Lorenzo Leonetti e Mohamed Elkatoury‘s shop
La Cucina Mediterraneo
Born on the first floor of Mercato Centrale Roma, La Cucina Mediterraneo is more than just a restaurant. It’s a place for cooking, learning, and sharing, where food becomes a language of dialogue and discovery. Inspired by the Mediterranean as a symbol of exchange and openness, the project celebrates the culinary traditions of the countries that border this sea. On the menu, you’ll find flavors that travel from Italy to Greece, the Maghreb to the Middle East, weaving a delicious story of diversity and conviviality.
Throughout the day, the experience changes shape: – At lunch, there are thoughtful, affordable dishes designed for students, workers, and travelers. – In the evening, the space transforms into a hub for cooking classes, private dinners, and immersive food experiences. – On Sundays, a contemporary and welcoming brunch brings together families and curious food lovers. At its heart lies Food Care, a social enterprise promoting training and job inclusion for young people, refugees, and NEETs – those not currently in education, employment, or training. Through a learning-by-doing approach, participants gain real, hands-on experience by working alongside the restaurant team during service and events. In this way, La Cucina Mediterraneo becomes a true laboratory of growth and opportunity, where cooking turns into a craft, a language, and a pathway to independence. Beyond professional training, the project also runs educational workshops for schools, introducing kids to themes like food, sustainability, and respect for the environment, nurturing a more conscious and curious relationship with what we eat. ù
Leading the project are Lorenzo Leonetti, a chef and educator passionate about social inclusion, and Mohamed Elkatoury, a chef of Arab heritage with deep experience in Rome’s restaurant scene. Together, they embody a vision of ethical, sustainable dining that blends culinary excellence with social impact. La Cucina Mediterraneo perfectly reflects the spirit of Mercato Centrale Roma, a place that celebrates talent, creativity, and the artisans of taste. It’s a space where quality, learning, and solidarity come together to create shared value, a model of conscious, inclusive dining that tells the story of the Mediterranean as a sea of connection, exchange, and collective growth.
Open hours:
● Tuesday to Saturday: lunch service
● Friday & Saturday evenings: cooking classes, themed dinners, and special events
● Sunday: a cozy, contemporary brunch for families and food lovers alike
For information and reservations, contact:
email cucina [email protected]
phone number: +39 352 0914123
find out more...
Born on the first floor of Mercato Centrale Roma, La Cucina Mediterraneo is more than just a restaurant. It’s a place for cooking, learning, and sharing, where food becomes a language of dialogue and discovery. Inspired by the Mediterranean as a symbol of exchange and openness, the project celebrates the culinary traditions of the countries that border this sea. On the menu, you’ll find flavors that travel from Italy to Greece, the Maghreb to the Middle East, weaving a delicious story of diversity and conviviality.
Throughout the day, the experience changes shape: – At lunch, there are thoughtful, affordable dishes designed for students, workers, and travelers. – In the evening, the space transforms into a hub for cooking classes, private dinners, and immersive food experiences. – On Sundays, a contemporary and welcoming brunch brings together families and curious food lovers. At its heart lies Food Care, a social enterprise promoting training and job inclusion for young people, refugees, and NEETs – those not currently in education, employment, or training. Through a learning-by-doing approach, participants gain real, hands-on experience by working alongside the restaurant team during service and events. In this way, La Cucina Mediterraneo becomes a true laboratory of growth and opportunity, where cooking turns into a craft, a language, and a pathway to independence. Beyond professional training, the project also runs educational workshops for schools, introducing kids to themes like food, sustainability, and respect for the environment, nurturing a more conscious and curious relationship with what we eat. ù
Leading the project are Lorenzo Leonetti, a chef and educator passionate about social inclusion, and Mohamed Elkatoury, a chef of Arab heritage with deep experience in Rome’s restaurant scene. Together, they embody a vision of ethical, sustainable dining that blends culinary excellence with social impact. La Cucina Mediterraneo perfectly reflects the spirit of Mercato Centrale Roma, a place that celebrates talent, creativity, and the artisans of taste. It’s a space where quality, learning, and solidarity come together to create shared value, a model of conscious, inclusive dining that tells the story of the Mediterranean as a sea of connection, exchange, and collective growth.
Open hours:
● Tuesday to Saturday: lunch service
● Friday & Saturday evenings: cooking classes, themed dinners, and special events
● Sunday: a cozy, contemporary brunch for families and food lovers alike
For information and reservations, contact:
email cucina [email protected]
phone number: +39 352 0914123
the shop
