When you’re looking for a hearty meal in the heart of Rome, it’s time to pay Old Bear a visit. No, we’re not talking about a real bear! Old Bear is a unique restaurant in central Rome that offers guests all the comforts of a wooden cabin without having to worry about bone-chilling temps. Named partially after the nearby Via dell’Orso (“orso” means “bear”) and partially after its rustic ambiance, Old Bear contains everything you’d expect from a wilderness lodge: wooden furniture, lovely lanterns, stone walls, and, of course, a black bear figurine at the front door. If eating in this cozy cabin isn’t your style, then consider dining in Old Bear’s romantic outdoor seating area. Wherever you sit, grab a plateful of Old Bear’s grizzly goodness before this place catches on with tourists.
Old Bear’s Mouth-Watering Morsels
Like any good Italian restaurant, Old Bear has a superb selection of pastas; however, where this restaurant shines is in its generous meat options. If you’re a meat & potatoes person, then Old Bear is the place for you. One of the most popular menu items is a huge slab grilled beefsteak with roasted potatoes and a side salad. Another hearty meat dish is the beef entrecote with baked potatoes for two.
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Old Bear also makes incredible pasta and seafood dishes like cacio e pepe, spaghetti alla carbonara and sea bass carpaccio. One of Old Bear’s most talked about pasta dishes, however, is its innovative pumpkin lasagna. Yes, you read that right, pumpkin-flavored lasagna!
Be sure to bring a bear-sized appetite with you because the homemade desserts here are extremely popular with locals. A few of Old Bear’s signature treats include boiled apples in red wine sauce, dark chocolate cake, Nutella mousse, and cheesecake with fresh strawberries.
How to Find Old Bear Rome
Old Bear’s official address is Via dei Gigli d’Oro, 2-3-4 00186. The nice thing about Old Bear’s location is that it’s within a very short walking distance of many major Roman attractions. Amazingly, the Pantheon is less than a 10-minute walk south from Old Bear. Other important tourist destinations within a 15-minute walk of Old Bear include the Piazza Navona, the Trevi Fountain, and the Spanish Steps.
For those using public transportation, the Senato bus stop is within a 3-minute walk of Old Bear. You can reach Senato on the N7 route towards Clodio.
Old Bear is open daily from 5PM to 12:30AM, except Sundays. It’s highly recommended you book a table in advance, especially if you want to visit on Friday or Saturday. To reserve a table at Old Bear, you can email the restaurant at infooldbear@gmail.com or call at 06 682-100-09.
