31 mars 2018

Monti District

Rome has many interesting neighborhoods. Among them, the Monti district is considered one of the coolest with a wide variety of sites and places for all tastes: vintage shops, craft workshops, art galleries ... this is the trendy area where you can find unusual bars as well as traditional trattorias. Wanted for its trendy side, near the Colosseum, discover one of the most unusual areas of Rome

A little story:

In Ancient Rome, the Rione (neighborhood in Italian) Monti was called the "Suburra": of latin "sub-urbe", literally "around the city" but that meant in this context "below the city" .It was a poor district whose reputation has been maintained for several centuries. In the 1940s, this district was still mainly inhabited by prostitutes and outlaws and avoided by "respectable" citizens. In the 90s, Monti still had the reputation of a dangerous neighborhood, a junkie landmark. But since the 2000s, the neighborhood has transformed and gradually "hipsterized". Today the charming paved streets are mainly frequented by young hipsters attracted by the numerous thrift stores, architecture, restaurants, atypical bars ... The nightlife is certainly not as touristy as in Trastevere but it is no less uninteresting since many trendy bars and unusual places are installed side by side with locals and regulars.

To see:

Fontana di piazza della madonna dei Monti : beautiful fountain in the heart of the neighborhood where people sit in the sun on the marble steps, time for a coffee, ice cream, to revise their courses or simply to admire the neighborhood life.

San Pietro in Vincoli : this basilica is full of remarkable sculptures by Michelangelo.

Address: Piazza di San Pietro in Vincoli, 4

Trajan column : roman triumphal column located on the forum of Trajan. It measures 40 meters in height and is famous for these reliefs that spiral up along it. TheTrajan column commemorates the victory of Emperor Trajan on the Dates during two cacic wars (106 to 101 BC)

Address: Via dei Fori Imperiali

Shopping address:

Pulp: one of the most famous thrift shops in the area

Address: Via del boschetto, 140

Opening hours: tuesday to saturday from 10 am to 1 pm then from 4 pm to 8pm, sunday and monday only from 4 pm to 8 pm.

Fabio Piccioni : ework vintage jewelry to make gifts or travel souvenirs.

Address: Via del boschetto, 77

Opening hours: tuesday to saturday from 10 am to 1 pm then from 2.30 pm to 8 pm, sunday and monday only from 2:30 to 8 pm.

Pifedo : vintage shop, recommended by the blogger especially for their sunglasses!

Address: Via dei serpenti, 41

Opening hours: every day from 11 am to 8 pm

Contact: www.pifebo.com

Atelier monti : you will find products from the Nordic countries.

Address: Via Panisperna, 42

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 2 pm then from 4 pm to 8 pm, Monday only from 2:30 pm to 8 pm.

Contact: www.ateliermonti.it

Individuals : specialized in lingerie that offers very limited series products with pretty prints.

Address: Via del boschetto, 76

Opening hours: all day from Monday to Saturday

Contact: www.individuals.it

Mercato Monti : very large vintage market recognized throughout Rome (see more) including thirty exhibitors and so a varied selection of products.

Address: Via leonina, 46

Opening hours: every Saturday from 10 am to 8 pm

Elena kihlman : a small Nordic design shop managed by the designer's husband.

Address: Via Urbana 101

Opening hours: every day from 10:30 am to 8 pm

Contact: www.elenakihlman.com

City style : crush for this brand of clothing that offers very nice clothes at fair prices.

Address: Via Leonina, 68

Opening hours: every day from 10 am to 8 pm.

Machete : it is not a shop of shopping but of a barber. Anyway, its industrial decoration and its 100% natural products deserve to be quoted!

Address: Via degli Zingari, 18

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 8:30 pm

Contact: www.macheteshop.it

Where to eat an ice-cream?

Fata Morgana : The most famous gelateria of the district for its wide choice of original flavors of ice cream: almonds, apples, cinnamon - hazelnuts & gianduja - blueberry cheesecake - lemon & ricotta ...

Address: Piazza degli Zingari, 5

Opening hours: every day from noon to 10 pm, close at 1 am on friday and saturday

Contact: www.gelateriafatamorgana.com

Paolessi : very good homemade ice cream served by Paola.

Address: Via di Santa Maria Maggiore, 110

Opening hours: every day from 11:30 am to 9:30 pm

Grezzo : pastry and ice cream specialized in raw chocolate, all the products are greedy, homemade and vegan!

Address: Via Urbana, 130

Opening hours: Monday from 11 am to 8 pm, Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm and Friday to Sunday from 11 am to midnight.

Contact : grezzorawchocolate.com

Where to drink a coffee?

Antico forno ai serpenti : do not be fooled by the name, this place is very modern! However, the pizza cut is quality and pastry are delicious, and some products are vegan!

Address: Via dei serpenti, 122

Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 8 pm

Contact: www.anticofornoaiserpenti.it

Pronto : ideally placed near the fountain, in the Piazza della madonna dei Monti, the exterior decoration of Pronto already attracts you. By entering you will not be disappointed neither by the decoration nor by the products. The house offers panini, cold cuts and fresh juices. Everything is done under your eyes. Crush for smoothies!

