Aroma, Rome | Dinner Crafted by the Colosseum

Few restaurants in Rome can compete with Aroma for location, views and atmosphere, however, this is not all it should be appreciated or known for. Positioned on the top floor of Palazzo Manfredi, directly opposite the Colosseum, the restaurant has one of the most recognisable views in the city. The challenge for any restaurant with a setting like this is whether the experience beyond the view can justify the attention and price that come with it.

Aroma is led by Executive Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio, who draws on Italian and Roman traditions while using contemporary techniques. This allows the restaurant to build its reputation and standard around the menu, wine offering and service just as much as the view outside.

This Edit looks at dinner at Aroma, from arrival and the terrace setting to the tasting menu, service, atmosphere, value and how to plan a visit. The Colosseum is a clear part of the experience, but the real story is how Aroma delivers on the quality of the food, service and atmosphere alongside it.

Who this Edit is for

Image: Table setting at Aroma. © 2026 Palates & Miles

This Edit is for those considering Aroma for that one standout dinner in Rome and wanting to understand whether the experience matches the famous setting. It is particularly relevant for travellers who want atmosphere to extend beyond the views and setting into the meal itself.

It will also be useful for those staying near the Colosseum, planning an evening around the archaeological centre or looking for a restaurant that encapsulates part of the wider Roman experience. Dinner at Aroma is something unique and worth planning for, so it is a restaurant best considered in advance rather than left until the last minute to book.

The standard

Every recommendation in this Edit is assessed against the same five points: service, design, food and drink, atmosphere and value. Value is not about cheap or expensive. It is whether the experience earns the time and price invested.

Palazzo Manfredi and the setting

Image: Colosseum view from Aroma. © 2026 Palates & Miles

Aroma sits on top of Palazzo Manfredi, a hotel within a historic residence immediately beside the Colosseum and the remains of the Ludus Magnus, the training school once used by gladiators in ancient Rome. The original building dates to the early seventeenth century and was designed for the Evangelisti family by architect Giovanni Battista Mola. It was later remodelled in the eighteenth century before being acquired by Count Goffredo Manfredi in 2002 and developed into the hotel seen today.

This history matters because Aroma is not simply a rooftop restaurant occupying another Roman building. Its position places it directly alongside some of the city’s most important ancient sites, with the Colosseum and surrounding archaeological area commanding much of the view. The restaurant itself is largely enclosed by glass, allowing the setting to remain visible throughout the year while still providing a comfortable dining environment. There is also a retractable roof, allowing part of the restaurant to open up when conditions permit.

Arrival and first impressions

Arrival at Palazzo Manfredi immediately sets the intention for the evening ahead. Via Labicana runs alongside the Colosseum and the entrance to the hotel is only a short distance from the main archaeological sites. You first arrive into the hotel reception, where the team will direct you to the old-style elevator that takes you to Aroma on the top floor. It is a small part of the arrival, but it adds to the anticipation before you have even reached the restaurant.

Once upstairs, you are greeted by the host and shown to your table. The first impression is naturally dominated by the view outside. Tables are positioned so that the Colosseum remains visible from across the restaurant, regardless of where you are seated. The dining room itself is relatively intimate, which prevents Aroma from feeling like a large rooftop venue and keeps the focus on the table, food and service.

The view and atmosphere

Image: Amuse Bouche at Aroma. © 2026 Palates & Miles

The view is one of the main reasons many will have heard of Aroma and it is difficult to overstate just how close the Colosseum feels from the restaurant. What makes dinner particularly effective, however, is how the setting changes over the course of the evening. Arriving in daylight gives you time to see the architecture and wider city before the light begins to fade and both the Colosseum and Monument to Victor Emmanuel II become illuminated after dusk.

Aroma also benefits from having a relatively small footprint. It never feels overwhelming and the spacing between tables provides enough privacy without making the room feel disconnected. Despite sitting beside one of Rome’s busiest attractions, the restaurant feels sufficiently removed from the street below while still allowing you to watch the city change as the evening progresses.

P&M note: If visiting during the height of summer, be aware that temperatures can remain high, particularly when the terrace is fully enclosed. The team may provide hand fans, but this is worth considering when choosing what to wear for dinner.

Food and drink

Image: Amatriciana at Aroma. © 2026 Palates & Miles

This is where Aroma becomes far more than just the view alone. The tasting menu gives Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio and the team the opportunity to build the dinner across a series of courses, rather than relying on one or two signature dishes to impress.

On this visit, the experience began with a series of amuse-bouches before moving through two pasta dishes, fish and meat courses and finishing with dessert and petits fours. Presentation is detailed throughout, with several dishes making direct reference to Rome and the setting outside without turning the meal into a theme.

