Rome on May 1st- what will be open?

[shariberri]

Hello!

Night 2 of 3 in Rome will fall on May 1st...a public holiday.
I'm trying to plan out our meals/days, and am wondering if people have experience with Rome on Holidays.

Any thoughts on what might be open, or what to try?

Thanks!

[minchilli]

Actually, May 1 is a very big holiday, and many many things shut down. Also, be forewarned: Pope John Paul will be beautified on May 1, so the city will be beyond crowded. Swarms of pilgrims. All this to say, definitely plan ahead, and make sure you've not only found restaurants that will be open, but that you have booked as well. I see below you've booked for La Campana, which is an excellent choice!

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La Campana
Vicolo della Campana, 18, Roma, IT 00186, IT

[minchilli]

Just one more note: Big article in today's newspaper, they have declared a Code Red for May 1, expecting more than 3,000,000 visitor's for the day's festivities.

[shariberri]

OH NO! Thanks for the heads up Minchilli- this is what I was worried about...... I am looking forward to La Campana....any "should not miss" dishes?

[jen kalb]

If it makes you feel better, Rome - specifically the area around St. Peter's square - can absorb a whole lot of people. We were they during the Millenium, which was also a jubilee year and again, anothher time during a huge international youth festival, and it wasnt very noticeable around the other parts of Rome that all this was happening. If you want to be part of the action thats another story.

[zerlina]

Ditto what Jen said. There are not going to be vast hordes of religious pilgrims bussed in from Poland and other Catholic countries for the beatification or of young people coming into Rome for the May 1 concert in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano assaulting La Campana and other restaurants in the historic center.

[zerlina]

It's not so much that it's a holiday but that it's a Sunday. Many restaurants are closed on Sunday, particularly at dinner.

If you can navigate your way around in Italian, Gambero Rosso's online restaurant guide (registration required but free) lets you select restaurants open on Sunday (domenica). Or, for that matter, on Monday (lunedi), which is also a popular closing day.

Otherwise, your alternative is to Google the restaurants' Web sites and send them emails, to which most will eventually reply.

[shariberri]

Thanks for the tips! I have started emailing a few places to see what will be open. Good to hear that the holiday wont change things too much. No Italian- but will have a few friends check it out for me.

Thanks!

[jen kalb]

there is a list of places usually open Sunday at the link below.. There have been recent recommendations for Sunday meals at both La Campana and da Cesare. Do a search on Rome sunday and you will see some other suggestions, I think.

http://www.chow.com/search?query=Open...

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La Campana
Vicolo della Campana, 18, Roma, IT 00186, IT

[shariberri]

Thanks for this! I had emailed La Campana and they got back to me today- we are booked there for the 1st!

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La Campana
Vicolo della Campana, 18, Roma, IT 00186, IT