How to Be a Vegetarian in Rome
It is true that Italians love their sausages and salami, but this should not stop you from finding good vegetarian meals in Rome. As a matter of fact, the Italian and Mediterranean culinary tradition has many vegetarian (or even vegan) dishes: just think of pizza alla marinara, pasta aglio olio e peperoncino, carciofi alla giudia… and the list could go on and on. Moreover, the number of people who opted for a meat free lifestyle in Italy is increasing: according to Wikipedia, 10% of Italian people between 25 and 34 years old is choosing this way of life for various reasons, from ethics to health.
Even if you are a carnivore but want to learn a bit more about vegetarianism, here you can find a list of vegetarian restaurants in Rome that should help you eating out in Rome.
So What ?!? – Pigneto
À la carte menu and a variety of dishes are available every day in this nice restaurant in perfect Pigneto style, owned by the chef Paolo Petralia and his partner Alessandra. Among the dishes, the homemade stew of seitan with mushrooms, or even the spelt gnocchi with sage pesto are notable choices. Finally yet importantly, you shouldn’t miss the renowned Coppa Cobram, a sweet potato pie to be enjoyed as dessert.
So What?!? is open every evening (except on Tuesday) from 7.30 and for lunch from 12.30, even during the weekend.
La Capra Campa – Prenestina
If you want to go further vegetarian cuisine and dare a little, try this vegan restaurant! Here you won’t find cheese or eggs, but just home-made tofu and seitan. La Capra Campa organizes rich aperitifs as well as themed events. Furthermore, if you want to order and take away the delicious dishes prepared by the chefs of the restaurant, you can choose the grup buying option.
La Capra Campa is open from Tuesday to Sunday for lunch, from Tuesday to Saturday for dinner.
Universo Vegano – Campo de’ Fiori
Maybe you’ve heard about a record-winning vegan sandwich eaten at Campo de’ Fiori during the last international vegetarian week… Well, it was prepared at Universo Vegano, a fast food chain that completely banned meat from its production process. The Guinness record sandwich was indeed made of chickpea, tuna seitan, soy and lupin beans. In any case, in each restaurant of the chain you can choose among a great variety of ingredients! Universo Vegano is always open except on Mondays and Tuesdays for dinner.
Rewild – Garbatella
Rewild describes itself as a cruelty-free pub, but it definitely looks like a cultural association for vegan and vegetarian people. Here you will find a wide variety of paninis, sandwiches and piadinas, as well as main and second courses based on seitan, tempeh, tofu, wheat, salad and pâté. Moreover, even beer and alcoholic drinks are bio. The pub offers themed events and is open every evening from 8 pm.
Ops! – Piazza Fiume
This one bistrot is very smart and its formula is really modern. The peculiarity of this restaurant is that lunch and dinner are served in an open buffet made of cold and hot dishes. In addition to that, you will pay depending on the weight of your meal… which is indeed very original!
If you’re thinking about having dinner there, don’t forget to arrive early, because the kitchen closes at 9.30 pm!
There are or course many other bistrot and small restaurants in Rome in which you can find good vegetarian meals, and we would really love to read your suggestions in the comments section. In the meantime… buon appetito!
