A place you shouldn’t miss is the Casina Valadier restaurant inside Villa Borghese on top of the Pincio hill, going up from Piazza del Popolo. The breathtaking view with St. Peter’s basilica in the distance from this restaurant over Rome is simply magnificent! The villa itself has been finely renovated; it still maintains that aura of nobility which it had gained throughout the decades. It was built between 1816 and 1837 by a well-known Roman architect named Giuseppe Valadier. The same architect was also involved in the restoration of Piazza Del Popolo and Pincio.
Casina Valadier Restaurant Rome was planned and built to be used as a meeting place, as a matter of fact, it in the past it used to be the most fashionable place to go in Rome! Artists of all kind, international intellectuals and politicians used to spend their free time on the Pincio hill. Tables are well spaced on a lovely terrace where you could also come around 7.00PM for an Italian aperitivo and enjoy the sunset looking over the Eternal City! This restaurant serves lunch as well as dinner. The Casina Valadier offers different environments with differentiated costs; from the cafeteria where you can also enjoy breakfast, a late drink or a tasting of Italian and international wines, to an enjoyable meal you can choose on a menu a la carte at the restaurants!
The service is good, even if sometimes it can be a little slow…we are in Italy and the slogan is “la dolce vita”…the sweet life. The waiters are friendly and the environment is delightful! The food is tasty, fresh and well presented. The menu is a selection of Mediterranean classic regional dishes. Something to consider; the Casina Valadier also organizes bigger events such as weddings, receptions, meetings and events! It would surely be the ideal setting!
Casina Valadier is a fantastic restaurant even for special occasions
By sitting on the terrace you’ll have a beautiful overlook of the green garden
Fraschetteria Brunetti restaurant offers their clients an authentic roman kitchen.
This typical Italian restaurant which I would call “rustic”, sits just a few meters away from Piazza del Popolo, off of Via del Corso. This is the perfect place to enjoy the pleasure of traditional Italian cuisine in a very comfortable and intimate environment. Fraschetteria Brunetti Restaurant Rome isn’t only special for the well tasting food but also for its hand-made ceramic dishes the food gets served in! The fun atmosphere in this restaurant is enchanting! You’ll have friendly, attentive and above all entertaining staff; singing waiters with a smile on their faces and they’ll always find the right slogan in the right moment. You are welcomed to Fraschetteria Brunetti as if you were one of their family members; they make you feel like you belong! There is no such thing as a menu here, your waiters will recommend you and personally I’d say to trust them completely! They usually do ask before if there’s something you don’t eat…
To begin with I’d advise you to get an “Italian antipasto” platter – which consists out of a great selection of meats, salami, cheeses & olives. All this gets served together with fresh wonderful tasting focaccia bread!
One of their specialties is fresh buffalo mozzarella…fresh means when you cut it, the juice comes out and when you put it in your mouth, the temperature of the mozzarella is just right; a little warm. They have a large variety of different pasta types such as gnocchi, egg-plant parmesan and lasagna; the good thing is you’ll get to try a little bit of everything! Try their dessert; home-made Tiramisu!
entrance of the Fraschetteria Brunetti rome
The inside seating is rustical and comfortable
People stick messages on the walls before they leave
Sausages, cheese and pork meat are part of the meal
The antipasti, the starters are kept in the fridge standing inside the restaurant
The tables and chairs are made out of dark wood which gives the place a cozy touch
Many visitors have left their trace with a message
Have fun reading during your dinner in this special restaurant
Rosati restaurant is right next to Piazza del Polopo
Ristorante Rosati Rome has a beautiful location which overlooks the stunning Piazza del Popolo. Rosati is a glamorous restaurant to settle your feet for a while, after having done some heavy sightseeing. Rosati is known to be a bit expensive ….not only this; they add on a 17% service charge. On the other hand, always have in mind where you are exactly sitting, often you mostly pay for the location!
This café started out in 1922 and is one of the most famous places to serve coffee in Rome. Throughout all these years, Rosati stands for style, quality and elegance. These 3 features have always characterized their brand. When you then join features such as the reliability of selecting best quality raw materials, the variety and the genuineness of food and the professionalism of the staff, you’re sure to receive a high standard in the end!
Rosati does have something innovating which many restaurants in Rome don’t have, namely gluten free pizza! Rosati also has luscious pastries which will melt in your mouth and make you recall what home-made baking is like! The Italians eat pastries especially in the morning, please don’t expect finding an American breakfast with Omelets, bacon and eggs.
