Coffee & tea – All our local tips

I ran into this tiny little cafe and library because one of my co-workers had told me that she had her first painting exposition there so I thought it was neat. But the first time I expected an art gallery, and I was pleasantly surprised to find a cool little cafe with an intimate upstairs with couches and a separate small room where they hang the paintings. The paintings the first time I went were really neat but when they exchanged them after a while, they were still cool and they really went well with the decor of the place.

I decided to have a hot chocolate and my friend had coffee and it was cool to just sit and talk and if you love to read, you also have a good variety of books to choose from.

Then I went again and again and sometimes I bring my laptop so I can work in a relaxing environment while sipping a cappuccino or hot chocolate or some fruit juice.

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Agave Bistrot | Art & culture, Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Snacks | Hot chocolate € 3.00
Via di San Martino ai Monti 7/A | City center | +39064882134
18:00 – 00:00 daily

Recently I met a friend that I hadn’t seen for years, for a Saturday morning coffee at Antico Caffe’ Greco. This bar is located in the middle of Via Condotti and is one of the oldest coffee shops in town, founded in 1760.

The atmosphere in the coffee place is interesting as all the little details of the furniture are conserved extremely well. When you enter the place it is like you are transported back in the 18th century. You can imagine people like Goethe or Stendhal sipping a cup of coffee and discussing the philosophy of life.

My chat with my friend was not as deep but it was a great place to catch up on a rainy Saturday morning, I had a cup of coffee and a croissant and she had a cappuccino and croissant, and when we were ready to leave we even saw a gladiator paying for coffee!

One thing to pay attention here is that the prices increase if you sit down at the table but the experience is worth it.

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Antico Caffe’ Greco | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Coffee at the table € 5.00
Via Condotti 86 | City center | +39066791700
09:00 – 19:00 daily

The “Bali Bar and Restaurant” is located in the heart of Trastevere. It’s an ethnic spot with a cocktail bar and a restaurant cooking South-East Asian food. The first thing that strikes you is the wooden furniture, bamboo paper, cushions, sofas, rugs, furniture, drawings and paintings that echo the East.

Once you sit, you tease the palate by many choices of tea, herbal tea and Ayurveda, sushi, sashimi: the ethnic cuisine is a very good alternative to a classic Italian dinner.

For lovers of cocktails, the menu offers a wide range: from the traditional crushed to original cocktails fruit cocktails with fresh tropical fruits.

The restaurant also has a room for smokers.

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Bali Bar | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (South East Asia) | Full meal € 30.00
Via del Mattonato 29 | Trastevere | +39065896089
Restaurant Tue – Sun 20:00 – 23:00 | Bar 21:30 – 02:00 daily

I have been coming here since I was 13 years old. I’ll never forget Marcello who used to make me the biggest and most delicious ice-cream cones, adding a cherry on top and an extra flavor, yet he never ever charged me more money for it. We used to laugh, he used to call me with my nickname, “Carota”, he was an extremely nice guy.

I still come here because they make one of the best ice-creams in Rome. The place has always been famous for the “double whipped cream”: first, twirled down the empty cone, then on top of the ice-cream scoops.

Pick the different types of chocolate ice-cream, the stracciatella, or any fruit flavor. They all taste natural because they are home-made and the ingredients are natural, far from chemical

It’s a family-run small place. Giovanni (”doppia panna”) gets its name from one of the eldest family members. It is absolutely far from being a touristic place. Actually, it’s a niche for few, mainly people living in the neighborhood, although it is quite famous within the circle of the northern part of Rome. It is a meeting point for teenagers, but also for business men who want to take an easy kind of break far from crowded cafés or restaurants. After all, Italian ice-cream is considered as nutritious as a full meal. Good, all year round.

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Bar Gelateria Duse | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Ice-cream cone € 1.50
Via Eleonora Duse 1/E | Parioli & Flaminio | +39068079300
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 00:00

You probably have already tried Italian dessert Tiramisù but if you feel like trying a very good one, try visiting Bar Pompi.

This is a pretty typical bar/coffee shop near Piazza Re di Roma which has specialized in tiramisù and successfully made this its differentiating factor. In fact, it self proclaims to be the “kingdom of tiramisù” and all Romans know it for this. To say the truth, its fame has grown so much over the years that it is somewhat of a cliché to end up there for dessert. Nonetheless, I think it is still worthwhile, especially compared to the disastrous versions of “industrial” tiramisù often served elsewhere for dessert.

I recommend going there in the afternoon for “merenda” (snack/tea-time) when the hordes of Roman night partiers are not yet crowding it, or double/triple parking scooters and cars in front of it. In the evening, (this bar is open until 01:30), you may have to battle with the locals and wait to be served.

