Makasar Café

We stumbled upon Makasar when looking for a late dinner after checking into the Relais Vatican View. I am so grateful that we got into Rome so late because it allowed us to find this gem of a place! We parked our car in a nearby garage and went off in search of a place to eat dinner. There were literally on two places that still had lights on when we were driving around. The first one was a really fancy restaurant that was closing up so our fingers were crossed for the second place. That was when we hit jack pot! Makasar is a wine bar/​café/​tea bar. There is a bar lining one wall, filled with wines, hard liquors, and local specialties. Across from the bar was a wall of loose leaf teas. So many choices! There is also an adorable sitting area filled with intimate tables, soft lights, and book lined walls.
We snagged a table and ordered from the limited menu. I had the pesto lasagna and my husband got the bruschetta. Both were some of the best food we had our entire trip! The pesto was freshly made and the whole thing just melted in your mouth. The bruschetta had yummy fresh, slightly toasted bread, piles of the most incredible mozzarella I’ve ever had, and tons of fresh tomatoes and basil. We paired the meal with local wine, recommended by the bartender/​server/​only person working there. Our meal was finished off with a chocolate cake with pears baked inside and local grappa and limoncello. So delicious!
The place was filled with 20 and 30 something locals and even though it technically closed as we were eating, we weren’t rushed out. We were encouraged to linger and hang out. This is the kind of place that I wish I had around the corner from my house. Great food, local drinks, relaxing atmosphere, and good people! Don’t miss it!

In another world, I would be rich, smarter and capable of running at greater velocities without the help of speed stripes. I would live elegantly and sample the finest things in life from around the globe, passing my time like a king among men.
But in this world where I exist on the «salary» of a freelance writer, it’s hard to taste the good life. Fortunately, Makasar is around for an affordable aperitivo in a lovely space with great service. The place acts primarily as a tea house, and secondly as a bookstore. At night, wine and cocktails are served with small plates of food for under 7 €, allowing me to live like Hemingway must have lived in his time: abroad and very much inebriated.