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The 11 Best Restaurants Near the Spanish Steps in 2023
Sean Finelli
Looking for the best places to eat near the Spanish Steps, Piazza del Popolo, or Via del Corso in Rome? The good news is, there are tons of fantastic restaurants and trattorias nearby—you’ve just gotta distinguish them from the tourist traps. Our local guides have done that for you in this curated list of the best restaurants near the Spanish Steps.
Pro Tip: When you find helpful travel content, bookmark it in your browser so you can circle back to it on your trip. These restaurant recommendations will come in handy when you’re hungry in Rome. Also, check out our dedicated guide to Rome to help you plan a memorable trip and the top foods you have to try in Rome.
Top Places To Eat Near the Spanish Steps
When I first moved to Rome, I didn’t like the Spanish Steps area. It felt too fancy and I was worried I was getting ripped off everywhere. After about ten years, I have grown to appreciate the area. Over time, I found some of the more local spots in this area otherwise overrun with tourists.
After exploring all the there is to do near the Spanish Steps, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite. Enjoy authentic Roman cuisine and a great atmosphere in one or more of these great restaurants near the Spanish Steps. If you’re looking for restaurant recommendations in other areas of Rome, use the toggle menu below.
This is probably the best cheap place to eat in Rome. A plate of pasta only costs €4 for an abundant portion and it’s in the ritzy Spanish Steps area. What are your options? Choose between the two kinds of pasta they decided to make that day.
Pasta comes in a plastic container with a fork, napkin, and plastic cup for you to pour yourself some water from the jug. They sell glasses of table wine for a euro or so extra. If you’re in the area and it’s lunchtime, I recommend giving this place a try. Especially if you’re on the go, it’s an experience.
€€ | Casual Contemporary | Outdoor Seating | Health Focused
Ginger popped up about a decade ago and it’s really cool. They serve fresh juices, seasonal pasta dishes, and generally great food. For lack of a better description, the food tastes like the restaurant looks.
It’s fresh, clean, and innovative. I got a Carbonara di Zucca (Pumpkin Carbonara), which is an Italian fall pasta equivalent to a pumpkin spice latte and it was to die for.
They have ample outdoor seating and they’re always full of people. You could probably make a reservation, but every time I’ve gone there I simply put my name in, grab a juice, and wait 15 or so minutes for a table.
The clean dishes, outdoor seating, and cool atmosphere make Ginger one of my favorite lunch restaurants near the Spanish Steps—maybe even in Rome! They have a coffee bar where you can get an espresso and they’re open throughout the day, which is convenient when you need an energy boost to continue sightseeing!
This is the best way to see Pompeii and the Amalfi Coast from Rome. You’ll take private transportation with our guide down to Pompeii where an archeologist will tour our small group through the ruins. Then we’ll head over to Sorrento which is the tip of the Amalfi Coast before returning to Rome. Tickets, transportation, and guides are included in the price.
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Rome in a Day Tour with Vatican, Sistine Chapel, Colosseum, and More!
Looking to get much of your sightseeing done in one day? This tour enters the Vatican an hour before opening and visits the Colosseum along with other sites like the Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Trevi Fountain. All admissions and transportation are included as well as a licensed English-speaking guide!
Ciampini is a Roman staple frequented by the who’s who of Rome. It’s always filled with Roman nobles and the best-dressed people in town. While it’s not very expensive, it’s not very cheap either.
The food is great, the restaurant is small, and the service is classy. Nothing there is cutting-edge; it’s great Roman food in an up-scale atmosphere surrounded by people to match. Ciampini Bistrot is far enough from the Spanish Steps on the other side of Via del Corso that it isn’t overrun with tourists but close enough that you can get there in a couple of minutes.
This is one of my personal favorite restaurants near the Spanish Steps for a classy meal at an outside table. You’ll want to make a reservation if you want a table outside for lunch.
I happened upon this restaurant with my wife around Christmas time, and we were drawn in by the ambience and colorful plates. The restaurant is super modern but the dishes are classy and colorful Sicilian fare.
