In Rome, part of the garden of Palazzo Barberini, one of the headquarters of the National Galleries of Ancient Art, a charming café housed inside its nineteenth-century greenhouses, just ideal for a break immersed in art and nature.

One of the most important in Rome, the history of Palazzo Barberini and its park begins when Maffeo Barberini was elected pope in 1623 with the name of Urban VIII and commissioned Carlo Maderno to build the new family palace.

In the seventeenth century, the garden was originally a magnificent theater of nature and art. Inspired by the cult of flowers of Urban VIII’s grandsons, Cardinal Francesco and Cardinal Antonio, it was the metaphor of the new age, flourished thanks to the Barberinis, and its layout followed precise rules of symmetry.

One of the most extraordinary places in Rome, a secret Italian garden that can now be experienced by the public.

In the 19th century, a large greenhouse was built, presumably designed by the architect Francesco Azzurri (1827 -1901) and completed at the end of the century on the occasion of the reorganization of the gardens.

After a conservative restoration, in June 2024, in this context of beauty, the Caffè Serre Barberini has opened, managed by Panda Catering and accessible from both via XX Settembre 2 and via Quattro Fontane 13, without the need to purchase a museum Gallerie Nazionali di Arte Antica ticket.

The project, thanks also to the choice of particular glass and the use of photovoltaic panels, ensures the full energy sustainability of the spaces, as well as guaranteeing a pleasant temperature inside the premises, which are almost completely glassed in.

The decor is inspired by the late 19th century botanical-style cafés where the protagonists are the materials used at the time such as marble, wrought iron, and the ceramic of the bar counter.

Here, in addition to romantic coffee breaks, from 9 to 19, you can stop for cheese and cold meat platters, salads, first and second courses, as well as for brunch. Upon reservation, also after 19.30, the location is available for events and presentations.

One of the most charming places in Rome to relax away from everything and everyone lulled only by the beauty of art.

The Secret

In front of the greenhouse, there is the labyrinth garden where we find the curious gardeners’ cork house and an Egyptian granite stele of Amun-Ra, the Sun God, from the temple of Isis in the Campus Martius.

Useful Info

Caffè Serre Barberini
Via Delle Quattro Fontane 13
00184 Roma
Tel. +39 335 5485979 – 06 83084962
info@serrebarberini.it

Coffee: 3 euro at the table
Cocktails: from 10 euro
Club sandwiches and salads: from 9 euro
First and second courses: 12 — 18 euro