
La Zanzara
A vintage-style Roman bistro in the Prati district, offering delicious pasta, small plates, artisanal beers, and cocktails. Perfect for all-day dining...

Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries

La Zanzara

Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vintage-style Roman bistro in the Prati district, offering delicious pasta, small plates, artisanal beers, and cocktails. Perfect for all-day dining.
"For me one of the best restaurants & bar in Rome. Located just a short distance from St. Peter's Square."
Make a Reservation
Popular with locals, reservations are recommended to avoid wait times.
Happy Hour Delight
Enjoy happy hour from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM where you only pay for drinks.

Quick Facts
Cuisine
Italian Bistro
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Chic Roman Bistro Near the Vatican
Enjoy a stylish atmosphere and delicious food, perfect for drinks or dining outdoors. A stone's throw from Vatican City.

Authentic Pasta Dishes
Indulge in mouthwatering pasta creations like Carbonara and Tagliatelle, made with quality ingredients.

Artisanal Cocktails and Wines
Experience unique cocktails, including a standout Bloody Mary, and an extensive wine selection.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make a Reservation
Popular with locals, reservations are recommended to avoid wait times.
Happy Hour Delight
Enjoy happy hour from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM where you only pay for drinks.
Trust Wine Pairings
Let your server suggest wine pairings to enhance your meal.
Explore the Drink Menu
Discover a wide selection of wines by the glass, cocktails, and craft beers.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make a Reservation
Popular with locals, reservations are recommended to avoid wait times.
Happy Hour Delight
Enjoy happy hour from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM where you only pay for drinks.
Trust Wine Pairings
Let your server suggest wine pairings to enhance your meal.
Explore the Drink Menu
Discover a wide selection of wines by the glass, cocktails, and craft beers.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
La Zanzara is praised for its delicious food, particularly pasta dishes like Carbonara, and its chic atmosphere. Service is often highlighted as friendly and competent, with some reviewers returning multiple times. However, some guests have experienced slow service from the kitchen and issues with incorrect billing.
"We got recommended by a local who loves food as much as me. It's worth every bit to its recommendation.
Every dish was balanced, tasty, and perfect.
The service - Roxy was the sweetest and best person you could have in any dining place.
It is not a typical Italian bistro pizza and pasta place, more to upper-class local joints."
Nana Boitran
"Loved the place! Cool atmosphere and kind service. The food was amazing. From tuna tartare to the artichoke salad and foie gras was all very tasty and delicious. Located in central area of Rome, Prati its definitely a place to dine when in Rome."
Djordjiana Buric
"Service was late. Pasta was uncooked and extremely salty for some reason?? And we had to repeat our wine order 3 times. Beef tartare was very nice though, tasted nice and beautifully plated."
Barış Öztürk
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, La Zanzara is located in the Prati district, just a short walk from Vatican City and St. Peter's Square.
It is highly recommended to make a reservation, especially during peak hours, as the restaurant is popular with locals.
Signature dishes include homemade pasta like Carbonara and Tagliatelle, as well as eggplant parmigiana and steak tartare.
Happy hour runs daily from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM, with the unique rule of only paying for what you drink.
Yes, they are known for their artisanal cocktails, including a highly-rated Bloody Mary, and a wide selection of wines and beers.
Yes, La Zanzara offers outdoor seating, which is a great option for enjoying the Roman atmosphere.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
Best 16 Restaurants near Vatican City-Eatery, Caffetteria, Cafe
Located in Prati district, La Zanzara is one of the most famous restaurants near Vatican city. Whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch, aperitivo, dinner, or simply cocktails, this chic establishment is undoubtedly one of the finest places to be at. You can indulge in various delectable dishes, including eggplant parmigiana (served in the traditional Italian style without pasta), various meat selections, delicious homemade pasta, and salads.
Top Restaurants Near Vatican City and Museum You Can't Miss!|Top Restaurants Near Vatican City and Museum You Can't Miss!
Located in the Prati district, La Zanzara is one of the most famous restaurants near Vatican City. Whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch, aperitivo, dinner, or cocktails, this chic establishment is undoubtedly one of the finest places to be. You can indulge in various delectable dishes, including eggplant parmigiana (served in traditional Italian style without pasta), meat selections, delicious homemade pasta, and salads.
Best Bars for Aperitivo in Rome
Just down the street from St. Peter’s, the stylish La Zanzara is perfect for an early evening soiree. The aperitivo is second to their liquid concoctions, as they pride themselves on their bar skills (try their Bloody Mary!) But the chef keeps the kitchen fresh by exploring American, Asian and the best of Italian ingredients which are translated into a rich spread for any empty stomach. Great outdoor seating.
Jubilee 2016 Rome where to eat near the Vatican
La Zanzara, translates to “the mosquito,” is buzzing with real Roman flare. If you’re looking for a place that captures the whims and wants of the current Roman generation, this restaurant shows off all the trends of Rome. Firstly, in the “ gastronomia” section, you can select from Europe’s finest meats, including spanish Pata Negra, mortadella with truffles, or a selection of Italy’s rare prosciutto.
The best places to do work in Rome
Best known as a cocktail bar and restaurant, La Zanzara (the mosquito) also has a coffee area and a strong wifi connection. You might feel a bit out of place typing away while other people are eating pasta and drinking wine, but this place is close to the Vatican, Via Cola di Rienzo, and Piazza Cavour. A great option for when you’re tired of working around too many hipsters.
