Monti Food & Wine Evening
- Duration
- 3.5 hours
- Category
- Beer & Wine
- Cancellation
- Free, up to 24 hours before
- Price
- From €60 / adult
Aperitivo Evening Experience
Best Gelaterias of Rome Tour
Cacio e Pepe & Carbonara Tasting Walk
Gelato & Espresso CrawlAbout this experience
What to expect
Monti is Rome's bohemian quarter, tucked behind the Colosseum and the Roman Forum yet feeling a world away from the crowds. Small wine bars, artisan workshops, vintage shops and tucked-away restaurants line its lanes. This page explores the character of the neighbourhood and the wines of Lazio that suit an unhurried evening, so you can appreciate what you are looking at and drinking.
The character of Monti
Monti occupies the slopes between the Colosseum, the Esquiline Hill and the Viminal. In ancient times this district was the Subura, a crowded, noisy, working-class part of Rome that Roman writers often described as rough. Today it is one of the most appealing neighbourhoods for an evening stroll, with a lively but local atmosphere.
Its heart is the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti, a small square with a fountain where people gather in the evenings. From there, streets such as Via del Boschetto and Via Urbana wind away in a pleasing tangle.
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Wine of Lazio
Lazio, the region around Rome, has a long winemaking history, and its wines are made for casual eating. Here are a few names worth recognising:
- Frascati: a fresh white from the Castelli Romani hills south-east of Rome, traditionally drunk young and chilled.
- Cesanese del Piglio: a red grown in the hills of south Lazio, with a spicy, fruity character.
- Est! Est!! Est!!!: a white from the area around Montefiascone, with a name that has a famous story attached to it.
- Local sparkling and natural wines: increasingly common in Rome's modern wine bars.
Wine bars and enoteche
An enoteca is a wine shop or bar, often with a few small plates to accompany the glass. The idea is to drink with food, not to drink hard. Typical accompaniments include cured meats, pecorino and other cheeses, olives, bruschetta and seasonal vegetables. Tasting menus and flights of small pours make it easy to try several wines without overdoing it.
How to enjoy wine like a Roman
Italians rarely drink wine without food and rarely rush. Look at the wine, smell it, then take a small sip and think about how it matches what is on the table. Ordering a bottle of water alongside the wine is entirely normal and sensible. If you do not know what to choose, ask the person behind the counter. Romans are usually happy to recommend something local.
Time of day and season
Wine also changes with the weather. Chilled whites and light sparkling wines suit warm evenings, while structured reds suit the colder months. Rome rarely gets truly cold, but a glass of something warming still feels right on a damp winter night.
Monti is lovely at dusk, when shop windows light up and the narrow streets fill with people. In summer, tables spill into the squares and evenings stay warm. In winter, a small interior with a glass of red is part of the appeal. Cobblestones and steep lanes mean comfortable shoes are a good idea in any season.
Landmarks within easy walking distance
Monti sits close to the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli and Santa Maria Maggiore. The Altare della Patria and the Trevi Fountain are also within walking range. If you have an allergy or dietary requirement, mention it when you book anything food-related, and remember that cured meats and cheeses are a common part of wine-bar plates.
Useful information
- Tell the organiser about allergies and diets when you book. Wine-bar plates often include cured pork, dairy and gluten.
- Wear comfortable shoes: Monti's lanes are cobbled and sloping.
- Drink water between glasses of wine, particularly in warm weather.
- Plan how to get home after an evening of wine; Rome's centre is easy to walk but late-night transport varies.
Know before you go
- Wine in Italy is usually enjoyed with food, so pair each glass with something to eat.
- Monti is a living residential neighbourhood, so keep voices down late at night.
Frequently asked questions
▸Where is Monti in Rome?
It lies between the Colosseum, the Esquiline Hill and the Viminal Hill, close to the Roman Forum.
▸What was Monti called in ancient Rome?
The area was known as the Subura, a crowded working-class district.
▸What is Frascati wine?
A fresh white wine from the Castelli Romani hills near Rome, usually drunk young and cold.
▸What is an enoteca?
A wine shop or wine bar, often serving small plates alongside glasses of wine.
▸What is Cesanese?
A red grape variety from southern Lazio, producing wines that are fruity and slightly spicy.
▸What is the Piazza della Madonna dei Monti?
The small central square of the Monti district, with a fountain and a lively evening atmosphere.
▸Do Italians drink wine without food?
Rarely. Wine is mostly a companion to a meal or a snack rather than a drink on its own.
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