Røst

Located on via Melzo in the Porta Venezia neighbourhood, firmly established among the city’s top dining districts, Røst embodies a return to essentials: authentic cooking, no-frills design and a rare focus on local heritage. The name, with its Nordic ‘Ø’, suggests a Scandinavian atmosphere, but the heart is thoroughly Italian. Here, cooking embraces a clear ethos: few ingredients, genuine and carefully selected, celebrated without unnecessary fuss. The idea centres on sharing, now widespread across the city (though they were among the pioneers): unstructured dishes designed to be shared, in a convivial and informal setting where every bite tells a story of local terroir, memory and innovation.

The commitment behind Røst is clear: cutting out intermediaries, working directly with Italian farmers, fishermen and breeders, rediscovering forgotten ingredients and traditional humble cuts. The result? Surprising dishes that evoke emotion without gimmicks, relying instead on the intensity of straightforward flavours.

The menu changes with seasonality and ingredient availability, currently featuring classics such as Mondeghili and Trippa, alongside more creative dishes like Asparagi, Cozze All’Escabeche, Pimenton or Ricciola, Latte, Miso, Piselli Cento Giorni.

Completing the experience is a refined wine list: over 200 artisanal, organic and natural labels, with a special spotlight on small Italian and French wineries—a true haven for anyone who appreciates drinking well and mindfully.

The restaurant’s design is a natural extension of its philosophy: essential, warm and functional. Covering around 65 sq m, the space retains traces of its past as a car parts shop, featuring granite flooring and original details, such as a light fixture crafted from vintage headlights. The materials dialogue with lime-washed walls and marsala-red accents, creating a lived-in, welcoming and authentic atmosphere. One wall is dedicated to the pillars of the venue’s philosophy: 16 ceramic plates portray the faces of Røst’s suppliers, confirming that here ingredients have a face and a story, and that transparency is a founding value.