2010

We are thinking of having an early lunch before meeting our tour guide at the Piazza Risorgimento near the Vatican at 1:15pm. After a quick search of the area, I found that most restaurants open at 12:30pm for lunch service - too late for us. Any suggestions of a sit-down cafe where we could get a decent bite to eat?

Thanks!

Zerlina

L'Insalata Ricca on Piazza Risorgimento opens at noon. It's not great or even very good food, but at least it's not a rip-off joint.

rhkkmk

i would plan on a huge breakfast and then have a light meal in the vatican museum....there is a deli 1/2 way through....

2010

Not sounding very encouraging!!!

Zerlina: At the very least, we'll leave with our wallets intact!

rhkkmk: I like your suggestion of starting our day with a big breakfast tho' I'm not sure about asking our guide to build in a nutrition break.

Maybe we will find a place to pick up sandwiches + drinks in the morning as we make our way towards the Vatican from the Pantheon area where we are staying. Then we can find a bench near the Vatican to have our lunch.

My preference is to find a cafe/deli in the vicinity of P. Risorgimento where we can have a light meal + a rest before our Vatican Museums/St Peters tour! Possible, or not?

Any other suggestions?

2010

Castroni Caffe on via Ottaviano has a coffee bar + a deli with tables outside.

www.castroniottaviano.com

Does this look like a possible/better option for us?

mandmlv

I have not been to the caffe but I frequently stop at their food shop (on Via Cola di Rienzo) and have put together some wonderful take away lunches to eat in one of the squares in the Prati. The shop is quite close to the Vatican. Not a sit down lunch but in my view a great option for a quick outdoor repast.

kayd

Have you asked your tour guide for suggestions? S/he should know the choices pretty well.

kybourbon

You could always walk over to the Trionfale food market and Andrea Doria and get sandwich supplies.

Mercato Andrea Doria (Also known as Trionfale) – Vatican-Prati
Via Andrea Doria.
Metro: Ottaviano. Bus 23, 70, 490, 907, 913, 990, 991, 994, 999.
7.00 AM- 1.30 PM

I think you will find a few places open offering food to tourists. I know some on the opposite side of Vatican City are open that early and don't close in the afternoon.

Zerlina

But in your own interest avoid any of the "open-all-the-time" places on Borgo Pio. They are the ultimate rip-off.

I'm not at all sure that Castroni Ottaviano is a sit-down place. Caffe refers more to the fact that they roast their own coffee, and the photo on the Web site doesn't show any outside tables. It's probably a good and convenient place to pick up a take-away lunch, though.

bocacpa

Hi 2010

click on my name and look up my posts. Asked a similar question within the last two weeks. Kybourb0n and others came up with some good choices for me.

Good luck
Steve

2010

Thanks for everyone's suggestions ... and cautions!!! My search for a decent eatery has been more challenging than I thought it would be!

bocapa: Yes, I followed the responses to your post with interest. I checked the recommendations you were given. They seem to be located on the other side of the Vatican from where we are meeting our guide. That said, were you able to locate the self-serve restaurant on Piazza del Sant'Uffizio which Kybourbon suggested?

zerlina: I discovered Castroni Ottaviano when I went for a 'walk' on Goggle 'street view' of the area. It showed small tables set up outside. Perhaps they are set up during the summer months.