This Enoteca comes from the golden years of the 60s grocery. It's still a good, fairly priced, experienced grocery open also in the morning and covered in wood, as was usual at that time, with knick-knacks on the walls. At night, the ambiance is joyful, thanks to the owners, Nello and Francesco. These two guys put all their passion into this job. The care with which they explore the flavors of Italy is impressive. No product has been chosen at random: wines of all kinds and of all prices, salumi, formaggi, seasonal vegetables, legumes cooked according to tradition... I love the vibe, I could stay all night long at the bar chatting with strangers.
My advice is to have mixed coccetti (little bowls of pleasure) because they're perfect for an apericena (an abundant appetizer) and for tasting most of the products they have accompanied by their amazing focaccia. The street via Macerata itself is beautiful: there are several night bars, an old cinema with a new look called Avorio, and another favorite restaurant of mine, Dar Parruca.
In short, it's a walk in the neighborhood of Pigneto you should have. Francesco and Nello hide a poet inside their hearts. Enoteca di Via Macerata also hosts Enopoietica: an event, a poetry's pamphlet, a wonderful mix we might need more often in our lives, even more in this time, even more in Rome: evocative words plus a glass of wine.
Find your way with 152 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
CSOA eXSnia in Rome is in my opinion one of the most culturally vivid and beautiful places in the city, a 'self-managed occupied social center'...
by
"Osteria Dar Bruttone" in Rome makes some of tastiest carbonara (with or without artichokes) you can get your hands on. Also try their Porchetta...
by
"Cecilia Metella's Tomb" is a bit outside Rome's city center, but I love coming here to write among the ancient buildings & the Appia Antica road...
by
"Trajan's Market Walkway" in Rome is a useful shortcut that takes you to Monti, but I use it primarily as a place to stop & soak up the ancient atmosphere.
by
"Via Casilina Vecchia" is, for me, one of the most intriguing neighbourhoods in Rome. It feels invisible to the rest of the city & forgotten by modernity.
by
"Pasticceria Boccione" in Rome is not for you if you're after pretty, Instagrammable desserts! But every pastry is just delicious in this Jewish bakery...
by
"La Fraschetta" is a neighborhood hangout in Rome for the locals -- Sandro doesn't get many customers who aren't Italian men in their fifties or older!
by
Ride a scooter on "Via Piccolomini" in Rome and, as you get closer to St Peter's Basilica, you'll actually see it shrinking instead of growing closer!
by
"Villa dei Quintili" is an archaeological site on Rome's Appia Antica. Important scenes of my novel 'In Exile' take place here; it's just so atmospheric.
by
"Bar Giolitti" is one of my favorite places in Testaccio, Rome, for a gelato or a coffee at the bar. I also like sitting at one of the tables outside...
by
152 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 152 Insider Tips