Wondering where locals eat near the Vatican for authentic Italian cuisine?
With over 5 million visitors per year to the Vatican Museums, the surrounding streets inevitably attract touristic restaurants, offering below standard food and microwave meals.
Here is a list, of the best restaurants near the Vatican where locals eat, in the neighborhoods of Prati, Borgo and Trionfale
For a complete insight into Italian cuisine, join our award winning food tours in Rome.
See our video on visiting the Vatican
Where do locals Eat Near the Vatican
Where do Locals Eat Near the Vatican
Il Segreto
Il segreto translated as “the secret” is a locally loved restaurant, situated a 5 minute walk from the Vatican museums on Via Candia.
Enjoy fresh food, large portions with customer-focused staff. The restaurant is comfortable but not formal, with an open kitchen offering a buzzing atmosphere.
Expect simple, authentic Roman cuisine at honest prices. Highlights from the menu include classic Roman pasta including Carbonara, amatriciana and cacio e pepe, as well as various meat and fish dishes.
Pizzarium
Pizzarium opened in 2003, in the Roman neighborhood of Prati by famed baker Gabriele Bonci one of Italy’s most famous pizzaiolo, known as the ‘Michelangelo of pizza’.
Bonci offers Pizza al taglio, which translates as pizza by the cut. It is usually baked in a electric oven and sold by the weight. The pizza is cut into slices, usually by scissors and eaten standing up on the tables outside.
He allows the dough to rise for 72 hours, before adding the most creative ingredients imaginable on a pizza.
Popular toppings include pumpkin puree and octopus, artichoke with Parmigiano Reggiano and foie gras, as well as proscuitto with fig.
See our post for a complete insight into the best pizza in Rome.
Here is our video on Pizzarium.
Pizzarium does get especially busy around lunchtime, so locals usually visit Panifico Bonci, located on Via Trionfale.
Address: Via Trionfale, 36
Bere Roma
For Roman street food near the Vatican, head over to Bere, located in Piazza Risorgamento. Pickup up a Trapizzino and choose your favorite craft beer, with over 20 on tap to choose from.
Trapizzino is a new Roman street food concept. Imagine a half pizza, half sandwich, crunchy on the outside and soft in the inside. It is shaped in the form of a triangle, filled with cookjed roman and Italian gourmet ingredients. Favorites include artichokes, oxtail, trippe, parmigiana di melanzane and burrata with anchovies.
Address: Via Vespasiano, 2
La Nicchia Café
La Nicchia Café, prides itself on being a healthy eating restaurant. The menu offers gourmet sandwiches, salads, avocado toasts and fresh fruit juices.There is also a variety of cheese and wine tasting menus to choose from
It’s the perfect place for a quick and tasty lunch, conveniently located next to the Cipro metro station.
They offer a large selection of food and wine to buy including olive oil, pesto, truffle products, aged balsamic vinegar, as well as wine, for those looking for some souvenirs to take home.
Address: Via Cipro 4 L
Gelateria dei Gracchi
A short walk from the Vatican is Gelateria dei Gracchi: one of the best gelaterias in Rome, with locals often lining up at the door.
Use only natural ingredients to produce over 50 seasonal flavors, including plenty of vegan and lactose-free options, you ll be spoilt for choice.
Popular flavors in the warmer months include watermelon, pear with caramel and grape; in the coolor months stracciatella and. chestnut with rum.
Chocolate fans have over 7 variations to choose from. Indulge with a bit of whipped cream on top.
Address: Via dei Gracchi, 272
Pompi
Pompi is the most famous locally loved tiramisu producer in Rome, with a branch next to the Vatican in Piazza Risorgamento.
Pick up a rich, delicious, melt in your mouth tiramisu, with flavors including classic, pistaccio, strawberry, hazelnut, and banana with chocolate.
Address: Via Cola di Rienzo, 313
The Trionfale Food Market
The largest food market in Rome is Trionfale, which is 5 minute walk from the Vatican Museums. It’s known as the ‘mercato di populari,’ meaning the market for the locals.
There are over 275 stands offering everything from fruit, vegetables, pasta, honey, eggs, cheese and much more.
Often you will see mothers picking out groceries for their families, or local chefs running around with their shopping lists.
Its one of the favourite venues on our Taste of Trionfale food tour.
Pick up a porchetta Panino and wonder around to immerse yourself in Roman culture.
See our post for a guide to food markets in Rome.
For more information on eating in Rome, email us or see our Rome Travel Guide.