Bar San Calisto, Trastevere, Rome
Hiding in a corner a few steps from the over crowded piazza Santa Maria, Bar San Calisto, is the hangout of choice for locals in Rome’s Trastevere district. The reason, it’s about the only place left in the adopted tourist epicentre where the drink isn’t extortionately expensive and a reputation for the best chocolate gelato in summer and hot chocolate in winter doesn’t hurt either.
Not much to look at from the outside, it’s practically falling apart inside, but that doesn’t stop Romans, young and old coming here to relax. Whether you’re looking for food, coffee, alcohol or gelato, Bar San Calisto caters for everything and the best part is not only does it manage to do them all extremely well, it does them about half the price of anywhere else too.
The crowd is always lively, spilling out onto the small square most nights, while during the day it’s a relaxed, slow affair and is the perfect place to read the paper and enjoy an espresso.
Open from ‘early until early’ every day except Sunday, Bar San Calisto is unmissable if you want to experience the more authentic vibrant side of Rome.
Bar San Calisto
Drinks for two: Cheaper than anywhere else in the area
Address: 3 Piazza San Calisto, Rome
Open: Mon-Sat 6am-2.30am