The 10 best Breakfast & Brunch Places in Rome

Italians take food very seriously. Everyone who travelled Italy and talked to Italians will agree on that. If you consider breakfast your most important meal of the day, you might have some difficulties finding breakfast bars and brunch places in Italy. But don’t worry, because we are here to help you! Check out my Top 10 breakfast and brunch spots in Rome!

Breakfast all’italiana

Italians usually have a small sweet breakfast at home before leaving the house: cookies, toasted bread with jam or chocolate cream, cereal with yogurt, fresh fruit and coffee or tea are common. Many simply head to the bar next doors to enjoy a fresh caffè (espresso) or cappuccino and a cornetto, the Italian version of a croissant. This said, finding fresh porridge or savory breakfast classics like scrambled eggs or avocado toast might be tricky.

Over the last few years though, Italians have welcomed the brunch concept with open arms. And for frequent Rome-travelers like me it is great to see how some of these places are popping up in areas that only a few years ago where not very well served with cool bars and places to enjoy a cozy weekend breakfast or brunch with friends.

For all the breakfast lovers out there, I put together some of the hot spots for classic Italian breakfasts as well as some cool places known for their weekend brunch options all around the town. If you happen to be in Rome for quite some time, you should definitely check out some of the places and discover areas of Rome outside of the historical city center. Here are my favorites!

1. Bakery House

Corso Trieste 157 b/c, Via Riano 11, Viale America 91, Via C. Alberto 24, open daily, weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30am – 4pm

Inspired by American pastries and gastronomy, Bakery House invites you to join them for breakfast, lunch break, afternoon coffee and sweets or an easy American brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. All pastries and cakes are homemade and sweet and savory breakfasts are available daily.

2. Bar del Fico

Piazza del Fico 26/28, open Sunday – Saturday from 8am – 2am 

If you are looking for a breakfast place in Rome during your stay, check out the breakfast buffet at Bar del Fico near Piazza Navona. It includes croissants, cakes, fresh bread, fruit juices, coffee, hot and cold dishes. The breakfast buffet is available daily at the Hosteria del Fico in the back part of the bar that turns into a restaurant and hip cocktail bar in the evening. The perfect place to start your busy sightseeing day in Rome with a big breakfast brunch for only about 12 Euro.

3. Barnum Cafe

Via del Pellegrino 87, open Monday from 9am – midnight, Tuesday – Saturday from 9am – 2am 

Located in one of my favorite little streets in Rome, Barnum Cafe is the perfect place for a relaxed breakfast or coffee break away from the tumultuous touristic market in Campo de’ Fiori. Decorated in a hip circus motif, Barnum is a great place to start your day. The bar offers breakfast, affordable dishes for lunch, has free wifi and turns into a cool bar with great cocktails in the evening. It is my personal go to bar when in Rome since I studied there! P.s.: If you happen to be in Rome for work, Barnum is ideal for your working or studying sessions, too. Believe me, been there, done that many times.

4. Caffè Novecento

Via del Governo Vecchio 12, open Monday – Sunday from 8am – 10:30pm

If you are looking for a cafe in Rome without all the hustle and bustle that you find in most bars around the city center, then Caffè Novecento is the place to go. This tea room bistro is a great bar to start you Roman day. Try their selection of home baked cakes & pastries, while you enjoy your coffee, tea, fresh juice or smoothie. If you happen to be there around lunchtime, you’ll notice the buffet selection of quiches, salads, cous-cous and sandwiches. You can also pop in for an aperitif or dinner.

5. La Casetta a Monti 

Via della Madonna dei Monti 62, open Monday – Thursday from 8:30am – 8om, Friday – Saturday from 8:30am – 10:30pm, Sunday from 9:30am – 9:30pm 

La Casetta is a real Monti gem and one of these bars you will always come back to. My foodie friend Daniela introduced me to this adorable tiny cafe. This ivy-covered charmer is for sure one of the most photographed houses in Monti. It is also one of the oldest houses in this area, dating back to the 15th century. Come here to start your day with some Anglo-American favorites like scones, brownies and homemade cakes or pop in for lunch if you are strolling around Monti. Perfect starting point for a tour through one of my personal favorite areas in Rome with its numerous bars, restaurants and vintage shops.

