Cornetti, crostate, cannoli, biscotti e sfogliatelle… Italian cuisine offers an array of sweet delights to enjoy as a dessert or simply as a quick bite. If you’re looking for an alternative to gelato, this is the list for you. In this post, I’d like to share my list of the best cafes, bakeries and pasticcerie (pastry shops) across the city. Buon appetito!  

• Antico Forno Serpenti, Via dei Serpenti 123 (Monti). An impressive array of homemade pastries, cakes and biscuits, made with high quality ingredients. They also serve lunch and dinner so it’s a great place to visit at any time of day.
• Antico Forno Roscioli, Via dei Chiavari, 34 (Historic centre). One of Rome’s most popular lunch spots, offering delicious cakes and tarts, along with a variety of savoury snacks and moreish pizza slices. Their miniature desserts are a work-of-art. I always pop in for a mini rum baba and tiramisu when I’m passing.
• Er Caffettiere, Via Urbana, 72/73 (Monti). A popular morning coffee spot, which also does aperitivo in the evenings. It’s in the charming Monti neighbourhood so is the perfect place to grab a coffee and cake, before strolling around one of the most picturesque parts of Rome.
• Grezzo Raw Chocolate, Via Urbana 130 (Monti). Grezzo offers raw vegan and dairy-free chocolates, cakes and gelato. Whatever your dietary requirements, you’ll enjoy the food here. Their chocolate truffles are so moreish, you can’t buy just one!
• Il Forno Campo de’ Fiori, Vicolo del Gallo, 14 (Campo di Fiori). They have a beautiful selection, including some gorgeous cantucci, and delicious slices of pizza for a savoury treat.
• Il Maritozzaro, Via Ettore Rolli, 50 (Trastevere). This old school bakery, located close to Trastevere train station, is seriously good value for money. It is best known for its signature pastry: il maritozzaro, a sweet, fluffy bread bun filled to the brim with light whipped cream. How can something so simple be so delicious? Well, the same can be said for many Roman dishes and delicacies.
• La Bottega del Caffe, Piazza della Madonna dei Monti (Monti). This café is on the pricey side, but it’s a lovely location for people-watching. They serve hot & cold drinks and food throughout the day.
• La Cannoleria Siciliana (Many branches across the city). These cafes serve a range of sweet and savoury delights, and are my go-to places for the Sicilian deliacy cannoli. They are tube-shaped shells of fried pastry dough, filled with creamy ricotta and often sprinkled with chocolate or nuts. 
• Pasticceria Barberini, Via Marmorata 43 (Testaccio). One of my favourite cafes in Rome. There’s a fantastic energy as regulars gather here every morning for their daily coffee and cornetto (croissant). They have a wide variety of pastries and cakes, along with some savoury snacks. They do great panettone at Christmastime, and their mini rum babas are irresistable.
• Pasticceria Regoli, Via dello Statuto, 60 (between Cavour and Esquilino). This bakery, gelateria and pasticceria offers a wide variety of sweet treats. Its choux pastry, rum baba and cannoli are particularly delicious, and I cannot resist their maritozzari.
• Pompi (Many branches across the city). Consistently good cafe which specialises in tiramisu. Along with the classic type, they also have different flavours like strawberry, pistachio and banana & nutella. There’s no shame in ordering more than one (or each variety they have!).
• Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria, Via dei Giubbonari, 21/22 (Campo di Fiori). This bustling café/restaurant does it all; it’s no surprise the Romans love it. There is a bakery, deli counter, wine shop and a standing area to sip coffee and eat a pastry. I always pop in when I’m in Campo di Fiori.

Now I really really want some panettone, a rum baba, a cornetto AND a generous portion of tiramisu! I hope these recommendations come in handy for your next holiday to Rome. If I haven’t mentioned your favourite cafe or bakery, please share it in the comments!

Ciao for now

The Curious Sparrow