The Best Rooftop Restaurants in Rome

The Best Rooftop Restaurants in Rome

When I first got to Rome, I couldn’t wait to dine on one of the famous rooftops from which I’d seen so many gorgeous panoramic shots.

Rome is actually quite flat when it comes to infrastructure. The rooftop restaurants live at the top of the most unsuspecting of buildings, a lot of them hotels.

Unlike other cities in Europe, you won’t really find any casual rooftop eateries. Almost all of them are fine dining or close to it, and you’ll have to make a reservation well in advance if you want to get a table in peak season.

I Sofà Bar Restaurant & Roof Terrace in Rome

This majestic rooftop overlooks the left bank of Rome from the right. It’s right on the bank of the Tiber, so you get this phenomenal view over the water and the ancient city directly below.

While dining at I Sofà Bar Restaurant & Roof Terrace is notably “finer” than most restaurants in Rome, there is definitely a more casual flair kept in the ambiance and general character of the space.

I Sofà Bar Restaurant & Roof Terrace in Rome – by I Sofà Bar Restaurant & Roof Terrace – Uploaded by them

The restaurant wants guests to kick back and relax, while still enjoying a luxury dining experience on behalf of some of Rome’s top chefs.

Request a table on the roof terrace, regardless of the season. 

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 2:30pm // 7:30pm to 10:30pm

ADDRESS: Via Giulia, 62, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Metro STATION: Colosseo

Terrazza Les Étoiles in Rome

Dinner with a rooftop view over the Vatican City? Terrazza Les Étoiles gives you just that.

From here, you’ll dine with the spectacular St Peter’s Basilica just a few yards away. It’s like you could reach out and touch it right there from your table, and by night, the Basilica is lit up all over, glowing throughout your dining experience.

Terrazza Les Étoiles in Rome – by Terrazza Les Étoiles – Uploaded by them

To cater to the masses, Terrazza Les Étoiles is open almost all day. There is a brunch, lunch and dinner menu all offering small plates as opposed to main meals.

If you want to show up without a reservation, you’ll need to arrive about an hour before sunset to get a table. The space will be full just after this.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 10am to 1am

ADDRESS: Via Giovanni Vitelleschi, 34, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

Train STATION: Lepanto

Ristorante Panoramico Forum Roof Garden in Rome

Moving back onto the right bank, the Ristorante Panoramico Forum Roof Garden is a fully enclosed rooftop restaurant giving diners a cozy place in which to eat while overlooking one of Rome’s most historic sites: The Forum.

Ristorante Panoramico Forum Roof Garden is actually known for their many successful wedding engagements, as a lot of tourists bring their partners here and work in cahoots with the waiters to make it a memorable occasion.

Ristorante Panoramico Forum Roof Garden in Rome – by Ristorante Panoramico Forum Roof – Sourced from their Facebook

The cuisine is traditional Italian. It’s superb, and you can pair your dishes perfectly with their array of artisanal cocktails, or just some good old Italian wine.

You’ll get to this rooftop restaurant by entering through the Hotel Forum at the same address.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 12:30pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Via Tor de’ Conti, 25-30, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

Train STATION: Colosseo

Ambrosia Rooftop Restaurant & Bar in Rome

The first thing you need to know about Ambrosia is that the bar’s mixologist is a master of his craft. If you aren’t able to get a dinner reservation with the restaurant, come anyway and enjoy some of the cocktail creations that are open to the public at all times.

If they’re full, the bar won’t serve you food but sampling the impressive drinks against the backdrop of Rome is just as with it.

Ambrosia Rooftop Restaurant & Bar in Rome – by Ambrosia Rooftop Restaurant & Bar – Uploaded by them

Dining is obviously preferable, and you’ll eat from a carefully crafted menu suited to the season.

Ambrosia overlooks the district of Monti; consider an early dinner on the rooftop during sunset before exploring the rest of Monti’s nightlife thereafter.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 3:30pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Via Nazionale, 22, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

Train STATION: Repubblica

La Terrazza dei Papi Roofgarden Restaurant in Rome

Also in Monti, La Terrazza dei Papi Roofgarden Restaurant is right next to the Santa Maria Maggiore; you’ll dine as it glows directly before you.

It’s a very romantic little restaurant, if I do say so myself. The cuisine is continental European; seedling the best dishes from Italy, France and Portugal (seafood).

La Terrazza dei Papi Roofgarden Restaurant in Rome – by La Terrazza dei Papi Roofgarden Restaurant – Uploaded by them

The rooftop only opens at 6:30pm daily. In the winter this is a bit too late to catch the sunset, but in the summer there’s ample time to watch the sun go down over the city center.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 6:30pm to 11pm

ADDRESS: Via Carlo Alberto, 3, 00185 Roma RM, Italy

Train STATION: Termini

47 Circus Roof Garden in Rome

The 47 Circus Roof Garden is one of the favorite rooftop restaurants in Rome. Even locals come to eat here, opting for an elevated view over the Forum, Colosseum and ancient city instead of braving the tourist crowds from street level.

The menu here is presented as an art form. An exquisite use of color and texture is incorporated in every dish, with the leafy greens of the plate complimenting the greens surrounding the district.

47 Circus Roof Garden in Rome – by 47 Circus Roof Garden – Uploaded by them

Despite being noticeably higher end, 47 Circus Roof Garden keeps things casual and welcoming, especially to frazzles tourists looking for a quick lunch just after midday. It’s only really at night when the space is treated as a bit more formal and a dress code needs to be adhered to.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 12pm to 12am

ADDRESS: Via Luigi Petroselli, 47, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Train STATION: Colosseo