Summary
- General information
- Transportation
- Shopping
- Sightseeing
- Entertainment
- Useful numbers
- Useful italian phrases
Entertainment
Cinemas
The following is a short list of movie theaters offering English language movies:
- Alcazar
- Via Merry del Val, 14 Tel. 065880099 In English on Monday
- Pasquino
- Vicolo del Piede., Tel: 06 5803622.
- Majestic
- Via SS. Apostoli, 20., Tel: 06 6794908.
- Augustus
- Corso Vittorio Emanuele, 203., Tel: 06 6875455.
- Giulio Cesare
- Viale Giulio Cesare, 229., Tel: 06 39720877.
International Bookshops and Newsstand
There are many bookstores in Rome which carry a wide selection of English/French language titles as well as guide books. Some examples:
- Feltrinelli International, Via V. E. Orlando, 84
- British Council Library, Via delle Quattro Fontane, 20
- La Strada, Via Veneto (multi-language)
- Anglo-American Bookstore, Via della Vite, 102
- Economy Book and Video Centre, Via Torino 136.
- The Corner Bookshop, Via del Moro 48
- The Lion Bookshop, Via della Fontanella, 3
- The Open Door Bookshop, Via della Lungaretta, 25
- La Procure, Piazza San Luigi De Francesi, 23 (French)
A good selection of English and French magazines and newspapers are readily available at the many newsstands on Via Veneto and close to major tourist areas.
Dining Out
The Italian love of good food is manifested in the great variety of eating establishments. We offer you here a glossary of terms. For the names of particular restaurants, check our list of recommended restaurants or one of the many excellent guidebooks. All restaurants close one day of the week. It is best to phone ahead if in doubt.
Glossary of Italian Eating Establishments
- Bar
- Ubiquitous. Your neighborhood bar is where you get your morning coffee or the place to stop in for a quick lunch. Most bars charge more if you sit down, so do as the Romans do and eat at the Bar.
- Enoteca
- This is a wine shop. Wine tasting and light food, quiches, etc.
- Gelateria
- Ice cream shop.
- Osteria/Taverna
- Informal dining and often cheaper than restaurants and Trattorias. The food is usually simple.
- Paninoteca
- A glorified Bar selling a larger variety of sandwiches.
- Pizzeria
- The pizza is cooked in wood fired ovens. It is usually only available at night.
- Pub
- More like an American bar or a real English pub. Beer and wine are served. Lots of smoke, music, drinks and talk; often food.
- Ristorante
- Restaurants can be anything from simple to simply elegant but whatever the case this is the priciest type of eating establishment.
- Rosticceria
- Mostly take out food, spit roasted chicken, potatoes, salads. There are often a few tables for eating there.
- Sala da Te
- Similar to an English tea room, sandwiches, little cakes, delicate china. Prices can be very high.
- Tavola Calda
- Similar to a cafeteria. There is a wide array of food. The prices are usually reasonable.
- Trattoria
- Similar to a restaurant but with more “rustic” food or ambience. Prices usually lower than restaurants.
Recommended restaurants and trattorias
Via Veneto/Villa Borghese area
Expensive (€55,00 plus, per person) Reservations recommended |
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Medium Priced (€35,00 plus, per person) Reservation recommended |
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Lower Priced (Under €35,00 per person) |
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Piazza di Spagna area
Expensive (€55,00 plus, per person) |
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Medium Priced (€35,00 plus, per person) |
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Lower Priced (Under €35,00 per person) |
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Other locations in the city
Expensive (€55,00 plus, per person) |
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Medium Priced (€30,00 plus, per person) |
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Lower Priced (Under €35,00 per person) |
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Oriental cuisine via Veneto area/Piazza di Spagna area
- Jasmine
- Via Sicilia, 45
Tel. 06 42 88 49 83
Chinese
Closed Tuesdays - Hamasei SRL
- Via della Mercede, 35/36
Tel. 06 679 2413
Specialty: Japanese
Closed Mondays - Corono d’Oro
- Via Arcione, 85
Tel.: 06 678 34 06
Specialty Cantonese and Chinese
Open every day - La Perla d’Oriente X
- Via Due Macelli, 13
Tel.: 06 678 68 87
Chinese Restaurant
Open every day
Wine bars (enoteche)
- Antica Enoteca
- Via della Croce 166
Tel. 06 67 90 896.
Ideal place to stop for lunch or an afternoon drink while shopping near Piazza di Spagna. Sit at the bar and sample delicious, freshly prepared appetizers and drink the Fragolino — a sparkling, berry-flavored wine. Many wines to choose from.
Open daily 10:00 am to 1:00 am. Reservations suggested for Sundays. (€20,00 +)
Major credit cards accepted. - Trimani
- Via Cernaia 37-B
Tel. 06 44 69 630
Very sleek interior with art-deco mirrors and attractive cherry and marble bar. Waiters are knowledgeable about the extensive wine options. Italian and French cheeses, salads and mixed salumi (cured meats) make a light meal possible. Noon to 3 pm and 6 pm to midnight.