6. Dondolo

Via Cimone 129/131, open Monday – Friday from 7pm – 1am, Friday from 7pm-2am, Saturday from 10am – 4pm & 7pm – 2am, Sunday from 10am – 4pm & 7pm – midnight

If you want to discover parts of Rome that are not touristic at all, go to Montesacro. I used to live there when I studied in Rome and absolutely loved it. Back in 2011 and 2012, it used to be a calm area where not too much happened and where bars and hip places where hard to find. Much has changed today! Montesacro is still a great area to live in and super calm compared to the busy city center. Today though it is also home to some cool bars and restaurants!

The area is home to Dondolo Roma, a restaurant that reinvents Anglo-Saxon cuisine according to Italian culinary traditions. The two founders Livia and Federica have been friends for a lifetime and you can literally feel and see this at their restaurant. Everything is studied in its tiniest details, the dinner menu is innovative and the breakfast and brunch offer on Saturdays and Sundays is simply heaven on earth. They have a lovely garden too if you should happen to be around on a warm day.

7. LI.BE.RA. + soon

Via del Teatro Pace 41, open Monday – Wednesday from 9am – 9pm, Thursday from 9am – 11pm, Friday & Saturday from 9am – 11pm, Sunday from 9am – 9pm

Only a few minutes walk from Piazza Navona and located in a tiny quiet street, LI.BE.RA. + soon offers breakfast, lunch and aperitif. Enjoy a piece of homemade fresh cake and have a look at the home decor you can buy there, too. Great for a small breakfast before you start your Rome tour. This bar opened recently and is still a hidden gem in the city center. Fun fact: After breakfast, you can discover Rome’s city center driving around with the bike! There are three bikes available for free. Ask the friendly staff for more information.

8. MATERIA

Via Andrea Provana 7, open Monday 8am – 7pm, Tuesday – Thursday 8am – 11pm, Friday 8am – midnight, Saturday 9am – midnight, Sunday 9am – 5pm 

At MATERIA in the San Giovanni area it is all about food, coffee and design. Located only a few minutes walking from the famous San Giovanni in Laterano church, this tasteful modern bar if offering great coffee, numerous breakfast options and lunch. Also a great bar where you can work from while traveling around. Follow them on social media to stay tuned about the events they are hosting regularly: acoustic concerts, exhibitions & more.

9. ‘Na Cosetta

Via Ettore Giovenale 54, open on Monday – Sunday from 6pm – 2am, Sunday Brunch every Sunday from 12:30pm to 4pm

The Pigneto neighborhood was originally a working class suburb. Today, it has shaken off its once stained jacket and is home to some of the hippest bars, restaurants and music venues. Only about 25 minutes from the city center, Pigneto might be referred to as “Rome’s answer to Brooklyn, NY”. You can find it all here: great food, hip bars, street art, tattoo shops, open air markets, fresh produce stalls and flowers. This little part of Rome is definitely worth discovering and has become one of the city’s most popular destinations to enjoy the authentic Roman lifestyle. So why not start your Pigneto experience with a brunch/lunch called “colanzo”  at ‘Na Cosetta, an Italian style bistro that is inspired by some of the bars in NYC, and turns into a live music venue in the evening. The perfect starting point for your Pigneto adventure!

10. The Sanctuary Eco Retreat 

Via delle Terme di Traiano 4a, Thursday from 6pm – 3am, Friday from 6pm – 4am, Saturday from 11am to 4am, Sunday from 11am – 2am 

There is a place in Rome’s city center that is far away from all the hustle and bustle! Push the Cambodian-style temple door aside and enter The Sanctuary Eco Retreat. You instantly might feel more like somewhere in Bali than in Rome! White wooden furniture, plants surrounding the whole garden area and oriental carpets guiding you the way to cozy mattresses. It’s no surprise this place turned into one of the hippest hot spots where locals hang out on weekends. Enjoy house music tunes from Thursday to Sunday and have some exotic inspired dishes. Every Sunday is dedicated to wellbeing, wellness, yoga and pilates, as well as healthy food. Prices here are slightly above the average, but the experience is absolutely worth it. Make sure to put this place on your “Sunday Brunch in Rome” list.