The restaurant is unapologetically theatrical. Whether guests enter from the hotel lobby or from the street, they arrive in a glamorous gastro bar, with floral-print-clad barstools around a gleaming marble counter. Bottles hang overhead and line the walls. One restaurant, three distinct universes plus the sheer brilliance of the truly unforgettable moments that dazzle you whichever way you look. At Rocco, every experience is genuinely unique.
While Rocco is but one restaurant, it encompasses three separate areas. Step inside (via The Ivens Hotel) to what is a decadently immersive experience. Pass a heavy velvet drape to the Gastrobar, a circular counter surrounded by chintzy Art Deco style decor and a suspended wine cellar, serving lighter meals and divine cocktails along with DJ. The destination Ristorante serves traditional Italian dishes – classics prepared according to authentic recipes – and has a terrace for outdoor eating. Then there’s the Crudo Bar, the venue’s most theatrical spot, where diners tuck into tiered platters of oysters, caviar, crab, prawns, tartare, and ceviche while sipping on champagne.
A festive atmosphere and an aura of sophistication wander around Rua Ivens. The architecture and charm of Chiado nourish this ambiance, but it is behind the doors that open onto the ground floor of The Ivens Hotel that you will find Rocco, the magnetic center from which these vibes come.
For dinner, you can go up a few stairs to the cozy, nautical-themed crude bar, where a variety of raw shellfish is served for lunch and dinner. Or you can descend into the sunken dining area, decorated in warm colors and Italianate details. Show cooking concepts are tucked into various corners, and one side of the room is taken up with a grill and aged meats. Outside, a leafy garden terrace is enticing during the warmer months. Throughout, the focus is on traditional Neapolitan food, with dishes like lobster linguini, crab ravioli, eggplant parmesan, and ossobuco. Sado oysters and other delicacies from the crudo bar can be served in the main dining room, as can cheese and charcuterie from the gastro bar.