7 of the best new things to do in Rome

If you want to see a furrowed brow, ask a Roman what’s new in Rome. What’s old in Rome—the beloved locations that have been there forever—that’s the point of a visit, they’ll say. But even in the eternal city, life goes on. In fact, the layering of the new over the old is what makes Rome so vibrant, and worth coming back to whenever you get the chance. Ahead, seven new spots to check out on your next visit, from world-class restaurants and hotels to fascinating cultural experiences.

Chef Davide Puleio, a Roman native who counts Copenhagen’s Noma as one of many A-list entries on his resume, opened his own restaurant in the upscale Prati neighborhood last year (and wasted no time before earning a Michelin star). Inside the clean, modern space you’ll find a sophisticated yet low-key crowd—dressing to the nines isn’t required, but it is the type of place where you’ll want to change out of your touring outfit into something slightly spiffier. Diners can choose from a five- or seven-course tasting menu that combines Puleio’s eclectic influences with traditional Roman dishes, such as duck with mushrooms, sea urchin, and chestnut. Though you won’t need to book a table months in advance, reservations are definitely recommended.

In a country that’s world-renowned for its wine, whisky drinking can seem almost subversive. But Arnaldo Maggiora Vergano and Lorenzo Giovanett, spirits aficionados and hosts of YouTube channel Non Solo Whisky, have taken to planning whisky tastings and pairing dinners around Rome, employing chefs whose menus typically bring out the unexpected in both the food and the drink. Check their feed at facebook.com/NonSoloWhisky to see if any upcoming events overlap with your visit.

Six Senses’ new Roman outpost located just around the corner from the Trevi Fountain features pitted marble at nearly every turn, giving you the impression that its interiors have existed as long as the Coliseum itself. But don’t worry, it’s still stacked with modern amenities. Take the spa (open to hotel guests and visitors alike), which takes its design cues from ancient Roman baths but incorporates cutting-edge services like biohacking and sleep tracking. Don’t miss the rooftop restaurant for a meal or cocktail with a view of the Roman cityscape (especially the majestic San Marcello al Corso church and Montecitorio bell tower) that can’t be beaten.

The coffee and pastry bar is a fixture in Roman life, more plentiful on every block than mailboxes or ATMs. One new version of the staple recently arrived from pastry chef Giorgia Roscioli: Grani Farine e Caffè in the tree-lined Monteverde district. Though closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, on any other day of the week you can eat a classic Italian cornetto alongside a slice of quiche or American-style carrot cake, and sip a coffee made from beans sourced from the Verona-based Garage Coffee Bros. Though more upscale coffee bars like this are often busier than hole-in-the-wall spots, you’ll also find a younger, friendlier, and less intimidating crowd (i.e. no one will glare at you if you order a cappuccino in the afternoon).

To experience the best of the old and the new on one plate (or at least, in one meal), visit Manco near Piazza Bologna in Nomentano. The residential neighborhood on Rome’s northeast side has never become a touristy spot, which means you’ll likely be dining alongside hip locals. Opened last July by a young and ambitious group of restaurateurs, Manco’s kitchen is headed up by chef Anastasia Paris, who seeks to celebrate Laziale cooking (from the Lazio region, where Rome is located), expressed through dishes such as oxtail meatballs, gnocchi alla romana with rabbit ragu, and beef cheek with gremolata and pear puree.

Lucciano’s gelato started not in the birthplace of the dessert itself, but rather in Argentina, founded in 2011 by a family of Italian descent who wanted to bring Italian gelato-making techniques to South America. They’ve since added locations all over the globe, but this year-old Roman outpost—two blocks from the Trevi fountain—marks the company’s first location in Italy, a homecoming of sorts. Sample the best of both worlds with their dulce de leche gelato, or go for one of their iconic IcePops, molded in the shape of the Coliseum.

The latest Italian opening from this collective of luxury hotels and social clubs is located in Rome’s San Lorenzo neighborhood, a distinctly Italian neighborhood where you’re less likely to see tourists than a mixture of nonnas pushing shopping carts and university students darting between cafes, art studios, and buzzy bars.

Inside the airy, design-forward space, you’ll find 69 rooms—whether you’re working with a modest budget (go for the “tiny” or “small” room category, with a king size bed) or a larger one (opt for “medium” and larger rooms, which come with balconies, or apartment-style spaces with kitchens), the available rooms are full of thoughtful design details like plush velvet headboards, vintage-style telephones and radios, and floor-to-ceiling windows. There’s also a rooftop pool and restaurant, works from contemporary local artists on display, and a sanctuary of a spa with prime city views.