Where to eat in Rome’s Monti neighbourhood
It it’s a bohemian feel you’re after, Rome’s Monti neighbourhood is just for you. Just a short walk from the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, you’ll find this hip quartiere with a great selection of restaurants and bars. From traditional Roman and Piedmontese cuisine to Asian restaurants and and trendy rooftops, this neighbourhood is filled great eateries. Whether it’s for lunch or dinner, here’s our selection of the best restaurants in Monti.
MiT – Food & Coffee Brewery
Piazza dell’Esquilino, 1 (Monti)
Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
DoubleTree By Hilton Rome Monti
MiT is the new café and brewery by DoubleTree Hilton Roma Monti. Open to the public and part of the Enjoy Roma Monti brand, MiT is a chic location right in Piazza dell’Esquilino, opposite Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore. They define themselves as “coffee defenders” and have a partnership with Lavazza to bring you the best coffee blends. Their in-house chef also prepares pastries and light dishes perfect for breakfast and brunch. Try their chilled cold brew and their chocolate chip cookie, best served warm.
Fafiuche’
Via della Madonna dei Monti, 28
Open Mon-Sat, 6pm-1am
06 699 0968
fafiuche.it
Fafiuche is an intimate space designed for dinner, an aperitif, or simply a browse through their impressive offering of products. We’re talking chutneys and chocolates; olive oils and meats; Sicilian, Tuscan and Piedmont cheeses and a very decent selection of beverages. Fafiuche’ boasts 600 wine labels, 60 homemade Italian beers and between 6.30pm and 9pm, eight euro buys a glass of wine and a plate from the buffet. For dinner you can also indulge in authentic dishes from Puglia and Piedmont.
Osteria Oliva
Via dei Serprenti, 110
Open daily, 12pm – 3pm; 6pm – 11pm
+39 342 582 8879
The philosophy of sharing food is the key to Osteria Oliva’s menu. The restaurant embraces the Italian concept of conviviale while borrowing from the Spanish tradition of tapas. Antipasti and second courses are labeled, “da condividere,” and indicate the number of pieces each dish provides. Portions can be adjusted depending on the number of guests, with prices changing accordingly. The pasta is all homemade, the menu changes three times per year. Part of Osteria Oliva’s charm is their new approach to classic Roman and Italian dishes, like their carbonara made with cod and chickpea pesto or Roman-style artichokes with cod mousse. This season, they’re also offering stracciatella: a brothy soup that Romans usually only get in their mother’s kitchens.
Barzilai Bistrot
Via Panisperna, 44
Open daily, Mon-Sun, 8am-1am
06 487 4979
The casual, friendly atmosphere and authentic, vintage décor of Barzilai welcome a mix of Italians, Monti locals, and the occasional tourist. Barzilai’s flexible hours and central location make it an ideal place to stop in for a coffee and pastry in the morning, enjoy a plate of prosciutto and cheese for lunch or indulge in their freshly baked crostata as an afternoon snack. Alternatively, it’s a great spot for an aperitivo and dinner with friends.
Temakinho
Via dei Serpenti, 16
Open daily, 12.30pm-3.30pm; 7pm-12am
06 4201 6656
temakinho.com
A Brazilian Sushi spot in the heart of Rome, Temakinho, is a colorful, fun place for dinner with friends as well as a unique date locale. The funky mix of exotic fruits such as passion fruit, mango and açai give the rolls a special flavor and the cocktails an extra kick- try the Caipirinha, a Brazilian specialty. Because it’s a fusion place, you can also enjoy many Brazilian dishes as well, such as ceviche.
Humus Bistrot
Via Madonna dei Monti, 109
Tues – Fri 5pm-11pm, Sat-Sun 12pm – 11pm
348 807 7168
Footsteps from the Roman Forum, on the beautiful via della Madonna dei Monti, you’ll find Humus Bistrot – a place where flavours and people meet, a place where you can go on an experimental journey. They offer genuine cuisine with products from small local producers. During summertime it’s possible to dine and have aperitivo on the small yet charming terrace of the adjacent hotel.
