jeterray

As I mentioned earlier, some excellent posters convinced my foursome that on a short trip to Rome (been there before and will go back ), a visit to Ostia Antica seems like a great choice. We will spend an October morning touring, then look for a respite. Is there anything in walking distance where a thirsty traveler can sit down with a glass of wine and some food ? Thanks again

MmePerdu

There's a cafeteria on the site where I had lunch, perfectly acceptable. Otherwise, I walked from the train and back, didn't see much along the way, but then I wasn't looking for a place. Maybe someone else will come along who ventured off the path more than I did.

welltraveledbrit

Like Mme Perdu we went to the cafe on the site too and it was perfectly adequate, it's in the middle of the place behind the museum so it's well located for a break. The site was large enough that we didn't want to walk all the way back to the entrance, particularly as we went all the way out to the synagogue.

I think we passed a place to eat just before the entrance but we didn't investigate.

We very much enjoyed Ostia and I hope you to too, there are some photos on my blog and a link to the downloadable site guide which was helpful.

http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2014/...a.html?q=ostia

The synagogue was a highlight for us, though it's very ruinous and you need to bring your imagination. Having visited synagogues all over the worlds (Calcutta, Aleppo, Burma, Croatia, Spain, Morocco etc) it was fascinating to see one of the oldest synagogues in Rome.

http://www.somuchmoretosee.com/2014/...a.html?q=ostia

Hope this helps!

HappyTrvlr

I recall a village center very nearby, cafe, restaurant, bar.

bvlenci

Yes, the village is a short walk from the archaeological site. You can see the castle as you leave the site; just walk past it. There's a little walled town center, and a more modern Ostia Antica surrounding it. You should see the gate leading into the medieval center.

jeterray

Thanks- The village of Ostia Antica sounds like a cool place to visit. I know it's a stretch, but per chance has anyone on here been there ? Recommendations ? Thanks.

sandralist

The town of Ostia Antica (the ruins are Ostia Scavi) has a wonderful medieval borgo and a wonderful restaurant -- Il Monumento -- with a fascinating history (it was started as a canteen for the workers from Emilia Romagna who drained the salt marshes of the area to create the airport. Food is from that region, and it is delicious. They are very proud that Federico Fellini, a native of Emilia Romagna, used to eat there all the time when he shot films at Cinecitta, the extensive film studio lot that is nearby.

There is a bar across the street run by people from Sardegna, so if you are there when the restaurant is closed, you can probably get a toasted sandwich or something as well as a bit to drink.

Also, you can take the very short train ride or a taxi ride to the coast and the town of Ostia Lido. I've never been, but if you are going between now and the end of October, I would expect to find people serving up pizza slices, sandwiches etc along with standard restaurants, at the seafront.

sandralist

http://www.ristorantemonumento.it

sandralist

Sorry -- I just realized that the workers who drained the marshes arrived from Ravenna much earlier than the construction of FCO, so it might have been railroad or road construction. It was hideous labor, which the workers of the Po Delta specialized in, and many would get sick from malaria, etc. The name of the restaurant (as I seem to recall) is because of a statue outside the door dedicated to the founder of a socialist worker's union that was created to defend these workers from exploitation.