The 10 Best Restaurants Near Piazza Navona in 2023

Looking for a great place to eat near this iconic piazza in Rome? Skip the tourist traps and discover the best places to enjoy authentic food. Our team of locals know Roman cuisine and they update and refine our lists of best restaurants across Rome annually. Here are the best restaurants near Piazza Navona

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Pro Tip: It’s easier to organize your trip when you have all your resources in one place. Bookmark this post so you can easily find it when you’re in the city. See our guide to Rome for more planning resources, our top Rome tours for a memorable trip, and the top foods to try in Rome.

Top 10 Places To Eat in or Near Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s most iconic piazzas. It’s wise to avoid being ripped off in a tourist trap, but you can expect to pay a little more here. There are some decent restaurants in and near Piazza Navona and there are also some amazing ones!

Check out Bernini and Terrazza Borromini below for an incredible dining experience. Without further ado, here are the best restaurants and places to eat near Piazza Navona. If you love food and travel (and we think you do!), check out our local food tours in Rome. They’re a great way to explore a new city and eat good authentic food.

Taverna Agape

€€€ | Outdoor Seating | Near Piazza Navona | Authors Favorite

As a tourist, you’ll find tons of great restaurants in the center, but as a local gastronaut, you feel like you’re stepping over land-mines everywhere you go. You either need to eat less-than-authentic food or crawl into a super authentic restaurant lacking in ambiance. Then, there is Taverna Agape.

Very authentic and delicious roman food with one of the best set-ups in the historical center of Rome. It’s footsteps from Piazza Navona in a pedestrian piazza (no cars) with tons of outdoor seating. It doesn’t hurt that the food is phenomenal as well. Finding authentic Roman food in the center is a struggle, and I am not talking about serving food in sauce pans, but this spot is great.

Address: Piazzetta di Vicolo di S. Simone, 26

Terrazza Borromini

€€€€ | Upscale Dining | Outdoor Rooftop Seating Piazza Navona

If you don’t want to sit in Piazza Navona, why not sit ON Piazza Navona? Terrazza Borromini translates to “Borromini’s Terrace,” and it is just that. It’s an amazing terrace overlooking Piazza Navona that feels practically tucked into the Church of Saint Agatha in Agony.

If you twirl your pasta incorrectly the sauce could splatter and stain the church it’s that close. The food is good and you’ll get incredible service. The bill will reflect the experience. I would eat here on a special trip and it’s a great place for a proposal or anniversary trip. If you’re in Rome on business it would be the place to take clients.

Address: Piazza Navona, 44 

Retrobottega

€€ – €€€ | Adventurous  

This group of shops and restaurants are owned and operated by a few chefs with Michelin-star backgrounds. However, you won’t pay Michelin-star prices here. It’s definitely more expensive than your average meal but it’s a really cool experience and well worth the money.

The ambiance of the restaurant is super modern with an open kitchen and prep area, which makes it the most creative place to eat on this list of the best restaurants near Piazza Navona. Come here for lunch or dinner with a big appetite and an open mind. Reservations are recommended.

Address: Via della Stelletta, 4

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La Pace Del Palato

€€ – €€€ | Eclectic Italian | Some Outdoor Tables 

This hidden gem is the place to go for a nice, sit-down meal that’s worth every penny. Situated on a quiet street, head to this non-touristy restaurant near Piazza Navona to escape the crowds for a relaxing meal. The owner, Mr. Renato, is outstanding with all his customers and sometimes even offers his customers things to try for free.

From antipasto to primi, secondi, and dessert (if you aren’t in a food coma yet), every item on the menu is of the highest quality. Popular items to order include the highly-reviewed black truffle fettuccine or the meatballs. And, although the wine list is small, the options available are well-curated, so you can’t go wrong.

Address: Via del Teatro Pace, 42 

Bernini Ristorante

€€-€€€ | Classic Roman-Italian | Outdoor Seating | Kids | In Piazza Navona

To be clear, sitting down in Piazza Navona is a super touristy thing to do. That’s only because a majority of the restaurants in the piazza are pretty terrible and the prices reflect the rent if not more. Bernini is not cheap, but they aren’t trying to rip anyone off. The food is high quality and they have really nice seafood dishes.