Zia Rosetta
Via Urbana, 54
Mon-Wed 11am-4pm; Thu-Sun 11am-10pm
06 3105 2516
ziarosetta.com
Zia Rosetta is an eatery offering sandwiches, smoothies, salads, and picnic boxes, all made with high quality ingredients, that ALSO delivers. Mimicking a rose, the ‘rosetta,’ white Italian bread, is the only bread you will find on Zia Rosetta’s menu. They come in two sizes: the mini-rosetta for those looking for a quick snack, and the regular size for a proper lunch. Boasting a sustainable and KM 0 concept, Zia Rosetta only purchases Italian products of the highest quality, and bread and produce directly from the neighborhood’s vendors.
Hotel Forum’s Roof Garden Restaurant
Via Tor dé Conti, 25 (Monti)
Open daily, 12.30pm -3.30pm; 7.30pm-11.30pm
06.6792446
ristoranteroofgardenforum.it
Looking for the perfect spot to have lunch and give yourself a rest from your morning activities in Rome? Hotel Forum’s Roof Garden Restaurant is the picture-perfect setting for a romantic getaway from the city’s hustle and madness any day of the week. Once you reach the top of the hotel, be ready to be blown away by the view that welcomes you: the Roof Garden overlooks the Imperial Fora and is directly in front of the Forum of Nerva.
The restaurant, which offers an à la carte menu in the evenings, serves a buffet lunch every weekends from 12.30pm to 3.30pm. The price is set at €32 per person (drinks excluded). There is a great range and a selection for all, including lots of vegetarian options. An additional rooftop in the hotel serves cocktails and spirits for aperitivo starting at 7.30pm to 11.30pm every evening. It is only open from 1 March to 31 October.
Taverna dei Fori Imperiali
Via della Madonna dei Monti, 9
Open Wed-Mon, 12.30pm-3pm; 7.30pm-10.30pm
06 679 8643
facebook.com/LaTavernadeiForiImperiali/
For a true Roman experience of cuisine, head over to Taverna dei Fori Imperiali. With few tables outside and an intimate interior, this restaurant that has been run by the same family for four generations is both authentic and relaxed. Italians and tourists commingle here, eating classic Italian food as they sip on on the endless selections of wines and Italian drinks and digestifs. Finish off the night with a scrumptious selection of desserts from various Italian regions.
Maharajah
Via dei Serpenti, 124
Open 12.30pm-2:30pm, 7pm-11.30pm
maharajah1.com
A jewel of India in the crown of Rome, Maharajah, in golds and reds, with drapes that let in the light of the sun at lunch and the light of the lanterns at dinner, you are fully transported with the dining experience here. Sometimes, you want to try something new, from a whole other region outside of Italy and Europe, and at Maharajah, with its classic Indian food from starters to desserts, is the place for you.
Broccoletti
Via Urbana, 104
Open 12.30pm-3pm, 7.30pm-11.30pm
06 9027 1389
Broccoletti
A colorful place, with fresh fish, and organic meat and produce, Broccoletti is the kind of places that caters to lovers of both healthy eating and gourmet cuisine. Primarily a seafood restaurant, each dish is treated as a work of art, with aesthetics and flavor both fresh and appealing. It’s a guilt-free way to enjoy a meal, but it tastes so good that you almost can’t believe what you’re eating is healthy.
INSPIRATION
Streets of Rome: Via Urbana
La Carbonara
Via Panisperna, 214
Mon-Sat 12.30pm-2.30pm, 7pm-11pm
06.4825176
lacarbonara.it
After aperitivo and a stroll through Via Panisperna you’ll find one of the most famous restaurants in Monti: La Carbonara. Founded in 1906, this typical Roman osteria will welcome you with its simple and delicious cuisine. From the artichokes and cacio e pepe pasta, to the abbacchio and the carbonara, this is the place to taste Roman specialties in Monti. Every day, Teresa cooks a special traditional dish you can choose from, on Thursday the gnocchi and on Friday the cod. As it’s a very popular restaurant, we recommend you reserve in advance.
