It’s hard for some people to believe that the land of heavy cream and delicious handmade pasta could ever be vegan-friendly! Long gone are the days of bland spaghetti and plain bread, even in a city like Rome. Over the years, the veggie-loving population has grown; as of 2022, 8% of the Italian population is vegan or vegetarian, which is reflected in a diverse selection of fantastic cuisine.
If you’re headed to Rome and thinking you’re going to miss bowls of pasta, fresh pizza pies, and creamy gelato, think again! This vegan travel guide to Rome is full of outstanding restaurants, markets, shops, gelato, things to do, and more — all you have to do is get yourself there.
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Vegan & Vegetarian Restaurants in Rome
Aromaticus
Via Natale del Grande, 6/7, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
This cozy vegan restaurant in the Trastevere neighborhood seeks to make food your medicine through its colorful dishes. Everything on the menu is gorgeous, from the burgers to the glazed tempeh; I don’t think there is a bad dish there! The menu is also well-marked for gluten-free options.
Il Margutta
Via Margutta, 118, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
You can’t visit Rome without stopping at Italy’s first vegetarian restaurant! They’ve been delighting guests with their gorgeous veggie-powered menus for brunch and dinner since the last 70s — whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed!
Romeow Cat Bistrot
Via Francesco Negri, 15, 00154 Roma RM, Italy
Calling all cat lovers! If you’ve been missing your furry friend while in Rome, you can fill that void at this charming cat bistro. Yes, you really do dine with cats. Their bistro is open for breakfast and a later afternoon snack. You can also enjoy a globally-inspired menu in their restaurant —everything from house-made ravioli to Korean Tteokbokki rice dumplings.
Flower Burger
Via dei Gracchi, 87, 00192 Roma RM, Italy
Everything in this vegan burger shack is brightly colored and inviting! Their burger lineup is loaded between hot pink and purple house-made buns making for a unique and absolutely Instagram-worthy fast-food experience.
Nativa Ristorante
Via Umberto Moricca, 100, 00100 Roma RM, Italy
While this spot is just a little outside Vatican City, it’s worth the trek! Their vegan menu focuses on seasonal ingredients to create a variety of Italian favorites and macrobiotic dishes.
Buddy Veggy Café
Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
This is one of the best restaurants in Rome for vegan breakfast! Enjoy an all-American favorite — vegan omelet with bacon, beans, and toast or go for something sweet with a stack of pancakes topped with house-made hazelnut cream! No worries if you don’t get up early enough; they have an outstanding selection of vegan pasta, burgers, pizza, and more!
Écru
Via Acciaioli, 13, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
If you’re looking for a spot for a big boost of nutrients, look no further than this raw café. The organic, vegan menu is also free of gluten and refined sugar, but that doesn’t mean it’s short on flavor. There is also a small market if you need to stock up on a few things.
Vrindaa (Vegan Innovative Fare)
Via Salaria, 203, 00198 Roma RM, Italy
For something special, check out this vegan restaurant for an organic, Ayurvedic, fine dining experience! Enjoy ordering a la carte or leave it up to the chef with their 10-course tasting menu, which features Italian and Indian inspiration.
Rifugio Romano
Via Volturno, 39/41, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
When we visited this spot they had a full vegan menu + a regular menu, but now they’ve gone totally vegan! Hooray! You’ll find everything your heart and taste buds could desire, from spaghetti carbonara to tiramisu. They also have great gluten-free options.
Veg & Veg
Via Giovanni Giolitti, 36, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
Finding the perfect balance between tasty and healthy can be difficult, but I think Veg & Veg has succeeded with its lineup of vegan and vegetarian house-made burgers! Aside from burgers, they also offer salads, pasta, and house-made vegan cakes!
Ma Va’
Via Euclide Turba, 6/8, 00195 Roma RM, Italy
This welcoming restaurant focuses on traditional Mediterranean cuisine and flavors. Enjoy an array of house-made pasta with pistachio cream, smoked tofu, falafel, and more. All of their pasta can be made gluten-free as well!
Ops!
Via Bergamo, 56, 00198 Roma RM, Italy
If you’re looking for something fast and casual, look no further than this 100% vegan buffet. Their lineup features pasta, vegan cheeses, desserts, and more. Everything is priced by weight, and you can eat in or take away.
Veg Joy
Via Vasto, 4, 00182 Roma RM, Italy
This quaint vegan café has a great mix of healthy dishes, smoothies, juices, and bowls. They are open for lunch and dinner.
