Rome, the Eternal City, is not only a paradise for history lovers but also a rising destination for those exploring the vibrant Vegan Rome food scene. During our Rome trip, we explored the city’s rich culture and history while also indulging in the diverse and ever-growing Vegan Rome food scene. Whether you’re looking for traditional Italian cuisine with a vegan twist or refreshing gelato, the Vegan Rome dining scene has something delicious to offer. Here’s a list of the vegan-friendly places we dined at, along with what we enjoyed.
1. L’Arena del Gelato
- What we had: Vegan strawberry and lemon gelato.
- Why we loved it: A refreshing and delightful start to our trip, perfect for cooling down after a day of exploring.
2. Pizzeria Romana al Taglio
- What we had: Vegan mushroom and tomato pizza slices.
- Why we loved it: A budget-friendly, authentic Roman pizza experience with delicious toppings and a crispy base.
3. Rossopomodoro (Largo di Torre Argentina)
- What we had: Vegan mozzarella pizza.
- Why we loved it: Enjoying pizza while overlooking ancient Roman ruins was an unforgettable experience. The vegan mozzarella was tasty, though not a perfect replica of traditional cheese.
4. Mama Shelter Roma (Hotel Breakfast)
- What we had: Fresh tomatoes and sautéed mushrooms on homemade sourdough toast, jams, fresh fruits, juices, plant-based milk with cereal and coffee.
- Why we loved it: A decent vegan-friendly breakfast, though more clearly labelled vegan options would have been appreciated. The selection was fresh and varied, and we especially enjoyed the homemade sourdough.
5. Pinsa ‘mpò – Pinseria Romana a Roma Prati Vaticano
- What we had: Roman-style vegan pizzas.
- Why we loved it: The airy, crispy crust and fresh toppings made for an exceptional and affordable meal. The pinsa were generously topped with high-quality ingredients, making each bite a perfect blend of crunch and flavour.
6. Ristorante Vegano Ma Va’? (Zona Prati Roma)
- What we had:
- Starter: Polpette di Melanzane e miso con hummus di piselli e menta (fried eggplant balls with pea and mint hummus).
- Main: Orecchiette in Carbonara e crema al tartufo (fresh pasta with smoked tofu, truffle, and pepper) & Spaghetto quadrato al Pesto di Pistacchio (spaghetto pasta with pistachio cream).
- Dessert: Torta di Mele con Caramello salato (apple pie with salted caramel) & Torta di Carote con crema di Vaniglia (carrot cake with vanilla cream).
- Why we loved it: The mains were outstanding, especially the pistachio pasta, but the desserts didn’t quite hit the mark.
7. Pizzeria Boccaccia (Via Leonina, 73)
- What we had: Two different vegan Rome pizza slices and a vegan calzone.
- Why we loved it: A hidden gem with delicious and affordable pizza options. The crust was perfectly chewy, with just the right amount of char for a classic Roman-style pizza experience.
8. Gelateria dell’Angeletto
- What we had: Lemon & basil, coconut, dark chocolate, and lemon gelato.
- Why we loved it: A fantastic selection of vegan-friendly gelato, clearly marked with blue spoons. The lemon & basil flavour was a surprising favourite, offering a refreshing, herbaceous twist on a classic citrus gelato.
9. Origano Trevi
- What we had: Vegan carbonara spaghetti, vegan lasagna, vegan tiramisu, and vegan millefoglie.
- Why we loved it: A welcoming atmosphere with a range of vegan-friendly Italian dishes. Origano Trevi stood out for its incredible food and warm hospitality. The desserts, especially the tiramisu, were exceptional. Another highlight was the inclusion of original and vegetarian options, making it a great choice when travelling with non-vegan companions who don’t have to compromise on their meal choices.The millefoglie was particularly outstanding. Layers of crisp pastry and a velvety filling made this dessert stand out as a highlight of our trip.
10. Pizza Florida (Takeaway for the plane ride home)
- What we had: A selection of vegan Rome pizza slices.
- Why we loved it: A great variety of flavours, affordable prices, and friendly staff who cut the slices in two so we could try more options. It was the perfect last meal to take home from Rome, easy to carry and packed with flavour.
11. La Cuccuma
- What we had: Mushroom pizza slice and a bianco pizza slice (white pizza with garlic, olive oil, and herbs).
- Why we loved it: A quick and tasty vegan-friendly lunch with fresh, flavourful ingredients.
12. Gelateria Gatsby & Gelato San Lorenzo
- What we had: Pistachio, pineapple & rosemary, raspberry & basil, apple & ginger, strawberry & lemon gelato.
- Why we loved it: Unique flavour combinations that made for an exciting and refreshing treat. Each flavour combination was carefully crafted, making every scoop something special.
