Aroma

The story

Aroma Restaurant Rome: Michelin-Starred Dining with Colosseum Views

High above the ancient streets of Rome, Aroma commands one of the city’s most iconic views. From the panoramic terrace of Palazzo Manfredi, diners look out directly at the Colosseum, an illuminated backdrop that makes every meal feel like an event.

At the stove is Executive Chef Giuseppe Di Iorio, who earned the restaurant its Michelin star in 2014. His cooking is rooted in a philosophy of “less is more,” driven by an obsessive search for the finest local ingredients. The result is modern cuisine that respects Italian tradition while feeling distinctly contemporary. “Non c’è innovazione senza tradizione,” Di Iorio says — there is no innovation without tradition. Working alongside him are Resident Chef Raffaele de Mase and pastry chef Irene Tolomei.

The tasting menus are the clearest expression of Di Iorio’s craft. Dishes like marinated octopus with red cabbage and a three-potato tortino, or tagliolini with pumpkin and Gorgonzola pearls of caviar, reveal that dialogue between the familiar and the refined. A reinterpretation of saltimbocca alla romana appears with the prosciutto transformed into a consommé and a cream of sage. Even the classic maritozzo — a Roman sweet bun — arrives with cream and candied orange zest.

The wine program is equally ambitious. Head sommelier Federico Maramao oversees a cellar of more than 600 labels, with a particular focus on Champagne and an international scope that matches the kitchen’s precision. The setting is elegant but relaxed: gentlemen are asked to wear a jacket, and the two dinner seatings (7:00 pm and 9:30 pm) ensure each table receives full attention.

Aroma belongs to the Manfredi Collection, and it shows in the polish of the service and the quality of the room. The combination of a Michelin star, a brilliant terrace, and a chef who never stops refining his craft makes this one of the most compelling dining experiences in Rome.