Best vegetarian & vegan restaurants in Rome

Is there anything better than cats and vegan food? Romeow Cat Bistrot is definitely one of my favourite restaurants in Rome.

I think nothing in this world is impossible, not even finding a healthy vegetarian or vegan restaurant in Rome, where the cuisine is mostly traditionally Italian. If you are hungry for delicious vegan or vegetarian treats, you will love my personal restaurant favourites – the list below is non-sponsored and carefully selected by me.

7–10.30 BREAKFAST (colazione)

Italian breakfast is simple: a good espresso or a cappuccino and a cornetto go a long way. A cappuccino is usually enough for me, but if I am up for a long breakfast with açai bowls, avocado toast and fresh-pressed juices, I go to Buddy Roma or Aromaticus (read more below).

13–15 LUNCH (pranzo)

Buddy Roma

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 107a. // In the historic center, near Piazza Navona.

Vegan lasagne, spaghetti alla spirulina, energizing vegan soup…The menu in Buddy Roma is delicious and long, so everyone will find something they like. I often choose a colourful bowl and a cold-pressed juice.

The restaurant is one of my favourites not only for its healthy and delicious food, but also for its beautiful portions, friendly and warm service and central location.

Buddy Roma also serves breakfast and dinner with starters, sides and desserts. And yes, they also have vegan pizza on the list!

All-vegan lunch at Buddy Roma: fresh and light bowl and green cold-pressed juice. Avocado tartar and vegan suppli are worth tasting too!

Aromaticus

Via Natale del Grande, 6/7. // In Trastevere.

Via Urbana, 134. // In Monti.

One of my all-time vegetarian favourites in Rome! Super-delicious salads, bowls, soups, burgers and seasonally changing delights are made mostly from organic, local ingredients.

Aromaticus has two restaurants in Rome. The smaller one in the area of Monti serves street food like burgers and tortillas. The bigger restaurant in Trastevere has a full menu with appetizers and desserts. They serve everything from breakfast and lunch to aperitives and dinner.

Aromaticus serves healthy and tasty vegetarian food in a beautiful environment.

Rumi Bottega Organica

Via dei Fienaroli, 4 / Located in Trastevere

A supercute small restaurant is a very popular lunch spot with the locals. All warm foods are homemade with love by the owner of the restaurant. The menu is a mix of the Mediterranean and international cuisine that varies depending on the day. The restaurant has only a few tables outside, so I often come here to get takeaway.

You can also find local, organic and sustainable products like fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, eggs and local and organic dairy products, cereals, legumes and honey.

Rumi Bottega Ortega is a charming little restaurant and food shop full of organic and sustainable Italian treats.

Romeow Cat Bistrot

Via Francesco Negri, 15. // In Garbatella, close to Ostiense train station.

If you love cats and vegan food, Romeow Cat Bistrot is your choice! The menu is interesting and experimental, even at lunchtime. I chose filled artichokes (supergood!), a miso-soup and a vegan cake. My only limitation in this restaurant was my peanut allergy, otherwise, I could have endless possibilities to choose from, since most of the dishes had nuts.

This place is a good choice for a date since it’s very cute and relaxed, and there are six friendly cats who you are able to play and cuddle with. I was supposed to just stop by, but accidentally my lunch took at least two hours because it was so much fun to hang out with the cats.

Happy cat-lover in Romeow Cat Bistrot.

Catfriends and cakes = purrrfection.

FAST FOOD

Flower Burger

Via dei Gracchi, 87. // In Prati. & Via Alessandria, 29. // In Alessandria.

These vegan burgers are deeelicious! I order them (way too often) home via delivery apps like Glovo. And yes, I have tried them all, and all are good. My favourite is a green-colored (!) burger called jungle burger. If I am very hungry, I like to order edamame beans as a side dish.

20-23 DINNER (cena)

Il Margutta

Via Margutta, 118. // In the historic center, 5 minutes from Spanish steps.

If you fancy an elegant night out, I recommend Il Margutta. The restaurant is located on a beautiful and quiet side street of the historic center, Via Margutta. The terrace is perfect for romantic dates on warm evenings. The seasonally changing menu surprises with its creativity. Last time I had organic Sardinian fregola pasta with saffron, courgettes, mint and vegan gordino cheese and a basil soup with pappa al pomodoro. For dessert I tasted strawberry soup with pineapple ratatouille and papaya with pink grapefruit sorbet and mint jelly.

They also have selected menus like the full-vegan menu and light&detox menu. They also have a famous vegetarian brunch on weekdays and weekends, but I like the menu and the atmosphere more in the evenings when the restaurant is not so crowded.

Romantic dinner in Il Margutta: Asparagus salad, a glass of local wine and warm Roman spring evening.

Écru

Via Acciaioli, 13. // Next to Lungotevere and Piazza Navona.

Raw and organic vegan food at its best. Try vegan sushi, raw fennel-avocado soup or spaghetti with shiitake-cashew cream.

The restaurant is located next to the Lungotevere and historic center, so its nice to take a little romantic walk after dinner.

Raw vegan menu in Écru: Tartar made with avocado, radish and thyme. Kimchi. Ancient grain crackers with hummus and guacamole with sundried tomatoes and Sicilian avocados. Coldpressed juice with beetroot, apple, carrots and ginger.

Hosteria del Mercato 1870

Via Bocca di Leone, 46. // In the historic center, 5 min from Spanish Steps.

If I want to spend a romantic evening in a vegetarian restaurant, I choose to go to Hosteria del Mercato. Inside the place is sophisticated and chic. Outside they have small tables in a beautiful narrow street in Rome. The atmosphere is elegant but relaxed, and the service is excellent.

The restaurant is not 100 % vegetarian, but I always find good vegetarian options from their list. They also have a good selection of wines and drinks, also in non-alcoholic versions.

In the daytime, they serve lunch and cold-pressed juices from their juice bar. They also have a small grocery shop with lots of organic vegetarian and vegan foods, superfoods, wines, organic cheese and vegetables and take away lunches.

Hosteria del Mercato 1870 serves the most romantic vegetarian dinner in the heart of Rome.

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Text & pictures by Hertta Hiltunen.