T R A V E L / C I T Y G U I D E S
ROME
Discover our favourite hotels, restaurants, nightlife and things to do in Rome right now.
This insider's city guide has been a long time in the making. We've eaten in countless Rome restaurants, dined in the best local trattorias and visited the latest hotspots. We've also asked the most discerning Rome locals we know to share their favourite hangouts – whether brand new or classic institutions. We bring you our hand-picked selection of our favourite places in Rome right now.
HOTELS
| ROME |
Whether you're looking for the ultimate design hotel, a cosy boutique hotel, or an ultra-cool apartment, here is our pick of the best places to stay in Rome.
1. Wow Factor!
BOSCOLO EXEDRA ROMA
One of Rome’s most impressive 5-star hotels overlooking Piazza della Repubblica, this luxury property occupies a magnificent 19th-century marble palazzo and embodies a sense of old world opulence mixed with a modern day aesthetic. Only 10 minutes from Rome's city centre, the hotel also boasts Rome's only rooftop swimming pool. €€€
Piazza della Repubblica, 47, 00187 Rom
exedra-roma.boscolohotels.com | +800 8099 8099
2. Fashionable ...
J.K. PLACE
Set within a 17th-century building that once was the Rome’s school of architecture, the luxurious J.K. Place Roma is located next to Palazzo Borghese and is an easy 10-minute walk from the Spanish Steps. The hotel's 30 guest rooms exude a modernist influence with a Roman twist, Rome’s answer to an all-comforts-included stay. €€€
Via di Monte D'Oro, 30, 00186 Rome
jkroma.com | +39 0698 2634
3. Colosseum Views ...
PALAZZO MANFREDI
Nestled within a 16th-century villa which stands on the site of an ancient gladiator training academy, Palazzo Manfredi is one of Rome's most beautiful luxury boutique hotels with a prime setting in front of the Colosseum. Enjoy sweeping panoramic views from the Palazzo’s stunning Michelin Star restaurant, Aroma, perched on the hotel’s romantic rooftop. €€
Via Labicana, 125, 00184 Rome
palazzomanfredi.com | +39 06 7759 1380
4. Boutique Chic ...
PORTRAIT ROMA
This stylish, intimate luxury boutique hotel owned by Italy’s designer fashion brand, Ferragamo, transports the family’s signature style, taste and exclusivity to a luxurious 19th-century Italian townhouse only moments from the Spanish Steps. Make sure to visit the Portrait Suites’ hidden rooftop terrace lounge. €€€
Via Bocca di Leone, 23, 00187 Rome
lungarnocollection.com | +39 06 6938 0742
5. Cosy & Central ...
CROSSING CONDOTTI
Discover this cosy, private guest house in central Rome with an enviable location next to the Spanish Steps. Crossing Condotti offers five elegantly furnished rooms in a neo-Baroque style with deep soaking tubs and contemporary furnishings, and is styled as a self-sufficient pied-à-terre rather than a full-service luxury hotel. €€
Via Mario de' Fiori, 28, 00187 Rome
crossingcondotti.com | +39 06 6992 0633
6. Cutting-Edge ...
G ROUGH
Offering a very Italian sense of luxury - one with history, design, and a touch of whimsy, the ultra-stylish G Rough hotel showcases iconic Italian designers and brands from the 1930s to the 1950s. The sister property of the glamorous PalazzinaG in Venice, the G Rough offers its guests an insider's view of Rome. €€
Piazza di Pasquino, 69, 00186 Rome
www.g-rough.com | +39 06 6880 1085
7. Understated ...
CORSO 281 LUXURY SUITES
Situated within walking distance of many of Rome's most visited landmarks - including the Trevi Fountain, the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Corso 281 Luxury Suites is home to 12 luxurious suites which deliver crisp contemporary 21st-century interiors and modern comforts in equal measure. €€€
Via del Corso 281, 00186 Rome
corso281.com | +39 06 8780 9370
Average Price of a Double Room: € = Around €100 or less; €€ = Around €200; €€€ = > €300
RESTAURANTS
| ROME |
Whether you're looking for a fabulous foodie dining spot, the city's best trattoria, or a see-and-be-seen dining spot, here is our pick of the best places to eat in Rome right now.
