Just outside the busy, bustling city center of Rome, lies the calm and relatively unknown Garbatella. A part of the Ostiense district, Garbatella has had a cultural revival in the last few decades, making it a place where old meets new, and where an authentic Roman kitchen, meets new and fresh ideas. Let this round-up of charming brunch spots guide you in your early morning exploration of this rustic district.
Opened in 1944 by Mario Maurizi, Bakery & Coffee, now run by his daughter, is a historical artisan bakery situated in the heart of Garbatella. The rustic, homely location offers a wide array of homemade bread and pastries baked with traditional recipes and good quality ingredients. This, along with its assortment of refreshments and Italian coffee makes it the perfect spot for an authentic brunch, or an impromptu break. Rumor has it that the café also has a selection of wine on the menu, in case you decide to stay just a little while longer.
First opening its doors in 1956, Bar Foschi, is another well-established institution appropriate for anyone looking for a late breakfast. The popular café boasts food and refreshments suitable for most times of the day, from pastries and snacks, to cocktails, tea and coffees preferred by many. Situated on the Piazza Bartolomeo Romano, directly across from the Palladium Theatre, the popular café is an excellent place to enjoy a morning coffee and croissant while waiting for an early concert or screening.
Run by the Andreotti family since 1931, Adreotti alla Garbatella is a café specializing in the delicious, sweet and sticky. Rows upon rows of colorful, sugary treats line its counters, as well as a variety of anything filled or covered with cream or chocolate. The café focuses heavily on the traditions of its methods, as well as the quality of its ingredients, and was in 2012 recognized by the City of Rome as a place of historical interest. This self-proclaimed ‘oasis of quality’, is the place for a filling, sweet breakfast, or just a well-deserved hideout from the merciless, Roman sunshine.
At the outskirts of Garbatella, along the Tiber river, lies T-Bar Ostiense, a stylish yet cozy alternative to the rustic cafés in the hot, perhaps dusty, alleys of Garbatella itself. Boasting an impressive brunch menu, served from 12 to 4pm every day, T-Bar Ostiense offers everything from sweet treats, to the more non-Italian, egg-dominated dishes. Take a seat on the charming terrace overlooking the languid Tiber River on its way through Rome and enjoy your coffee.
While eating brunch at a picturesque café can be what you originally intended, the authentic Roman experience can perhaps best be achieved in an even more casual setting. Every second Sunday, Garbatella is host to a farmer’s market. There, you can buy some bread, an assortment of cheese, perhaps some coffee and various other things in the vast choice that is available to you, find a nice bench in the Italian sunshine and enjoy the most authentic Italian food you could ever find on such short notice.
Famed among locals for the owner, Marisa, and her authentic and homely kitchen, if you want to visit a truly Roman institution in the morning hours, this is the place. Perhaps mostly known for the hearty pasta dishes, the traditional Roman trattoria Li Scalini di Marisa also serves Italian breakfast classics. Situated in the heart of the district, this rustic restaurant suits the traveller in need of a break from wandering back alleys, ready to sit down with a cup of coffee and observe life as it unfolds in this village within the city.
Close to the Garbatella metro station lies a lively restaurant just out of reach for the common tourist. Every Saturday and Sunday between 12.30 and 3.30pm, DoppioZeroo serves brunch to hungry patrons, combining the Italian and Mediterranean flavors with American classics. Anything from pizza to pastries, freshly homemade juices and coffee makes sure you get good value for your money in a refined and classy setting. With ample outdoor seating in a charming area, DoppioZeroo is a perfect spot for a lazy weekend brunch in the sunshine.
