Are there vegetarian restaurants in Rome?
Italy is famous for her food and it is true that there are endless delicious things to eat and an untold number of remarkable restaurants and street food sellers and markets and more where you can find amazing dishes. Many of these dishes are meat-based but there are plenty of typical Italian dishes without meat that are wonderful options for vegetarians and will be found pretty readily on any menu. However, if you’re a vegetarian or a vegan and you’re on holidays, you might want to have lots and lots of tasty options - a whole menu of them - not just a smaller selection of suitable dishes.
Rome, as the capital, is one of the cities with the most variety when it comes to amenities, restaurants, and stores and, therefore, has plenty of specialised eateries to choose from. So, if you want to book one of our vacation rentals in Rome and you are veggie or vegan and hope to eat very well during your trip, we have put together a small guide with answers to common questions about veggie-friendly options in the Eternal City.
Can you eat as a vegetarian in Rome?
As we have said: yes! There are lots of options for both vegetarians and vegans in Rome!
Is it easy to get vegetarian food in Italy?
There are plenty of vegetarian options naturally in Italian cuisine and some vegan dishes. Italian cooking makes great use of beans and vegetables and there are plenty of pasta and risotto dishes made with just vegetables. Stock used in risottos can also be vegetable-based, making them totally vegan-friendly. Classic veggie-friendly staples on Italian menus include Margherita pizzas, Parmigiana di Melanzane (an eggplant-based dish in a tomato sauce with parmesan cheese), Pomodoro al Riso (hollowed-out tomatoes filled with rice), the local Gnocchi alla Romana, Pasta e Patate (a pasta and potato soup from Naples), Carciofi alla Romana (Rome’s classic artichoke dish), and Carciofi alla Giudia (another Roman staple, from the Jewish quarter, and also another artichoke dish).
Is there vegan pasta in Rome?
Most restaurants, in fact, will not take issue and readily prepare a pasta dish with pasta all’acqua (just flour and water) rather than pasta all’uovo (made with egg) if you simply ask when ordering! Just explain that you are vegan and ask for the change. You can also always ask upon entering an establishment, before ordering, to ensure this is definitely possible.
What kinds of vegetarian restaurants are located in Rome?
There are hundreds of vegetarian and vegan restaurants to choose from in Rome from fast food to fine dining options and everything in between. From Flower Burger, a bright and aesthetically-pleasing vegan fast food chain in the city, to Julietta Pastry and Lab, a beautiful vegan bakery, to Rifugio Romano, a family-owned vegan restaurant serving Roman classics – there are all sorts of options!
What is the oldest vegetarian restaurant in Rome?
Il Margutta, near the Spanish Steps is both Rome and Italy’s oldest vegetarian restaurant. Opened in 1979, it has vegetarian and vegan options and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There is also a cocktail menu and an art gallery, meaning that there are tasty treats and interesting sights in this restaurant from morning to evening – an absolute staple for veggies and vegans who book a holiday rental in Rome.
How do I find more vegetarian restaurants in Rome?
One of the most comprehensive resources in order to find vegan and vegetarian restaurants in any given city has to be the Happy Cow website. Here, you will find a long list of excellent places to eat during your vacation in Rome.
