When the weather turns nice, the sunset lingers and it feels like night will never come, you need to dine outside in Rome (or have breakfast or lunch) on a terrace or in a garden. Here are ve lovely choices, recommended by natives or adopted Romans.
ROSTI AL PIGNETO
The garden, planted with lemon trees and laurel, with the scent of basil and marjoram, is spread out over 7,500 square feet. The colorful little tables are just like those on the balconies of countless Italian houses. At lunch, you’ll nd Roman dishes (tonnarelli pasta with cheese and ground pepper, meatballs), and at dinner there’s pizza. All day, you can order supplì, bruschetta and burgers. Via Bartolomeo d’Alviano, 65, +39 06 2752608
OTELLO ALLA CONCORDIA
A blast from the past: here you’ll nd the atmosphere of the beloved old Rome, like you see in movies (not surprisingly, it is popular with the cinema crowd). The internal courtyards, with a pergola covered with vines and wisteria, and an ancient Roman fountain serve as a backdrop for traditional dishes (fried zucchini blossoms, mezze maniche Amatriciana style). Via della Croce 81, tel. +39 06 6791178.
VIVI BISTROT
Villa Pamphili. In the park of Villa Dora Pamphili, the Provençal-style venue is perfect for everything from breakfast to happy hour and on to a candlelight dinner, with a view of the park. It can also arrange to make picnic baskets. The seasonal menus range from Italian recipes (spaghetti with cherry tomatoes and botargo) to international dishes (Middle Eastern hummus and Indian curry). The entrance is at Via Vitellia, 102, tel. +39 06 5827540
THE CORNER ROME
International in name and concept, The Corner is a townhouse (with a hotel) surrounded by a terrace- garden with cozy chairs and a vintage gazebo, where you can enjoy a drink or have dinner (with a bar menu). The restaurant, with a tasting menu, has a room/ greenhouse where the roof opens up in summer so you’re under the pergola, the sky and the stars. Viale Aventino 121, tel. +39 06 4559735
PORTO FLUVIALE
In the courtyard, which reopens in summer, you’ll dine amid plants and owers, under colorful lights like those of a village festival. It offers Roman pizza (thin and crispy) or Neapolitan-style pizza (thicker and breadier), but also trattoria fare. Depending on how hungry you are, you can order a full or half portion of your favorite dish, or a lot of cicchetti (appetizers): you’ll be charged by how much you eat. Via del Porto Fluviale, 22 tel. + 39 06 5743199.
