Near Piazza di Spagna in Rome, a restaurant and British Bar that is a true institution, born in what in the 19th century was the “English district” a few steps from the first tea room in Italy, and since its foundation a social hotspot of the city.
Reopened in 2024, Cafè Romano is experiencing a new “belle époque” thanks to the rebirth of the famous 5-star hotel to which it belongs, the legendary Hotel d’Inghilterra, the “Grand Tour” hotel par excellence and now part of the Italian hospitality group Starhotels Collezione.
The palace, of ancient origins, was acquired in 1837 by the Duke of Bracciano Marino Torlonia to make it the “guesthouse” for his friends and in 1845 it became a hotel with the name of Hotel d’Angleterre, a point of reference for the many travellers, often artists and intellectuals, who visited the European cities of art at the time of the Grand Tour.
A true institution just a few steps from Piazza di Spagna and Via Condotti and a privileged meeting place for the Roman high society since the 19th century.
Today Cafè Romano has returned to being a real cultural salon, with a renewed gastronomic offer and three different souls: the refined dehors overlooking Via Borgognona, the restaurant, and the lounge bar with the atmosphere of an English gentleman’s club.
The Executive Chef is the Roman Andrea Sangiuliano who reinterprets the traditional flavors of his region in a modern key and loves to select small and medium producers at “KM Lazio” as he usually says: from the lively local markets to the vibrant fish auctions of Anzio.
Ristorante Cafè Romano is open every day from 12:30 to 22:00, for lunch also with an informal menu based on pan pizzas and salads, while for dinner with a more important offer with delicious dishes such as the Crispy Zucchini Flower with a heart of Cacio e Pepe, the Mezze maniche all’amatriciana, up to the Beef Duet with cream of potatoes with extra virgin olive oil and “old-fashioned” vegetables and the Crispy Galletto with potato gratin and sautéed wild chicory.
The confectionery proposal is curated by Pastry Chef Edoardo Volpe who ranges from Italian tradition to the most modern trends in fine pastry making, in particular in leavened products and chocolates.
A real gem is the Cafè Romano Lounge Bar, open from 11:00 to 1:00, an English Bar embellished with works of art and cozy leather seats, where you can take refuge for a coffee or a cocktail pampered by Head Barman Angelo di Giorgi.
Restored while keeping its nineteenth-century furnishings partly intact, it remains unique in Rome for its authentic James Bond atmospheres.
Check out Cafè Romano’s social media to stay up to date on its special events, such as Sunday Lunch at the restaurant and live music evenings held every Wednesday at the lounge bar.
The Secret
Its illustrious guests have included Oscar Wilde, Mark Twain, Ernest Hemingway, Hans Christian Andersen, Henry James, Ezra Pound, Italo Calvino, Giuseppe Ungaretti and Henryk Sienkiewicz, author of the famous novel Quo Vadis, remembered in a plaque on the facade of the building.
Useful Info
Cafè Romano
Hotel D’Inghilterra Roma – Starhotels Collezione
Via Bocca di Leone 14
00187 Roma
Tel. +39 06 699811
Appetizers: from 17 euro
First courses: from 14 to 20 euro
Second courses: from 24 to 30 euro
Tasting: from 50 euro for 3 courses
Cocktails: from 16 euro