Address: Via dei serpenti, 163

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 11 am to midnight, weekends from 11 am to 1 am

Contact: www.prontogourmet.it

Where to take the "apperitivo":

There is more fabulous Italian concepts! If you want to eat for cheap and if you are in Monti between 6 pm and 9 pm here are two address do not to miss:

Er caffettiere : apperitivo very good and cheap! For 8 € you have a drink (wine, beer or cocktail) and access to the unlimited buffet. This buffet is filled with salad, pasta, hot dishes and homemade sandwich. The generous waiters also offer half a cup of prosecco and a pastry before leaving!

Address: Via Urbana, 72

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 5:30 am to 9:30 pm.

Contact: www.ercaffettiere.it

Black Market : nice place, especially for the summer in the small garden (better book if you wish to be in the garden). The decor is very cozy with large armchair and the musical background is jazzy.

Address: Via Panisperna, 101

Opening hours: every day daily from 6 pm to 2:30 am.

Contact: www.blackmarketartgallery.it

Where to eat?

The Monti district offers many different restaurants: from the modern to the traditional and the touristy! Here are some beautiful addresses:

Avocado Bar Roma : If you like avocado this restaurant is the place for your next outdoor dinner! Here ALL dishes are based on avocado from starter to dessert! An original and delicious concept!

Address: Via della madonna dei Monti, 103

Opening hours: every day from 11.30 am to 3 pm and from 6.30 pm to 11 pm

Contact: www.avocadorestaurantbar.com

Aromaticus : here you enter a very pleasant oasis ! You will eat fresh, healthy, vegetarian and organic dishes among the plants and gardening tools. You can even leave with a plant! An original concept not to miss.

Address: Via Urbana, 134

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:30 am to 10 pm and Monday only from 11:30 am to 4 pm

Toast & co burger lab: very small street food restaurant - only 3 tables - offering excellent burger! Some people even say that they are better than in the United States ...

Address: Via Urbana, 35

Opening hours: every day from 12:30 am to 11 pm

Urbana 47 : trattoria very nicely decorated, offering organic, seasonal and original products.

Address: Via Urbana, 47

Opening hours: every day from 7 am to midnight.

Contact: www.urbana47.it

Boccacciello bistrot : a delicatessen that produces its own products and also offers them for tasting on site. The star products are "boccacielli" (literally "jars") but you can also choose panini, bruschetta or cold cut and cheese platters.

Address: Via del boschetto, 129

Opening hours: from Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 3 pm and from 6 pm to 11 pm, and from Friday to Sunday from 12 am to 1 am.

Contact: www.boccacciellobistrot.com

Temakinho : this restaurant offers a fusion between Japanese cuisine and Brazilian cuisine.

Address: Via dei serpenti, 16

Opening hours: every day from 12:30 am to 3:30 pm and from 7 pm to midnight.

Contact : www.temakinho.com

La carbonara : quality product but it is an address well known by tourists so quickly crowded. An advice: reserve!

Address: Via Panisperna, 214

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 12:30 am to 2:30 pm and from 7 pm to 11 pm.

Contact: www.lacarbonara.it

Zia rosetta : street food offering very good sandwich made with fresh products. The price is a bit expensive but the quality is there.

Address: Via Urbana 54

Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from 11 am to 4 pm, Saturday and Friday from 11 am to 10 pm.

Contact: www.ziarosetta.com

L’Ostera da Valentino : typical Italian cuisine, ideal if you are looking for fish or meat dishes rather than pasta dishes.

Address: Via del boschetto 37

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 12:30 am to 3 pm and from 8 pm to 11 pm.

La taverna dei fiori imperiali : a typical family restaurant that has been open for more than a century and perfectly respects the Italian tradition by offering generous portions at affordable prices

Address: Via della madonna dei Monti, 9

Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday from 12:30 am to 3 pm and from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm.

Pizza Trieste : pizzeria offering small pizzas, ideal for a small snack or to taste several ;) You can lunch in the small adjacent room and buy local products. In the evening you eat on standing before going for a drink in one of the many bars in the neighborhood.

Address: Via Urbana 112

Opening hours: every day from 10:30 am to 11 pm, closed at 1 am on Saturdays

Contact: www.trieste.pizza

Alle carrette : one of the best restaurants in the area!

Address: Via della madonna dei Monti, 9O

Opening hours: every day from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm then from 7:30 to 11 pm.

Where to have a drink?

Apt : very good cocktail bar that settled in the place of the closed restaurant "Casa Clementina".

Address: Via Clementina, 9

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 7 pm to 2 am

Sacripante : cocktail bar inside an art gallery: great concept!

Address: Via Panisperna, 59

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 6 pm to 2 am.

Libro divino : welcome to the 80s! Whether in terms of decoration or music you make a return to the past! The products (apperitivo, cocktail, wine) are very good.

Address: Via degli Zingari, 49

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 6 pm to 2 am

Analemma Roma : the day you can have an abundant and excellent brunch until 4 pm. Come back at night to taste their delicious cocktails.

Address: Via Leonina, 77

Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 1 am, closed at 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays

An other discovery of the neighborhood : At 49 via Urbana there is a music school, the "Saint Louis Colege of Music". Some evenings, the small concert hall near the school opens its doors free to the public to make known their students. So do not hesitate to stop if you are attracted by the electro sound of a young DJ and the jazz music of a new band...

How to get there: