Best vegan restaurants in Rome: where to go for plant-based food
When in Rome, there will probably be something vegan on the menu at most restaurants. However, how nice is it to go somewhere where everything is vegan, and you do not have to survive on just vegetables and fries?
Throughout the city, both in the city centre and more residential neighbourhoods, you can find amazing fully vegan restaurants with great staff and even better food. From vegan fast food to cat bistrots, Rome’s vegan scene truly has it all. In this article, I put together some of my favourite spots, so you know exactly where to find the best vegan restaurants in Rome.
Buddy Veggy Restaurant Café
First on the list is Buddy, which, funnily enough, is also the first vegan restaurant in Rome I ever tried. Located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 107A, it is right in the centre, close to Largo di Torre Argentina, where you can also find my favourite bookstore.
Buddy is a 100% vegan restaurant, so you do not need to worry or ask, but can simply choose whatever you like, how great is that? They have loads of options, from classic Roman pastas like amatriciana and cacio e pepe to pinsas and, of course, dessert. If you want something a little fresher and greener after a couple days of Italian food, they also offer delicious bowls and salads with quinoa and avocado, for example.
Since Buddy is open all day long, they also serve vegan breakfast and brunch, including pancakes, acaí bowls, muesli bowls, and more, together with freshly squeezed juices. Honestly, I think it is a great place, and their vegan tiramisu is my absolute favourite dessert.
Buddy Veggy Restaurant Café is open during the week from 10:00 until 23:00 and on weekends from 09:00 until 23:00.
Flower Burger
Next on the list is Flower Burger, an Italian vegan staple if you ask me. In Rome, they currently have two locations, but Flower Burger can also be found in many other Italian cities, and even in Amsterdam, where I remember visiting one myself.
Flower Burger was founded in Milan and is a sort of vegan fast food spot, mostly known for its colourful burgers. Using ingredients like curcuma and beetroot, their burger buns can vary from yellow to pink or even black, which makes the whole experience feel fun and unique.
The interior at Flower Burger has a real seventies vibe, with loads of colour, lights, and fun prints. Personally, I love places like this, because there is simply no way you leave less happy than when you arrived. The sides at Flower Burger are also genuinely good, and I especially love their “cheesy” fries. If you want something with a little more fibre, they also offer bowls with more vegetables, which might be a great option.
I visited the location on Via Alessandria in Rome, but they also have another location in Prati, close to the Vatican. The staff at Flower Burger is incredibly kind, and I honestly just love that a vegan fast food place like this exists in Rome.
Romeow Cat Bistrot
The loyal reader knows I love the Ostiense neighbourhood in Rome, and the next vegan spot on this list is located here. As you might have guessed from the name, Romeow Cat Bistrot is a little special, since they house several cats. Romeow Cat Bistrot is located on Via Francesco Negri 15 and is one of my favourite spots for meeting up with friends.
Romeow offers vegan breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a menu that changes every season. Personally, I really love their breakfast pancakes, and their juices and smoothies are great as well. Romeow has a colourful and creative interior which adds a lot to the atmosphere, and for me it fits perfectly within the neighbourhood. The only thing I like a little less about Romeow are the opening hours, because while they are quite extensive, you do have to pay attention to them since they close between certain hours during the day.
When visiting this cute bistrot, it is important to keep in mind that reservations are required for both lunch and dinner, which you can easily make online through their website. For breakfast and snack time, however, you can usually try walking in without a reservation. On weekends it can get quite busy, but during the week you should normally be able to find a spot without too much trouble. During weekdays it is also allowed to study there, so you might find me among my cat friends writing my thesis.
If you have been following me for a while, you probably know that my favourite vegan bakery in Rome is Julietta Pastry and Lab. Julietta is located right next to Romeow, and they actually have the same owner, get it? Romeow and Julietta, how cute is that? In Romeow they also serve cakes directly from Julietta, and I honestly think they complement each other perfectly. So if you find yourself at Romeow, I can highly recommend stopping by next door as well, you will not regret it.
Aromaticus
If you find yourself in Trastevere or Monti, please go to Aromaticus. On Google, they have a 4.5 and 4.6 star rating, which I think is quite impressive, and I wholeheartedly agree with those ratings.
First of all, the interior at Aromaticus is lovely and immediately makes you feel at home, especially the location in Trastevere. The menu is extensive, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options, and I am personally a big fan of their chocolate salted cookies (can you tell I have a sweet tooth?).
Like most places on this list, they also offer fresh smoothies and juices. Another thing I love about Aromaticus is that their menu reflects seasonality, and they choose organic and local ingredients whenever possible.
If you want to visit Aromaticus for dinner, keep in mind that the location in Monti closes earlier, at 18:00, while the one in Trastevere stays open until 22:30.
Rifugio Romano
Located very close to Rome’s main station, Termini, Rifugio Romano feels like a classic Roman restaurant, but of course completely vegan. Rifugio Romano was born after more than 30 years of experience in the culinary world, and you can definitely taste that. Besides the amazing dishes, the staff is also incredibly warm and welcoming, and it is one of those places that immediately makes you feel at home.
While the other restaurants on this list might feel a little more trendy, Rifugio Romano has that authentic Roman charm. So if that is what you are looking for during your time in Rome, run, don’t walk, to Rifugio Romano.
Ma Va’?
Ma Va’? is located a little further away from the centre, so you might need to take a couple of buses to get there, but honestly, it is worth it. In this cute, canteen-like setting you can find delicious Italian and Roman dishes, completely vegan of course. The staff at Ma Va’? is once again incredibly kind, and I immediately felt welcome here.
As someone who crochets, when I saw the crocheted decorations, I was sold. The whole place just feels incredibly cozy. Ma Va’? is open every day from 12:30 until 15:00 and from 19:30 until 23:00, so keep this break in mind before visiting. In general, many restaurants in Rome close between lunch and dinner, so this is valuable information to know before you go.
Vitaminas 24
Last but not least is Vitaminas 24, located in the great Pigneto neighbourhood of Rome. Again, it is a little further away from the centre, but if you are visiting Pigneto, you should definitely not miss a trip to Vitaminas 24. They are open every day except Mondays from 12:00 until midnight, and being there honestly feels a little like visiting a friend.
Personally, I have only stopped by for drinks so far, but if I have to trust the reviews, the food must be amazing as well.
Conclusion
I hope this list was helpful for your vegan journey in Rome. Honestly, all of these places are worth visiting, and I find myself going back to them all the time. There are even more vegan restaurant options in Rome, but for now, this is my personal list. Maybe in the future I will make a part two, let me know if that is something you would like to see!
For now, much love,
Juliette
