Italy
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Ciao, vegetariani!
I'm visiting Italy soon, and I was wondering how easy it is to find vegetarian places to eat. I'll be in Rome mostly, but I also want to explore the smaller hill towns. My diet is simple; as long as there are fresh fruits, I'm happy. But it would be nice to check out some restaurants, too. Grazie
Anche, sto provando ad imparare parlare italiano (evidente?)
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Del consiglio?
I'm visiting Italy soon, and I was wondering how easy it is to find vegetarian places to eat. I'll be in Rome mostly, but I also want to explore the smaller hill towns. My diet is simple; as long as there are fresh fruits, I'm happy. But it would be nice to check out some restaurants, too. Grazie
Anche, sto provando ad imparare parlare italiano (evidente?)
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4,799 Posts
Non abbiamo qualcuno dall'Italia sul VB?
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TRANSFUGA NEL WILD WILD WEST AMERICANO
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Finally!!! I'm going to Italy in February!!!
You have to understand Italy was practically my first word once out of the birth canal. I studied the language (and the men
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) for 6 years in school. I won Italian poetry and cooking awards, but nothing has satiated my thirst.
Anyway, now I get to go during Carnivale. I'm going to Venice, Ravenna, Padua, Verona, Lake Como, Pisa, Florence and Cortina.
The second I decided to go (mentally) an Italian man "noticed" me on one of my veggie dating sites. This trip is so destined. If I like it enough and figure out why I am so drawn to Italy, I could get my job to transfer me there in the next few years.
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I'm bursting at the seams you guys!!
Maybe I'll even meet that Italian vegetarian. I've found 2 separate Italian vegetarian "societies". The Italian Vegetarian Society and the Association of Italian Vegetarians. They both seem to say that there is still a big problem with schools, hospitals and government agencies not offering a suitable vegetarian option. However the restaurants, fast food places and even gas stations offer viable veggie, vegan, and even macrobiotic alternatives.
I don't see any issue with my trip. Wish I knew I was traveling with more veggies. Maybe I'll post something on one of those Italian boards and see if someone wants to sign up for a vacation in their own country.
You have to understand Italy was practically my first word once out of the birth canal. I studied the language (and the men
Anyway, now I get to go during Carnivale. I'm going to Venice, Ravenna, Padua, Verona, Lake Como, Pisa, Florence and Cortina.
The second I decided to go (mentally) an Italian man "noticed" me on one of my veggie dating sites. This trip is so destined. If I like it enough and figure out why I am so drawn to Italy, I could get my job to transfer me there in the next few years.
Maybe I'll even meet that Italian vegetarian. I've found 2 separate Italian vegetarian "societies". The Italian Vegetarian Society and the Association of Italian Vegetarians. They both seem to say that there is still a big problem with schools, hospitals and government agencies not offering a suitable vegetarian option. However the restaurants, fast food places and even gas stations offer viable veggie, vegan, and even macrobiotic alternatives.
I don't see any issue with my trip. Wish I knew I was traveling with more veggies. Maybe I'll post something on one of those Italian boards and see if someone wants to sign up for a vacation in their own country.
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12 Posts
I'm going to Rome in February, does anyone have any advice?
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442 Posts
Ma certo!
Vegetarian and Vegan is pretty easy in Roma. Real Italian cuisine is plant based
Stay at the Beehive, a veggie hotel/restaurant near Termini station. http://www.the-beehive.com/
For eats, try L'Insalata Ricca near Capo Fiori, Arancia Blu on San Lorenzo, and Margutta near the Spanish Steps (direction of Piazza del Poppolo on a side street to the right).
Be very, very careful that you are not pickpocketed on the metropolitana - they are world class thieves. I used to watch people get robbed every day and before you can react, they're gone.
If you are going to the Vatican museum, go early, don't take the audio guide (which you must backtrack to return), and once you are done in the Sistine Chapel, go out the back door which takes you right into St Peters.
Stroll down the via del Corso at the end of the day (as the Romans do)- its great fun.
Enjoy a late sunny afternoon on the Piazza Navona.
Go buy some fresh veggies at Campo Fiore - but get there early!
Set aside a full day for the Colosseo and Palatine Hill but start at Palatine and buy your day pass there (the line is much shorter). Then, when you go to the Colosseo, bypass the long lines by going to the left of them and going straight in (with your ticket). Decent eats nearby are avaialble at Cafe Studente (up the steps behind the Colosseo metro stop) or at The Sitar (Indian) across the street in the direction of Piazza Venezia.
