The story of VIVI began in 2008 when Daniela Gazzini and Cristina Cattaneo met and decided to choose parks, museums, and historic buildings in the heart of Rome with the dream of opening organic bistros dedicated to beauty and health.
The story of two friends with a shared passion for beauty and goodness
Colleagues at a film production company, Daniela and Cristina decide to change their lives to combine their love of good food with joie de vivre. Cristina, originally from Bologna, brings a passion for good food and hospitality to the project; Daniela, who grew up between Indonesia and Australia, enriches the culinary offering with cosmopolitan and international influences.
Thus, in 2008, the first VIVI Bistrot opened in Villa Pamphili, followed by new openings and an ever-increasing commitment to a 360° sustainable philosophy. Since 2020, VIVI has been a Benefit Corporation, and since 2022, it has been the first restaurant company in Central and Southern Italy to be certified as a B Corp. It also founded Borboletta, an organic artisanal biscuit factory powered by solar panels that supports female employment and reforestation projects.
We like the concept of “bioviziosa” cuisine: a Mediterranean gastronomic experience based on organic products and contemporary cooking techniques, without ever sacrificing taste and aesthetics. (Daniela and Cristina)
The Design: From Literary Cafes to Country Chic
The design of each VIVI bistro in Rome is conceived to engage with the history and nature of its urban contexts, emphasizing a cultured and romantic eclecticism, featuring furnishings rediscovered at antique markets and given new life.
The interiors range from country chic and Provençal charm—enriched with wrought iron chairs, large retro mirrors, wood paneling, and fresh seasonal flowers—to refined retro touches reminiscent of the literary cafes of 1920s Paris. Tailored details such as colorful Ikat fabric lampshades, recycled counters, and the use of deep Napoleonic blue for the walls of historic buildings create a casual, light, and bucolic atmosphere, designed to offer a relaxing break in the heart of the capital.
The Biovizioso Menu, Clean Food, and Gourmet Experiences
VIVI’s culinary offerings embrace the Clean Food philosophy: food that’s good for people and the planet. Menus change seasonally and emphasize locally sourced, organic ingredients, combining tradition with contemporary cooking techniques (such as steaming or low-temperature cooking) to preserve their nutritional properties.
The menu ranges from healthy dishes with many vegetarian and vegan options to indulgent gourmet offerings, such as strictly organic meat burgers, artisanal desserts from the Borboletta organic biscuit factory, and a refined selection of organic wines, cocktails, and mocktails.
VIVI Picnics
VIVI is also a way of life and sharing. Among the various outdoor activities and events promoted by the brand, the VIVI Picnic Deluxe is now famous: a truly bucolic ritual that allows you to order a beautiful wicker basket filled with various specialties, complete with a blanket to spread out on the lawn (always available at Villa Pamphili and Galleria Borghese).
On warm summer evenings, the venues transform into charming restaurants under the stars for sunset aperitifs and romantic dinners, while throughout the year the brand organizes various events, such as the famous summer yoga festival “VIVI – The Salutation to the Sun” hosted in the splendid spaces of Villa Borghese and in the historic Villa Pamphili.
The 5 VIVI addresses between art and nature
The collection of VIVI urban oases extends across some of the capital’s most captivating locations, combining the tranquility of large historic parks with the allure of the most prestigious museums.
VIVI – Villa Pamphili: a former 19th-century barn renovated in Provençal style, surrounded by greenery, an ideal starting point for the famous picnics in the park (pictured in the first 10 photos of the gallery).
VIVI – Piazza Navona: a hidden lounge in the entrance hall of the Museum of Rome, at Palazzo Braschi, overlooking Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers.
VIVI – Le Serre: an enchanting Botanical Garden Restaurant created from ancient greenhouses inside Villa Blumenstihl, featuring a fireplace for the winter and the signature VIVI Bottega (pictured in photos 10-20 in the gallery).
VIVI – Piazza Venezia: an eclectic 200-square-meter space with Napoleonic blue walls, located inside the historic home of Napoleon’s mother and home to major exhibitions, Palazzo Bonaparte.
VIVI – Galleria Borghese: in the famous art gallery, a culinary offering and signature drinks entirely inspired by the masterpieces of Canova, Bernini, and Caravaggio.
The Secret
Before becoming partners, Daniela and Cristina worked at the same film production company in the Prati neighborhood. During lunch breaks, Cristina would bring her grandmother’s Emilian produce, and Daniela would respond with exotic spices and overseas insights. It was during one of these meetings that the name “Biovizioso” was born, a desire to demonstrate that healthy food could also be delicious.
Useful Info
VIVI Roma
VIVI – Villa Pamphili (pinned in the map below)
Via Vitellia 102
00152 Roma
Tel. +39 06 5827540
VIVI – Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona 2
00186 Roma
Tel. +39 06 6833779
VIVI – Le Serre
Via Decio Filipponi 1
00136 Roma
Tel. +39 06 83986929
VIVI – Piazza Venezia
Piazza Venezia 5
00186 Roma
Tel.+39 06 69228769
VIVI – Galleria Borghese
Piazzale Scipione Borghese 5
00197 Roma
Tel. +39 06 69273792
Main course: from €13 to €28
Drinks: from €10
Salads and bowls: from €13
VIVI Deluxe Picnic (wicker basket complete with organic snacks, tableware, and a blanket for two): from €60 for two
