![\"Colosseum](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/01\/Colosseum-during-lunchtime-1024x704.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nFun fact<\/strong>: Ancient Romans didn\u2019t call the monument the Colosseum. It was known as the Flavian Amphitheater in tribute to the trio of Flavian dynasty emperors that reigned over the course of its construction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another important thing to know about the Colosseum is you will not find a concession stand inside. You can\u2019t purchase anything to eat or drink inside the Colosseum, the Palatine Hill, or the Imperial Forums. There are a lot of places nearby, but most of them aren\u2019t great. To help you plan ahead and not have a mediocre meal, we\u2019ve created this guide of our favorite places to eat near the Colosseum. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are two neighborhoods on either side of the Colosseum:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Both of these neighborhoods have something for every time of day and appetite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Start your day in Rome with a view of the Colosseum at this popular neighborhood bar. They open before the sun is up, and there\u2019s always an extensive morning pastry selection.<\/p>\n The \u201c<\/span>cornetto\u201d<\/span> slathered with pistachio cream is worth waking up for. If you need a heartier breakfast, La Licata<\/a> makes eggs and pancakes, too. At lunchtime, there are ready-made salads and sandwiches. Stop by in the late afternoon for a glass of wine or a spritz.<\/p>\n Local tip:<\/strong> You can buy tickets for the bus, concerts, and sports events here.<\/p>\n\n\n Restaurant quality at fast-food speed is the magical combination that Al 42 Street Chef Gourmet<\/a> has mastered.<\/p>\n No frozen or made-ahead meals here \u2014 everything is cooked to order. The amatriciana and carbonara are some of the city\u2019s best plates of pasta and they have small bottles of wine if you just want a single glass.<\/p>\n\n\n The names of the flavors at Fatamorgana are as romantic and descriptive as their gelato. Here are two I love:<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options here. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Everything at the elegant shop Grezzo<\/a> is raw, lactose-free, and vegan, from their smoothies to their pastries and even their gelato. The gelato is creamy and the flavors are pure, made with just a few ingredients like single estate chocolate, organic nuts, and fresh fruits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The family-run restaurant of La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali<\/a> is a favorite for both visiting movie stars and neighborhood locals. The location is perfect for lunch before or after touring the ancient sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Local tip: <\/strong>Make sure you ask what the daily fish specials are, and trust your waiter\u2019s wine advice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Alle Carrette<\/a> is one of the few places where you can have a wood-fired pizza at lunchtime. Order something deep-fried. I love the mozzarella-stuffed zucchini flowers, and a cold draft beer while I wait for a thin-crust Roman-style pizza.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are pages of pizza choices with and without tomato sauce, but a standout is the pizza carbonara. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPizza a taglio\u201d is a Roman specialty that is made to eat on the run. To order, all you have to do is point to your choice and show how big a piece you desire.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To level up on your Roman experience go to Pizza Madonna dei Monti<\/a>, try pizza mortadella which is a slice of \u201cpizza bianca\u201d that is split and then stuffed with thin slices of mortadella. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The father-and-son team who run this wine bar<\/a> are experts on wines from Piemonte, a mountain region in the north of Italy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Start at the blackboard where there\u2019s an extensive and interesting list of wines by the glass or \u2014 even easier \u2014 just ask for a recommendation. The buffet has enough hot and cold options that you can call it dinner. Before you leave, browse the shelves and shop for gourmet gifts like chocolates, jams, and sauces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Caffe\u0300 Propaganda<\/a> is there for you at just about any time of day. This large and modern space has a mix of both traditional and non-Italian fare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find dishes like pancakes and yogurt parfaits in the morning and a good burger later in the day. Don\u2019t worry though, there is plenty of pasta, too. In the evening, stop by the stylish cocktail bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This very popular place has the cliche checked tablecloths and is in view of the Colosseum, but Li Rioni<\/a> is busy and chaotic for a reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The menu here has a lot of choices, but I recommend ordering the thin and crispy Roman-style pizza. Don\u2019t miss out on starters like \u201csuppli\u201d (deep-fried, breaded rice with cheese) and the meat-stuffed Olive Ascolane. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I Clementinin<\/a> serves simple Roman food. Expect \u201ccacio e pepe,\u201d carbonara, and \u201cl’abbacchio a scottadito\u201d (grilled lamb chops) at fair prices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t forget that vegetables are listed in a separate menu category (\u201ccontorni.) <\/em>The desserts here are also all homemade. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Book one of the sidewalk tables at this trattoria that is only two streets away from the Colosseum. Il Bocconcino<\/a> serves traditional Roman dishes and follows the Roman calendar of gnocchi on Thursdays and fish on Tuesdays and Fridays so make sure to ask about the daily specials. <\/p>\n\n\n\nEating at the Colosseum<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"restaurant](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/01\/restaurant-for-where-to-eat-near-the-Colosseum-1024x874.jpg\")
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Enjoy breakfast pastries and coffee with a view at La Licata<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/01\/Coffee-and-pastry-for-breakfast-near-the-Colosseum-1024x684.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\nTry fast food Roman-style at Al 42 Street Chef Gourmet<\/h2>\n\n\n
Sample the creative gelato flavors at Fatamorgana<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Italian](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/01\/Gelato-in-Italy-1024x768.jpg\")
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Taste Rome\u2019s only raw, dairy-free gelato <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Indulge with truffled \u201ccacio e pepe\u201d at La Taverna dei Fori Imperiali<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Have pizza for lunch at Alle Carrette<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Wood-fired](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/01\/Wood-fired-Roman-pizza-1024x782.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nStop by Pizza Madonna dei Monti for a quick snack<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pizza](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/01\/Pizza-Madonna-dei-Monti-restaurant-near-the-Colosseum-1024x795.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nDrink wine at Fafiuche<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Fill up from breakfast to cocktails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Caffe\u0300](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/01\/Cafe-to-eat-near-the-Colosseum-1024x835.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nJoin the crowd at Li Rioni<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Explore the local cuisine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Dine on Km Zero and seasonal fare<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Grab a cold beer on a hot day<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Eating](\"https:\/\/www.exp1.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/7\/2021\/01\/Eating-in-Rome-outdoors-1024x769.jpg\")
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