Where to eat and drink in Prati

Just a bridge-cross away from Via del Corso and footsteps from the Vatican, Prati is one of Rome’s chicest neighbourhoods, characterized by tree-lined avenues, high-end shops, restaurants and bars for happy hour. It’s one of Rome’s best-kept secrets. And it just so happens to be one of Rome’s most booming areas, with cool restaurant and bar additions that make it even more attractive than it already is. Stay with me to find out about the best restaurants and bars in Rome’s Prati neighbourhood.

Il Sorpasso

Good for: lunch, dinner, happy hour, drinks

Il Sorpasso is not only one of my favorite restaurants and bars in Prati, it’s one of my favorites in all of Rome too. Tucked away on a small side street of Via Crescenzio, footsteps from Via Cola di Rienzo and Piazza Cavour, you’ll find this charming shabby-chic locale. Cozy, intimate and trendy are the adjectives that best describe this fashionable all-day-all-night venue frequented all hours of the day. From yummy lunches and dinners to delicious aperitivos sipping velvety red wines and tasting knife-cut cold cuts and cheeses, Il Sorpasso is the place for any time of the day. There is both an indoor and outdoor area, the setting is warm, with stacks of wine bottles, hanging prosciuttos,  vaulted brick ceilings and a pleasant atmosphere. A heads up: this place is always packed, so if you want to come for dinner, a reservation is mandatory at least a day in advance. The food gives an innovative twist to Italian classics, definitely try the linguine with butter, lime and salmon tartare and the Italian and Spanish prosciuttos. If you come for happy hour but don’t find a table, you can always order a glass at the counter and enjoy it outside!

Address: Via Properzio, 31-33
Phone Number: +39 06 8902 4554
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday from 7.30am – 1am / Saturday from 9am – 1am
Average Price: €35+ for dinner | €5 – €8 wine glass

T A V O L A  Bottiglieria con Cucina

Good for: dinner, happy hour

Footsteps from Via Cola di Rienzo, you’ll find Prati’s newest addition: Tavola Bottiglieria con Cucina. The setting is trendy with wooden accents and brick walls, a mix between a bistrot and a bar. The food is a mix between flavours from Puglia and Lazio, genuine but explosive. From the simple bruschetta with burrata and anchovies to the delicious poached egg with truffle shavings, there’s a great menu to choose from. But don’t forget to listen closely to the daily specials! Wine connoisseurs, the wine list is exceptional, with the best of Italian wine labels. Don’t leave without trying a delicious desserts (the apple crumble is to die for)! And if you want to stop by for aperitivo, it’s the perfect place to taste a variety of dishes (you can even opt for smaller portions at a lower price).

Address: Via Fabio Massimo, 91
Phone Number: +39 06 3211 1780
Opening Hours: Monday  11am – 5pm / Tuesday – Sunday 11am – 11.45pm
Average Price: €45+

Lumière

Good for: lunch, dinner, snack,  drinks

As you can guess from its name, Lumière is famous for its stunning lamp heads hanging from the ceiling. Green, yellow, pink, blue, you will find almost any lamp color in this beautiful restaurant, cafe and late-night bar. Just footsteps from Piazza Cavour, Lumiere is a cozy locale to enjoy a yummy slice of homemade cake, a hot chocolate, an inventive menu, a happy hour, or an after dinner drink. The cocktails are good, as is the wine selection. The vibe is intimate and relaxed, and the service very friendly and efficient. On the weekend, don’t arrive after 10.30pm if you want to make sure to get a table. If you stop by for a snack, don’t miss out on the cake with visciole, ricotta and chocolate chips! YUMMY!

Address: Via Cicerone, 25
Phone Number: +39 06 9209 7669
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday from 6.45am – 2am / Sunday from 4pm – 2am
Average Price: €35+ for dinner | €8 wine glass

Banchina 63

Good for: lunch, dinner, aperitivo

I have completely fallen in love with this place. From the design to the food and service, everything is top-notch at this newly opened restaurant and bar in the trendy Prati district. The protagonist? Seafood! If you’re a seafood cruditè lover, Banchina 63’s fish bar will definitely get your taste buds tingling! From the freshest prawns and shrimp, to giant oysters, this place definitely has what a seafood lover searches for. But it’s not just seafood cruditè that you get here, the seafood dishes are also amazing, and in constant change. I had delicate a delicate mazzara shrimp starter with fresh burrata on a bed of tomato guazzetto and ginger and it was amazing! I highly recommend you try that! The pasta dishes are also impeccable and you can’t end your culinary journey without trying their twist on tiramisu! The wines are also good and the whole atmosphere is trendy and cozy. If you want to stop by for aperitivo, they offer two happy hour formulas and a cool cocktail bar! Banchina 63 definitely brings their A-game to the Roman restaurant scene!

Address: Via Emilio Faà di Bruno, 63
Phone Number: +39 06 6941 2199
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Sunday from 12.30pm – 3pm / 6pm – 1am
Average Price: €40+ for dinner | Aperitivo 8€ – €15

La Zanzara

Good for: happy hour, drinks

Situated on Via Crescenzio, footsteps from Piazza Cavour and Piazza del Risorgimento, La Zanzara is one of Rome’s trendiest bars and restaurants. While it’s also very famous for its restaurant, my favorite part of La Zanzara is its aperitivo. If you intend to indulge in a yummy happy hour, don’t arrive after 6.30pm, you won’t find a free table. From 6.30pm – 8.30pm they serve their happy hour finger foods to your table, where you can choose from a variety of small portion finger foods, from zucchini flower tempura to melanzane alla parmigiana and other creative recipes while you sip your cocktail, wine or beer. There is both an indoor and outdoor area and the setting is very fashionable.

Address: Via Crescenzio, 84
Phone Number: +39 06 6839 2227
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday from 7.30am – 2am / Saturday – Sunday from 8am – 2am
Average Price: €8 wine glass, €5+ finger food

Fratelli de Luca

Good for: lunch, juice bar, salads

If you find yourself in the Prati neighbourhood, trying to find a healthy place to eat a delicious salad, rice, or drink some freshly made juice, Fratelli de Luca is the place. Their fresh juices are a must-order, as well as their smoothies! Not to mention their salads! Fratelli De Luca whips up a sandwich, a salad or a baked potato like you’ve never tasted before! Their cous cous, caprese and Marino sandwich with arugola, smoked tuna and tomatoes are YUMMY! It’s the perfect place for a relaxed light lunch break after your shopping spree on Via Cola di Rienzo or after your visit to the Vatican.

Address: Via Silla, 38
Phone Number: +39 393 977 0196
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday from 8.30am – 6.30pm / Saturday from 10am – 6.30pm

Il Gianfornaio

Good for: lunch, happy hour, pizza

Everyone in Rome knows Il Gianfornaio. Its known for its irresistable small round pizzette and out-of-this-world pizza. And the Prati neighbourhood just happens to have one footsteps from Via Cola di Rienzo, making it the perfect place to grab a pizza to take away, or to stay in for lunch, or simply enjoy a coffee or hot chocolate along with pastries and cakes. Just a heads up, this place is pretty crowded and if you come from 12.30pm – 2pm you’ll probably find a bit of a line. But hey, pizza is always worth the wait!

Address: Via dei Gracchi, 179
Phone Number: +39 06 3231811
Opening Hours: Monday – Saturday from 7.30am – 8.30pm / Sunday from 9am – 8pm