Avocado Bar
Via della Madonna dei Monti, 103 (Monti)
Daily 11.30am – 3pm, 6.30pm – 11pm
avocadobarroma
Down a peaceful side street in the Monti neighborhood, a little green oasis awaits, serving one of the most loved fruits in many imaginative forms. Six avocado chefs have mastered 30 recipes which include both savory and sweet items of which the most noteworthy include the “Hamburguesa de Salmòn”, an ensemble of smoked salmon, avocado and robiola cheese on hearty bread, the “Rosa del Paraíso”, an elaborate avocado toast with additional ingredients like red hummus and slivers of dried ricotta cheese, and a unique avocado ice cream paired with ingredients such as pistachios and sweet ricotta. The team has come up with truly innovative ways to represent the avocado, working with only the ripest and creamiest avocados seasonally sourced throughout the year from Africa, Mexico and Sicily.
Hasekura
Via dei Serpenti, 27 (Monti)
Tue – Sat 6pm – 10pm
06 483648
hasekura.it
Hasekura is conveniently located in Monti. While a little pricey, the sashimi is some of the best you’ll ever taste – fresh melt in your mouth texture. The small sushi plates are beautifully presented and go down well with their delicious jasmine tea. Definitely try the fish soba (noodles in a miso broth) which burst with delicate flavours. The restaurant is quite small but the elegant decor adds to its authentic character. I was fortunate enough to go at lunch before it got too busy, but I would recommend booking if you are going around dinner time.
Centro Restaurant & Pasta Lab
Via Cavour, 61 (Termini)
Daily 8.30am – 12am
06 4891 3935
ristorantecentro.it
Handmade tonnarelli, ravioli, gnocchi … it seems like every carbohydrate lover’s dream, but it’s actually daily routine at Centro, the restaurant in between Rome’s Termini and Monti neighbourhoods. Step inside this charming restaurant to immerse yourself in the world of pasta. From breakfast and lunch to aperitivo and dinner, Centro offers tasty dishes. The day kicks off at 8.30am with a rich intercontinental breakfast, as well as an Italian breakfast. For lunch and dinner, an a la carte menu with a variety of dishes strictly tied to seasonal products awaits you. Get yourself to Centro’s aperitivo for a perfectly crafted cocktail accompanied by an express dish from the kitchen.
Mariolina
Via Panisperna, 222/a
Wed 12pm – 5pm, Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat 12pm-2.30pm
mariolina.ravioli
Famous for its homemade ravioli and meatballs, this small eatery is more like a laboratory than a restaurant and is the perfect place for an informal dinner in Monti. If you can’t find a seat, you can have your food to take away, or wait in line for a free table, it’s worth it! Mariolina’s menu is filled with delicious options, from starters like caponata and cured meats to a variety of ravioli, beef meatballs, soups and cheeses. Don’t leave without trying their ravioli di bufala con zucchine spadellate e basilico! The atmosphere is informal, bear in mind that it’s self-service!
Ami Pokè
Via della Madonna dei Monti, 38
Daily 12pm – 4pm, 6pm – 11.30pm
amipoke.com
Italy’s first Hawaiian Bar arrives to Rome’s Monti neighbourhood. It’s a healthy, tasty and gourmet bar in the heart of Rome completely dedicated to poke (Poh-Key) – a dish deeply rooted into Hawaiian tradition that unites the flavors of the sea to the flavors of Earth. Step inside this bar for a casual and healthy lunch or snack during the day. You can choose from appetizers, toasts and wraps or create your own poke bowl! All you have to do to create your poke is choose your base from white rice, Hawaiian rice or salad, and add ingredients like protein, fruits, vegetables, sauces and toppings. Ami Pokè also has a refreshing list of smoothies and desserts that you can’t miss out on!
Trattoria da Valentino
Via del Boschetto, 37
Mon – Sat 12.30pm – 3pm, 7.30pm – 11pm
06 488 0643
For delicious Roman fare in a simple setting, look no further. Trattoria da Valentino is the place to go to immerse yourself in the real Monti experience. Frequented by locals and tourists alike, this trattoria brings its A-game when it comes to simplicity and quality of products. From yummy pasta to meat dishes, every bite you take will make you want to come back over and over again. But don’t forget to order Da Valentino’s standout dish: grilled scamorza cheese in different variations. It’s a must-order! To drink? Go for either Birra Peroni or wine.
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