The Rome IndexWhere to eat near the Colosseum
Skip the tourist traps around the Colosseum — here's what's actually worth eating.
The problem
The streets immediately surrounding the Colosseum are among the most heavily touristed in Rome, with menus in six languages and mediocre food at inflated prices aimed squarely at visitors who won't return.
Walk to Monti
A flat 10-minute walk northwest into Monti puts you among wine bars, small trattorias and lunch spots with actual local clientele — one of the easiest improvements you can make to a Colosseum day.
Testaccio option
A 20-minute walk or short bus ride south takes you to Testaccio — further but worth it for a post-Colosseum lunch at one of Rome's most respected food neighborhoods.