Bar Pompi serves classical coffee-flavored tiramisù as well two newer versions: the strawberry one and the banana & chocolate one. All of them are scrumptious. You can get yourself an individual portion to eat then and there, or larger ‘vats’ in all sizes to take away.

Judging by the multitudes that crowd this place, Italians may seem rather unaware of the ‘ongoing cholesterol problem in the country’, to quote one of my favorite movies!

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Bar Pompi | Coffee & tea, Snacks | Tiramisù € 3.00
Via Albalonga 7b-9 -11 | Appio Tuscolano | +39067000418
Tue – Sun 07:00 – 01:30

Bodum Home Store and Cafè is the concept store of Bodum, the celebrated Danish design label. The store stocks all the company’s famous products, from teapots to coffee makers to cappuccino foaming tools, as well as kitchen/bar tools and gadgets.

The Cafè is set just aside the shop, and feature a selection of quality fruit juice, snacks, cakes and sandwiches, as well as a short menu for a quick lunch that proposes local and international recipes.

The setting is cozy and enjoyable; a social table is available, and so are newspaper and magazines, all day around.

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BODUM | Coffee & tea | Meal from € 15.00
Via San Francesco a Ripa 141 a/b | Trastevere | +390658344926
10:00 – 22:00 daily

There was a time when bookstores and cafè had nothing to do with each other. In more recent times, though, they have come to gather into the same location, and to alter the meaning of “bookstore” and “cafè”. It’s the new generation of Book-a-Bar: more than just a cafè, something different from usual bookstores.

Usually, they enjoy great locations, self standing or within a museum compounds.

Here you find my favorite ones:

BOOKA’BAR – Via Milano, 15/17 (within the Palazzo delle Esposizioni building): design interiors, ultramodern feeling, open courtyard (well, wait for warmer days!) adn a free wifi connection. She annex shop has mostly art, architecture, design, photo books and objects.

LETTERE CAFFE‘ – Via S.Francesco a Ripa 100/101 (Trastevere): cozy and relaxed during the day, the place warm up in the evening, with poetry and comedy slam hold on mon and tue nights. The rest of the week is on music

FLEXI - Via Clementina 9 (Monti): started as a cultural association, offer more than just book and drinks, as the offer range from book presentations, language exchange and courses, theatre labs, and much more.

CAFFE’ BOHEMIEN – Via degli Zingari 36 (Monti): shabby-chic chandeliers, and other touches of early ‘900 g

ive it a very bohemian vibe you will love to immerse into. The location is great, in the lovely area of Monti.

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BookABar | Art & culture, Bars, Coffee & tea, Music | Drinks from € 3.50
Via Milano, 15/17 | City center
12:00 – 01:00 daily

This is just another coffee bar at the next corner, but the modern design makes the experience of tasting their coffee worth it.

This coffee spot continues to re-invent itself and in fact the last few evenings that I went there I swapped my coffee for a glass of red wine! Now they are also a wine bar.

People that that live or work in the area, go and have their breakfast here with a cup of coffee and maybe a freshly baked croissant before heading off to work.

I like to go there at mid-morning and chat around with a friend sipping a cappuccino and indulge in a chocolate or cream filled croissant. And now they expanded with a small patio outdoors with tables with umbrellas to protect you from the hot sun, but it is so refreshing to have a mid-afternoon cold iced tea!

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Caffe’ 901 | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Peach Iced Tea € 1.20
901 Via Cassia | Cassia & Montemario | +390633260000
Mon – Sat 10:00 – 20:00

When I crave for Aunt Jemima’s pancakes I come to this delicatessen top class supermarket. If you get home sick and you miss your favorite food, this store sells everything from all over the world.

I usually go to the US department where I find the best maple syrup, creamy and crunchy peanut butter, condensed Carnation milk, Betty Crocker chocolate fudge brownie and super moist golden vanilla mix, cookies, cashew nuts, Heinz Ketchup, corn tortillas and other special and exotic treats coming from all the continents, such as Indian rices, curry, spices, Himalayan, pink Australian or green Japanese salts, German sausages, Austrian goulash, you name it they have it.

The Italian section is rich of specialities from each region of the peninsula. From aromatized basil, rosemary, red hot pepper oils to different kinds of balsamic vinegar matured in wooden barrels, starting from €3 upto €250 depending on how many times it has been decanted. From wines to sauces, from jams to jar food, tuna, gherkins, dried tomatoes are my favorites.

There is also a biological section that I like and a candy department I’m in love with, where one can find the best chocolate on the market. I don’t drink coffee but I appreciate the aroma. On sale here only excellent Italian coffee in grains or ground.

