Royal Art Cafe Rome
The day I visited the Colosseum I wanted to have my lunch sitting next to one of Italy's most famous monuments. On that side of the street, all of those restaurants have a “person catcher”. Someone standing outside of the restaurant that will smile, stops you on the road, shows you the menu and will try to convince you to stay and sit down. The restaurant that appealed the most to me instinctively was the Royal Restaurant or Royal Art Cafe'. A friendly man named Salvatore accommodated me at a table outside, asked me what I would like to drink and gave me a menu. You also have the possibility to sit upstairs so you wouldn't find the tram passing all the time.
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- Royal Art restaurant with Colosseum view
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- Buccatini alla matriciana at the Royal Art restaurant
The Royal Art Cafe Rome offers pizza, meat or fish menus either a la carte or a fixed-price menu. I’d like to point out that not all of the fish is fresh some is frozen. They mention that in the menu with a small star next to the dish. Having a good look at the menu, Roman dishes aren't surely missing! Along with your food you have a long list of Italian wines and to top it all off a long list of desserts.
I ordered a typical Roman dish: Buccatini all’ ammatriciana. It took about 15 minutes and the food was served. The prices are average for Rome. I paid euro 15 for my pasta, a diet coke and a small basket of fresh bread. My pasta was tasty and the food was served hot! During my stay I noticed that the lady standing outside – she was the “person stopper” was very kind and helpful even to people that weren’t eating in the restaurant but just stopped and asked her for directions or information. That is a plus point. Conclusion: Great place to have a one hour lunch!
By the way: during the weekends the Royal Art Cafe Rome offers entertainment like DJ sets, Cabaret or Piano Bar...
One more thing: if you're still looking for a Hotel, Royal Art Caffe also has rooms available and they look quite comfortable!