Rome truly is an international city that embraces many different types of cuisine, including some of the top vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Europe. This is thanks in part to the bounty of Italian agriculture that surrounds the city and the way Roman cuisine focuses on cooking with the freshest quality ingredients.
If you’re looking to add a world-class vegan dining experience, you might want to add a few of the following restaurants to your next food trip through Rome.
Our Guides’ Favorite Plant-Based Eateries
We have seen a wonderful evolution in Rome’s culinary scene, with many kitchens now specializing in creative vegan fare. These selections reflect our commitment to finding dishes that are as satisfying and flavorful as any traditional Roman meal.
Rifugio Romano
Photo credit: Rifugio Romano
Rifugio Romano is one of the most well-known vegan-friendly restaurants in Rome. It’s also conveniently near Termini Station and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. Making it a great place to stop for some tasty vegan cuisine after exploring nearby historic sites.
The rustic ambiance inside Rifugio Romano is charming, with tall ceilings and tons of wooden accents. Yet it also has a refined feeling to it with clean lines and just the right amount of soft lighting to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Rifugio Romano’s menu offers some delectable vegan takes on Italian classics. This includes some truly impressive plant-based versions of vegan carbonara, eggplant parmigiana, vegan pizza, and artichoke lasagna. They even offer a selection of gluten-free vegan dishes to accommodate people with gluten intolerance.
On my last visit to Rifugio Romano, I enjoyed their take on vegan carbonara. It used plant-based bacon in place of traditional guanciale pork cheeks. However, the thing that impressed me was the cashew sauce they used to replace the traditional runny egg. It had all the creaminess I expected with an umami richness I didn’t expect.
Rifugio Romano (€€) – Via Volturno, 39/41, 00185 Roma RM, Italy – Open Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
Ops!
Photo credit: Ops!
You’ll find Ops! nestled in Rome’s vibrant Via Bergamo neighborhood close to Piazza Fiume and Villa Borghese. It has a reputation for being one of the most innovative vegan restaurants on Rome’s plant-based scene.
The ambiance at Ops! Is chic with modern décor that’s rife with casual touches. This creates a relaxed atmosphere that’s open, welcoming, and family-friendly. The vibe and the pay-by-weight vegan buffet-style setup make them very popular with tourists and locals alike.
The buffet table at Ops! is festooned with colorful selections of Mediterranean-inspired dishes made from vegan and vegetarian ingredients. What they offer typically changes with the season as well as what’s fresh in the mercato.
On my last stop, I sampled some creative salads, hearty grain, and legume bowls and some innovative vegetable-based entrées. However, my favorite was vegan lasagna.
It had all the layers of soft pasta you expect in a classical Italian lasagna. Each of the layers was interspersed with roasted vegetables to create the perfect balance between filling and pasta. I also really loved the creamy cashew-based béchamel sauce which boosted the richness.
Ops! (€) – Via Bergamo, 56, 00198 Roma RM, Italy – Open Monday from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM for lunch with dinner service from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM.
Go-To Spots for Traditional Vegan Dishes
Many of our most authentic Roman recipes are “accidental” vegan classics, such as Pasta e Ceci or Carciofi alla Romana. We have selected these spots because they emphasize the natural excellence of our local produce without needing substitutes.
Vrindaa
Photo credit: Vrindaa
Vrindaa is one of the top-rated, fine-dining, vegan restaurants in Rome, combining refined cuisine with a welcoming atmosphere for a memorable plant-based dining experience. It’s located near the vibrant Piazza Navona, making it a top stop while exploring Rome’s historical sites.
The ambiance at Vrindaa is elegant yet inviting. The interior décor is carefully curated and the soft music playing in the background creates a relaxed fine-dining experience. I would also note that the servers do an excellent job of helping you understand the menu.
Vrindaa uses a creative fusion of vegan and Indian-inspired dishes to create a vegan and vegetarian menu that’s truly unique. It includes things like savory raspberry cream pasta and a visually stunning dish they call “Snow on the Mountain.”
However, my favorite is the chana masala, which uses a classic chickpea curry base with rich, spicy flavors, with a vibrant tomato-based sauce. The way they season it with cumin, coriander, and garam masala, gives it a warm and complex flavor that’s hard to find outside of India.
Vrindaa (€€€) – Via Salaria, 203, 00198 Roma RM, Italy – Open Monday from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM. Open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch from 12:30 to 3:00 PM with dinner service from 7:00 PM to 10:30 PM.
