Archives for “Coffee & tea” tag

This spot is definitely not your typical bar. Yes you can order drinks, but Cioccalata e Vino is really known for their chocolate shots. Yes, that’s right, there is a large menu of shots, all served in a mini chocolate shot glass, topped with whipped cream.

Each special shot, has a ‘special’ name- let’s just say, names not suitable for youngsters. Most of them are made with dessert liquors, so they definitely are a shot of sweetness. There is always a line, but it goes fast. The bartenders will show you the best way to take/swallow the shot, so open wide! 

In addition to the fun and tasty shots, Cioccolata e Vino has a selection of wines, and believe it or not, books. So whether you’re looking for something to drink, or something to read, this is a great spot for you.

Everyone is very friendly, and what I love most is that the bartenders are having just as much fun as the customers. Cioccolata e Vino is a cozy place, offering a ‘different’ kind of experience than most of the bars in Trastevere (or elsewhere in Rome). Definitely worth the visit if you’re in the area.   

No storefront, no signs, just pastries. Lots and lots of pastries! If you’re hanging out in the San Giovanni/Tuscolano area and up for a late night snack, Alba Dolce is definitely the place to go, if you’re in the mood for pastries that is! 

Not the usual coffee bar, Alba Dolce is just a bakery that stocks up the neighboring cafes, and also happens to serve walk-in customers. When you walk on back into the kitchen, you will be greeted by mounds of baked goods. There are donuts, stuffed pockets, cornetti, and any other pastries you could possibly want. I frequently show up hungry, with a clear idea of what I want to eat, and then I always end up leaving with the next three morning’s pastries! There are just too many to choose from, so why not get a few, I always say. 

Since there are no tables or seats, people are always grouped outside. In fact, that is how I always spot the small bakery: by the groups of late-nighters, scarfing down their snacks. There is also a coffee machine that accepts coins, if you want a coffee drink to accompany your pastry. 

All in all, Alba Dolce makes amazing pastries and is open all night long. What else could you want? 

Tucked away in one of the many winding streets of Trastevere, San Calisto is truly a Roman landmark. Open everyday except for Sunday, San Calisto is always bustling. With an interior room, and tables set outside, it’s the perfect bar, offering something for everyone (pastries, ice cream, granitas, beer, and cocktails).

You can go in the mornings for your breakfast, but my favorite time to go is for an aperitivo around 18:00. Being a very popular spot in Trastevere, it can be hard to find seating, but standing in and around the piazza that houses San Calisto is always an option, one that many people do in fact choose. 

Perhaps the low low prices are what bring people to San Calisto at first (€ 2.50 for a large Peroni), but the ‘scene’ is what keeps people coming back. Since the outdoor tables are placed so close to one another, making friends is sort of obligatory. Not to mention it is just a popular spot for friends to meet to either start their nights, or end them. 

San Calisto is in one of the most visited areas of Rome, but every time I go there I feel as if I am transported into a small neighborhood spot, where all I want to do is grab a drink and chat with the people around me. It’s definitely the place to go if you want to sample some of the local Roman scene. 

I am always interested in finding great lunch spots in Rome, and Tiepolo is definitely one of them. NOT offering your basic Italian fare, this eatery has a large selection of salads, stuffed potatoes, quiches, and cheeses. I love coming here for a light lunch, but it’s also great for dinner.

Everything that is served at Tiepolo is very fresh, and made right on the spot: you can tell because peering into the kitchen is very easy, and it never takes more than ten minutes to get your meal. There are also seasonal specials offered daily, in addition to the multi-paged menu. I go mainly for the salads, but looking around the restaurant, many go for the stuffed potatoes with the special skagen sauce (shrimp, dill, and yogurt). And since the food at Tiepolo isn’t very heavy, I always have room for dessert, and let me tell you, the desserts are very tasty! 

The restaurant itself is decorated in a very cute and simple way, with interesting posters donning the walls. When it’s nice outside, they also offer outdoor seating. But when it’s really hot out, I prefer to sit inside in their air conditioned room. 

Because of its location, in Parioli right off the 2 tram, it’s a great eatery for pre/post Maxxi Museum visiting. 

I love Castroni stores because not only do they have amazing Italian products, but they also carry international foods. I can go to one of the 11 Castronis, strategically placed all over Rome for maximum convenience, and get my Italian and my international food-fix. You can get anything from peanut butter to taco seasoning, to artisanal Italian sauces, coffee beans, and fancy crackers.

The Castroni that I visit most often is the one on Via Cola di Rienzo. It is the largest of all the Castronis, to my knowledge. This location also has a ‘bar’ where you can order coffee, pastries, and sandwiches. For the most part however, Castroni offers packaged goods, coffee beans, and that Dr. Pepper that you won’t find anywhere else. 

Most Castronis are split up into Italian and international sections, the latter are  marked off by various countries and their foods. Even if I am not looking for something specific, I pop into a Castroni and always end up leaving with either a Korean soup mix, or an interesting pasta (Brunello wine rolled pasta for example).

It’s like being an adult in an adult candy store: you wont leave empty handed!