Col Cavolo
Via Cesare Bosi, 7, 00198 Roma RM, Italy
This small, casual vegan spot serves Italian favorites like lasagna, meatballs, and tiramisu. The experience can be summed up as if grandma was cooking for you!
Le Bistrot
Via delle Sette Chiese, 160, 00145 Roma RM, Italy
This spot delights the community with its veganized Roman-style cuisine featured on a weekly-changing menu. Enjoy spiced chickpea meatballs, classic cacio e pepe (cheese and pepper) pasta, and of course, house-made pies and tarts!
Vegan-Friendly Restaurant in Rome
There are other vegan-friendly restaurants in Rome, but with one look at the vegan options at this spot, you won’t care to find them!
Origano Campo de’Fiori
Largo dei Chiavari, 84, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – two locations in Rome
This vegan-friendly pizza and pasta restaurant has a fantastic lineup of options — from creamy carbonara and gnocchi to gorgeous oven-baked pizza topped with vegan salami, mushrooms, artichokes, and more. Just make sure you save a little room for tiramisu.
Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Bakeries, Chocolate, & Gelato in Rome
Grezzo Raw Chocolate
Via Urbana, 130, 00184 Roma RM, Italy
Chocolate lovers, get ready to have all of your vegan chocolate dreams come true! This raw pastry shop is 100% vegan, organic, gluten-free, and refined sugar-free. Their lineup of sweets includes ice cream, truffles, brownies, and more!
Wani
Via Gabriello Chiabrera, 162b, 00145 Roma RM, Italy
Believing that animals are not ingredients was the fuel behind starting this lovely vegan bakery. Their menu features colorful cupcakes, tarts, pastries, and more. It is a bit outside of the city center, but worth it!
Radagast Vegan Bakery
Via Teano, 309, 00177 Roma RM, Italy
The glass dessert cases at this vegan bakery are beaming with cheesecakes, tiramisu, brownies, cakes, and so much more. In addition to sweets, they also have a small menu of burgers and sandwiches. This spot is also a little outside of the city center.
Pasticceria Gluten Free Roma Senza Pensieri
Via dei Campani, 53, 00185 Roma RM, Italya
If you’re gluten-free, you will want to make a beeline to Rome’s only 100% vegan and gluten-free bakeshop! Their menu features sweet and savory options, from stuffed focaccia to cakes filled with luscious cream.
Gelateria camBIOvita
Via del Governo Vecchio, 54, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
This vegan-friendly gelato shop has a rotating selection of vegan gelato options.
Vegan Markets & Shops in Rome
When you’re ready to do a little food or fashion shopping while in Rome, check out these vegan shops!
Vegan Store Box 83
Via Lorenzo Ghiberti, 19, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
The first vegan and organic market in Rome is located inside the Testaccio Market! You can find everything from vegan whipped cream to essential oil.
iVegan
Via Angelo Emo, 125, 00136 Roma RM, Italy
This terrific vegan supermarket is stocked with all your essential (and non-essential) vegan needs! (Online ordering is also available)! There is also a small takeaway shop called Eat Vegan that makes hot dogs, burgers, wraps, and more.
FU(R)TURE – Scarpe e Accessori Cruelty-Free Roma
Via Giovanni Battista Bodoni, 4, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
When you’re looking for chic vegan bags, clothing, and accessories, there is no better place in Rome than FU(R)TURE. It’s also not far from The Vegan Store in Testaccio Market — I’m just helping you plan!
Vegan-Friendly Hotels in Rome
Want to stay somewhere in Rome that’s vegan-friendly? Well, you’re in luck! Check out these two Rome hotels ready to serve their vegan clients. And, if your travels are taking you outside of Rome, don’t miss the many other vegan and vegan-friendly hotels throughout Italy!
The Beehive
Via Marghera 8 00185 Rome, Italy
A funky and cozy hostel with various room types — I know, a hostel sounds like something you’d choose in college, but there are very nice private rooms with private bathrooms. Plus, they offer access to a kitchen in case you’d like to do any cooking, and from time to time, they host special events that always have vegan options.
Bio Hotel Raphaël
Largo Febo, 2, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (a two-minute walk from Piazza Navona)
This 5-star hotel boasts beautiful views of the city from its rooftop and its Mater Terrae Restaurant will delight you with delicious, organic, vegetarian, and vegan cuisine.
The Best Things To Do in Rome
There is a lot to do, see, and eat in Rome! If you’re feeling overwhelmed with where to start, check out this two-day Rome itinerary that includes tips from a local!
