A panorama to “feast” your eyes on

Can anything beat an amazing view of Rome’s countless gems while both feasting your eyes and titillating your palate? Here, then, we embark on a discovery of some enchanting terraces, roof gardens and restaurants simultaneously offering sumptuous dishes and breathtaking and rare panoramas onto the Eternal City.

The choice is to say the very least varied and ranges from just sipping an aperitif to enjoying a gourmet dinner. Topping the list, by reason of its sitting right next to Rome’s main tourist attraction, the Colosseum, is the “Terrazza Manfredi”, as close as if the Flavium Amphitheatre were within hand’s reach. It is only open in the summer, from breakfast to dinner, even if indisputably its finest hour is at aperitif time.

Just a stone’s throw away in the Celio district, nestling among the lemon trees and flowers, the terrace of “Hotel Capo d’Africa” is the perfect spot to enjoy delicious sophisticated gastronomic delights to the sound of music.

Fancy going higher? Well, the Vittoriano (National Monument to Victor Emmanuel II) or Altare della Patria (Altar of the Fatherland) is definitely for you, where refreshments, including sandwiches, rolls, salads or pre-cooked dishes are all available on its magnificent terrace. Two glass lifts are ready to take visitors 81 metres up to the “Terrazza delle Quadrighe”, where the view is simply awe-inspiring!

Right next to the Vittoriano, on Campidoglio (Capitol Hill), a highly evocative view overlooking Rome’s rooftops is waiting for us on the “Terrazza Caffarelli”, whose bar offers rolls, salads and fruit.

Staying in the vicinity and precisely in Via Petroselli, we could well head for the roof garden of Hotel Fortyseven. Here our gaze stretches to take in the Church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin, the Temple of Vesta as far as the Gianicolo. Open from breakfast to dinner, its Circus Bar on Sundays offers a delightful brunch to live music.

Leaving the forum area, we move onto Piazza di Spagna and the magnificent terrace of the 15th century hotel, the Palazzetto, to satisfy any caprice for Italian cuisine and lap up a spectacular view from the top of the Spanish Steps.

Just a short stroll and we come to the superb Hotel De Russie, just off Piazza del Popolo. Its glorious garden, flourishing with citrus fruits, palm trees and flowers of every kind, also provides a magnificent setting for an unforgettable candle-lit dinner.

In order to relish a panorama stretching from the Gianicolo to the Vittoriano, from the Quirinale to St. Peter’s with an exclusive view of the Pantheon, it is simply a matter of visiting the splendid terrace of the Hotel Minerva, where a delightful roof gardens awaits.

Our tour seeking out those extra special restaurants and roof gardens with breathtaking views draws to a close at the “La Pergola” terrace restaurant, where exquisite dishes prepared by renowned German Chef Heinz Beck are enjoyed in front of an incredible panorama, which is similarly to be found on the terrace of the Hotel Majestic in Via Veneto, where the refined Sicilian cuisine is the art of Chef Filippo La Mantia.