The pasta wins over everything. You can find the best Italian brands form each region, just to mention a few: Tuscany’s Martelli, Veneto’s Cipriani, Marche’s Latini, Campania’s Gragnano, Puglia’s Benedetto Cavalieri.

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Castroni | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Balsamic vinegar € 3.00
via Cola di Rienzo 196 | Vatican & Prati | +39066874383
Mon – Sat 08:00 – 20:00

In times like these, when world capitalism is being questioned ever more so, an interesting place to visit is the Città dell’Altra Economia. This is an entire cultural center devoted to the promotion of an alternative type of economy: organic agriculture, fair trade, renewable energies, reuse and recycling, responsible tourism, and ethical finance.

CAE was inaugurated in September 2007 during the administration of Rome’s former mayor Walter Veltroni. It is located in a portion of Rome’s former slaughterhouse and cattle market in Testaccio. The buildings have been completely renovated so as to be eco-compatible and sustainable.

Within the center, you will find a “bio-restaurant” serving only organic food, a “bio-coffee shop” serving espresso, cappuccino and teas from fair trading partners, a fair-trade natural foods store as well as a reuse and recycle store selling objects and works of art made from recyclables.

There are also representatives from companies operating in the renewable energies, responsible tourism, and ethical finance sectors available to provide information and services. Last but not least, there is an “open communication” section focusing on the use of technologies and free-license software to foster the sharing of knowledge across peoples.

CAE offers a series of events, including book presentations, readings, concerts and fairs. Be sure to check CAE’s website regularly or subscribe to its newsletter. The bio-bar offers a Euro 5 after-hours “aperitivo” on Friday evenings from 19:30 – 21:30. The bio-restaurant offers a Euro 20 special three-course organic meal deal on Sundays at lunch.

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Citta’ dell’Altra Economia | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping, Restaurants (Organic)
Largo Dino Frisullo | Testaccio & Ostiense | +393488059332
Tue -Sat 10:00 – 20:00, Sun 10:00 – 19:00

A homy atmosphere. It’s not a crowded club, it’s not a busy cafè, it’s not a loud pub, it’s not a noisy bar. I would call it a “living room with kitchen and bookcases”. A sofa, three armchairs and a couple of chairs round three tables, lamps and books on sale make this small, comfy place.

Cozy for a good drink and a calm, warm chat. You can also sit at the counter on a stool for a more casual booze. Breakfast in the morning, snacks at lunchtime, munchies in the evening. The staff is extremely nice and friendly.

I came here with my Facebook friend Federico from Italy’s northwestern Genoa, a beautiful sea front city. We had a glass of Pinot grigio while we enjoyed talking about books, literature, and life in general. I noticed that, compared to other places, the wine glasses are bigger and very well filled up. Together with the drink they served us olives, nuts, chips, and small Italian crispy bagels.

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Emporio alla Pace | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Glass of wine € 4.00
via della Pace 28, | City center | +390668802938
06:00 – 02:00 daily

In the heart of Rome’s ‘drinking triangle’, this exclusive Provence-style wine bar draws its charm from a minimalist, fake shabby-chic (rather elegant!) décor and a palette of drinking and eating options.

Managed by two brothers who, in spite of their young age, are among the most experienced entrepreneurs of cool bars in Rome (sometimes you find them behind the bar), Etabli is a café, a restaurant and a wine bar, all in one.

It’s romantic, warm, and packed with locals (that will leave you with a desire of moving to Italy…..) It is so beautifully decorated, so well done you may have the impression of being in a rather plush living room with comfortable armchairs and sofas, rather than in a bar.
During the winter season, the fireplace is on but don’t worry…during the hot season the old building it is host into guarantee a cooler temperature!

From 19:00 daily aperitivo is served: wines and drinks are accompanied by delicious finger food (buffet-style), to warm you up before dinner.

Unfortunately, being located in the city center, there is no terrace, but its interiors are so nice you won’t regret it. If you wish to dine there, you’d better make a reservation!

P.S. A good place to take a date!

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Etabli | Bars, Coffee & tea, Restaurants (Italian) | Drinks from € 6.00
Vicolo delle Vacche 9/a | City center | +390697616694
Restauramt 12:00 – 15:00 & 19:00 – 00:00 daily, Winebar 18:00 – 02:00 daily

EnglishYellowPages staff regularly organizes seasonal events for its members and friends. A network of English-speaking professionals are invited to gather at a venue to spend and enjoy time together, talk about business, exchange views, eat and drink, like it occured on December 2 2008 at Galleria, a new hitech design restaurant located in the renowned Galleria Colonna, also known as Galleria Sordi.