I used to live in Rome and still live in Italy so send me a PM if you need more info. Non ce problemi!
Vegetarian and Vegan is pretty easy in Roma. Real Italian cuisine is plant based
Stay at the Beehive, a veggie hotel/restaurant near Termini station. http://www.the-beehive.com/
For eats, try L'Insalata Ricca near Capo Fiori, Arancia Blu on San Lorenzo, and Margutta near the Spanish Steps (direction of Piazza del Poppolo on a side street to the right).
Be very, very careful that you are not pickpocketed on the metropolitana - they are world class thieves. I used to watch people get robbed every day and before you can react, they're gone.
If you are going to the Vatican museum, go early, don't take the audio guide (which you must backtrack to return), and once you are done in the Sistine Chapel, go out the back door which takes you right into St Peters.
Stroll down the via del Corso at the end of the day (as the Romans do)- its great fun.
Enjoy a late sunny afternoon on the Piazza Navona.
Go buy some fresh veggies at Campo Fiore - but get there early!
Set aside a full day for the Colosseo and Palatine Hill but start at Palatine and buy your day pass there (the line is much shorter). Then, when you go to the Colosseo, bypass the long lines by going to the left of them and going straight in (with your ticket). Decent eats nearby are avaialble at Cafe Studente (up the steps behind the Colosseo metro stop) or at The Sitar (Indian) across the street in the direction of Piazza Venezia.
I used to live in Rome and still live in Italy so send me a PM if you need more info. Non ce problemi!
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442 Posts
For anyone who can read Italian, be sure to check out our local veggie goddess Veronica's blog called Vegan Si Diventa (Becoming Vegan):
http://vegansidiventa.blogspot.com/
Veronica puts up a few new tasty recipes a few times each week.
http://vegansidiventa.blogspot.com/
Veronica puts up a few new tasty recipes a few times each week.
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94 Posts
I actually just got back from an Italy trip that focused mostly on Rome, and I ate at two nice vegetarian restaurants in the area.
Il Margutta Ristorante- someone mentioned this in a previous post, but it's a very chic restaurant. i actually brought some meat eaters along and one ordered seitan and loved it. their vegan cake isn't that good though, but oh well. it was nice eating there, overall.
Bio Forneria e Gastronomia- this one is actually in Sorrento, and it's delicious. it's very small, quaint, and not-touristy. so the prices are quite low. i got dinner with a full plate of food, dessert, and a drink for about 10 euro. and everything is delicious, changes day to day, and is organic. highly recommended. oh, and delicous apple spelt cake in italy while on a school trip? yes please.
Il Margutta Ristorante- someone mentioned this in a previous post, but it's a very chic restaurant. i actually brought some meat eaters along and one ordered seitan and loved it. their vegan cake isn't that good though, but oh well. it was nice eating there, overall.
Bio Forneria e Gastronomia- this one is actually in Sorrento, and it's delicious. it's very small, quaint, and not-touristy. so the prices are quite low. i got dinner with a full plate of food, dessert, and a drink for about 10 euro. and everything is delicious, changes day to day, and is organic. highly recommended. oh, and delicous apple spelt cake in italy while on a school trip? yes please.
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Hey everyone! My family and I arrived safely in Italy. I have only eaten food that I have brought so far, so I am OK. Apparently I am the only one who brought an Italian phrasebook or studied any Italian, but that was food mostly. Can anyone give me veg*n items that will be on ALL menus? I don't really know where I am in Rome I am, I think we are staying really close to Vatican City.
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106 Posts
Ciao Vegetiriani!
Io sono parlo un po l'italiano...!
Io sono parlo un po l'italiano...!
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426 Posts
Hi, I am going to Rome for my birthday with my boyfriend in September (I don't want to organise a party, so i decided to get out of the UK!). Its his first time, but i went a few years ago.
Since then, I've become muuuuccch more aware and stricter about 'secret' animal products. I love love love pizza with all my tiny heart, but everytime I am in a restaurant anywhere, there is always a 'huh?' or language barrier (I speak some French, but my French lessons at school traumatised me!) about whether the cheese contains rennet.
