateria of La Palma, via della Maddalena 20. Composed ice cream in a restaurant with a stylish interior. 104 flavors, including fig, pomegranate fruit, avocado, mint chocolates and cereals. Currently, the best ice cream shop in Rome. Open 8.00-2.00. Wed. closed.
Giolitti, via del Vicaro 40. An Italian restaurant that was once known as the best ice cream shop in Rome. Still not too bad, ice cream in 70 flavors. Open 7.00-2.00. Pn. closed.
Three Steps, Piazza Navona. It is famous for its unique tartufo - eat and die.
Valzani, via del Moro 37. One of the oldest pastry shops in the city, upholding traditions.
Snacks and self-service establishments
Bibi, via Ripetta 15. Sophisticated black marble decor, but plenty of tables, where you can eat cheaply.
Caffe Capranica, Capranica square 104. Neglected, but cheap in an expensive neighborhood.
Chianti course. via del Gesu 88. Snacks and full meals at the table. Small, nice and popular place. You have to come early.
The dolphin, Course V. Emanuele 67. Located in the center, a very busy cafeteria with a huge selection of snacks and meals. Perfect for a quick bite during a break in sightseeing.
Only One, Maddelcna square. Very conveniently located beer hall, where it's nicer at lunchtime than in the evening, great place, to sit for a moment between successive monuments.
Watch, via Florence 57. Rather graceless self-service restaurant quite close to Termini. The main advantage is very low prices.
Bread cheese, via Ripetta 7-8. Some hot dishes, stuffed croissants and a wide selection of rolls and cakes. To take away or at a small counter.
Pino’s, via delle Quattro Fontane 27. Well located snack and instant dining place just off via Nazionale.