Where to eat near the Colosseum: restaurants, pizzerias, and street food

And if you're looking for a great place to do your shopping, there's La Madragora, on Via Celimontana.

The Bocconcino

At number 23 Via Ostilia, there is the Il Bocconcino osteria, which celebrates Roman and Lazio traditions, with original recipes recovered from ancient culinary texts, such as those of Ada Boni, Pellegrino Artusi and Livio Jannattoni. The interior of the restaurant, which seats around fifty people plus an outdoor area, reflects the classic Roman trattoria, but has been modernised in its details and furnishings. Central to the offering is the Roman-Jewish component, which with its slightly conservative soul is also a historical memory of the flavours of the eternal city. Here you can eat dishes such as Ngozzomodi (16 euros), white meatballs that were given to the children of the ghetto during festive fasts, or Tordo Matto (18), veal skewers with bacon, livers and bay leaves, roasted on the grill. Among the first courses, we also point out the Tagliolini with Duck and Thyme Ragout (18), a dish originating from an early twentieth-century recipe book. In the kitchen, the "good km" principle applies, which does not necessarily always correspond to the "zero km" one, as explained by the creator and owner of Il Bocconcino, Giancarlo Pragliola, who left his job as a pharmacist to dedicate himself to his restaurant, inheriting his passion for cooking from Nonno Alfredo.

Il Bocconcino. Via Ostilia 23, Rome. Tel. 06 77079175. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

The Districts in Santiquattro

Since 1986, Celio has been home to the Li Rioni pizzeria in Santiquattro, a name that refers to the street where the restaurant is located, just steps from the church of Santiquattro Coronati. It's the ideal place for those who love a thin, crispy pizza, from the classic Margherita to the Napoli, perhaps with buffalo mozzarella, or the bianca with stracciata, tomato, and basil. A simple, traditionally furnished yet welcoming space, with marble-topped tables and wooden chairs, where the aim is to maintain the cheerful, infectious atmosphere that reigned when Giancarlo was at the register, always ready to find a table for his customers and delight them with his tales of ancient Rome. Or again, when Maria, a true hostess, cooked with passion and dedication.

Li Rioni. Via dei SS. Quattro 24, Rome. Tel. 06 70450605. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

Sarkos

Since last November, meat lovers have had a new point of reference in Rome: Sarkós (from the Greek “meat, fleshy part”), an evening restaurant and cocktail bar, located in Piazza Iside. Primary aromas and flavours, which are enriched with contaminations giving life to a menu waiting to be discovered. The restaurant has various spaces: in fact there are two internal floors plus an outdoor area. The protagonist of the offer is meat, with various cuts of different origins, from Japan to America and a particular attention to grilling. Among the starters there is the Bao Buns with pulled beef stew and chimicurri sauce (10), among the first courses the picio acqua e farina all'amatriciana di patanegra (16), before moving on to the Danish beef tartare, of various types, such as the one with truffle (20) and the picanha or black angus carpaccio. The Sarkós cellar offers a selection of fine wines to complement your dining experience, from sparkling wines like Prosecco and Champagne to whites, rosés, and reds.

Sarkós. Piazza Iside 5, Rome. Tel. 06 90282245. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

Aroma

Palazzo Manfredi needs no introduction, nor does its Michelin-starred restaurant, Aroma, located on the top floor of the 5-star hotel. Its tables overlooking the Colosseum are among the most Instagrammed on social media, from sunset toasts to romantic dinners. It's the domain of chef Giuseppe Di Iorio and his kitchen team. The menu is based on top-quality ingredients, with a focus on local excellence, crafted with exquisite technique. Various tasting menus range from €150 to €240, with wine pairings available. They range from sophisticated dishes like amberjack tataki in pomegranate osmosis with sesame and turnips or beef carpaccio with hazelnut emulsion and provolone di Monaco, to traditional dishes like amatriciana or shaken carbonara.

Aroma. Via Labicana 125, Rome. Tel. 06 97615109. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

The Court

Between the main body of Palazzo Manfredi and the Grand View Suites building lies The Court, a mixology temple and rooftop cocktail bar founded by Matteo Zed. The panoramic terrace extends over a courtyard enclosed by two high walls, with the bar on one side, lounges on the other, and a walkway separating the spaces. The view overlooks the Ludus Magnus, the ancient Roman gladiator gymnasium. The menu is extensive: from the Perfect Vermuttino to The Court Margarita, the Metamorphosis Negroni, and the Tropical Matcha Mojito.

The Court. Via Labicana 125, Rome. Tel. 06 69354581. Website. Facebook. Instagram.

Lelé Natural Food

Lelé Natural Food is the perfect place for those seeking primarily vegetarian cuisine in the Colosseum area. The menu is updated daily, but there are also standard dishes like parmigiana and lasagna, along with a wide selection of baked vegetables. For a few months now, meat options have been available, such as chicken, meatloaf, and scallops. Everything comes from local farmers, with particular attention to the local ingredients and the animals' diet. Dishes are also seasonal, such as the pumpkin and scamorza lasagna in the fall (€5). For a quick lunch, you can opt for a customizable sandwich or a large salad (both €5). Desserts also change daily and include tiramisu, cakes, plum cake, or banana bread. Meal reservations can be made via WhatsApp.

Lelé Natural Food. Via di S. Giovanni in Laterano 56, Rome. Tel. 349 7175814. Facebook. Instagram.

STREET FOOD

The Parsley

La Prezzemolina, a pizzeria by the slice, welcomes locals and tourists from around the world every day. It's hard not to remember its address once you arrive on Via dei Fori Imperiali: it's located at Via del Colosseo 1, at the foot of the Monti district. Another highlight of the restaurant is the organic garden attached to the pizzeria, located in Nepi, in the Viterbo area. This is where the herbs used in the kitchen come from, including zucchini and peppers. Try the crunchy white pizza with mortadella and puntarelle, as well as the crispy breaded supplì (3.50 for the classic) and the stringy fried lasagna (4.50). Then there's the carbonara pizza, with ventricina, both made with cured meats from Lazio, and buffalo mozzarella, as well as vegan and vegetarian options.

La Prezzemolina. Via del Colosseo 1, Rome. Tel. 06 94843773. Facebook. Instagram.

[Cover photo Aroma]