Closed Sundays.
Major credit cards accepted - Cul de Sac
- (Under €13)
Piazza Pasquino, 73
Tel. 06 68 80 10 94
This popular enoteca near Piazza Navona is among the city’s oldest and offers a book-length selection of wines from Italy, France and elsewhere. Food is eclectic, ranging from Italian meats and cheeses to several vegetarian options, a fantastic onion soup that bears no resemblance to the famed French version, and delicious desserts. Outside tables get crowded fast and Cul de Sac does not accept reservations.
No lunch on Mondays
Credits cards accepted: Master Card and Visa. - Enoteca Corsi
- (Under €13)
Via del Gesù, 88
Tel. 06 67 90 821
Very convenient to the historic center, in the Piazza Navona area, for lunch or an afternoon break (no dinner), this little wine bar looks like it missed the revolution; prices and decore are “come una volta” (like in the old days) when the shop sold - as the sign says - wine (red or white) and oil. The genuinely dated feel of the place has its charms: you can still get wine here by the liter, or choose from a good variety of fairly priced alternatives in bottles. There are also nicely prepared pastas and kind service.
Closed Sundays. No dinner.
Major credit cards accepted. - Enoteca Spiriti
- (Under €13)
Via SantEustacchio, 5
Near the Pantheon, this modern wine bar makes a good stop for a light meal after seeing the sights in the historical center. At lunch theres always a pasta and soup selection, as well as fish and meat specials of the day. Dinner is lighter, focusing on cured meats and cheeses.
Closed Sundays and during the month of August. No lunch served on Saturdays.
No credit cards accepted. - L’enoteca Antica di Via della Croce
- (Under €13)
Via della Croce, 76/b
Its location near the Spanish Steps makes it a great stop for an aperitivo (pre-dinner drink) before hitting the areas restaurants. A small menu including cured meats, pastas and salads also makes it appropriate for a good lunch.
Closed during the month of August.
Major credit cards accepted.
Pubs: some of the many in Rome
Near Termini
All the pubs are 10 mins walk South of Termini toward S. Maria Maggiore.
- Fiddlers Elbow, Via del Olmata, 43 (genuine Irish pub)
- Drunken Ship, Campo de’ Fiori, 20.
- Druids Den, Via S. Martino ai Monti, 28.
- Finnegan, Via Leonina, 66.
- Marconi’s, Via S. Prassede, 9
Centre
- Night and Day, Via dell’Oca, 50.( near Piazza del Popolo).
- La Vineria, Campo de’ Fiori, 15.
- The Victoria House, Via di Gesu’ e Maria, 18
- Birreria Peroni, Via di San Marcello, 19
Vatican
- Old Paddy, Viale delle Milizie, 80
- The Proud Lion, Borgo Pio, 36, (near Piazza Risorgimento).
Trastevere
- The Bug, Via dei Salumi, 3, (near Piazza in Piscinula).
- La Scala, Via della Scala, (near Piazza S. Maria in Trastevere)
- Molly Malone Irish Pub, Via dell’Arco di S. Callisto, 17
Pizza
When Romans are in a hurry, or don’t want to spend too much money, they will generally eat in the excellent pizzerias all over town. Pizzas are cooked in wood ovens and you can have a glass of wine or beer with your meal without spending much over € 13,00 - 16,00.
- Baffetto
- Via del Governo Vecchio, 114
Tel. 06 68 61 617
Closed: Sunday and during the month of August
A well-known pizzeria in the Piazza Navona area. - Dar Poeta
- Vicolo del Bologna, 45
Tel. 06 58 80 516
Romans drive across town for great pizza from this neighborhood joint on a small street in Trastevere. Maybe its the dough - the pizza is a bit cheaper than average, and made from a secret blend of flours that is reputed to be easier to digest than the competition. For dessert, theres an unusual calzone with ricotta and Nutella chocolate-hazelnut spread. Lunch is not served. Reservations are not accepted.
All major credit cards accepted. - La Montecarlo
- (Under € 13)
Vicolo Savelli, 12
Tel. 06 68 61 877
In the Piazza Navona area, its open for both lunch and dinner. Reservations not accepted. Closed for two weeks in mid-August and on Mondays from November to April.
No credit cards accepted. - Popi-popi
- Via delle Fratte di Trastevere, 46
Tel. 06 58 95 167
This casual place attracts both tourists and locals, all of whom are drawn to the house specialty, pizza Popi-popi with tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, sausage, artichokes, and loves. If that doesnt satisfy, Popi-popi also has moderately priced, good-quality steaks. Reservations not accepted. - Pizzaré
- Via di Ripetta, 14 (p. Del Popolo)
Tel. 063211468
Good quality of Pizza.
Cafes and tea rooms
- ANTICO CAFFE DELLA PACE Piazza della Pace
- ANTICO CAFFE GRECO Via Condotti, 86
- S. EUSTACHIO Piazza S. Eustachio, 32
- BABINGTONS Piazza di Spagna, 23