13. Buddy Veggy Restaurant Cafè
- What we had:
- Main: Spaghetti con il Tartufo (vegan spaghetti with truffle) and Mezza Manica alla Porcina Felice (half-sleeve pasta with shiitake mushrooms, sausage, and thyme).
- Dessert: Tiramisù Oreo & Cheesecake con Crema di Nocciola (hazelnut cream and salted peanut butter cheesecake).
- Why we loved it: Buddy is a fully vegan Rome restaurant with incredible dishes, especially the truffle pasta and Oreo tiramisù. For a centrally located option with playful and flavour-packed dishes, Buddy Veggy Restaurant is one of our top picks for Vegan Rome options. Their unique takes on classic dishes were bursting with flavour, and the desserts were some of the best we had on the trip.
14. Sublime Gelateria
- What we had: Vegan fig and papaya gelato.
- Why we loved it: A perfect way to end our trip, with unique, refreshing flavours.
Our Favourite Vegan Rome Locations
For a romantic, tucked-away vegan dining experience, Ma Va’? was our favourite. The atmosphere was intimate, and the food was exceptional. The creative plant-based menu made it an unforgettable culinary highlight of our trip.
If you’re looking for more centrally located vegan-friendly dining, Buddy Veggy Restaurant Café and Origano Trevi are must-visits. Buddy Veggy’s fun, flavourful takes on classic dishes were some of the most exciting we tried, with creative ingredients and bold tastes that left us wanting more. Meanwhile, Origano Trevi stood out for its exceptional food, with the desserts being a particular highlight—especially the tiramisu. The warm, welcoming staff made the experience even more enjoyable. A great feature of Origano Trevi is that it offers both vegan, traditional and vegetarian options, making it an ideal choice for those travelling with non-vegan companions who don’t have to compromise on their meal choices.
Vegan-Friendly Traditional Italian Dishes to Try – Vegan Rome
Exploring Vegan Rome is not just about finding great restaurants but also about discovering traditional Italian dishes that have been given a plant-based twist. Here are some classic Italian dishes you should try while enjoying the vibrant vegan Rome food scene:
- Pinsa Romana – A lighter, crispier version of pizza, often topped with fresh tomatoes, mushrooms, olives, and dairy-free mozzarella. We tried at Pinsa ‘mpò – Pinseria Romana a Roma Prati Vaticano, topped with fresh tomatoes and other delicious plant-based ingredients.
- Cacio e Pepe (Vegan Version) – We had a fantastic take on this Roman classic at Ristorante Vegano Ma Va’?, where it was made with smoked tofu, truffle, and pepper for a creamy and flavourful experience.
- Bianco pizza – We enjoyed a bianco pizza slice at La Cuccuma, a simple yet flavourful option with olive oil, garlic, and herbs. A deliciously simple, olive oil-rich bread that is often naturally vegan and pairs beautifully with dips or fresh vegetables.
- Tiramisu (Vegan Version) – A plant-based take on this iconic Italian dessert, often made with dairy-free mascarpone and soaked in espresso. We indulged in a fantastic vegan tiramisu with an Oreo twist from Buddy, which perfectly captured the rich, coffee-infused flavours of the traditional dessert.
- Millefoglie (Vegan Version) – Although it originated in France, this dessert is a staple at many Italian celebrations. Another vegan Rome dessert highlight, this time from Origano Trevi. This vegan take on the classic Italian layered pastry was perfectly flaky, with a rich, indulgent filling.
- Gelato (Vegan Version) – Throughout our trip, we enjoyed a variety of vegan gelato flavours, including fig and papaya from Sublime Gelateria, as well as pistachio and fruit-based flavours from Gelateria Gatsby & Gelato San Lorenzo. Whilst not sold everywhere we didn’t have too much trouble tracking down Vegan Gelato options whilst in Rome.
These dishes highlight how traditional Italian cuisine can be beautifully adapted for a plant-based lifestyle without compromising on flavour or authenticity.
Final Thoughts
The Vegan Rome food scene is thriving, offering everything from traditional pasta and pizza to creative plant-based desserts and gelato, ensuring that visitors have an abundance of cruelty-free choices throughout their stay. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite, an indulgent meal, or a refreshing gelato, Vegan Rome has something for every plant-based traveller. Our experience showed that plant-based eating in Vegan Rome is easier than ever, with many restaurants and gelaterias catering to those seeking cruelty-free options and delicious alternatives to traditional Italian dishes.
One of the most pleasant surprises was the sheer variety of high-quality vegan options available across the city, proving that veganism is more than just an afterthought in Rome. From casual takeaway spots to refined sit-down restaurants, the depth and creativity of vegan cuisine in Rome exceeded all expectations. If you’re planning a trip to Rome, be sure to explore the vibrant Vegan Rome food scene and check out these fantastic vegan-friendly spots!