It’s a very upscale restaurant with limited tables and a beautiful atmosphere. Honestly, I’d recommend it on looks alone, but the food is also amazing. I haven’t seen this in any guidebooks yet, so it appears to be a locals’ secret. Check it out.
€€€€ | Fine Dining | Terrace Seating | Great Views
This restaurant, which is more of a palace, is named after Giuseppe Valadier. He was an architect who designed and outlined much of the area between the Spanish Steps and Piazza del Popolo.
This is the poshest area of Rome, and Casina Valadier is without a doubt the most extravagant place to dine. Be ready for a wonderful night out and be sure to wear your classiest attire. The food is amazing and so is the view. Casina Valadier is perched up on the edge of Villa Borghese, which makes it one of the best restaurants with a view near the Spanish steps.
Yes, this is a Japanese restaurant! It makes this list because it is a really cool restaurant with a great bar, beautiful interior design, and an incredible rooftop terrace. You don’t have to eat sushi in Rome, but it is worth it to get a drink here. And when you see some of the apps, you’ll probably end up ordering dinner.
This is a really cool place and you’ll find yourself surrounded by locals—and locals only. Zuma is great for a longer stay in Rome if you get tired of carbs or for anyone who comes to the city frequently.
Privileged Entrance Vatican Tour with Sistine Chapel
This our most popular and longest-running Vatican tour to date. It enters the Vatican City & Museums an hour before the public opening and visits the Sistine Chapel as it opens. Admissions are included and our English-speaking guides do a wonderful job bringing the museums to life!
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Ultimate St. Peter’s Basilica Dome Climb Tour with Papal Tombs
Get the most out of your visit to St. Peter’s Basilica by joining a guided tour up to the top of the tallest dome in the world! Our tour includes all admissions including an elevator to the highest possible point and an English-speaking guide.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Vatican Guide for more info.
Mercato Monte D’oro
€ | Street Food and Market | Kid Friendly | Lunch Only
My office is a block from this market and I eat lunch here almost daily when I’m in Rome. Mercato Monte D’oro is a tiny little lunch market and when you walk in, you’ll find a pasta place front and center.
Order a pasta dish off the menu, which changes daily. Don’t be surprised if the ladies at the counter remember your face the next day—they’re the greatest.
Directly across the street from Mercato Monte D’oro is Spaghetti, and the food is good. The owners also happen to be the chefs and the waiters. They are both a little crazy and make great food.
The name says it all—you’ll eat spaghetti here. They have a rotating menu of classic Italian dishes from all over. Fresh ingredients make them all taste delicious, so pick anything and you’ll be fine.
If you’re looking for an impressive restaurant with tons of outdoor seating, this place fits the bill. It is a classy and timeless Italian restaurant that has focused on high-quality ingredients, great presentation, and one of the best non-rooftop views in Rome.
The food is fancy and the service is more comparable to what you’d expect in your home country. You can easily come here for a classy meal and be surrounded by Roman nobles—the world’s elite.
€€€ | Upscale Intimate | Great Wine | Varying Menu
Do you love wine and cool restaurants? Ad Hoc is something you can definitely write home about. Enjoy a killer meal and an amazing bottle of wine in a super intimate setting.
The name defines the menu: changing often and with variations. The dishes are artistic, clean, and delicious. You can’t say too much or too little about this place. Make a reservation for the cabana room.
Pompi has consistently made the best tiramisu in Rome for decades. This little cafe sells world-famous treats, and you should consider skipping dessert at your sit-down restaurant, take a passagiata (stroll) to Pompi, and try the tiramisù, of course.
Reservations: You can make reservations and it’ll probably work, but most inexpensive restaurants treat reservations loosely due to the number of no-shows. Ask for a glass of wine while you wait.
Service: Don’t get up in arms if it takes a while for the waiter to come over or if you can’t get their attention. Enjoy your time—you’re on vacation!
Tipping: A few euros per person is great. If you want to give 10-20%, be our guest but it’s not necessary. That said, everyone likes more money.
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