I would go to Bernini for lunch with my wife or if I had family in town. The food is pretty good, the prices are reasonable considering its high-rent location, and it’s in Piazza Navona! Call and make a reservation for outdoor seating. You can have a nice lunch or dinner here or even sit down for a coffee in the morning.

Address: Piazza Navona, 44 

I Pizzicaroli

€€ | Sandwich, Meats, and Cheese | Some Outdoor Tables 

The sign simply says, “good things from Umbria & Abruzzo” and that is the theme of this casual place to eat. I Pizzicaroli is owned by two brothers hoping to bring the flavors of the Umbria region to Rome.

This is the perfect place to enjoy aperitivo or eclectic bite to eat. The variety of foods and how different it is from most Roman restaurants makes it my favorite place to eat near Piazza Navona. When you want a change of pace from your normal pizza and pasta, this is the place.

Perfect for sharing, the classic platter includes all kinds of cheeses (try the caciofiore), meats, fresh fruits, bruschetta, porcini mushrooms, olive oil, honey, and bread. The price for this delicious spread? Only €11 per person!

So, if you’re looking for a cheap restaurant near Piazza Navona, this is an excellent option. Plus, this place serves a wide selection of beer and wine to pair with your snacks.

Address: Via della Fossa, 9 

Ristorante Santa  Lucia

€€€ | Classy Roman-Italian | Lots of Outdoor Seating 

If you’re looking for a place to sit down and have a quiet lunch on a nice afternoon, this is the spot. They have good food and an incredible ambiance. The patio is slightly elevated from the street, which keeps you away from the cars. 

It’s not meant for kids, but Italians love children and well-behaved kids would have some space to play here. The cool ambiance and spaciousness make Santa Lucia my favorite restaurant with outdoor seating near Piazza Navona.

Address: Largo Febo 12 

Saltimbocca

€€ | Casual | Outdoor Seating 

Saltimbocca is named after a popular dish in Italy (veal topped with prosciutto and sage). Although it doesn’t look like much from the street, Saltimbocca is highly recommended by locals and is a great spot to mingle with non-tourists.

Try the carbonara, amatriciana, or the cacio e pepe, which are all classic Roman pasta dishes. The owners at Saltimbocca are very friendly and will leave you with a free glass of limoncello to help you digest your meal.

Address: Via di Tor Mullins, 5 

Que te Pongo

€€ | Salad and Sandwiches (Salmon)

This little café near Piazza Navona is the perfect spot for the fish lover in your group. Specializing in all things salmon, these chefs are excellent at what they do. 

In addition, if you’re looking for a quick lunch or a tasty sandwich accompanied by a refreshing glass of wine, this is an ideal Piazza Navona restaurant.

Address: Via della Dogana Vecchia, 13 

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Frigidarium

€ | Gelato

After exploring Piazza Navona, the best way to cool down and escape the summer sun is to enjoy a scoop or two of gelato at the best joint in town, Frigidarium.

This famous gelateria gets a lot of hype from tourists and locals alike, and for good reason. You get a generous amount of gelato at an unbeatable price. There’s always a line around the corner, but it’s worth the wait. Try getting your gelato topped with dark chocolate glaze for a tasty treat.

Address: Via della Dogana Vecchia, 13 

Chiostro del Bramante (Café)

€ | Breakfast/Lunch/Aperitivo | Outdoor Seating | Kids 

Looking for breakfast or a coffee near Piazza Navona? They make coffee and snacks up to Italian standards in an incredible setting. Head up to the second floor of Chiostro del Bramante and sit down for a coffee, cocktail, or freshly-squeezed orange juice.

This little gem is literally the definition of off-the-beaten-path, but it’s right in the middle of everything. Take your travel companions and they’ll recognize you did your homework!

Address: Arco della Pace 5

Go on a Local Food Tour in Rome

Love food and travel? Then a food tour is for you! It’s a fantastic way to spend an evening exploring the city and its local cuisine in authentic restaurants. Who doesn’t dream of eating Italian food in Italy, right?

You’ll be joined by a passionate local guide who not only knows what to eat and where to get it but also speaks the lingo. An absolute must for foodies, a local food tour is the best way to the heart (and stomach) of local food culture.

Tour the local food scene of Rome’s trendy Trastevere or go on an evening cocktail tour passing by the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, and more!

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Rome food tour is worth it.