During your dinner or lunch if you order the delicious house wine you’ll be just fine. When you only order a drink, it usually comes with generous serving of olives or other snacks. In the end I would recommend the seafood plates because it seems to be their specialty!
Counter at Ristorante Rosati
Outside seating
At the counter you can have light snacks or drinks without sitting down
Inside seating of Ristorante Rosati near Piazza del Popolo
Ristorante also makes fine italian cakes
Delicious desserts to choose from
It’s hard to choose from so many kinds of desserts!
Canova Ristorante Rome offers you a bit of everything!
Delicious Italian food with a view on Piazza del Popolo
Canova Ristorante Rome is a great place to people watch. Sit together in this roman salon facing piazza del Popolo with locals and tourists to have almost anything your heart desires! Canova not only offers a restaurant, café and snack bar but you can also buy cigarettes ( (tobacconist) and other articles for smokers. Small souvenirs such as key chains, pens and lighters are found next to the cashier.
Start off your morning with the typical Italian breakfast; a delicious Italian espresso or a creamy cappuccino together with a tasty croissant, admiring Roman history just in front of you. There’s nothing like the smell of fresh “cornetti” (Italian croissants) that just came out of the oven. Should you be around Piazza del Popolo at 6.00PM, try Casanova’s happy hour by buying yourself a cocktail or long drink and grab yourself a bite at their happy hour buffet to start an enchanting evening! Should you choose to continue the evening at Canova then you can go straight in the garden and have a seat on the terrace, listing to live music. During the winter when the days are colder, heaters are put outside to still keep you comfortable.
Canova’s chef offers the very best of Italian and international cuisine. You’ll be able to choose from many local dishes such as sea food salad with salmon; risotto with cheese, champagne and truffle; ravioli with tomato and fresh basil; meats and fish of all kind.
A highlight of this location is a gallery dedicated to the world famous film director, scriptwriter and Oscar winner Federico Fellini. He is considered one of the most influential filmmakers of the 20th century. Fellini’s films where known for their different style that were able to blend fantasy and baroque images. During your visit in the gallery you can admire photos and drawings from his famous films. An excellent way to top off your lunch or dinner!
Outside seating of Restaurant-Cafe’-Bar Canova
The counter windows are full with italian specialties to go
Snacks to go in the counter near Piazza del Popolo
Nice plants decorate the Restaurant-Cafe’-Bar Canova
Pictures of Italian artists hanging on the wall inside
A self service place in the middle of downtown Rome
At the end of the self-service bar you pay for the food you take
The court yard seating of Restaurant-Cafe’-Bar Canova
Eating when you visit Piazza del Popolo can be very fun it you know the right places to go!
Around Piazza del Popolo there are various restaurants and “apero-dinner” (happy hour drink with food – a typical Italian thing to do around 7.30) places. Like always, I’ll tell you about the top restaurants and also about the budget but always quality places. For lunch I would suggest something quick like the
Babette Caffè – Restaurant in Via Margutta, 1/d 3 – Rome. By the way, Via Margutta is one of the nicest streets downtown!
How to get there: You must go down Via del Babuino coming from Piazza del Popolo and you’ll find Via Margutta on your left right after the Chopard shop.
Lunch time Babette restaurant offers a buffet, together with a small basket of bread and a big bottle of water for only euro 14.00/person. It’s not an “all you can eat” buffet, you can have soup and fill your plate once – which is enough considering that they offer a large selection of pasta that will fill you immediately.
If you’re looking for a vegetarian place to eat, right across to Babette is Il Margutta Vegetarian restaurant – Via Margutta 118 – 00187 Roma
Not only is it known as one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Italy but it’s location is in the mythical Via Margutta, home of Fellini, and a few meters from Piazza del Popolo. Not only will you get healthy delicious food but you can admire a stylish and spacious interior full of art. In the evenings instead of the buffet they have an à la carte menu and a special à la carte menu for anyone who suffers from gluten intolerance!