Explore the Vatican Museums and Sistine Chapel
This is hands down one of the most popular and famous sites in Rome. The museums house a large collection of art and sculpture procured by The Catholic Church, there are roughly 70,000 works, of which 20,000 are on display. There is so much to see from the Sistine Chapel to the beautiful Vatican Gardens. This is one place, because there is so much to see, that I highly recommend a guide. Also, some of the areas can only be seen with a guide, if you have things you really want to see make sure you plan ahead. Also, you MUST buy tickets in advance.
Capture panoramic views from Gianicolo Hill (Janiculum)
The hike up this hill (that is not considered one of Rome’s seven hills) will provide you with a beautiful view of the city. It’s also not far from the charming neighborhood of Trastevere. Consider a morning hike to see the sunrise and spend the rest of your morning exploring the neighborhood.
Take a tour of The Colosseum
The Roman Colosseum once held 50,000 – 80,000 spectators for gladiator battles and other public events. It is one of the many famous landmarks in Italy, that you must explore! Take a tour to learn the history and walk the paths of the gladiators. A night tour is a great opportunity to see it lit up and avoid the busy crowds — it’s also a really fun activity for kids!
Explore Mercato di Testaccio
Built on a Roman archeological site, this is one of Rome’s largest markets. With over 100 different vendors selling street food, fresh pasta, produce, clothing, and much more. Also, check out the street art murals on the surrounding buildings. The market is open from Monday – Saturday from 7 AM – 3:30 PM.
Stroll through Trastevere
This charming neighborhood is considered quintessentially Rome. It’s a great area to break free from the tourist traps, enjoy great cafes, beautiful churches, piazzas, and many shops. It is often compared to New York’s Greenwich village
Enjoy art at Galleria Borghese and stroll through the Gardens of Villa Borghese
The Galleria Borghese is a beautiful art gallery that was originally the private collection of a cardinal. It contains Bernini’s greatest masterpieces, work by Caravaggio, and more. The gardens surrounding the Galleria are filled with beautiful greenery and more Roman art. The gardens are the third largest park in Rome.
A Few More Things To Do in Rome
- Skip up the Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti)
- Throw a coin in the Trevi Fountain (Fontana di Trevi)
- Check out the Roman Forum + Palatine Hills
- Beautiful Gardens of Villa Doria Pamphilj
- Explore Rome’s Crypts and Catacombs
- Hop on the train and visit other fantastic cities in Central Italy
- Consider visiting another romantic city while you’re in Europe – Paris (don’t miss my Paris vegan guide too!)
How to Get Around Rome
Coming From Fiumicino Airport
If you’re coming from the Rome Fiumicino Airport you have a few options to get to the city center. There are two Trenitalia train services — The Leonardo Express and The Regional FL1 line. The Leonardo Express is non-stop, exclusively for airport passengers, and takes about 32 minutes. The FL1 line goes to and from other Rome Stations. Both options depart every 15 minutes. A one-way ticket is €8 – 14 and can be purchased online or at the airport.
There is also a regional bus located in front of terminals 1, the bus makes multiple stops throughout Rome (follow signs for Regional Bus Station). A one-way bus ticket is €6 and can be purchased online or at the airport. The bus departs about every 30 minutes.
The last option is a taxi — they are located outside terminals 1 and 3 and costs about €48 to get to the city center.
Getting Around The City
While in Rome, the easiest way to get around is by foot. Many of the sights are close to one another. If you want to get somewhere quickly or outside of the city center, there is a good network of buses, trams, and a small metro system.
Many of the city’s top sights can also be accessed by the metro lines A and B. A single ticket is €1.50 and passes are also available that range from 24 hrs. – 72hrs. for €7 – €18. You can purchase tickets at Atac booths in metro stations, machines near bus stations, and at newsstands.
A popular tourist bus line is the 40 Express because it hits many of the main tourist sites, but because of the high volume of tourists it is nicknamed the pickpocket express. If you do take it, be aware of your belongings.
Roma Pass or Omnia Card
One more option to consider is purchasing either a Roma Tourist Pass or an Omnia Card. The Roma Pass provides free transportation for a given period as well as discounts and free entry to certain attractions. The Roma Card does not provide a discount or free entry to anything in Vatican City, that is where the Omnia card comes in. The Omnia card provides skip-the-line privileges at Vatican Museums and the iconic Sistine Chapel, free entry to St. Peter’s Basilica, St. John in the Lateran, and other top sites.
Looking for more vegan travel help in Europe?
You’ve come to the right place — check out these other guides to a few favorite European destinations.
Vegan Guide to Prague
Brussels Vegan Guide + Where to Find Vegan Waffles in Brussels
Vegan Guide to Krakow
Vegan Guide to Vienna
The Best Vegan Travel Guide to Edinburgh