Best Cheap Buffet Bars in Rome for an Italian Aperitif or "Happy Hour"
La Zanzara is another excellent place where to spend “happy hour.” However, compared to other bars and restaurants, there is a rule: “You only pay for what you drink” every day from 6.30 pm to 8.30 pm. Moreover, you can find 21 types of wines by the glass on their menu, a list of 21 cocktails, and many craft and bottled beers. La Zanzara is against the Buffet Aperitivo.
The Best Restaurants Near the Vatican in Rome in 2025
€€ | Casual | Outdoor Seating | Kids | Steps From St. Peter’s Basilica. Breakfast, lunch, aperitivo, dinner, or just cocktails, this trendy place is definitively one of the best restaurants in Prati, Rome. Enjoy savory dishes like eggplant parmigiana (served in true Italian style without pasta), selections of meat, delicious homemade pasta, and salads.
The Best Aperitivo Spots in Rome
Situated on Via Crescenzio, footsteps from Piazza Cavour and Piazza del Risorgimento, La Zanzara is one of Rome’s trendiest bars and restaurants. While it’s also very famous for its restaurant, my favorite part of La Zanzara is its aperitivo. If you intend to indulge in a yummy happy hour, don’t arrive after 6.30pm, you won’t find a free table.
La Zanzara Restaurant Review: A Solid Spot Near The Vatican.
La Zanzara is a swanky, upscale restaurant about an 8 minute walk from St. Peter’s. While technically outside of the Vatican in Rome’s untouristy Prati neighborhood, its super easy to reach from St. Peter’s on flat ground. I made a reservation online in advance and on arrival, the restaurant was beautifully decked out in winter decor!.
Top 10 Vatican City Restaurants
The La Zanzara restaurant is one of the most popular restaurants near Vatican City. Staying true to its roots, the restaurant churns out delicious and authentic pastas, salads and cocktails that taste as good as they look. Owing to its popularity, we recommend that you make reservations at La Zanzara to avoid waiting outside.
The Best Restaurants in the Vatican City
A trendy, but comfortable bistro lets you enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner, staying open late into the night so you can finish up with the wine and cocktails served here. Come in the morning for an espresso and a sweet breakfast, and return after a day of sightseeing for a delicious platter of meats and veggies!
Rome’s best restaurants for al fresco dining
Another neighborhood local to finish in the form of Zanzara, which is not far from the Vatican. Meaning “mosquito” in Italian, the restaurant’s black and white interiors are elegant, while outside tables receive envious glances from passersby. The plates are terrific but modestly priced.
10 Restaurants Rome Locals Won't Tell You About
Via Crescenzio 84The area around the Vatican is a bit of a food wasteland. So many tourists head to and from St. Peter's and the Vatican Museum that most bars and restaurants cater to this transient and touristy crowd. The debut of Zanzara, steps away from His Holiness, changes all that.
Neighborhood Spotlight on Prati
La Zanzara – although La Zanzara is best known for their aperitivo, they are also open for breakfast and lunch. Come here and indulge in their finger foods and a variety of small plates during after-work hours. You also can’t go wrong with any of the specially mixed cocktails.
Vatican Top 5 (+1) Things to Know If You're Going to Visit the Vatican City
Also, we’d like to suggest some new restaurant openings that have been creating a buzz in the Vatican recently, such as La Zanzara (Via Crescenzio 84), with a great blend of Roman specialties; and Il Porto Fish & Chips (Via Crescenzio 56), ideal for seafood lovers!
Where to Eat and What to do in Rome
La Zanzara: A vintage-style fine dining experience featuring local seafood plates, including cod-stuffed gnocchi with truffle caviar and fresh grilled seabass. All are paired glasses from an extensive wine list, artisanal beers, and signature house cocktails.
8 Best Restaurants To Eat In Vatican City, Italy
Meals are offered at this trendy but pleasant cafe, which stays open deep into the evening so you can enjoy the wine and cocktails. For a day of sightseeing, come back for a fantastic buffet of meats and vegetables, followed by a coffee and a sweet breakfast!
best restaurants in rome with a view
The prices are quite high, but the view, food and drink menu really La Zanzara Bistrot, Via Crescenzio, 84, 00193, Rome; +39 06 6839 2227. This is a perfect place to meet the sunset with the city view and surrounded landscapes.
Best Places For Lunch Near the Vatican
Well, we didn’t think there was, but then we discovered La Zanzara. Anyone who speaks Italian will know that “zanzara” means mosquito. So now we know that near the Vatican in Italy is a restaurant named after pesky mosquitoes.
7 BEST Restaurants near Vatican City (2024)
La Zanzara offers a versatile menu from breakfast to cocktails, featuring trendy dishes like eggplant parmigiana and homemade pasta. Address: Via Crescenzio, 84, 00195 Roma RM, Italy. To get the precise location Click Here
THE ULTIMATE BREAKFAST GUIDE FOR ROME
I don't think so, La Zanzara have delicious coffee made with high quality beans. They also have a selection of freshly squeezed juices and smoothies, perfect for those who prefer a healthier breakfast option.
Our favourite bars, restaurants and corners of the Vatican area
Fantastic aperitivo/happy hour served from 5.30pm on, accompanied by freshly prepared snacks served every few minutes. You pay only for your drinks. Try Ginger Spritz and you won’t regret it.
Restaurants In Vatican City Area
10 minutes or less from the Vatican, we ate there last July, and got a table outside. Good food, price and service. We would return, but next year we're hoping for Northern Italy.
Guide to Discover the Best Food near the Vatican
La Zanzara: In addition to the fantastic food and drinks, this place is popular for its lively atmosphere. It stays open late till 2 a.m. and is generally full of locals.
Roman Food For Lovers
Why am I eating a club sandwich in a fancy restaurant in Rome next to rich old men with young beautiful girls?

Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit