Our first taste of Rome’s espresso & ice cream magic: Terrazza Ciampini – coffee, gelato & Roman atmosphere at its best
As tourists visiting Rome for only a week, we were looking for places that could give us an authentic taste of the city – and Terrazza Ciampini delivered far beyond expectations. It became our very first unforgettable experience with authentic Roman coffee and Italian ice cream, and we loved every minute of it.
The location is simply perfect. After a walk through the beautiful Villa Borghese Park, one of Rome’s most impressive green spaces -filled with trees, paths, fountains, and a peaceful, classic Roman atmosphere-, we reached the elegant surroundings of Villa Medici. The café sits right in this charming zone.
The terrace itself offers a refined yet relaxed environment. The service was exceptionally kind, attentive, and welcoming. The staff treated us with genuine warmth, making us feel comfortable even though we were first-time visitors and did not speak Italian.
The caffè doppio was outstanding – rich, aromatic, and perfectly prepared. It was our introduction to Rome’s coffee culture, and we could not have asked for a better first impression.
And then came the gelato. The menu describes it beautifully:
“… ice cream is like a perfume. Everyone has his own. Mine has all the flaws of a homemade ice cream.”
This sentence perfectly reflects the experience – artisanal, real, slightly imperfect in the best way, and absolutely delicious. The texture was creamy, the flavours were natural, and it felt like a handcrafted masterpiece rather than a commercial dessert. The ice cream alone is worth the visit.
If you want great coffee, incredible gelato, and a beautiful setting surrounded by one of Rome’s best parks and piazzas, this is the place—a classy Roman pause in the middle of sightseeing – peaceful, scenic, and memorable.
Highly recommended.
A first excellent taste of Rome we will never forget.
Csaba Kedves
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08 Gennaio 2026
10,0
The service is wonderful. There's a very nice guy.
Luis Saldivar
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14 Novembre 2025
10,0
A very pretty setting.
The staff are friendly and welcoming.
The restaurant is closed outside of the summer season, however, you can definitely stop by for an ice cream on the terrace any time of year.
Sylvia FRZ
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14 Novembre 2025
10,0
Very tasty food at the top of the Spanish steps. The 6 of us split a couple of bottles of wine, and we each had pasta dishes and a couple of salads. All were very good. The view is great as well.
Very nice owners son who talked to us for several minutes.
Go for a nice and relaxing lunch.
Jay Fry
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05 Novembre 2025
10,0
An oasis of peace in the heart of Rome's chaos! This place is truly a haven for my soul. The view of Rome combined with the soothing music creates the perfect setting for lunch/dinner. The service was exceptional; the staff was professional, friendly, and very personable. The dishes we sampled were delicious and carefully presented. I can highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a culinary experience away from the chaos of Rome.
Monica Cavallone
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03 Novembre 2025
10,0
A charming place with a panoramic view. Attentive and courteous staff. Excellent quality food and perfect presentation.
antonio Paparusso
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02 Novembre 2025
10,0
Classy and high-quality food with beautiful decor and atmosphere.
Popping Mario
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31 Ottobre 2025
10,0
Excellent restaurant! The pizza was amazing: Crispy crust, fresh ingredients, and great flavor. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. Definitely worth a visit if you want to enjoy great food in Rome! 🍕🇮🇹
Noah Koller
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29 Ottobre 2025
10,0
Too bad the weather wasn't great, but the view is amazing. The food is very good (I had the ravioli and homemade ice cream). I wasn't disappointed.
Nora Hameg
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26 Ottobre 2025
10,0
The food was spectacular! It's no wonder my partner couldn't stop talking about this restaurant. Besides the atmosphere and the homey feeling you get, accompanied by a glass of wine with the person you love and good food, great value for money. I would come back here many more times if I lived in Rome! Very happy with the experience!
Weiyi Wang
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20 Ottobre 2025
10,0