In Rome, the ancient and famous café located in the most vibrant heart of the eternal city, reopens after years of closure and a restoration that has preserved all the romantic features of its early twentieth-century bohemian charm.

Since its official opening in 1891, a stop at the Antico Caffè della Pace has been practically mandatory for everyone hanging out in the city center, from the most famous intellectuals to the most unaware tourists, thus becoming one of the most iconic places of Rome, almost on a par with its most popular monuments.

A fame that certainly also owes to its location: nestled between Piazza Navona and the Church of Santa Maria della Pace which houses the Chiostro del Bramante, in a widening, among the few narrow streets in this part of the city, that invites you to stop.

Bars are universal places, like churches, sacred meeting places for humanity.

(Iris Murdoch)

Its bohemian style, once emphasized by a cascade of ivy that descended from the walls, has served as an inspiration to many directors and has itself been the protagonist of many films, such as To Rome with Love by Woody Allen, Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberta, and Parlami d’Amore by Muccino, as well as famous commercials such as that of Martini Gold by Dolce & Gabbana starring Monica Bellucci.

The café had closed leaving the city in shock in 2016 because the owner, the Istituto Teutonico Pontificio di Santa Maria dell’Anima, had decided to renovate the entire building. The restyling saw the recovery of all the iconic furnishings of the place: the beautiful counter, the chairs and bistro tables, the floor, the paintings and even the old cash register.

Open every day until 2 am, in addition to breakfasts and aperitifs, the new Bar della Pace offers different rooms, also on the upper floors for greater privacy, for lunch and dinner thanks to a renewed cuisine that include dishes inspired by Roman tradition, such as salads, focaccias, and second courses based on meat and fish.

Reopened in 2024, the Bar della Pace has already returned to being a point of reference and who knows, maybe, like Rome, it too will be eternal. (Ah…and it seems that the ivy is growing back).

If you are passing through, extend your walk by a few metres to the Chiostro del Bramante, a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture created by Donato Bramante (1444-1515) who became the first architect of Pope Julius II, Michelangelo’s great rival.

The Secret

Even Pope John Paul II had breakfast at the Bar della Pace before a celebration at the Church of Santa Maria della Pace.

Useful Info

Bar della Pace
Via della Pace 3/7
00186 Roma
Tel. +39 06 98261850

Caffé: da 2,5 euro
Cocktails: from 10 euro
Starters: 6 — 22 euro
First courses & pizza: 7 — 20 euro
Second courses: 17 — 32 euro