A Prati neighbourhood favourite — part wine bar, part trattoria — with an outstanding selection of natural wines and food from morning to late night.
Il Sorpasso is a Prati neighbourhood favourite that blurs the line between wine bar and trattoria, set on Via Properzio a short walk from the Vatican and Ottaviano metro. Named after the classic 1962 Italian road-trip film, it has a handsome, rustic-modern interior of exposed brick, hanging cured hams and marble counters, and it runs all day — from morning coffee and pastries through lunch, aperitivo and on to a late dinner. The crowd is a stylish mix of Prati locals, professionals and in-the-know visitors, broadly 25-50, with no dress code beyond the area's naturally smart-casual lean. The atmosphere is buzzy and welcoming, busiest at aperitivo and dinner when tables turn over steadily. Wine is central: a well-curated, Italian-focused list strong on natural and artisanal producers, with plenty by the glass and knowledgeable staff to guide pairings. Glasses generally land around €6-9. The kitchen matches it with excellent Roman and Italian food — its trapizzino-style pockets, cured-meat and cheese boards, pasta and seasonal plates are a genuine draw, making it as much a dining destination as a drinking one. Beer and cocktails are available but the wine and food pairing is the heart of the place. Music stays low and incidental. Reservations are advisable for dinner, especially at weekends, as the dining tables fill quickly, though the bar area is friendlier to walk-ins for a glass and a snack. There is no cover charge beyond standard Italian coperto for table dining and no bottle service. Open from morning until late, Il Sorpasso suits everything from a quick espresso to a long evening of wine and small plates, and its all-day rhythm makes it one of Prati's most reliable stops.
Good to know
- Signature
- Natural wine and excellent Roman food
Highlights
- All-day Prati spot blending wine bar and trattoria near the Vatican
- Italian-focused list strong on natural and artisanal wines by the glass
- Standout food — cured meats, cheeses, pasta and trapizzino-style plates
- Rustic-modern room of exposed brick and hanging hams
Tips for visiting
- Reserve for weekend dinners; the dining tables fill fast.
- Walk in for a glass and a snack at the bar if you skip a full meal.
- Glasses run about €6-9 — ask staff to pair with the grazing plates.
- Come early for coffee and pastries; it runs all day from morning.
Frequently asked questions
Is Il Sorpasso a bar or a restaurant?
Both. It is part wine bar, part trattoria, serving from morning coffee through aperitivo to a full late dinner, with strong food and a serious wine list.
Should you book a table?
For dinner, especially at weekends, reservations are advisable as the dining tables fill quickly; the bar area is more walk-in friendly for a glass and snack.
What kind of wine does it pour?
An Italian-focused list with a strong showing of natural and artisanal producers, many available by the glass at around €6-9.
When is it open?
All day, from morning until late, so it works for everything from an espresso to a long evening of wine and small plates.