So, does anyone know of any restaurants in Rome that use mozzarella that doesn't contain rennet? I don't just want to be having marinaras the whole time!
Also, how common is egg free pasta in Roman restaurants? Has anyone has any luck specifying for egg-free pasta?
Since then, I've become muuuuccch more aware and stricter about 'secret' animal products. I love love love pizza with all my tiny heart, but everytime I am in a restaurant anywhere, there is always a 'huh?' or language barrier (I speak some French, but my French lessons at school traumatised me!) about whether the cheese contains rennet.
So, does anyone know of any restaurants in Rome that use mozzarella that doesn't contain rennet? I don't just want to be having marinaras the whole time!
Also, how common is egg free pasta in Roman restaurants? Has anyone has any luck specifying for egg-free pasta?
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8,277 Posts
Try one of the vegetarian or veggie friendly restaurants listed here:
http://www.happycow.net/europe/italy/rome/
If you want to try an omni place you can ask if the cheese is 'caglio vegetale' (made without rennet)
http://www.happycow.net/europe/italy/rome/
If you want to try an omni place you can ask if the cheese is 'caglio vegetale' (made without rennet)
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426 Posts
Thanks for the phrase Mr. Falafel, I think it will come in handy!
I've had a look at the happycow listings already, but I thought I may encounter the problem found in the UK sometimes, even if a cheese dish is labelled as vegetarian, the waiters/chef etc are unsure whether it has rennet in, like its a communication problem or ignorance in the supply chain.
I've downloaded the menu of the Il Marguetta, looks very nice for my actual birthday, I'm not sure that our budget will stretch to similar restaurant price tags. If only the hostel had a kitchen!
I've had a look at the happycow listings already, but I thought I may encounter the problem found in the UK sometimes, even if a cheese dish is labelled as vegetarian, the waiters/chef etc are unsure whether it has rennet in, like its a communication problem or ignorance in the supply chain.
I've downloaded the menu of the Il Marguetta, looks very nice for my actual birthday, I'm not sure that our budget will stretch to similar restaurant price tags. If only the hostel had a kitchen!
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86 Posts
Bumping this thread!
I'm going to be in Rome next week for six days. I'm going to try to take a day trip to Florence, as well. However, I speak NO Italian! eeek! I know enough French to get me by, but I don't think that's going to help. Any words of wisdom? I know some things have already been posted here before, but just wanting to see if anyone else had something to offer. =)
I'm going to be in Rome next week for six days. I'm going to try to take a day trip to Florence, as well. However, I speak NO Italian! eeek! I know enough French to get me by, but I don't think that's going to help. Any words of wisdom? I know some things have already been posted here before, but just wanting to see if anyone else had something to offer. =)
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8,277 Posts
Italian restaurants who cater to the tourist trade speak English and publish their menus in English. You will not have any problems, especially if you use that Happycow link above.
Top tip for Florence is: its very crowded in Florence. Packed full of tourists who all go for lunch at seemingly the same time which means its very difficult to get into cafes or restaurants at normal lunch times and when you do, its so busy its hard to get the waiters attention enough to talk about dietary restrictions. Instead, go for lunch during off times (like 11am or 3pm) where you have the time to talk to the waiter about what you want to eat and how you want it prepared.
In Florence there's a good healthfood shop/deli with lots of veg pates, olives, sietan slices and more you can stuff into your bag for a great picnic in a lovely square somewhere. Check the relevant happycow listing.
Another good tip is before you go, make a google map with the exact locations of said veggie friendly restaurants of the cities you are going to visit and print it out. This will help you immensely in finding their locations in unfamilair surroundings.
Top tip for Florence is: its very crowded in Florence. Packed full of tourists who all go for lunch at seemingly the same time which means its very difficult to get into cafes or restaurants at normal lunch times and when you do, its so busy its hard to get the waiters attention enough to talk about dietary restrictions. Instead, go for lunch during off times (like 11am or 3pm) where you have the time to talk to the waiter about what you want to eat and how you want it prepared.
In Florence there's a good healthfood shop/deli with lots of veg pates, olives, sietan slices and more you can stuff into your bag for a great picnic in a lovely square somewhere. Check the relevant happycow listing.
Another good tip is before you go, make a google map with the exact locations of said veggie friendly restaurants of the cities you are going to visit and print it out. This will help you immensely in finding their locations in unfamilair surroundings.
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