Romeow Cat Bistrot
Photo credit: Romeow Cat Bistrot
If you could express your Roman food tour as a VEN diagram with circles for vegan, budget-friendliness and cat-loving, they would all overlap at Romeow Cat Bistrot. It’s a charming, plant-based casual dining restaurant in Rome’s Ostiense district, and is also close to attractions like the Centrale Montemartini Museum.
As the name implies, the ambiance is Romeow is feline-centric with cat-themed décor. This gives it a whimsical feel, that’s still warm and comfortable with wood accents and cat-themed decoration. They even have a small population of resident cats that roam freely for you to interact with.
Romeow’s menu is 100% vegan, blending Italian and international flavors to create a truly diverse selection. As with most Italian restaurants the dishes change with the season and always focus on fresh, organic ingredients.
Some of the more common staples include vegan takes on Italian classics like lasagna and risotto. They also have a selection of international-inspired plates like pad thai and ramen. Not to mention plenty of gluten-free and raw options to accommodate those with special dietary needs.
One of the standout dishes I love when I visit Romeow is the Parmigiana di Melanzane. It’s essentially a vegan take on the classic eggplant parmesan. Each of the layers of tender eggplant slices is gently coated with a light vegan cheese made from nuts and nutritional yeast. I was blown away by the bold flavors of the savory tomato sauce that perfectly balanced sweetness and acidity.
Romeow Cat Bistrot (€€) – Via Francesco Negri, 15, 00154 Roma RM, Italy – Open Tuesday to Sunday for breakfast from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM, with lunch service from 1:00 to 2:30 PM and dinner service from 4:00 to 10:00 PM. Closed on Monday.
Essential Modern Vegan Dining
For those seeking a contemporary twist on Italian dining, we have identified the most innovative vegan bistros in the city. These locations are representative of a new movement in Rome that prioritizes sustainability and plant-forward creativity.
Buddy Veggy
Photo credit: Buddy Veggy
Buddy Veggy is conveniently located near Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain and many of its other major historical attractions. Making it a great stop for hungry vegans who need to get off their feet for a little bit to enjoy some innovative plant-based food.
The interior dining area at Buddy Veggy has a cozy vibe that matches the restaurant’s inviting atmosphere. It has touches of classical Italian décor highlighted with organic accents.
The menu at Buddy Veggy focuses on taking traditional Italian flavors and giving them innovative plant-based twists. This includes versions of popular dishes like vegan carbonara and vegetarian lasagna, made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Yet my favorite thing on the menu is their vegan pinsa capriccioso. It’s a delightful plant-based twist on traditional pizza with an airy crust that’s perfectly blistered just like you’d find in a classic Italian pizzeria. They top it with vegan mozzarella, artichokes, olives, and mushrooms that I think give it a stunningly deep umami.
Buddy Veggy (€€) – Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open Monday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM. Open Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.
The Heritage of “Cucina Povera”
We often remind our guests that traditional Roman “cucina povera” (peasant cooking) is inherently plant-heavy. For centuries, our ancestors relied on legumes, wild greens, and seasonal vegetables as staples, meaning that eating vegan in Rome isn’t a modern trend but a return to our authentic culinary roots.
Sustainability in the Roman Market
We believe that the best vegan food starts at the local market, where we source seasonal vegetables like puntarelle or Romanesco broccoli. By choosing restaurants that shop daily at Campo de’ Fiori or Testaccio, you are supporting a shorter supply chain and ensuring the most nutrient-dense, authentic flavors on your plate.
Conclusion
Rome has some of the greatest vegan restaurants in all of Italy. Whether you’re looking for a fine dining restaurant like Vrindaa, a casual eatery like Buddy Veggy, or a cat café like Romeow, there are tons of great options to include in your Rome food tour.
Sources:
Ops! (n.d.). Ops! – Via Bergamo, 56, 00198 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from http://opsveg.com/
Rifugio Romano. (n.d.). Rifugio Romano – Via Volturno, 39/41, 00185 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from http://www.rifugioromano.com/
Vrindaa. (n.d.). Vrindaa – Via Salaria, 203, 00198 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from http://www.vrindaa.it/
Romeow Cat Bistrot. (n.d.). Romeow Cat Bistrot – Via Francesco Negri, 15, 00154 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from https://www.romeowcatbistrot.com/orari-e-informazioni-importanti/
Buddy Veggy. (n.d.). Buddy Veggy – Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy. Retrieved from http://www.buddyroma.com/
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