Where To Eat Near Vatican City - Insider Tips On The Best Restaurants And Cafés!

If you're wondering where to eat near Vatican City, and think your only choices are bad-food and over-priced tourist spots, think again!

saint peter's basilicaVisiting the Vatican takes a lot of energy. You're going to want to eat something before and after these intense visits. Find out where to go nearby!

Where to Eat Near Vatican - a comprehensive guide

If you plan to visit the Vatican when you are in Rome, it will take a good chunk of a day.

So you will want to eat something before and/or after, and nearby.

The problem, like with so many other tourist-filled areas of Rome, is knowing how to wade through the many touristy spots, and find the good ones, even the great ones.


On this page, you'll find many options for where to eat near Vatican City:

I've been to and recommend every place on this page.

I'll give you and honest rundown about the convenience, the ambiance, the food, etc.

Most are within a 15-minute walk from Saint Peter's Basilica or the Vatican Museums

Where to eat near Vatican for breakfast or coffee

You might have breakfast in your hotel before heading over to the Vatican.

But if you are staying in the area, or, if you want to make breakfast near the Vatican part of your experience, these are your best bets:

Sciascia Caffè

Sciascia Caffè serves some of the best coffee in Rome

Add to that a charming, cozy atmosphere, where you can actually sit and enjoy your coffee without paying extra (this is a big deal in Rome!), and you have one of the most perfect spots for fueling up before a day at the Vatican.

sciascia caffè in romeSciascia Caffè does not look it from the outside, but amazing coffee is waiting for you inside

Details:

  • Address: Via Fabio Massimo, 80/A
  • Opening hours: Monday-Sunday 07:00-21:00
  • Logistics: About 2.5 blocks from Ottaviano Metro Stop. From there, 12-15 min walk to Vatican Museums.

Caffetteria Ruberto 

One of the most local spots there is in this neighborhood.

You want a basic Roman bar, serving hot croissants and creamy cappuccinos for breakfast?

This is the place.

Details:

  • Address: Via Silla, 16 
  • Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 06:10-19:00 | Saturdays: 06:10-13:00 | Sundays CLOSED
  • Logistics: About 1.5 blocks from Ottaviano Metro Stop. From there, 10-12 min walk to Vatican Museums.

Where to eat near Vatican for a quick, delicious lunch

The most popular request I get for where to eat near Vatican is for a quick lunch.

If you walk around the area near Saint Peter's Square, and the Vatican Museums, you will see one place after another.

Some are sit down restaurants, others are just coffee bars.

Sorry but most of these are either poor quality, or a ripoff.

If you want to eat well, and for a fair price, near the Vatican for lunch, you have lots of great options (below.)

But first read this, in case you go it on your own:

Avoid getting ripped off!

I often see local news stories about someone (usually a tourist) being outraged by the high prices they were charged to "just have a sandwich and a beer" near the Vatican.

Here's what happens:

When people are looking for where to eat near Vatican, they are often just hungry and tired, and they plunk themselves down at the first place they see, often with tables outside.

The waiter comes and they order food and drink.

When the bill arrives, the shock sets in.

But the restaurant is (usually) doing nothing illegal.

They have (by law) placed their "table pricing" (which is often considerably more than "bar pricing") somewhere visible, so it is up to the customer to look for this pricing, whether posted inside, or on a physical menu, and make an informed decision before ordering.

Pizzarium di Gabriele Bonci

I sometimes come all the way across town by metro, without even going to the Vatican, just to eat this amazing pizza by the slice place.

pizza selections at pizzariumYou are spoiled for choice at Pizzarium, where the toppings range from the simple to the sublime

The dough is perfectly light, and the toppings are among the tastiest and most interesting you will find in Rome. 

supplì at pizzariumIt's impossible to come to Pizzarium and not try one of their amazing supplì

Add to that a fascinating selection of supplì (rice balls), and friendly, brisk service, and you have a super spot for a quick lunch near the Vatican.

Caveat - there is hardly any place to sit down, and it gets really really crowded between around 1-2pm.

pizzarium from outsidePizzarium is easy to spot, but there is not much room for standing to eat, let alone sitting. But that doesn't matter because the pizza is worth it!

Details:

  • Address: Via della Meloria, 43
  • Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 10:00-20:00 | Saturday-Sunday CLOSED
  • Logistics: Right at the Cipro metro stop. Come up the escalators towards the left side, and via Meloria will be at the end of the block in front of you. Less than 10 minutes' walk to the Vatican museums.

Foodie Alert!

Pizzarium has become pretty famous among foodies both in Rome and out.

Anthony Bourdain loved it. All the food bloggers rave.

And I concur!

You may want to indulge in a fun- and food-filled walking tour in the area, that includes a visit to Pizzarium.

There is one food tour that begins in the morning, so you could fortify before an afternoon Vatican visit.

There is another food tour that begins in the evening, so you can reward yourself after all that walking, and have a fantastic time putting all those calories back!

Duecento Gradi

Duecento Gradi (200 degrees), is a bit cramped and looks kind of like just another fast-food sandwich shop.

But they have a super-varied menu, including offerings for vegetarians AND vegans!

And everything is made to order.

sandwich and wrap ingredients at duecento gradiDuecento Gradi - made to order sandwiches, salads and wraps

There is a small area for sitting in the back, so it's fine for a quick pit-stop or just to pick up a sandwich on the go.

Details: 

  • Address: Piazza del Risorgimento, 3
  • Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 10:00-02:00 | Friday-Saturday: 10:00-04:00 | Sundays: 10:00-02:00
  • Logistics: Right on Piazza Risorgimento, and literally in between the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Square.

The perfect 3-day itinerary in Rome

Trying to figure out how to organize your visit to Rome? I've got the perfect 3-day itinerary for first-time visitors (or those who have not been here in a while.) It works for a 2.5 day visit as well.

In my 3-day itinerary, you'll see all the major must-see Rome attractions like the Vatican, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, Piazza Navona, Spanish Steps, Castel Sant'Angelo, and much more.

And if you have more time, or want suggestions for extra/other things to do, you'll find that there too.

Visit my page with the best 3-day itinerary in Rome for first-timers.


Where to Eat Near Vatican for Lunch or Dinner - sit-down

In many people's busy touring schedules, sitting down for lunch or dinner near the Vatican may not fit in.

But if you do have time, or perhaps are staying in the area, and want to eat well, here are the best options for where to eat near Vatican for a sit-down meal:

Osteria delle Commari

A friend who lives in the area told me about this place and I just love it.

It's simple, affordable, cozy and has good food. 

And, it's literally steps from the entrance / exit of the Vatican Museums.

ostaria delle commari exteriorOsteria delle Commari is only a block from the Vatican Museums, and easy to find
osteria delle commari interiorThe inside of Osteria delle Commari is cozy and inviting
gnocchi with pecorino, pear and guancialeThis gnocchi with pecorino, pear and guanciale made for a delicious lunch

Details: 

Looking for gluten-free options?

There are plenty of spots near the Vatican where you can eat gluten-free!

Visit my page about where to eat gluten-free in Rome.

Zanzara

Zanzara is part restaurant, part bistro, part wine bar. And it all works.

zanzara interiorThe inside of Zanzara is light and airy, and makes for a nice lunch spot near the Vatican

Open all day every day, and serving all kinds of very good food, including mini-portions for when you just want a snack or aperitif, Zanzara is a great restaurant choice for where to eat near Vatican. 

mini-portion of eggplant parmesanThis mini-portion of eggplant parmesan was delicious and smooth, not tart or bitter. Lots of choices like this on the fun and interesting menu at Zanzara

Zanzara also has a sister restaurant, il Baccano, that I love too, near the Trevi Fountain.