Il Margutta restaurant Rome
Happy Hour in Rome
The two best hot spots for an Italian Aperitivo (a drink with some finger food usually from 7.00PM to 8.30PM) especially during the summer, is the
Hotel Locarno – Via Della Penna 22, 00186 Rome. You’ll be finding yourself sitting in a garden, of an old-fashioned art deco hotel, on charismatic chairs and benches, sipping your refreshing drink and listening to lounge music. If you want more, their menu offers a satisfying range of selections on foods. The hotel Locarno chef will carefully select high quality ingredients, so that he can offer a menu which is both delicious and light. You’ll arrive by walking down Via di Ripetta from Piazza del Popolo and it will be the first street on your right. Two blocks down you’ll find the Hotel Locarno.
The other place to go to, is absolutly a must see. Hotel De Russie – Via del Babuino 9 – 00187 Rome
Arrive at De Russie Hotel just by walking down Via del Babuino, off of Piazza del Popolo and you’ll find it just shortly after on your right. A beautiful almost rural like setting amongst the hustle and bustle outside. Time stands still.
If you’ve ever wondered what a 5 star aperitivo looks like you’ll find out here. This is the only place in Rome where I have ever gotten served warm olives and warm hand-made potato chips! With your drink you’ll get lots of extra nibbles free of charge. You’ll be served in one of the most beautiful and exclusive gardens in Rome. The Stravinsky Bar, known for their lovely champagne selection, offers everything your heart desires. Hotel de Russie is also an unforgettable place to come for a romantic dinner. Coming here can be pricey, but it’s a sublime experience!
Hotel De Russie garden
While we’re at it, I’ll take you to another expensive and well know place. Il ristorante Dal Bolognese – Piazza del Popolo1/2 – Rome. The
restaurant lies near the twin churches right on Piazza del Popolo itself.
The motto here is: to see and be seen. I wouldn’t go further into details about that because you’re a tourist and couldn’t care less…This restaurant is a place for Ferraris and Lamborghinis. Also, many VIP’s and politicians eat here especially for dinner. Their dishes are originally from the geographical zone Emiglia Romagna (in the north of Italy) – Bologna.
Dal Bolognese in Rome is famous for the Tortellini in brodo
On the top of the hill, once known as Collis Hortulorum, the highest point of the Pincio, lies the restaurant Casina Valadier – Villa Borghese, Piazza Bucarest – 00187 Rome. You get there either by walking up the stairs to your left facing the Pincio when standing underneath in Piazza del Popolo or grab a taxi and come from the other side. This spot vaunts a 180 degrees view over the city! The mansion is beautiful…it’s a neoclassical structure with a lovely garden and terrace for tea, lunch and dinner. A perfect meeting place for a feeling of excitement and mystery!
Casina Valadier restaurant – Rome
Down the hill back to Piazza del Popolo again, we have another couple of places to eat which are much more obvious and where most of the tourists go to because its right in front of Piazza del Popolo and the seats and tables are facing it. One is called Restaurant-Cafe’-Bar Canova Piazza del Popolo, 16 – 00187 Roma. You can sit outside and face Piazza del Popolo, feeling a truly magical atmosphere and being surrounded by some of the most impressive works of art in Rome, or you can eat in their splendid music garden in the back. Canova’s chefs offer the very best of Italian and international cuisine, as well as mouth-watering and memorable specialties of the local tradition.
Canova restaurant – Rome
Right next to Canova is another small place called Modi’ – Caffetteria and Wine Bar – Piazza del Popolo 19 – 00187 Rome. They have chairs and tables out in the front so you can enjoy your meal on a bright sunny day! They offer a good price compared to other places and considering the location you’re at! Perfect for a fast snack!
Modi’ – Caffetteria and Wine Bar
On the other side of Piazza del Popolo you’ll see the famous Ristorante Rosati– Piazza del Popolo, 4/5a – 00187 Rome.
Rosati is one of the oldest places around that area. Style, quality and elegance have always characterized their brand. Rosati dates back to 1922 and already then it was famous for their good tasting coffee. Rosati’s love and passion for their client’s make them have a responsibility of a high standard, with proven reliability that is expressed through the rigorous selection of raw materials, variety, genuineness of food and the professionalism of the staff.
Restaurant Rosati – Rome
A little bit hidden away behind Piazza del Popolo is a fantastic genuine roman restaurant called Fraschetteria Brunetti – Via Angelo Brunetti, 25 – 00186 Roma. I only have one word that describes the food: excellent. To get to Fraschetteria Brunnetti just walk down Via di Ripetta starting from Piazza del Popolo and to your left you’ll see Via Brunetti. They’re open for lunch and dinner. You decide!
