From the Janiculum to the Balearics: the Roman terrace where every month you dine on a different island

Every city has its own little summer rituals. In Rome, one of them is called Terrazza Mirador. From May 23, 2025, the outdoor lounge within the Villa Agrippina Gran Meliá will reopen, with the usual views of the Janiculum Hill and Castel Sant'Angelo and the same tried-and-true mix of sushi, cocktails, and palm trees. There's nothing revolutionary about it, but there are some new additions. And it's worth a visit (or a return visit, for those who have been frequenting it for years).

This year's new addition is a strengthening of the connection between this terrace nestled in the greenery and the Balearics. The holiday vibe of the Spanish islands remains unchanged, but it's being further explored: each month is dedicated to one of the four islands—Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca, and Menorca—with a themed tasting menu created by chef Koji Nakai (who we already admire for his work at his two Roman venues, the Italian-Japanese fusion Nakai and the izakaya Ie Koji). If you like the idea of ​​spending an evening under the bougainvillea with a crispy shrimp roll and a Formentera-inspired cocktail, you've come to the right place.

Compared to previous years, where the cocktail bar was more prominent, for summer 2025 the intention was to transform Terrazza Mirador into a fully-fledged restaurant, focusing on the talent of Koji Nakai (who also collaborated on the project in previous seasons). Each start of the month, from June to September, the Japanese chef will present a different tasting menu, offering an alternative to the à la carte menu, which remains unchanged throughout the summer.

At Terrazza Mirador in Rome, enjoy an aperitif, dinner, or both.

Even the opening hours are always the same: we start at 7 pm and finish at 1 am. Aperitif or full dinner, depending on how long you want to stay. The à la carte menu includes edamame (5 euros), gyoza (9), and bao (8-10) to start your nibble, as well as a 12-euro option for a couple of tastings from the kitchen. It continues with shrimp and/or vegetable tempura (8-16) and, of course, sushi, sashimi, and ceviche, followed by a series of more structured dishes, combining Asian influences with Mediterranean ingredients.

Some examples? Katsusando with wagyu (also in veg version – 12 and 8 euros), smoked duck breast with miso-flavoured teriyaki sauce (24), seafood with Thai curry, lime, coconut milk and Venere rice (23).

For those seeking a well-rounded experience, new for summer 2025—as anticipated—are the four tasting menus Chef Nakai has created: one for each month. The June menu (€60, excluding drinks) consists of five courses (appetizer, raw fish, sushi, main course, and dessert) including Japanese tacos, amberjack tataki with ponzu sauce and basil oil, and grilled octopus on a Japanese hummus cream, yogurt sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, and olive pesto.

Balearic cocktails and signature desserts for summer at Terrazza Mirador in Rome.

Simone Merolla is once again manning the bar this year, with a new drinks list that combines classics (the ever-present Hugo, Mojito, and Paloma) with more experimental cocktails, such as the Med, made with vodka and tzatziki, or the Misha with mezcal, wasabi, and white chocolate.

Pairing the dishes is part of the deal. For dessert (€8-10), Cristian Monaco offers mochi, chocolate sticks, chocolate spheres, and a canned tiramisu.

The terrace: among plants and Instagram photos

The atmosphere is the same one we've loved in recent years: lush greenery, meticulously maintained, and very much an "aperitivo with a view." Palm trees, ficus trees, rosemary, bamboo, and more. And the atmosphere, complemented by the food and drinks, lends itself perfectly to a variety of occasions: romantic dinners, grand (but uninhibited) birthday parties, or bringing visiting friends to a "spectacular" venue. It all works.

Terrazza Mirador. Via del Gianicolo 3, Rome. Tel. 351 8716027. Instagram Open daily from 7:00 PM – parking at Via del Gianicolo 3, with direct access to the hotel garden.