Don’t call It a rooftop: it’s a museum, a kitchen, and a stage

by Maria Sole Betti 

In Rome, dining on a terrace is no longer just about the view. With the arrival of warmer weather, Materia – Terrazza Macro opens its doors — or rather, its roof — to an experience that blends industrial archaeology, contemporary art, and unpretentious cuisine. Launched in January inside the Museum of Contemporary Art, the restaurant is now preparing to inaugurate its rooftop: 500 square metres overlooking the Salario-Nomentano district and 150 seats nestled in greenery, in a space where food, setting, and culture come together through aperitifs, Sunday brunches, and an entirely new menu.

Raw ingredients and refined technique in the kitchen

Indeed, the most significant novelty of the season comes from the kitchen itself. Supervision remains firmly in the hands of Giulio Zoli, a well-known figure thanks to his experience in Rome and prestigious international kitchens. But the new name on the menu is Manuel Nardo, a young chef with a highly respectable professional background, boasting both domestic and overseas experience.

Born in 1995, the chef began his career in Roman kitchens before gaining experience abroad, in Peru and in New York at Osteria Carlina in Soho. Back in Italy, he honed his skills at notable establishments in Milan such as The Westin Palace 5*L, Garage Italia under Carlo Cracco, and Bioesserì, before working in Rome with Ciro del Pezzo at Mamma Orso, with seasons in Portofino and a stint at Argot in Prati.

Under his direction, the food offering follows a line of contemporary Italian cuisine, with a strong focus on seasonal ingredients, plant-based elements, and the occasional international twist. From sarde alla beccafico, zucchine alla scapece with orange blossom, to tagliolini with tarragon, mushrooms and duck speck, roasted octopus with guacamole and gazpacho, and a risotto with pea cream, broad beans, artichokes and raspberry vinegar.

The menu takes on different forms between lunch and dinner, enriched by around 70 labels of both natural and conventional wines, and a selection of classic and signature cocktails.

Artistic aperitifs, brunches, and dinner shows

What brings this elevated garden to life is also a weekly programme designed to transform the terrace into a meeting place not only for museum visitors but also for a wider audience.

One example is the new aperitif debuting on 22 May. A recurring event of tapas, cocktails and sparkling wines, held every Thursday and featuring an artistic twist: the Macro rooftop becomes an open-air temporary gallery, with works for sale and DJ sets.

And there’s more. The weekend comes alive with live music dinners on Fridays and Saturday dinner shows featuring performers, musicians and dancers. Then there’s the Sunday brunch, created for art lovers, families, and groups of friends.

These are all opportunities to establish Materia – Terrazza Macro as a place that brings together contemporary cuisine and culture, raw ingredients and art, social connection and gastronomic exploration.

A vision made concrete by the collaboration of six partners with different backgrounds, coming together to create an inclusive cuisine that speaks to a broad, diverse audience — just like the art that fills the halls of the museum.