In this refined yet informal atmosphere, I was struck by a room in particular with innovative “magic” glass doors: a private space where the most reserved guests can sit and decide whether they want to keep the doors open or shut. And if they want them shut, they can also opt to have the glasses go from transparent to opaque, isolating themselves completely from the rest of the diner.

Not only the design and architecture is avant-garde, but also the food. There are different selections chosen according to the different times of day and seasons. At lunchtime the menu offers light meals and more elaborate dishes at dinnertime. And sandwiches, salads and desserts for afternoon snacks.

You all know by now that I go for the vegetarian dishes, like zucchini flowers stuffed with ricotta cheese with rice and light mint pesto sauce or the eggplant pie. The wines are carefully selected and they mainly come from northern Italy’s regions Tuscany, Piedmont and Veneto.

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Galleria | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks, Restaurants (Italian) | Lunch € 20.00
Galleria Alberto Sordi 53 | City center | +390685355431
12:00 – 23:00 daily

Something in between an hair saloon and a concept store, Paliotta Hair is must if you want to indulge into a real treat!

Located near Campo de’ Fiori, it offers to its guests far more than just a perfect hair fix: from clothing to accessories, from a collection of international magazines to russian reknown Kusmi teas, in their colorful, fancy metal boxes. And don’t forget to take with you one of the imported products containing cannabis and caviar: looks like they are the real best on the market for an healty scalp and glorious hair!

P.S. Giuseppe’s pet, Nuvola, is part of the decoration, and the overall experience!

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Giuseppe Paliotta Hair Saloon | Coffee & tea, Relaxing, Shopping
PIazza della Cancelleria, 70 | City center | +39066869154
Tue – Sat 10:00 -18:00

Time of “granita” again”!

What is the “granita di caffè”, you will ask? Well, take their espresso (rumored to be the best in the city, unless you prefer their bitter rival, Caffè Sant’Eustachio. I don’t.), add ice and basically it, somehow, becomes this frozen yet soft blend that is just delicious… you must try it.

Many claim “granita” is more appropriate having during the warm season…forget about it, it’s good all year around! Anyway, the warm season has arrived in Rome and, now…there is NO excuse for anyone coming to Rome not making a stop here!

It is best served with fresh whipped cream; here they are sooo good to make that, too. Very indulgent. But you can always claim you need some caffeine to keep with the jetleg, or the Rome jet-set you may meet by strolling down the streets surroundings this Caffè. Get one, and get happy.

Ah, before I forget: the espresso and cappuccino are equally worth your visit! During the hot season you may want to try the shakerato (iced coffee mixed with sugar and crushed ice, shaken until it becomes thick and frothy).

Coffee ground on-site is available for purchase and can be shipped worldwide.

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Gran Caffè Tazza d’Oro | Coffee & tea, Shopping | Granita con panna € 2.50
Via degli orfani 84 | City center | +39066792768
Mon – Sat 07:00 – 20:00

A small glass door that opens on a sleek, chinese corner. Maybe the best in town. Elegant, quiet, intimate and…delicious!

Green T is very different from any other Chinese restaurant in town. Expensive too, for anyone used to stuff him/herself with just a couple of notes.

During lunchtime they have a fixed menu that ranges from 8 euro (quick meal) to 17 euro (fish menu), it also offer an “a la carte” menu, with deli from all around China.

It’s open at lunch & dinner time (12.30-15.00; 19.30-24.00), it also offer tea, Chinese design objects, books, clothing, and a very special experience.

P.S. perfect for a date!

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Green T | Coffee & tea, Shopping, Restaurants (Chinese) | Lunch from € 8.00
Via Piè di Marmo, 28 | City center | +39066798628
Mon – Sat 12:30 – 15:00 & 19:30 – 00:00

Le Coppelle 52 is one of the most popular meeting place to meet the Romans, who come here every night, especially in summer, to have a drink and relax on the charming square.

The strength of Le Coppelle 52 is definitely the scenic square on which it is located and which gives it the name. When the weather’s nice, it becomes the perfect place to enjoy a good drink, well-made cocktails and traditional buffet (not very copious be honest …).

The restaurant is a real open-air lounge, with its eccentric zebra armchairs, is the ideal place to spend the summer evenings, sipping house specialties like the ginger mojito, pepper mojito or the melon Caipiroska, immersed in the frame of one of the most characteristic streets of the capital.

Inside, red is the dominant color, all surrounded by simple lines and minimali design. And the service is almost perfect!

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Le Coppelle 52 | Bars, Coffee & tea | Drink € 10.00
Piazza Le coppelle 52 | City center
18:00 – 02:00 daily

Makasar is the place for Rome’s tea lovers.

