Rome, this impossibly romantic city. Turn any corner while walking the narrow cobbled streets of the city and you have yet some antique treasure or landmark that will blow your mind. Italy is a country where you really get to enjoy good quality produce and food. The good news for vegans is that we get to go off the beaten tourist track to enjoy really great quality food. Which for an omnivore in Rome, can be a lot more tricky, especially if you are walking along a particularly busy street near any of the sights. So good news for us!
I’m just back from a fabulous, delicious and amazing trip to Rome and I’d love to share my experience with you.
Date updated: 30/04/2019
Places I visited
Ginger
Go for: amazing fruit platters and really, really healthy food
We went here twice as we lived close by. Once for dinner and once for breakfast. They offer juices, bowls and also dinner. It’s a mixed restaurant and by that, I mean that they have vegan options on their menu. I tried one of their steamed plates fora very late dinner. For breakfast, I ordered a plate of avocado and a fruit platter. The fruit platters are an experience so I highly recommend trying one of those if you like exotic fruits.
Located: Have several locations, view website for specifics
Vivi Bistrot
Go for: breakfast
We went here for breakfast twice. They have lunch and dinner as well. They offer one sandwich, various smoothies and juices and bowls for vegans. We went to Umberto which is situated in the vicinity of a theatre or cinema. It’s quite a cute spot.
Located: Have several locations, view website for specifics
Mater Terrae
Go for: fine dining with great service and an unforgettable evening. Dine under the stars with Rome as your view.
This was truly an amazing experience. I don’t have any photos of my food as when I go to these types of places I don’t think it’s suitable to take photos of your food. For me, it ruins the experience of being in the moment. However, I can highly recommend this place. Both for the food, service and also for the entire experience of eating outside and view Rome spread out. With the Vatican to one side and the rest of Rome to the other. This was an unforgettable experience that I will remember forever. They are mentioned in the guide de Michelin for good reasons. They have a vegan and vegetarian menu. Everything marked with a star in their menu they can veganise, which is fab. I have an incredible eggplant dish for starter, then I had an amazing pasta dish with fresh truffle for a main. You can’t go wrong with that!
Located: Largo Febo, 2, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Ecru
My main, raw marinated artichoke
My dessert from my first visit -when in Rome, coffee and chocolate!
Go for: raw food
We went here twice as we were in the vicinity anyway. They have a raw concept but have sandwiches etc as well. And they got a Kombucha bar with quite a lot of options.
However, they where out of things both times we where there so I could not order what I wanted to try. But that was ok anyway.
They also offer breakfast options. A good thing to have in mind as Rome does not have the same breakfast culture as the rest of Europe (and I’m a breakfast person, I love breakfast)
Located: Via Acciaioli, 13, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Origano
Go for: pizza! and classic Italian desserts
This is a restaurant that has plenty of vegan options on their menu. From pizza, pasta to dessert. A great place to eat if you are a mixed company as everyone is is ensured to eat well. I had the pizza and I must say that it was the best pizza I’ve had since I was in New York two years ago.
Located: Largo Dei Chiavari 83-84, 00186 Rome, Italy
Grezzo Raw Chocolate
Go for: the best and most beautiful raw desserts you will have in your life!
This is an experience! Its the tiniest little shops, but such a treasure. The raw desserts that they create are works of art and they taste even better. This was quite a long way away from where we stayed so, unfortunately, I only had the opportunity to visit once. This is the place of dreams! A definite must when you are in Rome!
Located: Via Urbana, 130, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Buddy Italian Restaurant
Sorry for the bad photo. It’s much more delicious than it looks!
Go for: you have to try the polenta! OMG! Italian comfort food as it best.
This is a classic Italian restaurant that also has vegan options on their menu. We went for a late dinner and I just had to try their polenta. Polenta is one of my favourite comfort foods. I loved it. Don’t be to harsh on the photo, as it looks quite weird, but its oh so good!
Located: Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Hosteria
Go for: juice and a rare quiet moment of the busy streets of Rome
If you are looking for a moment to just collect yourself in a quiet place. I recommend the courtyard that is quite hidden at Hosteria. Grab a juice and relax or visit their tea room.
Located: Via Bocca di Leone, 46, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Antico Caffé Greco
Go for: the experience of sipping a soy cappuccino in a historic environment
This is the oldest cafe and tea room in Rome. It’s filled with art, antiques and has a lovely ambience with the well-dressed staff that work there. Of course, the overpriced cup of coffee is worth it, in my opinion anyway. I’m happy to support this establishment in any way I can. Also, your non-vegan friends will love the cake selection :)
Located: Via dei Condotti, 86, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Angelico Box Bistro
Go for: juices, smoothies, salads and soups
This is a place near the Vatican, where we stopped for a juice. I perceived the menu to consist of mainly light and healthy food. If you want to stay on your healthy eating path while in Rome and you are in the area, it’s worth a visit. Otherwise, there is an abundance of juices and smoothies all over Rome.
Located: Via del Falco, 37/38, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
At the airport
When you fly from Fiumicino/Leonardo Da Vinci International airport, there are actually cafés where you can have vegan food. Either it’s marked as vegan and I found the staff super helpful when I asked. You can even find vegan croissants and carrot cake at the airport.
On my wishlist
Flower Burger
This place is all over Pinterest right now. Unfortunately I didn’t have time to visit but the pictures look delicious!
Located: Via dei Gracchi, 87, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Escosazio
I walked past this place and it looked very fresh and cute. I saved this on my phone. But I didn’t have the time to visit it. An organic cafe with juices and fresh fruit salads.
Located: Via dei Banchi Vecchi, 135, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
The worst experience
Il Magutta
I had a particularly disappointing brunch here. The restaurant seated us for the brunch buffet even though the kitchen was closed and it wasn’t that much food left. I ended up eating the most expensive pieces of grilled peppers in my life. Even though we got a €10 off the initial price. They should have done the right thing from the start and just informed us that it was almost over and the food was disappearing.
Disclaimer: some photographs are borrowed with the purpose to showcase the restaurant