Details: 

  • Address: Via Crescenzio, 84
  • Phone: +39 06 6839 2227
  • Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 07:30-02:00 (kitchen closed at 00:30) | Saturday-Sunday: 08:00-02:00 (kitchen closed at 01:00)
  • Logistics: One block from Piazza Risorgimento, and only a few minutes' walk to Piazza San Pietro.

Secondo Tradizione

Across from Pizzarium, you will find one of Rome's most delectable old-school delis, or salumeria, La Tradizione:

la tradizione deli in romeA wonderful place to shop, or even to just look at...although it's not that easy to get something to eat on the spot here.


They eventually opened a restaurant nearby, La Tradizione, a new way of eating gourmet food at affordable prices.

secondo tradizione restaurant in romeAt Secondo Tradizione, a warm and inviting ambiance

You can choose from a superb selection of cheeses and cold cuts...

Tagliere of cold cuts at Secondo TradizioneThis gorgeous "tagliere" was made of delectable cold cuts and cheeses, some of them difficult to find elsewhere


You can sample traditional Roman specialties like all the classic pasta dishes (amatriciana, carbonara, cacio e pepe); trippa alla Romana (tripe, or intestines, in a savory tomato sauce), and simple grilled lamb chops:

trippa alla romana at Secondo Tradizione in romeTrippa alla Romana at Secondo Tradizione
lamb chops scottaditto at Secondo Tradizione in romeLamb chops "scottaditto" at Secondo Tradizione

... to delicately fried veggies and offal:

frittura alla romana at secondo tradizioneFrittura alla Romana - fried Roman appetizers. The batter is perfectly light and crispy, allowing the flavors of the fried stuff to burst through!

...to innovative and unusual dishes created just for this restaurant, like these:

beet spaghetti with fried seaweed and caviar at secondo tradizioneBeet spaghetti topped with fried seaweed and caviar
poached egg on a bed of morel mushrooms and spring asparagus at secondo tradizionePoached egg on a bed of morel mushrooms and spring asparagus, served with a side of vegetable-broth-soaked crusty bread

Add a delectable wine list, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and you have one of the best all around places where to eat near Vatican, for lunch or dinner.

Details: 

  • Address: Via Rialto, 39
  • Phone: +39 06 3973 4757
  • Opening hours (restaurant): Monday-Saturday: 12:30-16:00, 19:00-23:30 | Sundays CLOSED
  • Opening hours (bar): Monday-Saturday: 16:00-23:30 | Sundays CLOSED
  • Logistics: About 1.5 blocks from Cipro Metro Stop. From there, 15 min walk to Vatican Museums.

Velavevodetto ai Quiriti

Flavio's original restaurant in Testaccio is already one of the faves among Rome food lovers.

This is his second location and it's just as good.


flavio's signature ravioli with ricottaIt's hard not to always order Flavio's signature dish of ricotta ravioli at Velavevodetto


This restaurant is slightly further away then the others on this page, but I think it's one of the best places where to eat near Vatican...even if you have at least a 15-minute walk to get there.

Details: 

  • Address: Piazza dei Quiriti, 4/5
  • Phone: +39 06 3600 0009
  • Opening hours: Monday-Sunday: 12:30-14:30, 19:30-22:30
  • Logistics: About 6 blocks from Ottaviano metro, away from the Vatican. Then about 15 minutes' walk to Saint Peter's Square.

Caffetteria Ruberto 

Sometimes you just want a good, plain simple tavola calda.

tavola calda at caffeteria rubertoCaffeteria Ruberto has a vast offering for their tavola calda

If you are not sure what that is, it's basically like cafeteria style dining.

The food is made in the morning, and then put out on platters on display.

tavola calda closeup at caffeteria rubertoYou can eat well and inexpensively at the tavola calda lunch at Caffeteria Ruberto near the Vatican

You ask for what you want, they heat it up for you, then you take it on a try to a table inside.

Plain, simple, fresh and good.