This tea room opened just few months ago and it gives an abundant choice of teas and infusions (more than 200). The owner, Elena, usually organizes events to convey the culture of tea in Italy; from time to time she chooses a different country and and introduces to the audience its teas, delicatessen and the best way to associate them!

When you get inside, you will be captured by the silence and the oriental atmosphere; accompanied by Indian benjo’s music in the background and by flow’s zen style fountain, you will enjoy to nose around cast-iron and porcelain tea-pots,bamboo filter and particular cookies to associate with your favourite tea.

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Makasar tea room | Coffee & tea | Cookies & tea € 4.00
Via Plauto 33/33a | Vatican & Prati | +39066874602
10:00 – 13:00 & 15:30 – 20:00 daily | Closed some days in August

My eyes crave for pleasure. When I need to see the beauty of art, architecture and design, I come to Palazzo delle Esposizioni, the biggest exhibition center in the city of Rome. Over ten thousand square meters on three floors. All throughout the year, you can see extraordinary art work from all over the world. It has been closed for five years and now it is finally open to the public again, restored and beautiful in its immensity, overlooking one of the widest and longest streets in the city center. In the building, there are also a movie theater, an auditorium, a bookstore, a restaurant and a café. The whole building is a piece of art itself and all the different sections inside are absolutely worth visiting.

The other day, I went to see a wonderful exhibit. For the first time in Rome, US artist Alexander Calder’s sculptures are gracefully displayed. I have always liked his masterpieces made of metal and other avant-garde material. You can see how his university degree in engineering comes in. What I admire about his art work, is that his sculptures are made of pieces that can move and float in the air, like the 1940s Art of Petals and the Cascading Flowers hanging from the ceiling as if they were cradle toys for babies. Lively and energetic. Colorful and dynamic. A game of irony.

The exhibit shows his works beginning from the 1920s, from his wire sculptures to his bronze sculptures. Abstract and surreal acrobatic figures that make you dream. They will be in Rome till St. Valentine’s day, February 14th 2010, a good occasion to celebrate your Love for Art.

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Palazzo delle Esposizioni | Art & culture, Coffee & tea | Entry exhibit € 10.00
via Nazionale 194 | City center | +390639967500
Tue – Thu & Sun 10:00 – 20:00, Fri – Sat 10:00 – 22:30

Starting from the name of the place, written without stress mark on the letter “e”, this bar wants to show to the people that it’s different from the other bars around Campo de’ Fiori.

Opened from early morning, Primo Cafe receives people at every time of the day and night for breakfast, lunch, “aperitivo” or drink.

The environment is very fashionable and full of minimalist details, like the sinuous bar or the lamp-bottle carrier made with optical fiber. Also the colors, the ultra-technological illumination, the mirrors and futuristic materials help to create a fashion atmosphere.

If you want to enjoy watching the people who walk to Campo de’ Fiori, you can have your drink or food in one of the outdoor tables (heated during the winter).

One of the best moments of the day to visit Primo Cafe is during “aperitivo time”, from around 18:00 to 20:00. On the inside table you can take your food and decide to accompany it with wine, cocktail or champagne while black or chill out music are played….

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Primo Cafe | Bars, Coffee & tea, Snacks | Sandwich € 7.00
Via de’ Baullari 147 | City center | +390664760179
08:00 – 02:00 daily

A café cocktail bar and pastry chocolate tea room where you can satisfy your cravings if you have a sweet tooth. Jelly fruit candies, chocolate balls and delicious buns and cakes. You can also have lunch here. And you will be sitting in one of Rome’s most beautiful squares.

Do not forget that whether you are sitting at a café or walking down a street in Rome you must always look up not to miss the beautiful roof terraces. From piazza del Popolo, if you pull your head back and stretch your neck you will be able to see the Pincio, Villa Borghese’s famous terrace from where you can get one of the breathtaking top views of Rome.

It is worth a walk up. Once you are up there, you can rent a bicycle and speed down hill with the wind in your hair. I like being a tourist in my same hometown, sitting in one of the most ancient tea rooms of the city, it exists since 1922.

Rosati’s manager allowed me to take a picture of the café’s exclusive confetti (famous Italian almond-hearted white sugar sweets), although the owner of the place does not fancy publicity. In fact, none of the Press was ever welcomed here, neither National Rai Tv nor the other broadcast networks. This is a scoop of the news I made for Spotted by Locals.

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Rosati | Bars, Coffee & tea | Cappuccino & cornetto € 8.50
piazza del Popolo 4/5 | City center | +39063225859
07:30 – 12:00 daily