Eternal café culture

With their decades-old traditions, many of Rome’s oldest cafes are a bit like “monuments,” offering a vivid portrait of the city’s cultural and social life throughout the decades. We’ve picked the most iconic ones:

Babingtons
In 1893, Anna Maria Babington and Isabel Cargill had the inspired idea of opening Rome’s first tea room in Piazza di Spagna. They aimed to popularize the English ritual of tea, which in Italy was then used only as a medicinal infusion, and turn it into a social occasion. Today, royal families, politicians, and intellectuals still meet in this charming venue, where English elegance blends with Roman informality. Don’t miss the tea blends, from classic English Breakfast and Earl Grey to delicate Oolong and green teas, as well as unique creations like the Babington Royal Blend. Piazza di Spagna, 23. Tel 066786027. babingtons.com

Caffè Museo Atelier Canova Tadolini
On the exclusive Via del Babuino, in the heart of Rome’s luxury shopping district, lies a truly unique venue: the Caffè Museo Atelier Canova Tadolini. Once the atelier of the great sculptor Antonio Canova, it was left to his favorite student Adamo Tadolini. Today, it’s more than just a café – it’s also a museum displaying a remarkable collection of preparatory models, marble and bronze sculptures, anatomical studies, and original tools of the trade. Via del Babuino, 150a. Tel 0632110702. canovatadolini.com

Caffè Ciampini
In 1943, Giuseppe Ciampini opened his first coffee bar, Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona, which became famous for his creation, the “tartufo gelato.” He later moved to Via Frattina with the new Ciampini name, and the café eventually settled in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina. Today it is an open-air “living room” in the heart of Rome, where renowned patrons enjoy gourmet dishes, coffee, and aperitifs. Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, 29. Tel 066876606. ciampini.com

Vitti dal 1898
Also located in Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, right in front of the basilica of the same name, Caffè Vitti boasts a long tradition handed down through generations. The Vitti family preserves an artisanal gelato-making culture dating back to the 19th century (since 1898), now combined with a modern café concept. In addition to its signature handmade gelato, it offers gourmet Roman cuisine and a refined mixology bar. Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, 33. Tel 066876304. vitti.it

Giolitti
While filming Roman Holiday, Gregory Peck, already a fan of Giolitti’s delicious creams, insisted that this legendary gelateria on Via degli Uffici del Vicario (opened in 1930) supply the gelato for the iconic scene on the Spanish Steps. Giolitti has since become famous worldwide, attracting Hollywood stars, directors, and even former President Obama’s daughters, who were given a behind-the-scenes tour of the production process. The gelateria still follows its original recipes, guaranteeing authentic, natural flavors loved by politicians from the nearby Parliament, tourists, and true Romans alike. Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40. Tel 066991243. giolitti.it

Bar della Pace
Recently reopened after a long closure, the Bar della Pace dates back to 1891. Frequented by artists, actors, and intellectuals, it was also a film set for Woody Allen’s To Rome with Love. The famous ivy-covered façade is gone, but the legendary counter remains, and the interior has been renovated while keeping the venue’s historic identity. Outside, new tables and umbrellas offer a perfect spot to admire the lively atmosphere and the stunning Bramante-designed Church of Santa Maria della Pace. Via della Pace, 3. Tel 0698261850. bardellapace.it

Finally, a special mention goes to the Antico Caffè Greco on Via Condotti, founded in 1760. This famous cultural salon and meeting place for artists and intellectuals of all kinds was recently closed and is now at risk of demolition, although a citizens’ petition is underway to prevent it from being irreparably destroyed.