In Rome, a coffee at the counter costs less than one at a table, and gelato is eaten on the move between two piazzas. This part of my Rome guide covers coffee, breakfast, pastries and gelato. Only Barnum Roma comes from my own saved list; the other seven I added from travel guides and 34travel. The descriptions are put together from Google Maps reviews. I'll add my own notes after the trip.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 7 October 2026. Rate: 1 € ≈ $1.12.
In short
- Coffee: Tazza d'Oro, steps from the Pantheon: espresso at the counter and coffee granita with whipped cream.
- Brunch: Barnum Roma near Campo de' Fiori. The queue takes 20–30 minutes, but the food comes fast; open until 15:30.
- Specialty coffee: Faro on Via Piave, where you choose the bean and the brew; open only until 16:00–17:00.
- Pastries: a cream-filled maritozzo at Regoli Pasticceria, Roman pizza by weight at Antico Forno Roscioli near Campo de' Fiori.
- Near the Vatican: Sciascia Caffè 1919 by Ottaviano metro, famous for its chocolate espresso.
- Gelato: Frigidarium near Piazza Navona dips your cone in chocolate that sets into a shell; Come il Latte does creamy milk flavours and sorbets.
Coffee, breakfast and pastries
Barnum Roma
Near Campo de' Fiori · breakfast & brunch · 10–20 € (≈$11–23) · daily 8:00–15:30
Google Maps · website · Via del Pellegrino, 63/65
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 4,800+): the most popular brunch spot in the centre. The queue at the door is usually 20–30 minutes, but food arrives fast once you order. Reviewers praise the open omelette, fluffy pancakes, avocado toast, almond croissant, coffee and matcha latte; there are outdoor tables. Downsides: the menu got shorter after the move to the new address, and one guest complained about a mixed-up order.
La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro
Near the Pantheon · coffee bar · 1–10 € (≈$1–11) · Mon–Sat 7:00–20:00, Sun 10:00–19:00
Google Maps · website · Via degli Orfani, 84
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 5,800+): a historic coffee bar, open since 1946, a few steps from the Pantheon. It's famous for coffee granita with whipped cream; reviewers also praise breakfast at the counter with a cappuccino and a maritozzo, chocolate-coated coffee beans, and beans from around the world to take home. The queue is long but moves fast, and standing at the counter is cheaper than a table. Downsides: the cashiers are rushed and not very friendly, and the espresso didn't impress everyone.
Sciascia Caffè 1919
Prati · café & pastry shop · 1–10 € (≈$1–11) · daily 7:00–21:30
Google Maps · website · Via Fabio Massimo, 80/a
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 4,800+): an old wood-panelled café near Ottaviano metro, handy before or after the Vatican. The signature drink is espresso with chocolate; reviewers also praise the cappuccino, affogato, hot chocolate and cakes. The waiters are attentive and quick. Downside: some found the brunch menu (burgers, omelettes) forgettable. Come for the coffee and sweets.
Faro - Caffè Specialty
Via XX Settembre · specialty coffee · 10–20 € (≈$11–22) · Mon–Fri 8:00–16:00, Sat–Sun 9:00–17:00
Google Maps · website · Via Piave, 55
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 3,800+): a third-wave coffee shop where you pick the bean and the brew, from espresso to V60 and espresso tonic. The baristas explain the options in clear English and help you choose beans to take home. The food gets praise too: brioche toast with ricotta, shakshuka, mozzarella sandwiches. Downsides: coffee costs more than at a regular Roman bar, and it closes early.
Regoli Pasticceria
Esquilino · pastry shop · Mon and Wed–Sun 7:00–19:00, closed Tue
Google Maps · website · Via dello Statuto, 60
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 6,500+): a family pastry shop more than a century old, where people come for the maritozzo, Rome's cream-filled bun. Reviewers also love the strawberry tart topped with tiny wild strawberries, and the sfogliatella; coffee is drunk at the counter. The queue takes 15–20 minutes; the counter takes cash only, cards go through the takeaway line. Downsides: some find the maritozzo overhyped and pricey, and the bar service chaotic.
Antico Forno Roscioli
Near Campo de' Fiori · bakery · 10–20 € (≈$11–22) · daily 7:30–20:00
Google Maps · website · Via dei Chiavari, 34
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 7,900+): a bakery founded in 1972 and famous for thin, crisp Roman pizza sold by weight: you point at the size you want and they cut and warm it. Many come back two or three times in one trip; beyond pizza there's porchetta focaccia, savoury pies and sweet pastries. The queue can be long but moves fast. Downsides: it's cramped inside with no air conditioning, and at the outdoor tables you have to guard your food from pigeons.
Gelato
Frigidarium
Near Piazza Navona · gelateria · daily 10:30–0:00
Google Maps · website · Via del Governo Vecchio, 112
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 9,100+): a small gelateria on a cobbled lane near Piazza Navona and the Pantheon. The signature move: they dip your cone or cup in chocolate that sets into a crisp shell. Reviewers praise the dark chocolate and pistachio, the generous portions and fair prices; the queue is long but moves quickly. The tiramisu flavour didn't please everyone. 34travel recommends it too (article).
Come il Latte
Via XX Settembre · gelateria · daily 12:00–23:00
Google Maps · website · Via Silvio Spaventa, 24/26
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 4,900+): a gelateria known above all for its milk-based flavours, with a creamy texture reviewers compare to Hokkaido soft serve. They praise the stracciatella, pistachio, puffed rice with white chocolate, and fruit sorbets like blood orange, lemon and passion fruit. You can ask for whipped cream on top. Downsides: ordering can be slow, and the wafer cone is sometimes stale. 34travel recommends it too (article).
One last thing
In Rome you drink coffee standing at the counter, which is cheaper than sitting at a table. Barnum Roma is only open until 15:30, so go for brunch in the morning; Faro closes at 16:00 (17:00 at weekends) and Regoli is closed on Tuesdays. Leave gelato for the evening: Frigidarium is open till midnight, Come il Latte till 23:00.
More on Rome: where to eat and drink, what to see.