Where to eat in Rione Monti
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 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.
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, head over to Taverna dei Fori Imperiali. With few tables outside and an intimate interior, this restaurant has been run by the same family for four generations and is both authentic and relaxed. Italians and tourists commingle here, eating classic Italian food as they sip on the endless selections of wines, cocktails, and digestifs. Finish off the night with a scrumptious selection of desserts from various Italian regions.
Fafiuche’
Via della Madonna dei Monti, 28
Open Mon-Sat, 6pm-12am
06 699 0968
fafiuchemonti
Fáfiuché is an intimate space designed for dinner, an aperitif, or simply a browse through of 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. Fáfiuché boasts 600 wine labels and 60 homemade Italian beers, and for dinner you can indulge in authentic dishes from both Puglia and Piedmont.
Masa Rooftop
Via di S.Maria Maggiore, 143
Open daily 8am – 1am
+39 338 229 3943
masarooftop.it
Hotel Major’s rooftop restaurant reimagines the classic Italian aperitivo experience with a Middle Eastern infusion. Masa embraces conviviality as its guiding principle. The concept is straightforward: customers embark on a culinary adventure, savoring the chef’s exquisite selection of small bites. Whether you’re seeking a romantic spot to dazzle your date with breathtaking views of Rome or craving an evening of refined Oriental finger food and cocktails, Masa awaits you for a memorable night out!
Read the full review of MasaMamalia
Piazza dell’Esquilino, 1 (Monti)
Mon-Fri 7am-10pm | Sat-Sun 7am-10.30pm
DoubleTree By Hilton Rome Monti
The Mamalia restaurant is a culinary gem located inside the DoubleTree by Hilton Rome Monti Hotel. Open year-round from breakfast to dinner (from 7pm to 10pm), this restaurant in Rome offers a unique dining experience in a modern and elegant setting, bathed in warm natural light in the morning and soft lighting in the evening.
Read the full review of MamaliaOsteria Oliva
Via dei Serpenti, 110
Open daily, 12.00-15.00, 18.00-23.00
+39 342 582 8879
bzarhotelandco.com
Sharing food is the philosophy and key to Osteria Oliva’s menu. The restaurant embraces the Italian concept of conviviality while borrowing from the Spanish tradition of tapas. Antipasti and second courses are labeled “da condividere” meaning to share in Italian, 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.
Read the full review of Osteria OlivaBarzilai Bistrot
Via Panisperna, 44
Open Mon-Sat 8.30am-12pm, Sunday 6pm-12am
06 487 4979
The casual and friendly atmosphere paired with authentic and vintage décor of Barzilai welcomes 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.
Read the full review of Barzilai BistrotTemakinho
Via dei Serpenti, 16
Open daily, 12pm-3pm; 7pm-11.30pm
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.
Zia Rosetta
Via Urbana, 54
Mon-Wed 11am-4.30pm; Thu-Sun 11am-10.30pm
06 3105 2516
instagram.com/ziarosetta/
Zia Rosetta is an eatery, delivery, and kitchen workshop offering sandwiches, smoothies, salads, and picnic boxes, with the desire to combine street food’s practicality with high quality ingredients. Mimicking a rose, the ‘rosetta,’ white Italian bread, is this place’s speciality. The sandwiches 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 and source from neighborhooring food vendors for bread and other seasonal ingredients.
Read the full review of Zia RosettaHotel Forum’s Roof Garden Restaurant
Via Tor dé Conti, 25 (Monti)
Open daily, 7.30am- 11.30am, Sat 12:30pm–3:30pm; 7:30pm–11:30pm; Sun 12:30pm–3:30pm
06 679 2446
ristoranteroofgardenforum.it
Hotel Forum’s Roof Garden Restaurant is the picture-perfect setting for a romantic getaway from the city’s hustle and bustle at any time of the week. Once reaching 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 menu is à la carte style, with a higher price point, including vegetarian options.
Maharajah
Via dei Serpenti, 124
Open daily, 12.30pm – 2:30pm, 7pm – 11.30pm
Maharajah1.com
A jewel of India in the heart of Rome. Maharajah, decorated in golds and reds, is one of the only restaurants serving authentic, quality, and classic Indian dishes, from classic naan bread and coconut rice to desserts to end the night.
Broccoletti
Via Urbana, 104
Open Tues – Sun 12.30pm – 3pm, 7.30pm – 11.30pm
06 9027 1389
Broccoletti
A colorful interior with fresh fish, organic meats, and produce, Broccoletti is the kind of place that caters to lovers of both healthy eating and gourmet cuisine. Here 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 with tastes so exquisite.
INSPIRATION
Streets of Rome: Via Urbana
La Carbonara
Via Panisperna, 214
Open Mon – Sat 12.30pm – 2.30pm, 7pm – 11pm
06 482 5176
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 welcomes you with simple and delicious cuisine. From the artichokes and cacio e pepe pasta, to the abbacchio and the carbonara, this is the place to indulge in all types of Roman specialties in the center of Monti. Every day, chef Teresa cooks a special traditional dish you can choose from, on Thursday the gnocchi and on Friday the cod. As it is an extremely popular place, we recommend you reserve it in advance.
Avocado Bar
Via della Madonna dei Monti, 103
Open Daily, 12am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Avocadobarroma
Down a peaceful side street a little green oasis awaits: Avocado Bar. 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 innovatively created ways to represent avocado, working with only the ripest and creamiest ones seasonally sourced from Africa, Mexico and Sicily.
Hasekura
Via dei Serpenti, 27 (Monti)
Open Tue – Sat 1pm – 2.30pm, 7.45pm – 11pm; Mon 7.45 – 11pm
06 483648
RistoranteHasekura
Hasekura is a contemporary and authentic Japanese restaurant conveniently located. 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, bursting with delicate flavors. The restaurant is quite small but the elegant decor adds to its authentic character.
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.
Read the full review of CentroMariolina
Via Panisperna, 222/a
Open Tue – Sat 12pm – 4pm, 7pm – 10:30pm; Sun 12pm – 4pm
mariolinaravioli.it
Famous for its homemade ravioli and meatballs, this small, relaxed eatery is more like a laboratory than a restaurant. If you can’t find a seat, have your food to take away! 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.
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
Open Tue – Sun 12pm – 3.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
06 488 1303
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 for more. 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 an ice-cold Peroni or some house wine.
Cuoco&Camicia
Via di Monte Polacco, 2/4
Open Mon – Fri 7pm – 11pm; Sat 12:30pm – 2:30 pm, 7pm – 11pm
06 8892 2987
cuocoecamicia.it
Cuoco&Camicia is a tranquil haven in Monti: with just a few tables, owners Riccardo and Elisa prioritize quality and “conscious slowness”, for a relaxing dining experience. The menu changes daily based on the morning’s market finds, marrying tradition and innovation. Everything, from the freshly baked bread to pasta and desserts, is homemade. Elevating your experience, Elisa, a certified sommelier, curates an exceptional wine selection, favoring bottles that beautifully express the unique terroirs in each glass.
Aromaticus
Via Urbana, 134
Open Tue – Sun 12pm – 6:30pm
aromaticus-roma.com
If you embrace a wholesome, plant-based lifestyle, Aromaticus is the place for you. This green bistro offers an array of fresh, seasonal, and incredibly flavorful vegan and vegetarian dishes: from nourishing bowls to falafels and pasta, the menu is a celebration of plant-based cuisine. Here you can enjoy lunch, a freshly-made juice or an afternoon snack. But there’s more: Aromaticus also offers a selection of plants and gardening supplies. It’s a holistic experience that satisfies both the appetite and the green thumb within you.
