Outlet takes place of McDonald's in Piazza della Repubblica

High-end Italian food mall chain Eataly is set to open its second food emporium in Rome, taking the place of American fast food outlet McDonald's in Piazza della Repubblica.

The news comes three years after Eataly opened its first Rome store at the former air terminal beside Ostiense station in the summer of 2012.

The opening of the Piazza Repubblica outlet has been welcomed by Eataly owner Oscar Farinetti and by the capital's commerce and tourism councillor Marta Leonori who said it would help regenerate the area and boost tourism in that part of Rome.

As part of the agreement the city has stipulated that trolleys may not be taken outside Eataly's new 1,000-sqm store, situated under the Boscolo Hotel to the right of the piazza, coming from Via Nazionale.