Sometimes you miss what’s right in front of you as we nearly did with Caffè Doria (Via del Gatta 1, 00186, Roma, Italy) in Rome’s historic center. We had passed the charming, cloistered courtyard of the Palazzo Doria Pamphilj for years, always on foot, on the way to somewhere else. But on a recent, blistering hot, autumn day, we took a peak inside because it offered a shady respite.

To our surprise, tucked just inside the cloister was the most charming foodie find Rome could share with hot, weary tourists looking to grab breakfast, lunch or an aperitivo. The lunch menu was quite diverse, We ordered the grilled octopus salad with pears and currants in a tasty mustard vinaigrette sauce. The octopus was grilled to perfection and the dressing was light and flavorful. Amaranth added a distinct nutty crunch.

The staff was attentive but not overly intrusive, so we stayed for dessert. The pistacchio torte was creamy and rich and too good to share, so each guest should order their own.

With the Italian, obligatory coperto and tip, the meal was less than $60 for a lovely lunch at a hidden gem in the heart of historic Rome. The best part, is you can walk it off with at least a two-hour stroll, afterwards, at the Galleria Doria Pamphilj.

🍴🍴🍴🍴 🍴out of 5