Dining Spots at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport

While Italy’s finest dining experiences often lie beyond the runway, Rome’s Fiumicino Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO) has significantly upgraded its culinary offerings in recent years. After a 2015 fire in the main international terminal, renovations have brought a wider selection of Mytouries, more comfortable waiting areas, and an impressive array of designer shops. The newly revamped airport, which received an award for improvement, now features a diverse range of dining options from ramen and tasting menus to classic Neapolitan pizza. Here’s a guide to the food and drink available at Fiumicino Airport.

Ticketing (Terminal 1)

If you’re looking for a quick meal before passing through security, La Terrazza on the second floor offers a range of standard reheated dishes. However, Colosseum Porchetteria stands out with its porchetta di Ariccia (roast pork), carved fresh to order and available for take-away, whether you’re heading through security or towards the train station.

Best for a Quick Bite: Foglie, a name meaning ‘leaves’ in Italian, transforms the simple side salad into a substantial meal. While the salads themselves may not be revolutionary, they provide a refreshing break from Italy’s famous pizza and pasta, making them a great option before or after your flight.

Top Dessert Spot: San Crispino The renowned gelato shop featured in Eat, Pray, Love has a location at the airport for a final ice cream indulgence. The seasonal sorbetti (fruit-only flavors) are often the best pick.

Top Coffee Choice: For a robust pre-flight espresso, head to Caffè Roma.

Terminal 3

Best Quick Bite: Sante Wine Bar (Mezzanine) A laid-back wine bar offering a selection of cheese and charcuterie platters.

Top Coffee Spot: Semplicemente Roma (available in two locations: baggage claim and main arrivals area) A coffee bar serving Lavazza espresso and cornetti for a quick breakfast.

Additional Options:

• Natoo: Fresh pastries, smoothies, and parfaits
• TimeCafè: Coffee and pre-made sandwiches
• Mokà Bagel Factory: Italian-style bagel sandwiches with a twist on the classic American favorite

B Gates

Top Choice for a Sit-Down Meal: Antonello Colonna Open Bistro (upper level) Enjoy an à la carte experience or an all-you-can-eat buffet crafted by renowned chef Antonello Colonna. This spot offers some of Colonna’s signature dishes, renowned from his Michelin-starred restaurant Open in Rome’s Palazzo delle Esposizioni and his TV appearances. Try the negativo di carbonara, a rich twist on the classic Roman dish featuring fresh egg pasta, four egg yolks, and crème fraîche. The 16-euro buffet includes a variety of hot and cold options, including salads, meats, fish, couscous, and pasta.

Best for a Quick Bite: Ferrari Spazio Bollicine (Gate B8) Specializing in sparkling Italian wines, this venue’s menu, designed by chef Alfio Ghezzi, pairs perfectly with bubbly. Light fare includes insalata caprese, burrata from Puglia, smoked fish, and cured meats, along with a few cooked dishes like single-serving broccoli pasta.

Top Dessert Spot: Venchi (B5) Indulge in chocolate crepes, candy bars, and gelato from this popular Italian chain.

Additional Options:

• Lavazza Mokà: Coffee and pastries (Gate B3)
• Mercedes-Benz Cafè: Cocktails, pasta, and sandwiches with a business lounge ambiance (near gates B10-B11)
• Gusto: Pre-made pasta and Italian-style main courses (upper level)

C Gates

Options near the C gates are limited. If you have time, it might be worth heading toward the B Boarding area. However, you will find three choices clustered around Gate C9.

Top Quick Bite: RossoIntenso A bar offering light fare like smoked fish, cheeses, and salads, along with a selection of Italian wines.

Top Choice for a Sit-Down Meal: The Burger Federation Enjoy satisfying burgers and a good selection of beers.

Additional Options:

• Bistrot: Slices of pizza and sandwiches

D Gates

Top Quick Bite: Antica Focacceria San Francesco (Gate D4) Established in Palermo in 1834, this bakery is famous for its flatbreads with various toppings and has become a local favorite. The franchise at the Rome airport offers Sicilian street food such as focaccia and arancini, alongside a few pasta options. The small kiosk-style setup means the food is prepared in an unseen kitchen, so it’s best to enjoy the focaccia fresh out of the oven when it arrives at the D Gates.

Top Dessert Spot: Venchi (Gate D5) Enjoy gelato and a variety of sweets from this renowned Italian chocolate brand.

Additional Options:

• RossoIntenso: A wine bar offering cold dishes (Gate D2)
• Tentazioni Cafè: A coffee bar with breakfast pastries and ready-made panini (Gate D2)
• Mokà Algida: Coffee and baked goods (Gate D7)
• RossoSapore: Slices of pizza and Neapolitan pastries (Gate D7)
• Gusto: Ready-made pasta, salads, and meat dishes (upper level)

E Gates

While you can roam between the B, C, and D gates post-security, the E gates, dedicated to non-EU flights, are only accessible after passing through passport control. Unfortunately, this limits access to the airport’s finest dining options, which are concentrated in the two-level shopping and dining area immediately after duty-free. Beyond this point, where Gates E11 and higher are located, dining choices become sparse, so it's advisable to dine before exploring the boarding area.

Top Sit-Down Dining: Attimi (upper level, main area) Attimi, meaning “moments” in Italian, is a refined dining experience offering tasting menus designed to be enjoyed in either 30 or 60 minutes. Created by chef Heinz Beck, renowned for his three-Michelin-starred La Pergola in Rome, the menu changes monthly and features delights from daily ceviche to tagliolini with lobster, yuzu, kumquats, and fennel cream. A la carte options are available, and there's also a counter for sandwiches and pastries to take away.

Top Quick Bite: Farinella (upper level, main area)

Start your day with sfogliatella pastries and coffee. By lunchtime, enjoy Neapolitan-style pizzas with mozzarella and tomato sauce straight from the oven. Pasta and meat dishes are also on offer.

Best for Drinks: Assaggio (lower level, main area)

A sophisticated wine bar offering a tranquil escape amidst the bustling international terminal. The Italian wine selection includes offerings from Zonin (Veneto), Masseria Altemura (Puglia), and Castello di Albola (Tuscany), among others. The bar’s menu features gourmet items crafted by Cristina Bowerman, a Michelin-starred chef renowned for her work at Glass Hostaria and her trendy Dinogoies in Rome. Don’t miss the smoked trout and avocado salad or the mezze maniche pasta with Romanesco sauce.

Additional Options:

• Asijen Ramen: Enjoy sushi, rice dishes, and ramen (upper level, main area)
• Beercode: Savory burgers and beers with a selection of salads (upper level, main area)
• Michelangelo Bistrot Roman: Elegant Roman cuisine in a sit-down setting (upper level, main area)
• Bistrot: Quick-service pizza and sandwiches in a food court style (upper level, main area)
• Mokà Bagel Factory: American-style bagels and coffee (Gate E51)
• Foglie: Custom salad creations (Gate E33)