I have been writing about food and wine in Italy since I moved to Italy in 2012 and one of the most asked questions I get about Rome is….
“Where can I eat near the Colosseum?”
These are my favorite spots for a glass of wine, a slice of pizza, breakfast, baked goods, a full sit down meal, and kid-friendly options.
So without further ado, here are my favorite spots to eat near the Colosseum!
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Map of Where to Eat Near the Colosseum in Rome
Quick Guide to Eating Near the Colosseum in Rome
| Name | Best For | Seating Options |
| Ristorante Il Tempio di Iside | Seafood or date night near the Colosseum | Indoor & outdoor |
| La Barrique | Wine lovers | Indoor & outdoor |
| Forno Conti & Co | Mid-morning pastry pickup near the Colosseum | Indoor & outdoor |
| Trattoria Vecchia Roma | Classic Roman lunch or dinner | Indoor |
| La Carbonara | Carbonara pasta | Indoor & limited outdoor seating |
| Sciuè Sciuè Cucina | Contemporary twists on Roman classics | Mostly indoor |
| Taverna Cestia Roma | Outdoor seating or seafood near the Colosseum | Indoor & outdoor |
| Forno da Milvio | Sandwiches or Tavola Calda (cafeteria style) near the Colosseum | Indoor |
| Ruver Teglia Frazionata | Pizza in piedi (pizza street side) | No seating |
| Alle Carrette | Pizza tonda | Indoor & outdoor |
| Fatamorgana Monti | Gelato near the Colosseum | No seating |
Eating in Italy Basics: If you are curious to know more about navigating dining in Italy, you may be interested in
How To Order Food In Italian
Tipping In Italy – When & How Much From A Local
What Is A Coperto? All About Italy’s Cover Charge
A Visitor’s Guide To Eating In Italy
How To Order Food In Italian
Italian Meal Structure
Where to Eat Near the Colosseum in Rome in Detail
For each of my favorite places to eat near the Colosseum, I’ve included:
- reservation recommendations (always recommended, if possible)
- type of food
- atmosphere to expect
Ristorante Il Tempio di Iside
Via Pietro Verri, 1
Best For: Seafood or date night near the Colosseum
Distance: 10 minute walk
Tempio di Iside is a chic seafood restaurant just a short 10 minutes from the Colosseum, making it my top pick for seafood lovers or couples looking for a romantic meal.
They have a full raw bar menu including oysters as well as classic Italian pasta dishes, main dishes and appetizers using the freshest seafood from the nearby coast. The atmosphere is definitely a bit higher end, making it my top suggestions for people looking for an extra special meal, date night or a splurge evening out on the town.
Good To Know: They have both indoor and outdoor seating and pre-booking is highly recommended.
La Barrique
Via del Boschetto, 41B
Best For: Wine lovers
Distance: 15 minute walk
La Barrique is my top pick for dining and drinking near the Colosseum. They have a wide selection of organic, biodynamic, traditional, and natural options including white, red, rosé and sparkling wines. What I like here is that not only is their wine collection vast but their wine by the glass menu is also impressive (and changes).
In addition to wine, they have a very good menu with lots of small bites to enjoy if you want to just order a glass of wine for an aperitivo as well as plenty of main dishes and small plates like tartar, veal stew and enough vegan options to make it a good options for vegans in Rome.
Forno Conti & Co
Via Giusti, 18
Best for: Mid-morning pastry pickup near the Colosseum
Distance: 15 minute walk
Forno Conti & Co has quickly become a favorite among locals in Rome known for their minimalist approach to baking classic pastry and bread. They have daily specials including both sweet and savory options such as torte rustiche, pizza, pain au chocolat, maritozzi, and strudel. Forno Conti & Co is one of my favorite bakeries in Rome although its seating is limited.
Good To Know: They make great panettone and pandoro around Christmas, which is a real treat should you be here for the holidays.
Trattoria Vecchia Roma
Trattoria Vecchia Roma, Via Ferruccio, 12/b/c, 00185 Roma
Best For: Classic Roman lunch or dinner
Distance: 15 minute walk
Trattoria Vecchia Roma is a casual family-run restaurant just a 15 minutes walk from the Colosseum in Rome best suited for families or travelers looking for typical Roman food. The menu is large (including pizza) with several choices for pasta, gnocchi, meat dishes and vegetable sides.
The atmosphere is casual and the price is right. I highly suggest pre-booking a table on their website to avoid a long wait. Keep in mind that this trattoria holds traditional Italian restaurant hours, opening just for lunch and dinner with closing hours in between.
La Carbonara
Via Panisperna, 214
Best For: Carbonara in Rome
Distance: 12 minute walk
La Carbonara is one of the best places in Rome to eat carbonara, a typical Roman pasta dish, made with egg, guanciale (similar to bacon) and Pecorino Romano cheese.
