Napoletano's in Rome

"Restaurant & Atmosphere"

We found those 2 words were written in the menu, under the restaurant's name! We definitely ended up enjoying some good atmosphere with our meal, at Napoletano's!

It was last October when Don and I joined my bro and sis-in-law for lunch in Rome.
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Buildings
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As we approached these cafe tables, I admired the old buildings, with shutters and iron balconies. 

The people sitting near the old buildings looked content with the atmosphere on that pleasant day. But it wasn't the charming 200+ year old buildings they were focussed on. 

Inside the Building

The restaurant's atmosphere inside the yellow building was bright and modern, but very vacant.

There's a reason no one was sitting inside.

View of the Pantheon!

The outside seating was in high demand, because each table had an outstanding view of one of Rome's most romantic piazza's... one that happens to be home to one of Italy's most notable monuments! The Pantheon!

I'm still not sure how we snagged a table that day! Our view of the famous temple-turned-church was hard to beat. 

Piazza della Rotonda ​​

Piazza della Rotonda is an intimate square on the north side of the Pantheon. There are numerous restaurants surrounding the piazza, but I'm guessing Napoletano's has the best location. We had an ideal view of the Pantheon and the fountain with its Egyptian obelisk.

The people watching was very lively and entertaining.

1,900 Year Ago

As we enjoyed this view in 2025, I did some wondering about how this temple was built! The Pantheon, with its massive dome was completed around 125 AD. How did they get the idea to have a 9 meter hole in the dome's center? Are there other temples with openings that let in rain and light? I remember being in awe, visiting as a kid with my family... and wishing it would rain.

I also wondered what surrounded the temple nearly 2,000 years ago. I read later that the ground level was 6 feet lower, then. You would have climbed steps to reach the columned portico.

200 Years Ago

This same view in the early 1800s would have been more chaotic than lively. The piazza was a cluttered marketplace with taverns, sheds and temporary stalls. I can just imagine the sounds and smells. Shouting vendors, birds in cages... smells of fresh fish and mud and manure!

It took many years and many pushy popes to get the messy markets removed. 

Smells in 2025

This is what I smelled while sitting at our table!

Our mushroom pizza was just right! The classic Neapolitan pizza crust was soft and thick. 

Prosecco

Don and I made sure to have a little bubbly with our lunch.

In honor of Audrey Hepburn's character in Roman Holiday!

73 Years Ago

On a hot summer day in 1952, Piazza Della Rotonda was crowded with film crews and curious spectators, when Peck and Hepburn filmed this scene at G. Rocca's Cafe.  

Joe ordered cold coffee for himself and champagne for Ann. Sadly we couldn't dine at Rocca's. The temporary cafe facade was created for the movie, not far from where we dined at Napoletano's. There's no such cafe.

Luna!

We saw no movie stars while we enjoyed our lunch. However, our server Luna was quite the comedian!

I don't think he meant to knock over my Prosecco. But the way he handled it with great comic timing, just added to the fun!  

Cheers to Great Food & Service

Karen, Chris, Don and I all agreed that the service and food was unexpectedly good!

We knew we needed to lower expectations when we chose to dine at this touristy location near the Pantheon. We assumed we'd pay more and possibly not get the best food. We were wrong.

Lasagna

I heard no complaints from Karen about her hot and cheesy lasagna.

14 Euros was a decent price for lasagna, at a restaurant that attracts tourists.

I remember no details about the meal that Chris ordered. It's been nearly a year!

But he looks mighty pleased here, as he twirls his spaghetti with pesto. I remember we were all happy with our food!

Post Meal

We eventually left our wonderful table in front of the orange-yellow building. I'm sure another party was quickly enjoying our spot!

We headed across the piazza, with plans to peek inside the Pantheon.

Unfortunately there was a mass in progress. So we just enjoyed the sounds instead. A muffled blend of music and chants, coming through the open doors.

​Rocca's?

Since we couldn't go inside the Pantheon, I needed one more little memory before we left the piazza. I looked at my phone for the address I'd pulled up earlier.

At Via della Rotonda 25, we  found a clothing shop. This was where Rocca's Cafe had been created for Roman Holiday, in 1953. A perfect end to our lunch adventure, before we moved on with our day!
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