Dal Bolognese Restaurant Rome is located on the magnificent Piazza del Popolo.
The Italian culture can be expressed in many ways and one unique way of expression is through the gastronomic sector, famous even abroad. Italy has many regions and every region has their very own dishes which represents them. Dal Bolognese restaurant will show you the traditions and flavors of “Emiglia Romagna”. I’m sure everyone knows what “mortadella, parmigiano reggiano, fossa cheese and prosciutto parma is; they all come from this region which is probably more famous for its food than the Lazio region is. The most famous food of all is the spaghetti sauce! If you talk to any “granny cooks” from the region they will tell you that a real Bolognese sauce must cook slowly for 4 hours and in the end a wooden spoon has to be able to stand straight when put inside the pot! Dal Bolognese restaurant you can have a taste…
Second famous, I would say are the “tortellini in brodo” which means tortellini in a home-made soup. This special soup is made with meat and fresh vegetables. You’ll be able to eat the meat (bollito) too which is actually the house specialty and highlight of the Dal Bolognese restaurant. The boiled meats are served from a large copper cart in the middle of the front dining room and most tourists don’t know about this distinctive feature. It’s very difficult to make “il bollito misto” (mixed boiled meats) so the meat gets nice and tender! The water which then turns into soup are put over the tortellini! So instead of trying fish meals at Dal Bolognese just give prominence to the “bollito”!
Their wine list is extensive and fairly priced. The service and atmosphere is friendly and outstanding! Also try their fantastic deserts of frozen fruits with ice-cream inside!
Hotel de Russie has one of the most stunning internal court yard gardens of Rome that I’ve seen so far. Coming from outside after a busy day of shopping or sight-seeing, I’d say it’s the perfect place to come and relax, have a coffee, an aperitivo or a dinner. When you come inside the hotel the first thing you smell is the stunning flower composition which they always have on the middle of the table at the entrance. The sweet smell is only a quick preview of what will await you inside. The tables are set in between ancient high trees and even more beautiful flowers during the summer months! In the evening this place is enchanting…it’ll make you feel like a dream come true!
Hotel de Russie – Stravinskij Bar
During summer, a real DJ starts the music in the late afternoon, just right for the happy hour!
This place is one of the most fashionable and exclusive places to meet for locals and tourists. Business men, friends and tourists mix and so this is one of the reasons why Stravinsky Bar has a touch of international flair! The atmosphere is great thanks to the friendly and professional waiters that make you feel at home.
The cocktails are prepared by Massimo D’Addezio, named best Italian Barman in 2008 by the famous restaurant guide “L’Espresso Ristoranti d’Italia”. As you can immagine the drinks are pricy but they’ll serve you loads of “snacks” for free to go along with your drink. Experiencing an Italian Aperitivo is definitely worth the visit!
Hotel de Russie – Le Jardin de Russie restaurant
Fulvio Pierangelini is one of the most celebrated chefs in the world. In a recent interview for the Gambero Rosso he was described as the “soloist of great Italian cooking”. If you’d like to try this experience and I’m not only talking about the food but also the setting, then come to the Le jardin restaurant. Le Jardin offers their customers the highest level of service and will show you in a delicate manner a refined cuisine. For a lunch have a seat in the garden and taste one of the light dishes the kitchen offers.
Hotel De Russie is a 5 star hotel right next to Piazza del Popolo
An elegant place to dine, especially in the evening when the candles are burning
Pure elegance
De Russie lunch buffet in the outside restaurant
The lunch buffet is mostly out of fresh vegetables during the summer
Hotel De Russie lunch buffet every day
De Russie garden in the middle of Rome
Even as an outside guest you are welcome to sit in the garden for a drink
The hotel from the inside garden
De Russie Hotel has a little natural “grotta” as part of their garden
Everything is kept in white at De Russie
The restaurant is on top of the stairs and has a wonderful setting
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Phone number:+39 06 328881
Address: Via del Babuino, 9, 00187, Rome [/tab][end_tabset]
Babette Bar and Restaurant is a great choice for a quick lunch in a gorgeous garden full of delightful olive trees, right in the middle of Rome! When we have bad weather or during the winter you can also sit inside in a cozy environment.
Babette Bar and Restaurant
From 01.00PM till 03:00PM Babette offers their clients the best buffet ever, with an inspiring choice of hot and cold dishes. It allows tourists to enjoy a top quality meal, without waiting to be served, for a price of only 14.00 euro/person. You’ll get a generous mixed plate of foods that you can choose yourself, home-made bread and a bottle of mineral water. You’re only allowed once to the buffet. It’s not an “all you can eat”. Should you like to go again, the second round at the buffet costs 4.00 euro extra.
On the weekends Babette Bar and Restaurant Rome will offer you a more complete buffet from 1.00PM – 3.00PM. The price is euro 28.00 for the buffet, home-made bread, a bottle of water, a glass of house wine and dessert.
Should that be too much for you then you’ll always have the possibility to choose from a small menu a la carte!
Babette gives a great service thanks to their friendly and helpful staff plus they are very attentive to small details that make a big difference. Babette follows certain rules which allow you to notice the best characteristic of this cozy and classy place. The restaurant makes you feel a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Many foods are home-made like pasta and ice-cream. Babette also has a wide selection of excellent local wine.
Every day, except on Mondays and some holidays, Babette welcomes their guests from 7.00PM to 11.00 for a fantastic Italian “a la carte” dinner. The menu is renewed regularly based on seasonal availabilities and on the initiative of the chef who loves to try out new things or spends his time on developing new recipes!
Eating at Babette will give you a very enjoyable culinary experience at a great value.
Dinning in Babette Bar and Restaurant
Dark wooden furniture is part of the Italian style restaurant Babette
Babette bar and restaurant is usually full at noon
Buffet style lunch near Piazza del Popolo
Pasta, vegtables and other specialties are all on the table
Babette Bar and Restaurant near Piazza del Popolo offers a great buffet at lunch
Brunch plate at noon
The view from the inside into the famous artist street Via Margutta
Before I start talking about the Margutta RistorArte Rome, I’d like to start out by saying that in my opinion Via Margutta, near Piazza del Popolo, is one of the most beautiful streets in Rome. You can find many art galleries, fashionable restaurants and some particular hotels along the via.
Margutta RistorArte Rome is a vegetarian restaurant that offers a rich buffet with over 50 recipes for appetizers, first courses, salads and also delicious fresh desserts.
From Monday to Friday they offer a lunch buffet for only 12 euro’s! If you’re in the center it’s perfect for lunch! It is not an “all you can eat” buffet like you would expect in the USA. You get a big plate and you fill it up once. Before you can help yourself to a hot bowl of soup, usually two choices, and afterwards they offer fresh fruit. Water is included in the price but if you order coffee you pay extra.
On Saturday and Sunday the Margutta RistorArte Rome offers an even more special buffet with live music. The price is higher too – 25 euro. In the evenings you order A la carte.
In the evenings Margutta RistorArte Rome has special dishes a la carte! The food is unique and you can’t say straight away what you have on your plate….very sophisticated!
This place is very good at combining food with art. The sculptures and pictures you see hanging on the wall often change. Many artists have their paintings and sculptures exposed here!
Il Margutta restaurant – entrance
Modern design for the inside seating of the vegetarian restaurant
Art is all over the walls in Ristorante Margutta near Piazza del Popolo
Il Ristorante Margutta serves the best vegetarian food in Rome
Hotel Locarno is a stone throw away from Piazza del Popolo, was famous in the past and it still is in the present. It has and continues to be a stage and retreat for famous film actors, directors, writers, producers and musicians. The well-known director Bernard Weber directed his film “Hotel Locarno” here in 1978.
Happy hour at Hotel Locarno in Rome is a hip place to be. In the city, Hotel Locarno is known for their “Aperitivo”. You can compare it with the Happy Hour, only that the Italian version is more meaningful. It’s not about drinking; it’s about socializing. It’s where you go after your work, either before going home or before having dinner. Consider going around 7.30 pm, romans have their dinner around 9.00 pm. Your aperitivo – accompanied with some tasty Hors d’œuvre – will be served in the courtyard during the summer and you can smell the flowers even though you’re in the middle of a big, chaotic city. During the winter you’ll be served inside in front of a cozy fireplace! Mainly romans come for the aperitivo except for the few tourists that pass because they are staying in the hotel. Let’s call this an “insider tip”.
A week ago Hotel Locarno started their Saturday and Sunday brunch. The cost is 28 euro/person excluding drinks.
