Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Rome

Published by: BouncePosted
Best vegetarian restaurants in Rome, Italy

Italian cuisine is loved around the world, and for good reason. Given that Rome is the capital of Italy, it probably won't come as a surprise to hear that this is one of the world's great food cities. You'll find just about everything here, from high-end Michelin-starred Haut cuisine to innovative Roman street food and everything in between.

Plus, vegetarian food is easy to find. Vegetarian dishes like gnocchi, risotto, and pasta are common on Italian menus, along with moussaka, eggplant parmigiana, and other standards. However, if you're looking for vegetarian restaurants in Rome that serve a wide range of veggie dishes outside the standard Italian fare, then the options can be a bit limited.

It's also worth noting that Italian food is highly regional. Pizza and pasta are eaten around the world, but in Italy, each town has its own culinary traditions. And unfortunately for those looking for vegetarian restaurants in Rome, the capital's cuisine is heavily meat-based. Romans are famous for making delicious dishes out of parts of animals even most meat eaters would balk at. Tripe, anyone?

With that said, Rome has also given the world some great vegetarian dishes like cacio e pepe and carciofi alla giudia, deep-fried artichokes that are an icon of the Jewish ghetto of the city.

In other words, vegetarian options aren't difficult to find in Rome. Along with the city's vegetarian restaurants, you can usually find vegetarian options on the menu of just about any restaurant or trattoria in town. Vegan food can be a little more difficult to source given the Italian love of cheese, but a little searching will also uncover some delicious vegan food in Rome.

Drop off your bags at a luggage storage in Rome and get ready to indulge in the flavors of the Italian capital with this handy guide. Before long, you'll be sitting at a table crying ho mangiate bene - I have eaten well!

Eating vegetarian in Rome

Vega Food

What it's like:

This is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Rome. Located next to Piazza Navona, this Ayurvedic restaurant focuses on ancient vegetarian Indian dishes and offers both vegan and vegetarian options that can be hard to find anywhere else in the city.

The vibe is casual and the service is quick, but don't be fooled - the food here is some of the best in Rome. They also offer a daily menu that changes based on what's fresh and in season at the time.

Our recommendation:

The menu changes daily, but some of our favorite dishes include the South Indian dosa (a crepe made with fermented rice and lentil flour), the Kerala vegetable curry, and the griddled spinach dish.

Location:

Via di Monte Giordano, 1, 00186 Roma

Buddy Veggy Restaurant Café

What it's like:

This casual café offers a relaxed atmosphere that makes it perfect to stop in and take a break from the crowded streets of Rome. With dishes like a vegan carbonara and vegetarian lasagna on the menu, this is one of the best places in Rome to eat vegetarian food. They even offer a great selection of vegan desserts, including a vegan tiramisu so you can easily eat cruelty-free in the Eternal City. No wonder this cozy vegan restaurant has become one of the favorite vegetarian restaurants in Rome.

Our recommendation:

If you're not sure what you want to eat, try the delicious vegetarian buffet served at lunchtime. You'll be able to try a range of natural vegetarian cuisine featuring organic ingredients and vegan flavors, including natural and organic pasta and seasonal vegetables.

Location:

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107A, 00186 Roma

Dining in Rome as a vegetarian

Il Margutta

What it's like:

Veggie burger restaurants and casual vegan restaurants are all very well, but sometimes you want something a little more upscale. That's where Il Margutta comes in. It may not be the poshest vegetarian restaurant in Rome - we'll get to that soon - but it is an upscale place that focuses on offering local and organic ingredients on an extensive menu in a luxurious atmosphere. Easily one of the nicest vegetarian restaurants in the city, Il Margutta is open for breakfast at 8:30 AM every day and serves dinner through to 11:30 PM. Breakfast at the Bio Bar offers the healthiest vegetarian breakfast around, and the ever-changing gourmet veggie dinner menu allows you to sample the best of this creative kitchen. There's even a vegan tasting menu, making this a great choice for a vegan restaurant in Rome.

Our recommendation:

Any chance you get to try an entirely vegan menu at a good restaurant, you should take it.

Location:

Via Margutta 118, Roma

Ginger Sapori e Saluto

What it's like:

Open all day from breakfast to dinner, Ginger Sapori offers a relaxed but intimate atmosphere and a healthy food menu packed with favorite vegetarian dishes. Breakfast is all about pancakes, eggs, and fruit plates, while lunch and dinner bring a selection of pasta, poke bowls, veggie burgers, and other options. The menu here isn't exclusively vegetarian, but veggies tend to dominate the menu. Still, it's a good place to go if you're traveling with carnivores so that everyone can get something they like.

Our recommendation:

Try one of their iconic steamed baskets, with a vegan option alongside tuna and chicken choices.

Location:

Via Borgognona, 43-46, 00187, Roma

Best plant-based restaurants in Rome

Babington's Tea Room

What it's like:

In business since 1893, this traditional English tea room at the foot of the iconic Spanish Steps is the perfect place to enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea. With decor reminiscent of Victorian England, you may feel like you're transported back in time as you enjoy your tea and scones or one of their other traditional English dishes. While this is not specifically a vegan restaurant, you will find many vegetarian dishes on the menu, and even a few vegan options. It's worth it to enjoy some refreshment in one of the most iconic restaurants in the city. They offer a vegetarian sandwich and veggie burger, along with some vegan desserts.