1. Foodie Gem ...
RISTORANTE ROSCIOLI
Part-delicatessen, bakery and trattoria, Roscioli offers one of Rome’s most enjoyable dining experiences, where you can savour Italy’s finest cured meats, perfectly-aged parmigiano and superb fresh pasta specials. Make sure to take home a selection of Italy’s finest products from Roscioli’s delicatessen on your way out. €€
Via dei Giubbonari, 21/22, 00186 Rome
salumeriaroscioli.com | +39 06 687 5287
2. Alfresco Terrace …
PIERLUIGI
Known for its excellent fresh seafood and picturesque alfresco dining terrace, Pierluigi delivers soul-satisfying Italian cuisine accompanied by an excellent wine list. Don't miss the superb fritti scampi, the fresh lobster homemade pasta or the seafood risotto. €€
Piazza Dè Ricci, 144, Rome
pierluigi.it | +39 06 686 8717
3. Creative Cuisine ...
METAMORFOSI
Talented young Colombian chef Roy Caceres is sure to impress with his artistically-presented plates, surprising ingredient pairings and creative culinary techniques at Michelin-starred restaurant Metamorfosi, one of Rome’s top foodie havens. €€€
Via Giovanni Antonelli, 30, 00197 Rome
metamorfosiroma.it | +39 06 807 6839
4. Modern Japanese...
ZUMA ROME
Renowned chef Rainer Becker brings his award-winning Japanese restaurant to Rome.
With a glamorous rooftop setting perched above the flagship store of luxury Italian fashion label Fendi, Zuma Rome promises modern Japanese dining, a star-studded crowd and sweeping views over the Eternal City. From 5pm, Zuma’s atmospheric bar and lounge is the place to savour seasonal craft cocktails and a selection of over forty premium sakes. Afterwards, move on to Zuma’s stylish dining room for refined Japanese cuisine in a sociable izakaya-style setting. Designed for sharing, dishes may include the signature roasted lobster with green chilli and shiso butter; or spicy beef tenderloin with sesame, red chilli and sweet soy. $$$
Palazzo Fendi, Via della Fontanella di Borghese, 48, 00186 Rome
zumarestaurant.com | +39 06 9926 6622
5. Romantic Setting ...
LA VERANDA
With a dramatic setting in the historic Palazzo Della Rovere which dates back to 1480, Ristorante la Veranda boasts spectacular vaulted frescoed ceilings and a gorgeous softly-lit alfresco garden terrace. Settle in for an evening of classic Roman cuisine with a creative twist at one of Rome's most romantic restaurants. €€
Borgo Santo Spirito, 73, Rome
laveranda.net | +39 06 687 2973
6. Chic Seafood …
IL SANLORENZO
Standing upon the foundations of the ancient Teatro Pompeo, Il Sanlorenzo is one of the Eternal City's finest seafood restaurants. Savour dishes such as the delicate spaghetti with sea urchin, or the wafer-thin carpaccio of red shrimp, complimented by an excellent wine list. €€
Via dei Chiavari 4/5, Rome
ilsanlorenzo.it | +39 06 68 65 097
7. Hip & Healthy ...
GINGER
With fresh and funky all-white interiors and a prime location close to the Spanish Steps, Ginger offers a refreshing change from the typical restaurants which characterise Rome's casual dining scene. Enjoy light and delicious salads and heaped plates of freshly-shaved cured Italian meats, accompanied by a delicious freshly-squeezed juice or smoothie. €€