The Amatriciana pasta course was by far the standout of the evening and was actually a permitted paid substitution from the wider menu. The fish course was also well formed, with an infusion of ’nduja and foam bringing additional flavour and texture. The meat course of lamb cutlets was aromatic alongside corn and mushroom and built anticipation before the showstopper dessert, adorned with a representation of the surroundings on the plate to bring the meal to a fitting close.

Image: Lamb course at Aroma. © 2026 Palates & Miles

Wine is treated as an integral part of the experience. While an aperitivo is offered at the beginning, Aroma’s cellar contains more than 600 labels, with an international selection alongside Italian producers. Italian wines take precedence and the sommelier is more than willing to share an expert opinion on what will best accompany the meal. Dessert wines by the glass are also available for the latter part of the evening should you wish to add one alongside the final courses.

Petits fours and coffee are served at the end of the meal, providing one final element of Italian hospitality before the evening draws to a close.

Service

Image: Dessert at Aroma. © 2026 Palates & Miles.

Service at Aroma needs to balance the expectations around food, quality and atmosphere that the restaurant is known for. On this occasion, the team did not disappoint, providing an evening that was polished from first arrival to the final moments. They are acutely aware that guests wish to experience the views foremost and try to accentuate this by keeping the opening formalities to an absolute minimum.

When it came to the menu, the team were quick to explain how the options worked and what could be substituted based on dietary requirements or preference. This was very much appreciated. While the wine list was extensive and accessible on a tablet, the sommelier was particularly helpful in narrowing down regions and suggesting the best options to accompany the meal.

On this occasion, Rome was experiencing something of a heat event and the temperature was above what was comfortable. However, the team went out of their way to ensure guests were comfortable, with additional ice and hand fans provided to make the environment more manageable.

Value

Aroma sits firmly within the high end of Rome dining and should be considered as such when planning a visit. The price reflects a Michelin-starred tasting menu, a central Rome location and one of the most distinctive restaurant views in the city.

The menu is seasonal and changes regularly, so this should be checked ahead of time to ensure it remains an appropriate option for your occasion. As of August 2026, the tasting menu was priced at €270 per person without a wine pairing. This is very much at the higher end of dining in Rome, but is reflective of the food, service and atmosphere on offer.

There are also other options, including fish and meat tasting menus with fewer courses and lower prices. Substitutions can be accommodated where possible, although these may come with an additional charge.

How to plan a visit

Image: Wider view of the Monument to Victor Emmanuel II. © 2026 Palates & Miles

Aroma currently serves dinner every day from 7pm, with reservations required in advance. Availability can be scarce, so the earlier you can book once your plans are confirmed, the better. Lunch is also offered Wednesday to Sunday from 12:30pm, although this provides a different experience and should be considered separately from dinner.

The restaurant operates a strict smart casual dress code. For men, shorts, open shoes and sportswear are not permitted. This is, however, an opportunity to dress for the occasion, so do not hold back. Children over the age of 10 are welcome. These requirements are worth checking again when booking and before attending to avoid disappointment, especially if dining after a day exploring the city.

For dinner, timing is important. If you want to experience the view in daylight, through sunset and after dark, book one of the earlier sittings so the meal spans the different parts of the evening. Later reservations are likely to experience the city primarily after dark. The tasting menu is served over several hours, so allow for this if you are planning anything afterwards.

P&M Tip: The Court, Palazzo Manfredi’s cocktail bar, is another option for a drink before or after dinner. If you plan to include it, check availability separately rather than assuming a table will be available on the night.

P&M notes

• Reserve well in advance. Once your Rome itinerary is confirmed, make the reservation. Availability can be limited, particularly during the height of the summer season.

• Consider the timing of your reservation. If you want to experience the view in daylight, at sunset and after dark, choose an earlier dinner sitting.

• Allow an entire evening for the meal. The tasting menu takes several hours and should not be rushed. If you want to continue afterwards, a walk along Via dei Fori Imperiali is an easy option without committing to another reservation.

• Check the current menu, dress code and weather before visiting. Menu formats and prices can change, while summer temperatures may affect what is comfortable to wear within the restaurant despite the dress requirements.

Final thoughts

It is true that Aroma has one of the strongest restaurant settings in Rome, however this alone is not a reason to visit. The food, atmosphere and service match the setting and together create an experience that feels both distinctive and aspirational. The playful combinations and references to the surroundings from Chef Di Iorio and his team are an important part of what makes the meal work.

An evening here is priced accordingly, but you leave with a clear sense of occasion and an appreciation for the experience as a whole. It is not every day that you can combine food of this standard with views like this, nor should that be expected as the norm. If you are fortunate enough to visit, make the most of the experience and everything Aroma has to offer.

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