Though I'd read that Rome's Monti district was hip and very popular, the route I took from the…read moretrain station to my rental apartment didn't convince me: tourist restaurants and tchotchke shops galore. After a few days traipsing to Rome's other districts I was overjoyed to find the heart of Monti and realize it was exactly as I'd read.
MercatoMonti was my destination but getting there was the reward. Walking down a street different than that I'd come in on I learned that the area was indeed filled with authentic shops, vintage stores, and intriguing looking cafes, bars, and restaurants. Be still, heart.
Sitting amongst all of that is MercatoMonti, a converted parking garage (now part of a hotel) that's used on the weekend as an up-market shopping (non-food/drink) destination. Not a grand affair, but one with maybe 50 vendors, it proved a hugely successful place in which to part with a large wad of euro. Vendors hawked stylish, unique products, much of them hand-crafted. Stylish sunglass frames from the '80s updated with new Ray Ban lenses (90euro), leather/canvas backpack (80euro), a felt coat (70euro), and a camouflage jacket (40euro); clearly I needed to return to my apartment to stow away my bounty.
Many of the vendors are "cash only" but there's ATMs nearby.
The great thing about MercatoMonti, in addition to the good shopping opportunity, is that it puts you right in the thick of Monti. I'm surprised it's not rated more highly on yelp but I liked it. If you've got the urge to spend, MercatoMonti is a nice, hip place in which to do so.