Our recommendation:

The menu here is extensive and can be overwhelming if you're not sure what to order, but the homemade vegan cake is always a good choice.

Location:

Piazza di Spagna, 23 - 2500187 Rome, Italy

Mater Terrae

What it's like:

This classy vegetarian restaurant located in the Hotel Raphael just steps from Piazza Navona is the kind of place you come to wow your vegetarian blogging friends. Recognized with a Michelin star, this restaurant doesn't come cheap, but if you want something fancy, it's undoubtedly one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Rome. They offer both a vegetarian and a vegan tasting menu complete with wine pairings, so if your budget will accommodate it, it's hard to find a better vegetarian meal in Rome. Plus, the astonishing view from the rooftop terrace makes a perfect accompaniment to an exceptional meal.

Our recommendation:

Trust the expert chefs and let them guide you through the best seasonal produce and recipes with a tasting menu. Yes, it's expensive. But it will give you an unforgettable dining experience in the Italian capital.

Location:

Largo Febo, 2, I-00186 Rome

Best vegetarian restaurants in Rome

Ma Va?

What it's like:

The area around the Vatican is packed with tourist trap restaurants offering dubious menus with pictures for visitors to point at. However, if you're looking for a good vegetarian restaurant near St. Peter's, Ma Va? has you covered. The laid-back charm of the restaurant is a jarring contrast with the opulence and splendor of the heart of the Catholic Church, but there's nothing basic about the food here. The menu is relatively limited, but it constantly changes according to what's in season, and it's fully vegan, so everyone can enjoy what's on offer at this vegan restaurant.

Our recommendation:

Saltimbocca alla Romana is a classic Roman dish that is as delicious as it is cruel, since it uses veal as a major ingredient. However, this restaurant offers a vegan spin on this local dish, replacing the veal with seitan so you can enjoy this Italian classic guilt-free.

Location:

Via Euclide Turba, 6/8, 00195 Rome

Flower Burger

What it's like:

Sometimes, you just want to grab a burger and carry on with your day. Flower Burger elevates the humble veggie burger to an art form with innovative recipes that make it fun to eat here. The colorful buns make this one of the most Instagramable vegetarian restaurants in Rome, and a great place for an unfussy but delicious lunch or dinner while you explore the city.

Our recommendation:

The bright pink bun of the Cherry Bomb makes it one of the most popular menu items here, and the lentil patty and Rocktail sauce keep customers coming back for more.

Location:

Via Alessandria 21 or Via dei Gracchi 87, Rome

Best vegan restaurants in Rome

Imago

What it's like:

Rome offers a good selection of vegetarian restaurants that lean toward the fancier end of the scale. The Michelin-starred Imago is definitely one of those. Located in the Hotel Hassler, this place offers fine dining that focuses on vegetarian and vegan cuisine, and the presentation is out of this world. To enjoy a meal here, you will need to book well in advance or splurge for a suite at the hotel itself.

Our recommendation:

If you're spending the night at the Hotel Hassler, you may as well treat yourself to a three-course meal in this Michelin starred restaurant. The menu changes continuously, so you can enjoy a truly unique dining experience here. Whether you're a vegetarian or not, Imago is definitely one of the best restaurants in Rome for an unforgettable meal.

Location:

Piazza della Trinita dei Monti, 6, 00187 Roma

La Pergola

What it's like:

The only restaurant in Rome to be awarded the coveted three Michelin stars, La Pergola is about as fancy as fine dining gets. But unlike many other high-end restaurants, La Pergola caters extremely well to herbivores. Located at the top of the Waldorf Astoria, the restaurant offers sweeping views over the city. And while it doesn't have a set vegetarian or vegan menu, the chefs are happy to accommodate meat-free diets. Just make sure you let them know your requirements when you make a reservation, because you will definitely need to make a reservation. Formal dress is also required, as are deep pockets if you want to try the €320 10 course tasting menu.

Our recommendation:

You'll need to dress up and make a reservation to enjoy the rarefied atmosphere of this incredible restaurant, but once you do, you'll be treated to one of the best dining experiences in all of Rome.

Location:

Via Alberto Cadlolo, 101, 00136 Roma

Meat-free restaurants in Rome

Da Gigetto

What it's like:

This is a classic Roman trattoria like so many others in the city. Sure, its location next to the ancient Teatro Marcello in the old Jewish ghetto makes it a great place to sit at an outdoor table and take in the view. But what really makes this place stand out is the classic Jewish Roman dish carciofi all giudia, or Jewish-style artichokes.

Artichoke season runs from February to April, and this is the best time to try this local classic. The artichokes are deep-fried in olive oil, making them crispy, crunchy, and incredibly delicious.

Our recommendation:

Da Gigetto serves much more than just artichokes. They also have pasta dishes, some of which can easily be vegetarian. But it's the artichokes that bring visitors here again and again.

Location:

49 Via del Portico d'Ottavia

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