Best Rome

In this section you will find an introduction to some of the best places Rome has to offer.
Your guide will be able to direct you to many more!

Best Hotels

  • Hotel Hassler [www.hotelhassler.com]
    If it's luxury you want, you will find it near the Spanish Steps. The view is wonderful, especially from the 7th floor.
  • Hotel de Russie [www.hotelderussie.it]
    This refined hotel near Piazza del Popolo is a mix of antique and contemporary styles and has a beautiful inner garden courtyard.
  • Radisson SAS ES [rome.radissonsas.com]
    The letters ES stand for Esquilino, the name of the Railway station area where this contemporary design hotel is located. At the top is a roof garden with a bar-restaurant near the swimming pool.

Best Restaurants

  • Dal Bolognese - Piazza del Popolo, 1/2 - Ph: 063611426
    This is one of Rome's most elegant restaurants, where you can enjoy food from Emilia Romagna.
  • Piperno - Piazza Monte dei Cenci, 9 - Ph: 0668806629 [www.ristorantepiperno.it/] In a little piazza on the Ghetto area, try the specialities of Roman-Jewish cuisine. Not to be missed are the carciofi alla giudia, artichokes cooked in the Jewish style.
  • San Teodoro - Via dei Fienili - Ph: 066780933
    In this refined restaurant you can enjoy fresh fish prepared with great creativity in a beautiful outdoor patio.

Best Aperitivo

  • Caffè della Pace - Via della Pace, 26 right behind Piazza Navona, this is probably the most à la mode cocktail spot in Rome.
  • Bar del Fico - Piazza del Fico, 26
    Enjoy an aperitivo here in the beautiful outdoor patio.
  • Vineria, Taverna del Campo and Nolano - Campo dei Fiori
    Campo dei Fiori, the most characteristic Roman square, is a must for an aperitivo!
coffee

Best Coffee

  • Sant'Eustachio - Piazza S. Eustachio, 82
    This is one of the city's most famous bars. The creamy espresso coffee is quite extraordinary and the barmen turn their backs while whipping up a cup so as not to reveal the secret of the caffè.
  • Caffè Greco - Via Condotti, 86
    Right in the famous shopping district, make a stop in the unique labyrinthine rooms of this exclusive, centuries-old coffee house. Richard Wagner, Franz Liszt, Lord Byron and Goethe had coffee in this unique spot.
  • Tazza d'oro - Via degli Orfani, 84
    The powerful aroma of this bar near the Pantheon is due to its own line of roasted coffee beans. In summer try the granita with whipped cream.

Best Gelato

  • Giolitti - Via Uffici del Vicario, 40
    Not far from the Parliament House, Giolitti has been making some of the best ice cream in Rome since the early 1900's.
  • San Crispino - Via della Panetteria, 32
    In this little gelateria you can find varieties of flavorful ingredients including balsamic vinegar.
  • Ciampini - Piazza in Lucina, 29
    Enjoy an exellent gelato in a refined square.

Best Shopping

Fashion

The classic window-shopping area is all around Via Condotti, while independent designers are crowded on to Via del Governo Vecchio.

Antiques

Some of the best areas to look for antiques are Via dei Coronari, Via del Babuino and Via Giulia.

Books in English

  • Anglo American Bookstore Via della Vite, 102 offers a good selection of books in English.
  • Feltrinelli International - Via V. E. Orlando, 84 sells nice books in English and in other languages, including magazines and guidebooks.

Design and Household

TAD (Via del Babuino, 155) is a concept store where you can shop while having a drink or a bite to eat. They sell not only household accessories but also eccentric designer clothes, shoes, perfumes, flowers, CDs, etc.

In the Ghetto area there is a good choice of nice things for the house at Limentani (via del Portico d'Ottavia, 47).
Another good address is Spazio Sette, a two level shop, in via dei Barbieri, 7.

Wine Shops

If you are looking for good wine and suggestions, your best choice is Trimani (Via Goito, 20). Purchases can be shipped anywhere. For a traditional old style enoteca, check out the wines and spirits, all sub-divided by region, at Buccone (Via di Ripetta,19), not far from Piazza del Popolo.

Gastronomy

Castroni (Via Cola di Rienzo, 196 - Via Quattro Fontane) is the most famous chain of "drogherie - torrefazioni" in Rome. Here you will find many regional gourmet specialities and imported international foods.

In the popular Testaccio area is Volpetti (Via Marmorata 47), filled with many kinds of delicious cheese, hams and salamis.

On the web you can try the Italian food experience on Esperia [www.esperya.com]

Bread

Panella (Largo Leopardi, 4) has the best choice of any kind of bread; try the Pompei. Find the best traditional Roman specialities, visit Tricarico (Vicolo del Cinque, 35) in Trastevere.

Chocolaterie

The well known chocolate store, Godiva, has a shop just in Piazza di Spagna, 4.
Try the hand made chocolate specialities at Moriondo e Gariglio (Via Pie' di Marmo, 21) not far from the Pantheon.
Another address for chocaholics is Puyricard (Via delle Carrozze, 26)

Best Events

On Thursday pick up a copy of ROMA C'E' the weekly guide to events, with a section in English. It can be found at any newsstand.

On the internet you can consult the official municipality site for the City of Rome: www.romaturismo.it

See also In Rome Now

Best Useful Links (all in English)

Best Guides Outside Italy (all in English)