Castroni Cola di Rienzo
Castroni pours its own house-roasted coffee at the counter of the Via Cola di Rienzo shop and sells the same beans whole to take home.
Why go
In 1932 Umberto Castroni sold his family's kiosk for a 90-square-meter shop on Via Cola di Rienzo in Prati, where he started out selling juices and drinks (Puntarella Rossa, 2015). About fifteen shops in Rome now carry the Castroni name (Castroni). A family statute signed in 2002 puts at least one family member in each of them (Puntarella Rossa, 2015). Daria Reina, the founder of Chez Dede, says of the city's Castroni shops that the Prati one is the best
(The Relisher, 2024). Roma Capitale recognized it as a bottega storica (historic shop) in 2012 (Turismo Roma).
Come for the shelves. Marina Savoia of Gambero Rosso wrote in 2023 that the name calls up products from every corner of the world, many available almost only here,
with salts, spices, quality jams and wine among them (Gambero Rosso, 2023). In 2015 the stock ran from Indonesian tea and French butter to Japanese sake. Daniela D'Avanzo of Spotted by Locals calls it the shop where all the Roman grandmothers go if they are looking for something special to cook!
(Spotted by Locals, 2017). Reina loses herself for hours, admiring the packaging on the shelves.
She always leaves with Nougatine (candied roasted nuts) by Venchi, Avola almonds, and freshly roasted Arabica coffee
(The Relisher, 2024).
Stand at the espresso bar before you leave. D'Avanzo calls its coffee one of the best coffees in town
and says they serve you only at the counter, easy and fast!
(Spotted by Locals, 2017). The beans come from plantations in Central America, Indonesia and Africa (Castroni). D'Avanzo, a typography lover, says the old sign alone is reason to walk in.
Order this / avoid
- Order: Venchi nougatine, for Daria Reina (The Relisher, 2024).1
- Order: Avola almonds, for Reina (2024).1
- Order: freshly roasted Arabica beans, for Reina (2024).1
- Drink: an espresso at the bar, for Daniela D'Avanzo (Spotted by Locals, 2017).5
Good to know
- At the counter: Italy Segreta suggests a caffè con panna (espresso with whipped cream) at the bar after you stock up (Italy Segreta, 2025).
- Which Castroni: this is the 1932 shop at Via Cola di Rienzo 196/198. The other Castroni shops are run separately.
- Phone: 06 6874383.
- Where: Via Cola di Rienzo 196/198, Prati.
Verdict
should-visit — Shop at the first Castroni, open on Via Cola di Rienzo since 1932, for Venchi nougatine, Avola almonds and the house-roasted beans. Drink an espresso at the bar while you are there.