La Carbonara has become so popular in Rome that they now have a second location as well in Campo de’ Fiori should you not get a chance to eat here after the Colosseum.
Sciuè Sciuè Cucina
Via Urbana, 56-57
Best For: Contemporary twist on Roman classics
Distance: 10 minute walk
Sciuè Sciuè Cucina is a cute and modern restaurant just a 10 minute’s walk from the Colosseum serving up Roman classics with a twist. Not only does the recipe stray slightly from the original but also, the presentation. I always appreciate a breath of fresh air from the classic Roman tradition, making this one of my favorite places to stop and eat near the Colosseum in Rome.
Taverna Cestia Roma
Viale della Piramide Cestia, 71
Best For: Outdoor seating or seafood near the Colosseum
Distance: 15 minute walk
Taverna Cestia Roma is my top pick for eating near the Colosseum in Rome if you would like to sit outdoors. The atmosphere is chic and more elevated than a classic Roman trattoria. Their menu is a bit more eclectic including fried foods, seafood salads and cheese and charcuterie boards with an emphasis on seafood
Forno da Milvio
Forno da Milvio, Via dei Serpenti, 7
Best For: Sandwiches or Tavola Calda (cafeteria style) near the Colosseum
Distance: 10 minute walk
Forno da Milvio is my top pick for eating near the Colosseum if you want a really fast meal cafeteria style (choose from prepared Italian foods that can be warmed up and eaten at their self-service tables) or a sandwich.
This forno is casual and full of locals so be sure to get here before the working lunch hour starts around 12:30. If the wait for a table is long (although tables tend to get turned over quickly), opt for a sandwich or piece of pizza and eat it street side.
Ruver Teglia Frazionata
Viale Aventino, 46
Best For: Pizza street food (no seating)
Distance: 12 minute walk
Ruver Teglia Frazionata is my favorite place to pop in for a slice of pizza in teglia (pizza by the slice but priced by weight) to eat on the street side near the Colosseum. This is a hole in the wall pizza joint with no seating except for a couple of stools.
This is a great option for a quick bite after your tour but not a place you want to go should your legs need a rest. Choose from a wide variety of pizza toppings including the classic roman carb on carb favorite: potato slices on pizza.
Alle Carrette
Via della Madonna dei Monti, 95, 00184 Roma RM
Best For: Sit down pizzeria with classic pizza tonda and excellent fried appetizers.
Distance: 10 minute walk
Rome has become known for its thin, charred scrocchiarella pies, also known as pizza tonda, that are cracker thin and crisp.. One of the best places to try this style of pizza is at Pizzeria Alle Carette, just 10 minutes from the Colosseum in Rome. Don’t miss all their fried appetizers, which are particularly good. Indoor and outdoor seating available.
Fatamorgana Monti
P.za degli Zingari, 5
Best For: Gelato near the Colosseum in Rome
Distance: 12 minute walk
Fatamorgana is one of my favorite spots for gelato in Rome known for its imaginative and unique flavor combinations. They offer an extensive range of daily and fixed flavors, accommodating various dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, dairy-free, and nut-free choices—making it a fantastic spot for travelers with dietary restrictions. And within a 15 minute walk from the Colosseum, Fatamorgana is my favorite spot for gelato near the Colosseum (it’s worth the extra steps as many of the others in the area are tourist traps).
Good To Know: Fatamorgana also serves other yummy cold treats like parfaits, milkshakes, and gelato sandwiches.
Visiting Rome? Don’t Miss
Roman Pasta Dishes + Where to Eat Them
Best Pizza in Rome
Best Gelato in Rome
Rome’s Best Desserts
Where to Eat Carbonara in Rome
Where to Get Coffee in Rome
Aperitivo in Rome
Roman Wine Bars
Where to Eat & Drink in Trastevere
Where to Eat Near the Colosseum
Where to Eat Near the Vatican
Where to Eat Near the Termini Train Station
Where to Eat in the Jewish Quarter
Where to Eat in the Historic Center
Rome Street Food to Try
Where to Get Breakfast in Rome
Bakeries in Rome
Where to Eat Maritozzi in Rome
Where to Eat Pinsa Romana
Where Locals Eat in Rome
Typical Roman Foods
Foods to Try on Your First Visit to Rome
Where to Eat with Kids in Rome
Eating Gluten-Free in Rome
Eating in Rome While Pregnant
Eating Vegan in Rome
My Favorite Gelaterie for Dairy-Free Gelato in Rome
A Roman Picnic
Food Markets in Rome
After-Dinner Drinks in Rome
Food Souvenirs from Rome
Traditional Food of Lazio
