A popular caffe near the Pantheon in a town that specializes in great coffee
The Pantheon is one of our favorite buildings in Rome, especially on a quiet morning in winter. Eating nearby can be a challenge however, as it is one of the most crowded and popular sites in Rome. Here are some of our recommendations:
For a very simple, traditional and delicious meal during the week, try Armando al Pantheon (closed on Saturday evening and Sunday). The restaurant is just down the street to the right as you face the Pantheon at Salita Dei Crescenzi, 31. Some of the Roman specialities to try include stracciatella, spaghetti alla carbonara, spaghetti alla gricia, and spaghetti cacio e pepe.
For the fragrance alone (and a rich and foamy espresso, cappucino or hot chocolate with whipped cream) try the famous Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè at Piazza Sant’Eustachio 82, a few blocks behind the Pantheon to the right. Founded in 1938, the caffè has served fair trade coffee since 2001. Writers from The New York Times consider it one of Rome’s best (see The Bounty of Rome by Mimi Sheraton for one example).
If you’re craving gelato, Giolotti is one place to try, at via Uffici del Vicario, 40, a few blocks from the Pantheon. Mentioned in many guidebooks, it’s open from 7 am to 2 am every day of the year and has a good variety of flavors as well as pastries. Serious gelato fans disagree about the “best” gelato in Rome; do a little research (for example, 18 Flavors of Gelato, especially the comments from readers) and you’ll soon collect a whole list of gelaterie to try.
If you want to get away from the intense tourist environment of the Pantheon, head west towards Piazza Navona and then walk in the same direction a few blocks further to via Della Pace. A number of good trattoria line the streets in this neighborhood, including Serafini all Pace at Via di Tor Millina 1.
Let us know what places you recommend in this neighborhood and we’ll post them here.
Buona Forchetta 
very american spelling of favourite and neighbourhood. I note american english still spells famous as famous and not famos.
But very informative posting.
Hi Donica,
as a Roman born, I love Piazza del Pantheon, it’s definitely one of my favorite places to go to when I’m in Rome. There are two very favorite places of mine there: one is the Bar Tazza d’Oro, where they serve the best granita al caffé with fresh whipped cream, and they also sell and grind their own coffee (torrefazione), the best is the Blue Mountain. You’ll recognize the bar from the coffee aroma and the line of people (looking at the Pantheon in front of you, the bar will be to your left, in via degli orfani – http://www.tazzadorocoffeeshop.com/).
The other spot not to miss is a tiny gelateria to the right of the Pantheon where they make the very very best Zabaione ice cream (gelateria Monteforte, via della rotonda 22)!
Compliments for your blogs, I love them.
Hope to see you back here soon,
Cristina
Thanks for the recommendations, we’ll certainly try them when we’re next in Rome. Christina
I hope you like them as much as I do.
By the way, sorry for posting a link that doesn’t seem to work. I’ll try again with this one.
http://www.tazzadorocoffeeshop.com/en/contatti1.html
Buon lavoro,
Cristina