Gigi Rigolatto Roma: the Pantheon next door
A rooftop on Piazza della Minerva
On Piazza della Minerva, a few steps from the Pantheon, the former Grand Hotel de la Minerve has become the Orient Express La Minerva. Its top level, on the seventh floor, is home to Gigi Rigolatto Roma, the Roman offshoot of a brand born on the French Riviera and run by the Paris Society group. The decor, designed by Hugo Toro, plays on a slightly extravagant seaside elegance: upholstered banquettes, wrought ironwork, large terracotta jars.
A view that takes in all of Rome
In the foreground, the tiled roofs and the bulk of the Pantheon; further away, the white marble of the Vittoriano and, on the horizon, the dome of St Peter's. The terrace is wide open, and the indoor dining room also enjoys large, unobstructed windows. At sunset, the city turns gold and pink: this is the most sought-after moment.
Italian cuisine and the Bellini Bar
The menu travels across Italy, from Tuscany to Puglia, with crudos, pasta and roast fish. Next door, the Bellini Bar, with just fourteen seats, makes the famous white peach cocktail its speciality, alongside house creations. Prices match the setting: expect €25 to €28 for a signature cocktail and around €120 for a three-course dinner. The venue can be hired for private events.
Practical information
The restaurant is open every day for lunch (12.30pm-2.30pm), aperitivo (5pm-7pm) and dinner (7pm-10.30pm); booking, online or by phone, is recommended for a table at sunset. The Bellini Bar is open from 12.30pm to 11.30pm, walk-in only. The hotel is right in the historic centre, with no metro station close by: walk from the Pantheon or the Trevi Fountain, or take a bus to Largo di Torre Argentina.
