Where to have Lunch in Rome
Wondering where to have lunch in Rome? Whether it’s a tasty brunch, a midday meal or an afternoon snack, it’s not always easy to sift the culinary gems from the tourist traps in Rome. These are the best Rome lunch spots for eating and drinking in the Eternal City.
For a complete insight into Italian cuisine, joining us one for our food tours in Rome.
The Best Places for Lunch in Rome
Il Segreto
Il Segreto translated as the secret offers the best lunch Rome has to offer. It is a locally loved restaurant in the Roman neighborhood or Prati, located by the Vatican.
The daily changing menu covers all the Italian classics, offering the freshest produce from the Trionfale market. Make sure to check out what’s cooking on the daily menu.
Expect Roman cuisine, with the classic pasta choices such as Spaghetti alla carbonara, cacio e pepe and amatriciana. Fish lovers, meat-eaters and vegetarians will all feel at home.
It’s a restaurant full of energy, with the open kitchen a key feature of the dining room. Take a seat in front of the chefs wand feel like you’re one of the team.
See our post for a complete guide to the best restaurants near the Vatican.
Pizzarium
Pizzarium is one of Rome’s most important and influential places for food in the Italian Capital. Pizzarium offers pizza al taglio (pizza by the slice), an ideal option lunch in Rome on the go.
Owner and famed baker Gabriele Bonci is one of Italy’s most famous pizzaiolo, known as the ‘Michelangelo of pizza’.
Bonci applies his artisan bread making techniques to the art of pizza making.
Toppings are added after the pizza is cooked, to create the perfect crunch and prevent it going soggy.
With over 1500 recipes, daily toppings are impossible to predict, however Bonci’s one rule is a maximum of 3 toppings per pizza to ensure the ingredients compliment each other.
Among the classics are tomato with oregano and potato and mozzarella, as well as more creative choices such as fig with prosciutto, mortadella with crumbled pistachio and 30-month-old Parmigiano Reggiano and Buratta with smoked salmon
Address: Via della Meloria, 43
See our post for a complete guide on where to eat the best pizza in Rome.
Trappizino
Trapizzino is the innovative Roman street food, created in 2009 by pizza chef Stefano Callegari. “Trapizzino” is a play on the words pizza and Tramezzino. Tramezzino in Italian means a triangle sandwich.
The result is a soft and mouthwateringly flavourful pouch filled with slow-cooked gourmet ingredients deliciousness, such as such as chicken cacciatore, meatballs, oxtail, eggplant Parmigiana, Roman artichokes and burrata with anchovies.
Don’t miss the suppli on offer, with options including original, pumpkin and courgette flowers.
There is a good selection of craft beers and fine wine to choice from.
Trapizzino has various locations in Rome: Testaccio, Trastevere, Ponte Milvio and Piazza Bologna
Trastevere
Address: Piazza Trilussa, 46
Testaccio
Address: Via Giovanni Branca, 88
Ginger Sapori e Saluto
One of the healthiest places for lunch in Rome is Ginger.
The restaurant stays over from morning to evening, allowing you to enjoy brunch or lunch regardless of the time. Plenty of options for vegetarians, vegans and gluten-free
There are fruits and vegetable overflowing from the counters, with smoothie machines constantly producing delicious healthy juices.
Address: Via Borgognona, 43-46
Vegetarian restaurants in Rome
La Nicchia cafe
La Nicchia Cafe is a gourmet food shop, selling the finest Italian food and wine. Pop in to get a perfect souvenir.
You can find pasta, pasta sauces, aged balsamic vinegar, olive oils, truffle infused pate and honey, all more.
Address: Via Cipro 4 L
Otaleg
Otaleg is one of Rome’s best gelaterias, located in Trastevere. Their gelato is made with all natural produce with the highest quality ingredients.
In the warmer months my favorite flavors are watermelon, pear with caramel and grape; in the winter months chestnut with rum and stracciatella.
Chocolate fans have over 5 variations to choose from.
Address: Via di San Cosimato 14
Trionfale Market
The Trionfale market is the largest food market in Rome. There are 275 stalls spread over 6.000-sqm of floor space, located in the residential neighborhood of Prati, close to the Vatican City.
It’s known as the ‘mercato di populari,’ meaning the market for the locals,
You can pop in for a sandwich or slice of pizza. Ideal place for a quick lunch by the Vatican.
It might just offer the best lunch in Rome, offering not only fresh food, but the opportunity to embrace Roman culture to its full potential.
Address: Via Andrea Doria, 41
Where to Picnic In Rome
Thinking about a unique and romantic lunch in Rome? After trying the restaurants and pizzerias why not pick up some items from the market, to enjoy a Roman picnic at one of the nearby parks
Located in the heart of the city is the Pincio gardens, offering an ideal place for a picnic.
It is connected to the Villa Borghese park, filled with trees, fountains, villas with plenty of benches and cafes around.
There is the option to hire bicycles and segways, as well as a small lake where you can hire rowing boats.
There is a terrace that looks over looks Piazza del Popolo, as well as stunning views of the city.
Parco Monte Ciocci and Janiculum are two good options.
That concludes my article on where to have lunch in Rome.
For more suggestions e-mail us or visit our guide to Rome blog.