And, it's a great way to have a very inexpensive sit-down lunch near the Vatican.

tavola calda menu caffeteria rubertoThe menu for tavola calda lunch at Caffeteria Ruberto

Details:

  • Address: Via Silla, 16 
  • Phone: +39 06 321 1761
  • Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 06:10-19:00 | Saturdays: 06:10-13:00 | Sundays CLOSED
  • Logistics: About 1.5 blocks from Ottaviano Metro Stop. From there, 10-12 min walk to Vatican Museums.

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L'Arcangelo

L'Arcangelo is one of the best choices of where to eat near Vatican, if you don't mind it being almost 20 minutes' walk from Saint Peter's.

I assure you it's worth it.


pigeon in mustard sauce with beets arcangeloPigeon in mustard sauce with roasted beets at L'Arcangelo

This is the place if you are looking for a romantic dinner, or just a really good Roman meal with amazing food. 

They are also famous for their carbonara which is excellent.

And if you go on a Thursday do NOT miss his signature gnocchi:

gnocchi all'amatriciana arcangeloThe gnocchi (only on Thursdays) at L'Arcangelo are some of the best you will ever eat. These were all'amatriciana, but you can have other sauces too.

Details:

  • Address: Via Giuseppe Gioacchino Belli 59
  • Phone: +39 06 321 0992
  • Opening hours: Monday-Saturday: 19:30-23:00 | Sundays CLOSED 
  • Reservations are a must
  • Logistics: About 15 minutes' walk from Ottaviano Metro stop. Less than 20 minutes to Saint Peter's Square. 

Ragno D'Oro

Ragno D'Oro is a classic Roman trattoria where you can get all the traditional Roman Cuisine. 

The ambience is basic, the waiters are friendly, and the food is simple, Roman and delicious.


carciofo alla giudia ragno d'oroThis is a perfect carciofo alla giudia (Jewish style fried artichoke) at Ragno D'Oro
amatriciana ragno 'oroTraditional tagliolini all'amatriciana at Ragno D'Oro

Details:

  • Address: Via Silla, 26 
  • Phone: +39 06 321 2362
  • Opening hours: Monday-Thursday: 12:30-15:00, 19:00-23:00 | Friday-Saturday: 12:30-15:00, 19:00-23:30 | Sundays CLOSED
  • Logistics: (Next to Caffeteria Ruberto, listed above.) About 1.5 blocks from Ottaviano Metro Stop. From there, 10-12 min walk to Vatican Museums.

Temakinho

Want to know where to eat near Vatican City for some ethnic food?

Brazilian sushi has become all the rage in recent years (and not just in Rome.)

If you have no idea what I'm talking about, think salmon rolls with mango, think ceviche and caipirinhas. 

tuna tartare appetizer at temakinhoThis tuna tartare appetizer at Temakinho was divine


This location is pretty awesome, since there is a little outside section at street level, a hip and lively bar inside, an upper dining room, and, best of all, a rooftop for outdoor dining with views.


Details:

Where to Eat Near Vatican for a Glass of Wine/Aperitivo

Zanzara


I've already listed Zanzara as a great option for where to eat near Vatican for lunch or dinner, but they have a nice Happy Hour as well.

bar inside zanzaraTime for Happy Hour at Zanzara

They have outside tables too, even if on a busy street, and there is quite the local vibe at aperitivo time.

pouring our wine at happy hour zanzaraPouring our wine for Happy Hour at the bar in Zanzara

Details: 

  • Address: Via Crescenzio, 84
  • Phone: +39 06 6839 2227
  • Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 07:30-02:00 (kitchen closed at 00:30) | Saturday-Sunday: 08:00-02:00 (kitchen closed at 01:00)
  • Logistics: One block from Piazza Risorgimento, and only a few minutes' walk to Piazza San Pietro.

Del Frate

Del Frate started as a simple enoteca selling wine, and has long become a local neighborhood favorite since they opened a dining area too.

The food is excellent and nicely presented.

Add friendly service and yummy wine choices, and you have a great, local spot for an aperitivo near the Vatican.

There is some space to eat outside also.

del frate enotecaDel Frate enoteca - a great neighborhood spot for a drink (with food if you like)

Details: 

  • Address: Via degli Scipioni, 118/122
  • Phone: +39 06 323 6437
  • Opening hours: Mondays: Aperitivo 18:00–20:00, Dinner 20:00–01:00 | Tuesday-Saturday: Lunch 12:30–15:30, Aperitivo 18:00–20:00, Dinner 20:00–01:00 | Sundays CLOSED
  • In December also open Sundays
  • Logistics: One and a half blocks from Ottaviano metro, 15 minutes' walk to Saint Peter's Square and 5-7 minutes' walk from Vatican museums.

Sorpasso

Sorpasso also belongs in the sit-down lunch/dinner category for where to eat near Vatican.

inside sorpassoThe bar inside Sorpasso, but there are also tables outside and in the back

Their food is absolutely divine, fresh, innovative and very local. Their cheeses are special and unusual, and the menu changes daily. 

cheese plate at sorpassoThe cheese assortment at Sorpasso is not your typical cheese plate


There is a gorgeous sunlit back room, but also a fun area with tables outside.

And they have a sister bar one street over as well, Passaguai, which is indeed more wine bar.

You cannot go wrong at either of these.

Details: 

  • Address: Via Properzio, 31/33
  • Phone: +39 06 8902 4554
  • Opening hours: Monday-Friday: 07:30–01:00 | Saturdays: 09:00-01:00 | Sundays CLOSED
  • Logistics: Five minutes' walk from Piazza Risorgimento. Ten minutes walk from Saint Peter's Square.

Gelato Near the Vatican

You will find a lot of gelato near the Vatican.

But great gelato? There are only a few.

Gelateria dei Gracchi

Gelateria dei Gracchi has long been a local favorite, and is one of the best places to get gelato near the Vatican, if not all of Rome.

Once you try any of their nut flavors, you will see why.


flavors at gelateria dei gracchiJust some of the amazing flavors at Gelateria dei Gracchi

Details:

  • Address: Via dei Gracchi, 272 
  • Monday-Thursday: 11:00-24:00 | Friday-Saturday: 11:00-00:30 | Sundays: 11:00-24:00
  • Logistics: Closer to Lepanto metro stop, just before Ottaviano, but still only 5 minutes' walk from Ottaviano metro stop. About 15 minutes' walk from Saint Peter's Square.


What Options You Have for Eating INSIDE the Vatican

If you forget to eat before your Vatican visit, or don't feel you have time to go some where to eat near Vatican, you can opt to eat inside the Vatican:

Eating inside St. Peter's Basilica

St. Peter's Basilica is a church, so you have almost nowhere to eat inside. However, you do have one option.

st peter's basilica roofWhen you climb Saint Peter's dome, you will find a small souvenir shop, a café and a bathroom up on the roof.

If you climb the dome of St. Peter's basilica, you will find a small café up there on the roof.

It's got pretty limited options for eating, but it will do in a pinch.

The café is on the main roof, which you can access by elevator.

Eating inside the Vatican Museums


There are actually quite a few options for eating inside the Vatican Museums.

As soon as you enter the museums, you can head downstairs to the large food hall, for some limited fast-food, pizza and cafeteria type options.

None of this food is great but it will keep you fuelled.


vatican museums cafeteriaThe Vatican Museums café is fine in a pinch, but not your best option of where to eat near Vatican!


Alternatively, you can book some very interesting meals inside the Vatican Museums, like a pre-opening VIP tour with buffet breakfast, or Happy Hour on Friday night (which of course includes a night visit to the museums.)

Where to Eat Near Vatican - a Map

I've given address and directions to each of the above places to eat near the Vatican.

But just in case, here is a map with all of them. It opens in a new window.


Vatican-Eat-Pin

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