I’m heading back to Italy this weekend for two days and I couldn’t be more excited to discover hidden bars in Rome. This time I’ve booked two restaurants overlooking the Colosseum — one for each night — and I’ll be sitting at the bar. As a solo traveller, I’ve found that bar seating is a lifesaver. Booking a table for one can be tricky in many European cities, and in Rome, some of the most atmospheric restaurants fill up fast. Hidden Bars in Rome, on the other hand, are a welcoming place to enjoy a meal or a glass of wine without feeling out of place. I’ll update after the weekend on how those two Colosseum dinners go.

But while the evenings will be reserved for those restaurants, I also have a long list of favourite rooftops and hidden gems in Rome that I keep coming back to — plus a few new ones I’ll be revisiting this time. Some are sky-high terraces with views over domes and piazzas, while others are tucked-away courtyards and wine bars that feel like a local secret. Whether you’re travelling solo, like me, or with company, they’re all worth experiencing.

Essential Tips for Rooftop Bars in Rome

• Reservations are almost always required. Even small rooftops book quickly, especially in spring and summer. If you’re travelling solo, note “bar seating” when you reserve — it’s often the easiest way to secure a spot.
• Expect higher prices. Rooftop cocktails cost more than a drink in a local trattoria, but they usually include aperitivo — snacks ranging from olives and chips to gourmet bites like crostini and cured meats.
• Go during aperitivo hours. Between 5:00 PM and 9:00 PM is the best time to catch golden light, city views, and a light meal before a later Roman dinner.

Terrazza Les Étoiles – Vatican Views and Aperitivo in Prati

One of my favourite spots to ease into the evening is Terrazza Les Étoiles, set in the quiet Prati neighbourhood. From here, the view of St. Peter’s Dome and Vatican City is spectacular, and the atmosphere is more relaxed than the busy rooftops around the Colosseum or Spanish Steps.

The terrace is spacious, filled with greenery, and their aperitivo is generous — including cacio e pepe fries, which I never knew existed until I tried them here. Aperitivo runs daily from 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM, and you can easily book online.

It’s perched atop the Atlante Star Hotel, just a short walk from Castel Sant’Angelo and Vatican City.

Terrazza Borromini – Overlooking Piazza Navona

Rising above Piazza Navona, Terrazza Borromini is part of the Eitch Borromini Palazzo Pamphilj, a 17th-century palace designed by Francesco Borromini. The views here are dramatic — the piazza below, the rooftops stretching out across the city, and a close-up look at Sant’Agnese in Agone’s dome.

Reservations are essential, and they’re handled only via email with a credit card guarantee. There’s a no-show fee, so be sure of your plans before booking.

I tried to visit recently without a reservation, but even my flight attendant charm didn’t get me in. Lesson learned. I’ve now made a booking for this weekend, and I can’t wait to finally experience it. I’ll be sharing an update after the trip.

Spritzeria Barberini – Small but Scenic

For something more low-key, Spritzeria Barberini is a cosy terrace overlooking Palazzo Barberini. It specialises in creative spritz variations — their Spritz Barberini with Radis Amaro is a standout. Light bites, like gourmet pizza, pair perfectly with the cocktails.

The terrace is small, so call ahead to reserve. It’s open from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM. For an extra treat, the adjacent Hotel Barberini also serves breakfast on the rooftop, a lovely way to start the day.

Vista Rooms & Terrace – Relaxed Rooftop Vibes

If you’re looking for something less formal, Vista Rooms & Terrace has a relaxed, modern vibe with great views of Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza’s corkscrew steeple, another Borromini masterpiece.

It’s open from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and tables can be booked online. The boutique hotel below is stylish and colourful, just a few minutes’ walk from the Pantheon — and close to Sant’Eustachio Caffè, one of Rome’s most famous coffee bars.

Rinascente Via del Tritone – Rooftop Above the Shops

This rooftop, set above the Rinascente department store on Via del Tritone, is one of the few where you don’t need a reservation. The seven-floor store is filled with designer shops, but the rooftop is surprisingly affordable and offers sweeping views of the city. It’s open until 11:00 PM and located just a short walk from the Trevi Fountain.

Ground-Level Hidden Gems

Not all of Rome’s best drinking spots are above the rooftops. A few hidden courtyards and wine bars are just as memorable.

Caffè Doria – A Courtyard Escape

Inside Palazzo Doria Pamphilj, Caffè Doria is set in a marble-columned courtyard filled with greenery. Aperitivo runs from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM, and the café is well known for its Gin Trolley, with over 80 varieties.

Enoteca Cuverie – My Favourite Wine Bar in Trastevere

In Trastevere, Enoteca Cuverie is a tiny wine bar with just a handful of outdoor tables and a cosy antique-filled interior. Wines by the glass make it perfect for sampling, and their scrocchiarella — a thin, crispy Roman flatbread — is irresistible.

This is one of my personal favourites in Rome. As a solo traveller, I’ve always felt completely comfortable here. The staff are warm, the atmosphere relaxed, and it never feels awkward to sit alone with a glass of wine. For me, that’s the mark of a truly welcoming bar.

This Weekend

This weekend, my Roman itinerary is set: two nights at restaurants overlooking the Colosseum (sitting at the bar, of course), a long-awaited reservation at Terrazza Borromini, and time to revisit some of my favourite rooftops and hidden corners.

Solo travel in Rome isn’t always easy — restaurants often cater to couples or groups, and bookings for one can feel tricky. But rooftop bars, wine bars, and spots with welcoming bar seating make all the difference. They’re places where you can sit comfortably, take in the views, and enjoy the ritual of aperitivo without ever feeling out of place.

I’ll be sharing updates after this trip, but in the meantime, I hope this guide helps you discover your own favourite spots above (and below) the streets of Rome.