A Cafe to Try

If you are looking for a new cafe to try and want to people watch at the same time I suggest trying Ristorante di Rienzo. It is located in Piazza della Rotonda and to the left of the Pantheon if you are looking into the piazza from the Pantheon. The city block is stands on is Palazzo Giustiniani, which was commissioned by Monsignor Francesco Vento in the 1850's. Mr. Michele di Rienzo opened the ristornate and caffe in the early fifties and it has been an important stop ever since for tourists and important locals alike.

At Ristorante di Rienzo you can sample a wide variety of pastries like "the “mimosa”, the “sacher”, profitterols" or have a bite sized cookie. There is also 36 different flavors of gelato to try. To go along with your pastry you can either try a cappuccino (before 11:00 am of course) or a caffe.

The relaxing atmosphere and abundance of outdoor seating make this a great place to people watch or just relax with the Pantheon in full view. I recommend avoiding the mid afternoon hours because the piazza tends to be extremely crowded with tourists at those hours.

"Ristorante di Rienzo." 24 Jun 2008. http://www.caffedirienzo.com/Eng/Home_en.html.