I visited Rome for the first time about a month ago, and I was impressed. It was a decision that was made relatively quickly, but it was worth it. Based on the cities I have traveled to so far, Rome -for me- is ranked as one of the most beautiful. And this has to do not only with the city’s location but also with the sights, people, and food. In short, it is a patchwork of things that have won a place in my heart! So let’s see what you can see and where you can eat delicious vegan dishes in Rome.
5 + 1 places to visit in Rome!
1. The Colosseum
The construction of the Colosseum began in 72 AD. and was completed in 80 AD. Initially, it was named the Flavian Amphitheater, but it took its name from the statue of Nero located there and was called “The Colossus.” In the Colosseum, fights, comedies, and duels of animals or gladiators were organized. Unfortunately, this point has been looted and destroyed significantly over the centuries, evident to today’s visitors. Anyway, it is one of the most popular and beloved sights in Rome and in my opinion, you should not miss it if you plan to visit Rome.
2. The Pantheon
The Pantheon was built in the 1st century AD., but disasters and fires led to its reconstruction in the 2nd century AD. Initially, it was dedicated to all the gods of Rome, but a few centuries later, during the 7th century AD., it converted to a Christian church. So, after visiting the Pantheon, take a walk in the shops around it, since the Piazza della Rotonda where the Pantheon is located, is a square full of life. Restaurants, cafes, ice cream parlors, souvenir shops, and every other kind of thing are a part of it, where it is worth wandering, taking a break, and enjoying a meal, a coffee, or a drink. The store clerks are on the street and will invite you to try their cuisine. There is also the menu of each restaurant, so you can see which one best suits your wishes and enjoy it!
3. Fontana di Trevi
The baroque fountain of the city is one of the most popular places in Rome for the wishes that visitors make to the fountain to be realized. Also, due to its great height, width, and disarming beauty, it is one of the most photographed places in Rome. So if you want to be able to take your photos and make a unique wish, which I hope will come true (mine has not happened yet, haha), you have to go early. Specifically, we arrived at the point around 9 in the morning, and it was already quite crowded. However, we were lucky, since the crowd was not so intense, so we managed to take pictures, make a wish, and also enjoy our coffee with a vegan croissant in the unique cafe located in front of the Fontana di Trevi. So what else can someone want?
4. Piazza di Spagna
This square is one of the most popular in the city. It was the first square that, when I told my friends that I was going to Rome, they said to me that I had to visit. There is a fountain in the center of the square, the Fontana della Barcaccia. Just opposite, there is the famous staircase with 136 steps. The architecture of the court is baroque and makes it particularly impressive.
Remember, of course, that there are many people there and if you want to be able to take a picture, you have to go very early. In other words, don’t make my own mistake, where I chose to go at noon, and in the end, not only could I not take a photo, but we couldn’t even walked. Personally, of all the sights I visited during my stay in Rome, this was the one that had the most people. Also, there are many cobbled streets around the square, where you can find restaurants, cafes, and many shops with clothes, accessories, and souvenirs where you can do your shopping or try everything you like.
5. Villa Borghese
Villa Borghese is a large mansion. It was bought in the 19th century by Cardinal Scipione Caffarelli-Borghese, a nephew of Pope Paul V. Now there; you can find many water areas of incomparable beauty, refreshments, and lots of greenery. There are many activities that you can do, and in my opinion, they are worth choosing, starting from a romantic picnic in nature, a boat trip on the pond, and cycling. That was our choice! So we decided on a double bike and started exploring the area. The truth is that the site is enormous, so it is tough to tour it on foot fully. Of course, there are also electric bikes in case someone prefers them. There is everything you need, and you can rent the equipment that suits you best. Anyway, Villa Borghese is a must for me that I will visit one more time if I am in Rome again.
6. The Vatican
Last but not least, I want to talk to you about the Vatican, which was one of the most impressive things I have ever seen in my life! The Vatican is an independent state and the smallest state in size and population worldwide. Then, there is the Holy See, which is the spiritual center of the Catholic Church. The Vatican is built on the banks of the Tiber River and is surrounded by medieval walls. The main building at the entrance to the Vatican from the main gate is the Basilica of St. Peter, and next to it is the Sistine Chapel. This chapel is decorated with frescoes by Michael Angelos and many other works of art that “transfer” history to today. In the central square of the Vatican, there is a fountain and an obelisk, two of the most photographed places. The Vatican, generally, is an awe-inspiring place since both the buildings and the works of art, as well as the feelings of awe that it creates for you, are dazzling! It is also a point that I consider a must near Rome!
Vegan in Rome? Of course!
Italy, in general, is one of the most famous destinations for its delicious, Mediterranean cuisine and pasta dishes, as well as the perfect pizza dough. You may be thinking about what to eat and if you find vegan options, but my dear, you are in Rome! There is no way to deprive yourself of food and even good food! I guarantee you that!
I chose to visit a variety of restaurants and ice cream stores, vegan or vegan friendly, to see as much as possible the range of cuisine and flavors. However, the truth is that there was not a day that I didn’t return to the hotel and think about what delicious meals I ate today. For this reason, I want to tell you that Rome is a destination completely friendly to vegans and worth a visit!
1. Buddy VEGGY Restaurant-Cafe
I start with this particular restaurant, which in my opinion was the best I tried in Rome! And I’m not exaggerating at all; I mean it. You know how much I love pasta, so you can imagine how demanding I am with it. This restaurant is located near the Pantheon. Its place is magical and very romantic, I would say. We chose it for dinner, and I can say that the low lighting and the lighted candles created a fantastic atmosphere. The staff was accommodating and friendly, while in every way they tried to make us feel comfortable and pleasant.
When it comes to food, I can not say much! You have seen me eat carbonara many times, making it alone at home or outside. This restaurant was indeed the best I have found! The vegan pancetta was a dream, while it was combined perfectly with the pasta, the sauce, and the grated vegan cheese. If you visit Rome, honestly don’t forget to try this carbonara, as you will never forget it!
We tried a pizza with vegan mozzarella and mushrooms as a second choice. The best in this pizza was the dough. Extremely crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It was also thin and inflated incredibly. Of course, I shouldn’t forget to mention the extra olive oil it had that made the combination unique. This is the place where I ate the best pizza in Rome! Overall, as you can see, this place has got five stars from me, and on my next visit to Rome, it will be the first place I will go again!
Finally, a dessert was required after the meal. The restaurant has a plethora of vegan pastries, but my heart stole the chocolate cheesecake. I’m generally one of the die-hard fans of cheesecake, whether this is the classic or some other version, like the one with chocolate. The dessert was a perfect choice since, despite the chocolate, it didn’t make you feel full at all but instead had a light, white cream that refreshed you.
2. Rifugio Romano Ristorante
This restaurant is vegan friendly, but when I say warm, I mean it. Its menu isn’t simply limited to a Napolitan pasta or an Aglio e Olio pasta dish; instead, its people have created a whole vegan menu where you can find everything! I also want to mention that the girl who served us was a sweet creature full of joy and vegan. After we finished our meal, we were treated to a local limoncello. And this night turned out wonderfully!
As for the menu, don’t even think about it. I chose the carbonara again! I honestly believe that if I lived in Italy, I could live on pasta every day. For now, I keep reminiscing… The carbonara was delicious and well cooked. The vegan pancetta was delicious, and the dish generally had an excellent overall image. I needed some extra spices and extra grated vegan cheese, but I arranged this efficiently as I hurried to ask the waitress for a bit, and she brought it to me immediately.
Also, in the same restaurant, we tried vegan pizza! We got a pizza with hot sauce, vegan cheese, and vegan bacon. It was delicious, although I think it could have been hotter. For my tastes, at least it was a bit mild. However, it had an excellent dough, as I have tried elsewhere. In general, I came to the fact that the Italians specialize in the dough, so honestly, wherever you go, this won’t disappoint you!
3. Ristorante Re Bio
I loved this place! It is very close to the Vatican, so we chose it for breakfast and brunch before visiting it. Its location is lovely, and its people are very kind. The waiter did not miss anything and brought us the best vegan dishes, absolutely filling and delicious. In general, the restaurant is based on its products’ quality and organic and healthy diet.
More specifically, I was looking for something nutritious that would keep me full for many hours since I knew the visit to the Vatican would be endless… And indeed it was! Anyway, the waiter suggested a tortilla with tofu, vegetables, and a dreamy soy sauce. The amount of tofu was more than enough, and it was what I needed!
We also got a dessert to try. We chose a Crostata Vegan with chocolate, which was based on nuts, and in addition to being very tasty, it was also very nutritious. Finally, I chose a vegan cappuccino with pea milk along with the dessert. The employee showed me the incredible variety of plant milk that the store had. In short, it is a station point that you must visit!
4. Dillà Ristorante
The restaurant is very close to Piazza di Spagna, which you will visit, as it is one of the most beautiful and famous squares in Rome. So, as you wander the alleys and see many lovely little shops, cafes, and restaurants, you will find this one. The exterior has nothing special, but the interior is well made with stunning aesthetics. The staff was exceptionally polite, although they had a habit of taking your plate before you finished the meal, but we arranged it by explaining that we had not completed our meal. Another element that I hope will change soon is that they had minimal vegan options, including two or three plates of pasta, bruschettas, and salads.
In this particular restaurant, we tried two delicious dishes with pasta. The first was an Aglio e Olio pasta, which I love very much and I usually choose it in Greece too when I find it on a restaurant’s menu. It was pretty tasty, but in my opinion, it needed more olive oil (as its name suggests) and garlic. In other words, I wanted an intensity that I didn’t find. It was, however, a well-cooked dish that I would happily eat it again.
The second dish we chose was pasta with hot broccoli sauce. Yeah, I couldn’t stop ordering hot dishes in Italy. This dish was unique! If you love broccoli, you should try it! The hot sauce was also great for spicy food lovers. So, the color of the dish was excellent, and the taste was unique! I recommend it to you!
5. Gelateria Fatamorgana
This ice cream store is very close to the Rifugio Romano Ristorante, which we talked about earlier. So, after our meal there, we decided to eat ice cream. For this reason, we walked to the ice cream place, which had many vegan choices in ice cream flavors. There was even a fridge with exclusively vegan ice cream. Looking at all these options, at first, I admit that I was confused. However, my second thought was to try something I love anyway and compare it with the counterparts I have attempted in Greece.
So I came up with my favorite combination: dark chocolate and red berries. And indeed, it was unique! Furthermore, the texture of the ice cream was utterly different from what I had tried here since, I could say, it was chewier and in no way reminiscent of granita, something that unfortunately has happened to me many times in Greece. For these reasons, if you are ever in Rome, I suggest you pay a visit to Fatamorgana and enjoy your ice cream while walking in the alleys of Rome.
6. Amarena Gelato Experience
This place was the second and last (how many ice creams to eat in winter? Haha) ice cream store I visited in Rome. It is located near the Piazza di Spagna, and you will find it walking in the alleys that intersect with the square. This ice cream store also has tables if you want to sit and enjoy your ice cream. Once again, I preferred to take it in hand and walk the straits, as I love to do this, especially when I’m abroad. Okay, I misunderstood the quantity since the word “scoop” didn’t help much, but I finally ate it even though it was more than I wanted. I chose dark chocolate for another day, and of course, this choice is justified once again. Finally, Italy and ice cream go together!
Thank you all for being with me on this trip too!
I wish you a pleasant time on every trip and day of your life!
