In Rome’s historic neighborhoods, a surge in outdoor dining has sparked growing concerns among residents who describe the streets as increasingly congested and chaotic. The expansion of al fresco restaurant seating, initially permitted as a temporary measure during the Covid-19 pandemic, has become a lasting fixture in parts of the city such as Trastevere, Monti, and Campo de’ Fiori, drawing criticism for overcrowding and noise.

The Italian government allowed restaurants to extend outdoor seating to facilitate social distancing during the pandemic. However, the measure has not been reversed under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration, fueling speculation that the government is aligning with the interests of the influential restaurant sector.

Local activists report that many eateries have exceeded the allowed number of tables, encroaching into streets and sidewalks. Simonetta Marcellini, a lifelong resident of Trastevere and organizer of a neighborhood committee, describes the area as “turning into a squalid outdoor canteen” due to the proliferation of tables. She points to inadequate enforcement, noting that police infrequently measure compliance and that some tables block the entrances of residential buildings, creating hazards for residents.

Further concerns have arisen from recent municipal proposals to allow independent bookshops to place outdoor tables and serve food and beverages, a move city officials say aims to support the small number of remaining local bookstores. Monica Lucarelli, a city representative, emphasized safeguards including a two-year minimum period of operation and a requirement that the majority of a bookshop’s revenue come from book sales, in an effort to deter opportunistic businesses or chains from exploiting the policy.

Despite these conditions, skeptics including Marcellini warn of potential abuses. She suggested that the profitability of outdoor dining could lead to a surge in new bookshop establishments created primarily to benefit from outdoor food and drink service, potentially attracting criminal groups. Nicola Barone, an activist based in Monti, estimated that a bookshop with four outdoor tables could generate up to €900 daily from food and drink sales, underscoring the incentive to participate.

In Campo de’ Fiori, a vibrant piazza now dominated by restaurants, resident campaigner Paola Rigacci expressed unease over the expanding presence of outdoor seating. She described the area as a “battle zone,” with tables rapidly installed as market stalls pack up each evening. Rigacci expressed concern that the introduction of bookshops serving alcohol might further exacerbate noise and disturbances, particularly affecting younger patrons.

Amid the changes, some longstanding local businesses are reluctant to contribute to the trend. Catia Gabrielli, owner of Fahrenheit 451 bookstore since 1989, noted that Campo de’ Fiori has undergone significant transformation since her shop opened. She welcomes the possibility of placing tables outside her store—not for food service but as a quiet space for readers and a counterpoint to the pervasive restaurant culture. Gabrielli described this as “an act of resistance” and a “refuge” from the noises and odors associated with mass outdoor dining.

The continuing expansion of outdoor dining in Rome illustrates a complex balance between supporting local businesses, preserving public spaces, and maintaining residents’ quality of life, as the city adapts to new social and economic realities.