Via Borgognona, 43-44, 00187 Rome
ginger.roma.it | +39 06 6994 0836
8. Best Pizzerias...
Rome offers a wealth of great pizzerias serving steaming hot slices of authentic, wood-fired Italian pizza. Pizzarium Bonci is a hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood pizzeria which serves a daily-changing menu of superb and creative artisanal al taglio pizzas with an organic wood-fired pizza base. For a more traditional Italian pizzeria, join the queues at the local institution, Da Baffetto where you can savour thin, crispy wood-fired pizzas made to order. Located on the vibrant Piazza del Fico, Da Francesco is one of the most famous pizzerias in Rome. Expect perfectly-crafted pizzas and a crowd of people queueing throughout the day at this simple local eaterie. Ivo a Trastevere is another popular Trastevere Pizzeria with simple paper-covered tables and even the odd celebrity or two who might be seen dining here.
Pizzarium Bonci Via della Meloria, 43, Rome; No Telephone
Da Baffeto 114, Via del governo vecchio, 00186 Rome; +39 6 686 1617
Da Francesco Piazza del Fico, 29, Rome; +39 6 686 4009
Ivo a Trastevere Via di San Francesco a Ripa, 158, Rome; +39 6 581 7082
Average Price of a Main Meal: € = Less than €10; €€ = Around €20; €€€ = More than €30
NIGHTLIFE
| ROME |
Whether you're looking for a beautiful alfresco cafe, the city's best wine bar, or a late-night club, here is our pick of the best places to party in Rome right now.
1. Wow Factor!
STRAVINSKIJ BAR
One of Rome's most romantic and sophisticated alfresco bars, the Stravinskij Bar is a verdant sanctuary nestled within 5-star Hotel de Russie. This is where Rome’s fashionable crowd come to see-and-be-seen over well-crafted cocktails, fine champagne and Italian wines served by elegantly dressed waiters in white jackets. €€€
Via del Babuino, 9, 00187 Rome
roccofortehotels.com | +39 06 328 8870
2. Wine Bar ...
AI TRE SCALINI
A haven for art and design students, skaters and hipsters, Bar Betty Ford is a fun, boisterous and funky space where skate and surf videos are projected on the walls. The music is loud, the drinks are potent and the crowd loves to party. €€
Via Panisperna, 251, 00184 Rome
No Website | +39 06 4890 7495
3. Craft Beer ...
OPEN BALADIN
This trendy beer hall boasts one of the largest selections of artisanal Italian beer in the country. Over 40 draft Italian beers and 100 Italian bottled labels are on offer at Open Baladin, which showcases a wide range of brewing techniques and flavours that are bound to win over even the most ardent non-beer drinkers. €
Via degli Specchi, 6, 00186 Rome
openbaladinroma.it | +39 06 683 8989
4. Cool & Cosy ...
SALOTTO42
Styled like a private apartment with old vinyl records and cosy lounges, Salotto42 Book Bar is a hip cafe-cum-cocktail bar in the historic center of Rome. Owned by a former Swedish model (the former muse of Karl Lagerfeld) and her partner, this is where you’ll find Rome’s cool crowd hanging out. €€
Piazza di Pietra, 42, 00186 Rome
salotto42.space | +39 06 678 5804
5. Cocktails ...
JERRY THOMAS SPEAKEASY
One of Rome's most secretive cocktail bars, Jerry Thomas Speakeasy delivers expertly-crafted drinks in a cosy setting for lovers of great cocktails. Either sample their inventive creations from the cocktail list, or simply tell the bartenders what flavours and ingredients you like and leave the rest to them. €€
Vicolo Cellini, 30, Rome
thejerrythomasproject.it | +39 06 9684 5937
6. Neighbourhood Hangout ...
FRENI E FRIZIONI
The trendy Freni e Frizoni (meaning “Brakes and Clutch” in Italian) boasts a unique setting within a former auto body shop in Rome’s vibrant Trastevere district. Drift between Freni e Frizoni’s front and back patios, mingling with locals and listening to the eclectic sounds of live musicians. €
