The 6 Best Breakfast Options To Have In Rome

I never realized breakfast was such a big thing in Rome when I moved here in 2009. Seeing groups of suited businessmen diving into a serving of prosciutto and melon complemented with a fresh espresso as the sun was about to come up was eye-opening for me.

It didn’t take long for me to become engrossed in the city’s breakfast scene. Meeting my friends for a warm roasted Ciambella became a regular occurrence within weeks of landing.

In this article, I have put together some of the best breakfast options in Rome; you’ll find some fantastic places here for a morning bite that I’m sure you’ll love.

Bar La Licata

First up is Bar La Licata, a gorgeous little Roman breakfast bar in the center of Imperial Rome, near attractions like Chiesa di Santa Maria ai Monti.

I had never heard of Bar La Licata before until I walked past it one day and saw this huge line leading out of this unassuming building, so I became curious and joined everyone else to see what the fuss was about.

As I walked through the door, I could immediately feel a great buzz about the place. There were lots of people there, but it didn’t feel overcrowded, which is what I love in the morning; it’s a nice balance when you’ve just got out of bed.

To say the menu at Bar La Licata spoiled me for choice would be an understatement. 

They had nine combination offers, which may not sound like a lot, but they have something for everyone. The combination ranged from a Vegan Package with a vegan croissant and freshly squeezed orange juice to the all-American-styled Package with toast, butter, scrambled eggs, and bacon, which reminded me of home.

While the options I mentioned above did sound great, I couldn’t resist the pancakes with handcrafted jam spread and homemade chocolate. They were super fluffy with a mild sweetness and cooked at just the right temperature, so the fruity jam and the milky chocolate melted as soon as I spread them on the pancakes.

I was a big fan of the chopped fruits that came on the side, especially the kiwi; it was refreshing with a hint of acidity to it but not too overpowering.

My breakfast is never complete without an espresso, so I had to order one. It tasted incredibly strong, with powerful roasted notes and mild bitterness, as all good espressos should taste.

Bar La Licata (€€) – Via dei Serpenti, 165, 00184 Roma RM, Italy – 6 am to 9 pm, Monday to Saturday, and 7 am to 3 pm, Sundays

Er Baretto

If you’re in a rush and looking for a quick Italian breakfast, you need to check out Er Baretto. It’s situated in the well-known area of Rione Monti in the city’s historic center.

Like a lot of Rome breakfast spots, I had heard about Er Baretto from one of my foodie friends who lives in the area. He constantly talked about the place, so I invited him to come with me one morning; I had to see why he loved it so much.

As we arrived, I found the ambiance to be very relaxed, with casually dimmed lighting and tasteful interiors. There was no sign of staff rushing around, but the service they offered was carried out efficiently, adding to the experience.

Since the sun was shining, we opted for the outdoor seating area. It was so peaceful to be in an area that’s usually so busy and have the whole place to ourselves, a rare occurrence in Rome.

I won’t lie; I went all out here. To start, I had the Baretto panini sandwich; the bread was toasted perfectly, making the mozzarella cheese drip all over the tomato. Not to forget the softly spiced basil spread that gave an added kick to it.

I still had some space left, so I ordered the Tiramisu. All I can say about it is wow; I had never tasted layers of mascarpone this rich before, but they paired well with the creamy Italian custard. I’m sure I put on a few pounds after it, but I wasn’t complaining.

Er Baretto (€€) – Via del Boschetto, 132, 00184 Roma RM, Italy – 8:30 am to 10:00 pm, Monday to Saturday, closed Sundays

Fratelli de Luca – Salad&Juice BAR

To those of you who are sticking to your diet regardless of whether they’re on vacation or not, Fratelli de Luca – Salad&Juice BAR is the place for you.

This lovely spot is near the metro station Ottaviano and has a lot of people coming and going on their way to work. They focus on healthy dishes with a selection of poke bowls, salads, gratins, sandwiches, mixed fruit juices, and fresh pastries.

One morning, I was researching nutritious breakfast joints in Rome, and Fratelli de Luca popped up. I had actually seen them offering delivery and Glovo a couple of times but never thought of ordering.

The outside of Fratelli de Luca is really cute; it’s hidden away off the side of the busy street of Via Germanico in a yellow building; you won’t be able to miss the sign sticking out from the outdoor seating area.

It’s very bright on the inside because of the floor-to-ceiling windows and tasteful decorations. There are some stools you can sit on inside if the outside area is full, but you might feel a tiny bit cramped if it gets busy because the shop isn’t too big, but the quality of the food makes up for it.

I opted for their poke bowl with salmon and avocado; I had read a lot about it in their reviews, and past visitors were raving about it, so it would be rude not to. The salmon was slightly buttery, which paired well with the smooth slices of earthy avocado; it made me feel good after a night of pasta the night before.

As I was about to leave, the waitress asked me if I would like to try their biological organic coffee, Lavazza Alteco.

I had never heard of it before this; it had such a crisp aftertaste, which lingered in my mouth for quite a while after each sip. I would recommend it, especially since a cup only costs €1.10.

Fratelli de Luca – Salad&Juice BAR (Prati) €€ – Via Germanico, 152, 00192 Roma RM, Italy, Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 7:00 pm, 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, Saturdays, 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Sundays

Mus Caffe

I can see why people love coming to the Mus Caffe in Via Marianna Dionigi; from its quaint little building and patio to the welcoming staff members, it’s just adorable.

Since I arrived in Rome, I have been coming here; it’s well-known amongst locals and tourists, so gone are the days when it was once a best-kept secret.

The only downside to visiting Mus Caffe and Coffee Shop is getting there extra early to get a seat out on the patio where everyone wants to sit because of the gorgeous street views. You can also order takeout, which is what I do sometimes if I’m stuck for time.

Mus Caffe’s is mainly a pastry shop; everyone comes here for their pistachio croissant, which I tried the last time I visited. I must say, it’s not overrated one bit; the flakiness of the buttery layers creates a marvelous texture, and the pistachio filling has a nutty taste with a slightly sweet side to it.

If you’d prefer something heavier, they offer a variety of sandwiches with plenty of fillings to choose from, including cold meats, gourmet cheeses, sauces, and hand-picked veggies.

The drinks menu at Mus Caffe is similar to what you’d find in a lot of typical breakfast places in Rome, like barista-styled specialty coffees, soft drinks, and juices; one of their best is their naturally sweet orange juice that’s so refreshing after tackling the Italian sunshine during the summer months.

Mus Caffe (€€) – Via Marianna Dionigi, 32, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

Homebaked Monteverde

Located in the residential neighborhood of Monteverde beside the River Tiber, Homebaked Monteverde is the one breakfast eatery I always go to if I’m craving a sweet treat. 

Their baked snacks are one of a kind, and there’s nothing they don’t have on their menu; it has a broad assortment of pies, brownies, cheesecakes, rolls, buns, cakes, bagels, pancakes, sandwiches, wraps, salads, teas, and coffees. 

Every time I go back, I have something new to order because there’s so much available.

I make sure if I’m going to Homebaked Monteverde, I save some space for a sweet snack and something savory. After dozens of visits here, I still haven’t managed to try everything, but two of my favorites are the apple pie and the chicken salad wrap.

The apple pie isn’t overly sweet, a big draw for me; you can tell most of the sweetness comes from the tart apples, creating a lovely balance.

As for the chicken salad wrap, the chicken is lightly roasted, diced up, and mixed in with some crunchy vegetables like fresh lettuce and tomatoes. I asked for a creamy mayonnaise sauce with mine, but they are more than willing to substitute it for something else if you wish.

Homebaked Monteverde (€€) – Via Fratelli Bonnet, 21, 00152 Roma RM, Italy

Antico Forno Ai Serpenti

Compared to some of the more traditional breakfast locations on this list, Antico Forno Ai Serpenti is quite modern and has that sort of chic look you’d see plastered all over Instagram. 

But trust me; it’s not just about the aesthetics at this place; the food is just as amazing; the smell of dough from the Italian pastries stretches all the way down the street, and the pizza breads have so much cheese that will fill you for more than half the day.

I’m not a huge fan of pizza for breakfast, so I usually order a crostata, an Italian-baked pie made with all kinds of fillings like jam or figs. The one I love at Antico Forno is the apricot option; it’s quite tangy, but the velvety taste from the flaky crust evens it out.

The coffee at Antico Forno is amazing, whatever beans they use for their Americanos had a robust flavor and were like rocket fuel.

Antico Forno Ai Serpenti (€€) – Via dei Serpenti, 122/123, 00184 Roma RM, Italy 

Conclusion

The breakfast options in Rome are endless, with a great mix of local Roman delicacies and international favorites, giving visitors the best of both worlds for their early morning feast.

If you’re not much of a breakfast lover and prefer to leave your first meal last in the afternoon, don’t forget to check out our recommendations for Brunch in Rome.