WERE THERE RESTAURANTS IN ANCIENT ROME AND ATHENS?

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When it comes to the Greco-Roman world there were basically two kinds of establishments comparable to modern restaurants:

Thermopolia: These were ancient Roman and Greek public eateries. In many ways they were similar to modern fast-food restaurants or take-aways. These places usually served cheap food, and the visitors were usually from the lower classes.

The remains of a Thermopilium found in the city of Pompei. The holes you can see stored the various dishes that were served.

Popina. This other kind of establishment was basically a Roman pub or a bar. Aside from a selection of wines, a small variety of meals was available. These usually included things like stews as well as things that go well with wine, like olives and bread.

Just like with the Thermopolia, this kind of establishment was mostly reserved for the lower classes and was frequently associated with things like crime.

The reason there really were no fancy restaurants for the rich in the Greco-Roman world is that when food was consumed as a part of important social activity, people usually gathered in someone’s home. See ancient symposia for example.

Written by Daniel Šlechta published in Quora. Digitized, adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.