The best hotspots in Rome

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Rome is a favourite destination of many travellers and the city attracts almost 9 million tourists every year. If you want to discover the city in an alternative way and not only visit the crowded tourist sites then this article is meant for you. We are going to talk about the best neighbourhoods of Rome that will enchant you one by one. Furthermore, after reading this article you will know what the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants are. You will also discover two of the best and sustainable places to sleep in the city.

A visit to Trastevere

The nicest neighbourhoods in Rome all have a diverse character. One neighbourhood that you will come across in all the lists and guidebooks is Trastevere. This is not strange, because everything happens here. For example, it is the district where you can still find the real folk character of Rome. Furthermore, it is one of the areas where the Roman youth likes to come and drink a beer.



If you ask around about what makes Trastevere so attractive, then people will talk about the many nightlife possibilities in this neighbourhood. In the past, the district was still quite undiscovered. Nowadays, many tourists know how to find it, but it is still an absolute must visit.

Montri - the new hotspot of the city

If you are going to visit the best neighbourhoods in Rome, then you should definitely include the Monti district on your list. Once a poor working-class area with a lot of prostitution, today it is bursting with hip restaurants and bars. The district is located just behind the Colosseum. The area very popular among artists, designers, writers and many other creative people have their home base here. You will find many designer boutiques, vintage and antique stores. On weekends there is also a large vintage market in Monti called Mercatomonti. Worth a visit!




Testaccio

Testaccio is a district outside the centre of Rome that is known for its nightlife and clubs. You will also find many good restaurants here and the district is increasingly known as a place to be for foodies. Mercato Testaccio is a place that is definitely worth a visit if you like good food. Are you a fan of flea markets? Then on Sundays, walk through Trastevere to Testaccio. From early morning to early afternoon you will find thousands of stalls with antiques, books and clothing at Porta Portese. Testaccio is certainly a nice area to visit if you have some more time, but not an area where we recommend you to stay overnight.

Where to stay


Due to climate change, we always opt for a sustainable stay in these times. In the middle between the Traverse district and Monti you will find the Bio Hotel Raphael.

Picture by Bio Hotel Raphael

This hotel really has a green heart and is a green oasis in the city. All ingredients in the restaurant are organic and in season. Furthermore, as you can see, it is also a gem of in terms of how it looks.

If you want to stay in the trendy Montri district we recommend the Palazzo Manfredi (Small Luxury Hotels of the World). They too contribute to a better world. Among other things, through the rental of bicycles and the sustainable products in their restaurant.

Picture by Palazzo Manfredi (Small Luxury Hotels of the World)

This hotel also looks beautiful and with the location you can't go wrong. Some rooms have a breathtaking view of the colosseum.

Tip: Because Rome is one of the most visited cities in the world, there is a good chance that the best hotels are fully booked early. Therefore, it is smart to book your hotel as early as possible. Especially if you want to sleep in one of these popular hotels. We always link to Booking because they often allow you to cancel your booking free of charge up to 24 hours in advance.


Where to eat

Rome is a city where meat lovers have plenty of choice. For the vegetarian among us it is sometimes a bit more difficult. But again, not to worry. Here is a list of our favourite vegan/ vegetarian restaurants.



Vrinda
We were super happy we found Vrinda. They served us one of the best meals in Italy. The dishes are all of a very high standard and the setting is great. Also the hospitality of the owner is superb. If we needed to recommend only restaurant this would be the one.

Col Cavolo - Vegan Bistrot
This place has won us over by their cuisine. Their food is fantastic and we loved the quality of the products used. The menu changes according to the day and the season with a wide choice. Also we enjoyed the look and feel of the place. The owners are super sweet.

Romeow Cat Bistrot (Via Francesco Negri 15)
Animal lovers will find their happiness in the Ostiense district, where Rome's first cat cafe is located. This is not a classic cat cafe where you come to cuddle the cats and drink a cup of coffee, here you will also find a completely vegan bistro with delicious dishes.

At Romeow you eat vegetarian versions of classic Italian dishes as well as the most delicious cakes, cookies and other sweets. While you eat, the cats stroll around the restaurant - and if they feel like it, maybe even pass your table so you can give them a cuddle. The price level is average; a surprise four-course menu costs thirty-five euros (40 US dollar) per person, excluding drinks.



Rifugio Romano. 
Here you can enjoy an extensive traditional Italian menu and everything is also available in a vegan version. I was particularly curious about the vegan spaghetti carbonara. So I ate that right away on the first night and it was fantastic. The pasta is very creamy and really smells like cheese. The vegan "bacon" was also fantastic.




Ma va'
This restaurant is another gem. The food is delicious, completely vegan and it also gives you the gluten free alternative. The service is exceptional, they really take care of you. The menus are explained both in Italian and English.
In conclusion I had a very good experience that I'd like to repeat

Flower Burger
Fancy a quick bite? At Flower Burger you can either take away or eat your burger on the spot. You can even have it delivered (for example, by Deliveroo).

Flower Burger is a bit of a glorified McDonald's, but for vegans: all their dishes are free of animal ingredients. Besides being delicious and affordable, the burgers are also Instagram-worthy: the buns are black, pink or even blue and are served in a wooden crate. Big favourite is the Cheesy Cecio, with vegan cheese. The burgers have affordable prices, they range from six to nine euros (7-10 US dollar).

Écru
Wonderful service and delicious, fresh vegan food. The chefs and sever are personable and knowledgeable. We loved the hummus and olive sandwich on "protein" bread which was flavourful and fresh. Don't miss the amazing array of home-made cheeses on the cheese plate. An explosion of flavours on your tongue!