Wednesday, January 05, 2011

Places to eat near the Spanish Steps?

I'm asked this question a lot. I run errands in that area but other than GiNa's, I never eat around there.

GiNa's a great place for lunch, especially if you're craving a salad. They have a fantastic selection.

The decor is hip and bright and it's excellent people watching. The crowd is a mix of chic Roman mommies and fab singles with Birkins, Chanel's 2.55, etc., business lunches, high school students from the private school nearby, and the occasional tourist. Prices are moderate, especially for the area. Reservations are recommended. It can get packed, especially during nice weather and sales season.

My friend Shelley wrote about GiNa a few years ago HERE. At that time she raved about their picnic lunches. I don't know they still do that. I've only been to GiNa during the fall/winter.

The New York Times also wrote about their picnic lunches.

GiNa
Via San Sebastianello, 7/A
Piazza di Spagna
www.ginaroma.com

If you have a favorite place for lunch (and/or dinner) near the Spanish Steps, please feel free to share in the comments.

6 comments:

J.Doe said...

I don't know if this really counts because I didn't eat there, but I did drink and used the restrooms. It may not be an italian place per se, but when ya gotta go, you gotta go. I'm talking about the Mcdonalds nearby. The bathrooms are reasonably clean, with soap and TP, and the coffee which I drank was an American coffee, which tasted very good.

GGirl2 said...

Hi Arlene,

Thanks for this tip. I will be in Rome March 7 to 14 and am making a list of places to eat. Maybe if you are not too busy we could meet? I would love to meet you in person since your are one of my heroines.

Suzette

Italianissima said...

I have not been to Rome in 3 years but I LOVE Le Sorelle on Via Belsiana, 30. I think the website is ristorantelesorelle.it
It is a bit pricey but I loved the small quaint space and limited but unique menu. Sigh...if I were in Rome I would have dinner there tonight...such good memories of the great meals I have had there. If you go let me know how you like it.

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

J. Doe - that is a great tip about the bathrooms. It's not always easy to find one in touristy areas. As for a place to eat, let's just say there's a reason the Slow Food movement started when that place (the first McDonalds in Italy) opened.

Ciao Suzette - shoot me an message via my Flickr page. I don't know where I'll be that week.

Italianissima - grazie. I've never been there but I have heard of it. I should check it out.

Petulia said...

Hello, I also like La Bouvette on via Vittoria. Very good lunch and aperitivo place

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Thanks Petulia!!