Rome – Around Town : Around the Pantheon (part 3) – Cafés, Gelaterie and Bars, Places to Eat

Giolitti

This 19th-century landmark café is widely regarded as serving Rome’s best ice cream .

• Via degli Uffici del Vicario 40

Caffé Sant’Eustachio

Another best – this time the best cappuccino. Not surprisingly, the recipe is a closely guarded secret .

• Piazza Sant’Eustachio 82

Trinity College

Ever-popular pub off the Corso, with tasty food served upstairs and standard bar downstairs. Outdoor seating .

• Via del Collegio Romano 6

Black Duke

A passably genuine Irish pub in a cosy basement, with pub food and, in summer, outdoor seating.

• Via della Maddalena 29B

Gelateria della Palma

A wide selection of ice cream flavours, just off the Pantheon’s square, and open late .

• Via della Maddalena 20–23

La Tazza d’Oro

Rome’s “House of Coffee” since 1946. This is a die-hard locals’ joint, serving what devotees swear is Rome’s best coffee .

• Via degli Orfani 84

Enoteca al Parlamento

Atmospheric and stylish wine bar frequented by politicos from the nearby Italian parliament buildings.

• Via dei Prefetti 15

Capranica

This wine bar-cum-restaurant is just the place for a quick aperitivo
or a more leisurely alfresco lunch. The impressively bottle-lined
interior shows that this is a serious wine bar with a well-stocked
cellar offering a great choice of labels.

• Piazza Capranica 99

Cremeria Monteforte

A
prime tourist position (next to the Pantheon) doesn’t always sound the
death knell. This joint guarded by a wooden Pinocchio doorman serves the
best fragola (strawberry) ice cream in town and interesting variations such as orange chocolate.

• Via della Rotonda 22

Pascucci

This is the place with the frothiest milk shakes and smoothies in town. They come in all flavours and in any combination.

• Via di Torre Argentina 20

L’Eau Vive

Amid
16th-century frescoes, lay sisters from around the world dressed in
native costume serve refined French cuisine and dishes from their own
countries. Everyone sings “Ave Maria of Lourdes” before their crêpes flambées. Perhaps a little kitsch but all the profits do go to charity.

• Via Monterone 85

• 06 6880 1095

• Closed Sun

Il Bacaro

Booking is essential at this tiny osteria.
Although the design is contemporary inside, it feels like old Rome when
sitting at an outdoor table against the ivy-covered walls. The cuisine
is traditional dishes from across Italy.

• Via degli Spagnoli 27

• 06 687 2554

• Closed Sun

Osteria dell’Ingegno

This popular modern wine bar also serves huge meat and cheese platters.

• Piazza di Pietra 45

• 06 678 0662

• Closed Sun

Trattoria Enoteca Corsi

This
wine shop has grown into a thriving restaurant (lunch only) serving
delicious traditional cuisine at affordable prices. Check the blackboard
for the daily specials.

• Via del Gèsu 87

• 06 679 0821

• Closed Sun

Maccheroni

The fans and airy rooms wrapped around an open kitchen have a Parisian bistro look. The menu is staunchly Roman though.

• Piazza delle Coppelle 44

• 06 6830 7895

Ristorante Boccondivino

Classy, modern restaurant with a contemporary art collection and outdoor seating.

• Piazza in Campo Marzio 6

• 06 6830 8626

• Closed Sat L, Sun

Ristorante Trattoria

The Sicilian-inspired dishes are light and pleasing at this eatery.

• Via del Pozzo delle Cornacchie 25

• 06 6830 1427

• Closed Sun in Aug

Settimo all’Arancio

Hectic, but excellent classic Roman cuisine.

• Via del Arancio 50–52

• 06 687 6119

• Closed Sun (Jul–Aug)

Da Gino

Visit these trompe-l’oeil vaults for food like nonna (grandma) used to make.

• Vicolo Rosini 4

• 06 687 3434

• Closed Sun

Il Delfino

Self-service Roman dishes at good prices and friendly staff.

• Corso Vittorio Emmanuele 67

• 06 686 4053