If you’re touring around Vatican City, have just finished a tour, or are gearing up to visit St. Peter’s Square then you might be looking for some cibo (food).
It’s easy to get caught in a tourist trap in a place as popular as Vatican City, but there are actually plenty of authentic options nearby.
I’ve been living in Italy since 2012, and I’ve had plenty of time to sample eateries near the Vatican.
Whether you’re looking for gelato, pizza, pasta or typical Roman cuisine, I have a spot for you!
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Map of Where to Eat Near the Vatican
Quick Guide
| Name | Distance from Vatican City | Best For |
| Pergamino Caffè | 5-minute walk | Craft coffee near the Vatican |
| Sciascia Caffè | 10-minute walk | Historic Roman bar/cafe experience |
| LOVE Speciality Croissants | 6-minute walk from Vatican City | Croissants and specialty coffee |
| Mercato Trionfale | 6-minute walk | Authentic food shopping experience and snacks |
| Il Sorpasso | 8-minute walk | Wine lovers |
| Be.Re. + Trapizzino | 6-minute walk from Vatican City | Beer & cheap eats near the Vatican |
| Da Romolo alla Mole Adriana | 14-minute walk | Large parties |
| Osteria Nuvoli | 12-minute walk | Casual dining / Families |
| Romanè | 14-minute walk | Casual dining |
| Pulejo Ristorante | 8-minute walk | Michelin restaurant / Fine dining experience |
| La Pratolina | 15-minute walk | Pizza Pinsa |
| Bonci Panificio | 8-minute walk from Vatican City | Pizza alla pala/Pizza a taglia (pizza sold by the slice/weight) |
| Gelateria dei Gracchi | 16-minute walk | Gelato near the Vatican |
| Mama Eat Lab | 15-minute walk | Gluten-Free travelers in Rome |
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 Vatican in Detail
Tip: When possible, pre-book your table – better safe than sorry (especially after a long tour of the Vatican!).
Pergamino Caffè
Piazza del Risorgimento 7
Best For: Craft coffee near the Vatican
Distance: 5-minute walk from Vatican City
Pergamino Caffè is my top pick for coffee lovers near the Vatican who are looking for a craft coffee (compared to traditional Italian coffee beverages).
You can also eat here (decent but not amazing) but I come for the coffee, it’s some of the best in Rome.
They have a larger selection of daily blends and more innovative forms of brewing, which does make the price a bit higher than a traditional coffee in Rome.
Good To Know: Pergamino has a large selection of their pre-packaged coffee to bring home as a gift or souvenir.
Sciascia Caffè
Via Fabio Massimo 80/a
Best For: Historic Roman bar/cafe experience
Distance: 10-minute walk from Vatican City
Sciascia Caffè has been crafting artisanal coffee since 1919, turning a classic Italian caffè into a decadent treat with a signature dark chocolate coating inside the cup.
Don’t miss their specialty “Caffè 1919” made with espresso, chocolate, and almond cream, a favorite among locals and tourists alike.
The elegant, old-world interior makes it one of my top picks for eating near the Vatican for coffee lovers in an elegant setting.
If you are visiting in the summer, opt for a seasonal granita instead of a hot beverage!
LOVE Specialty Croissants
Via Tunisi, 51 (Prati)
Best For: Croissants and specialty coffee
Distance: 6-minute walk from Vatican City
This trendy hipster spot is perfect for those seeking expertly brewed coffee and flaky French-style croissants.
Unlike historic Italian cafes, you will find a more eclectic menu including items like a Spanish cortado and an Australian flat white.
Mercato Trionfale
Via Andrea Doria
Best For: Authentic food shopping experience and snacks
Distance: 6-minute walk
Trionfale Market is the largest indoor food market in Rome, featuring over 250 stalls offering a variety of fresh and artisanal foods and pre-prepared foods, perfect for making a picnic.
The market is thoughtfully organized with a color-coded system to help shoppers navigate with ease (i.e. green for fruits and veg, yellow for baked goods, household essentials and dry goods, etc.).
I suggest coming to the Trionfale market if you happen to be in the area of the Vatican and recharge with some classic Roman street food.
Keep In Mind: This isn’t a place to sit down and rest. It does involve MORE WALKING!
Il Sorpasso
Via Properzio, 31-33
Best For: Wine lovers
Distance: 8-minute walk from Vatican City
This casual wine bar near the Vatican is my top pick for wine lovers looking for a little glass of something after sightseeing at the Vatican.
They specialize in cheese and charcuterie boards but also have a short menu with classic Italian food options.
Good To Know: Il Sorpasso is open all day, making it another favorite should you want to sit down for something to eat outside of typical Italian dining hours.
Be.Re. + Trapizzino
Piazza del Risorgimento, 7/A
Best For: Beer & cheap eats near the Vatican
Distance: 6-minute walk from Vatican City
Be.Re. is one of my favorite places to get beer in general in Rome and it also happens to be right next door to Vatican City.
Here you can pick from a wide selection of bottled craft beer on tap and chow down on some of the city’s most famous cheap eats, the trapizzino, a modern take on pizza.
It’s made by stuffing a piece of pizza dough with traditional Roman flavors such as white chicken cacciatore or meatballs.
Good To Know: There is plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors.
Da Romolo alla Mole Adriana
Vicolo del Campanile, 12
Best For: Large parties
Distance: 14-minute walk from Vatican City
Da Romolo alla Mole Adriana is a classic Roman style restaurant with a big menu best suited for large parties.
They have both covered outdoor and indoor dining room that can accommodate larger tables.
The menu is traditional Roman food with plenty of meat, seafood and classic Roman pasta dishes to choose from. The price is reasonable and the client-base is mostly locals.
Osteria Nuvolari
Via degli Ombrellari, 10
Best For: Casual dining / Families
Distance: 12-minute walk from Vatican City
Osteria Nuvolari falls under the classic family-run trattoria hat.
It’s casual with simple yet delicious and reliable food cooked by the same family forever.
The service and atmosphere is very familiare, meaning informal with a homey vibe.
I always suggest Osteria Nuvolari for families because there is a good selection, it’s not expensive and the food comes out relatively quickly without waiting too long between courses.
Good To Know: You can request to book a table on their website, which I highly suggest doing at both lunch and dinner.
Romanè
Via Cipro, 106
Best For: Casual dining
Distance: 14-minute walk from Vatican City
Right next door to Panificio Bonci, Romanè is one of the best Roman trattorie in the area serving up excellent meat courses, some of the best seasonal vegetarian sides (making it an option for vegans and vegetarians near the Vatican) and delicious desserts.
I highly recommend booking on their website as this is a very popular choice for locals in Prati.
Pulejo Ristorante
Via dei Gracchi, 31
Best For: Michelin restaurant / Fine dining experience
Distance: 8-minute walk
Pulejo Ristorante is my suggestion for folks near the Vatican who are looking to splurge on a Michelin star restaurant and fine dining experience (this is the true way to rest your legs after a Vatican tour).
Like most Michelin star restaurants, Pulejo is best described as a high end dining experience with several small courses that are expertly crafted with unique and modern cooking techniques within the realm of Italian cuisine. Pre-book online.
La Pratolina
Via degli Scipioni 248
Best For: Pizza Pinsa
Distance: 15-minute walk from Vatican City
La Pratolina specializes in pizza pinsa, a Roman-style flatbread with a light, bubbly crust fermented for up to 60 hours.
Topped with both classic toppings and more creative ingredients like artichokes and gorgonzola, it’s one of the best pizzerias near the Vatican to try.
Tip: La Pratolina is closed for lunch on the weekends but unlike typical Italian restaurant, they don’t close in the afternoon, making the best spot for a meal anytime of the day near the Vatican.
Bonci Panificio
Via Trionfale, 36
Best For: Pizza in teglia (pizza sold by the slice/weight)
Distance: 8-minute walk from Vatican City
This small but legendary bakery offers some of the best pizza in teglia (rectangular pizza slices) in Rome.
Seasonal toppings vary depending on availability and the season but one thing is for sure: they always have an ample selection including vegan pizza.
No seating but just eat your pizza standing on the street (or find some steps).
Alternative: Another great place for pizza in Rome (but often much more crowded) is Bonci’s Pizzarium, also close to the Vatican.
Gelateria dei Gracchi
Via dei Gracchi, 272
Best For: Gelato near the Vatican
Distance: 16-minute walk from Vatican City
Gelateria dei Gracchi is one of the best gelaterie in Rome.
I love it best for its seasonal sorbet flavors which are especially refreshing in the hot Roman heat.
Gelato Lovers: Don’t miss
How To Order Gelato In Italy
Is Italian Gelato Gluten-Free?
Gelato In Italy – The Scoop on Italy’s Favorite Sweet Treat
Italian Gelato Flavors – A Complete List of Gelato Flavors You’ll Find in Italy (+ Printable Quick Guide)
Best Gelato in Florence – Venice – Rome
Dairy-Free Gelato Flavors + My Recs for Florence – Venice – Rome
Mama Eat Lab
Via di San Cosimato, 7
Best For: Gluten-Free travelers in Rome
Distance: 15-minute walk from Vatican City
Mama Eat Lab is a chain in Italy and while it’s not the best cuisine in all of Italy, it’s certainly a decent option for gluten-free folks. Look for other locations throughout all major cities in Italy including Florence.
This grab-and-go eatery is entirely gluten-free and perfect for those with dietary restrictions near the Vatican. Their menu includes classic Roman specialties such as supplì, pizza and main meat courses.
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