Via del Politeama, 4/6, 00153 Rome
freniefrizioni.com | +39 06 4549 7499
7. Drinks & Design ...
URBANA 47
Nestled on a cobblestone street in Rome’s trendy Monti shopping and nightlife district, this funky restaurant, cafe and bar is set within a long and narrow space. The owners have curated their favourite vintage furniture and modern design objects to furnish the interiors of Urbana 47, where all of the furniture is also for sale. €€
Via Urbana, 47, Rome
urbana47.it | +39 06 4788 4006
Average Price of a Drink: € = Less than €10; €€ = Around €20; €€€ = More than €30
SEE + DO
| ROME |
Don't miss these incredible Rome museums, cultural landmarks and local experiences.
Iconic Landmarks ...
An historic symbol of civic pride for over 1,400 years, the Roman Forum is a truly impressive landmark and a highlight of any visit to this ancient city. Wander its ancient Roman streets to discover the temples, basilicas, arches and government buildings that once marked the heart of the most powerful empire in the world. Perhaps Rome’s most iconic landmark, the Colosseum is a magnificent ancient theatre constructed in AD72 which played host to the emperor's blood-thirsty physical spectacles. As the world’s smallest nation with only 550 citizens and headed by the Pope, the Vatican City is one of the most incredible spectacles in the world. From the towering columns of St. Peter’s Square, the captivating St. Peter’s Basilica (make sure to visit the cupola with magnificent aerial views of Rome) and the Sistine Chapel, to the endless treasures held within the Vatican Museum, you can easily spend the entire day exploring all of the treasures on display. Dating back to AD 118, the Pantheon temple is one of Rome's most impressive architectural wonders, built in dedication to the Roman gods and home of the tombs of Vittorio Emanuele (the first king of Italy) and the Italian artist, Raphael. Also, make sure to throw a coin into the Trevi Fountain and you’ll be assured of a return trip to Rome, or so the saying goes.
Museums & Art Galleries ...
The Galleria Borghese is an intimate 17th-century art museum housed in the Borghese family palace, situated within the spectacular Villa Borghese Gardens. Today, visitors can discover Scipio Borghese’s incomparable private collection - including works by Bernini and Caravaggio - in a truly historic setting. The first public museum in the world, the Musei Capitolini boasts an outstanding collection of Roman art, from the earliest inhabitants, through to the Roman Empire, into the Italian Renaissance and beyond.
Best Public Squares ...
One of Rome's loveliest squares, Piazza Navona bustles with street performers, artists and visitors, who can be found people-watching while sitting in one of its many outdoor cafes. Campo de' Fiori is the heart of Rome's alfresco nightlife scene, filled with buzzing outdoor bars and cafes. The historic site of public executions, today the bustling square is a social hotspot and hosts a daily morning flower and vegetable market. One of the most famous squares in Rome, Piazza di Spagna is located in the historical heart of the city. Romans and tourists love to rest on its beautiful 18th-century steps, which offer a beautiful outlook of the church of Trinita dei Monti and the Fountain of Barcaccia.
Best Public Parks
A trip to Rome isn’t complete without a chilled-out picnic in one of Rome's most beautiful parks, the Villa Borghese. When the sun is shining, pick up some delicious Italian food and a bottle of wine and head outdoors for the afternoon. Don't miss a visit to the fascinating Galleria Borghese art museum while you're there.
Unique Sightseeing Tours ...
For a true La Dolce Vita experience in Rome, organise a guided tour around the best sights of Rome on the back of a vintage Vespa or in a vintage Fiat. An experienced Roman tour guide will be your local escort to visit the finest sights of Rome. You can either follow a pre-determined itinerary to explore all of the city’s best landmarks, including the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican City and more, or you can craft your own personalised itinerary. Specialist shopping trips, private excursions to the more undiscovered areas of Rome, or a romantic sunset tour to Rome’s most breathtaking landmarks, it’s up to you to decide.
O U R O T H E R C I T Y G U I D E S . . .
