Best Pastries in Italy

"Located not far from the Vatican, Panificio Bonci is a bakery opened by internationally renowned baker and Pizzarium founder Gabriele Bonci in 2012. Bonci trades in Roman bakery classics like loaves of bread, cookies, cakes, pastries, and some prepared foods, such as impeccably roasted chicken. There’s pizza al taglio (by the slice), too, and the toppings are far more mainstream than the creative combos you’ll find atop pies at Pizzarium nearby."

"Rome’s superstar baker and pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci initially gained fame for his gourmet pizza-by-the-slice joint, Pizzarium, close to the entrance to the Vatican Museums. His bakery, Panificio Bonci, is just a few minutes away in the Prati neighbourhood. Here the chef showcases his breads, as well as a selection of pizzas and baked goods, all prepared with specialty flours."

"This is considered one of the best pizza places, if not the best Pizza al Taglio in Rome. It is more of an institution than a pizza place. It is a bit of a hike from the Vatican Museums but worth it for a very creative post-Vatican tour quick meal."

"Corso Trieste 157 b/c, Via Riano 11, Viale America 91, Via C. Alberto 24, open daily, weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30am – 4pm. Inspired by American pastries and gastronomy, Bakery House invites you to join them for breakfast, lunch break, afternoon coffee and sweets or an easy American brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. All pastries and cakes are homemade and sweet and savory breakfasts are available daily."

"Via Riano, 11 (Ponte Milvio) / Viale America, 89 (Eur) / Via delle Gondole, 90 (Ostia)Sat – Sun, 9.30am – 4pmPrice: à la carte menu. The brunch at Bakery House adheres to the traditional US style, with a menu that includes scrambled eggs and bacon, ham and cheese omelettes, pancakes, Eggs benedict, French toast, bagels, and stuffed sandwiches. Every dish is accompanied by fresh orange juice and American coffee."

"At Bakery House Rome (located both in corso Trieste and Ponte Milvio) the best of American traditions is taken seriously. Here, you take brunch slowly, starting at 9.30am for those early-risers, and finishing up at 4pm. On the menu you’ll find scrambled eggs and bacon, ham and cheese omelette, pancakes, french toast, bagels and sandwiches."

"If you’ve got a sweet tooth and don’t want to give up the cheese cake, tiramisù and other delicious desserts, there’s Grezzo, the raw patisserie and chocolate shop. The tasty raw chocolate is manipulated at low temperatures to keep all the nutritional qualities of the cocoa. Raw chef Vito Cortese ensures his creations are made with organic vegetarian ingredients, and the ‘cooking’ never exceeds 42°."

"Grezzo means “raw” and Grezzo Raw Choccolate is a confectionery that makes its products only from raw, uncooked ingredients. All ingredients are heated to a maximum of 42° C – 107° F. The ingredients must therefore be of the highest quality and must be able to be processed at this temperature."

"Talking of real Chocolate, whether you’re Vegan, Plant Based or not, you need to visit Grezzo, it’s the best Vegan Ice Cream in Rome!!. All of their products are, well, raw!. They have no added sugar, diary, GMO’s, nothing!"

"A newcomer to the Roman dessert scene, ZUM Roma makes excellent tiramisu and other treats in the heart of Rome. The little pastry shop is located near Campo de’ Fiori and stays open late, so it’s a perfect stop during a post-dinner stroll through the center of the city. ZUM stands for Zabaione, Uova and Mascarpone, which are three of the ingredients used to make tiramisu."

"This little takeout dessert shop is trying to take a run at Pompi for best tiramisu in Rome and it is doing pretty well. The name ZUM sounds like something from the far east, but don’t be caught off guard. It stands for Zucchero, Uva & Mascarpone (Sugar, egg, and Mascarpone) which are the three foundational ingredients to great tiramisù"

"This place might be a perfect fit for all those adventurous souls out there. Their tiramisu is made from a completely different perspective, though keeping original recipe. Try ZUM’s tiramisu cookie sandwich and be amazed by the way tiramisu makes everything it is mixed up with perfect!"

"This elegant little place on the Piazza San Lorenzo isn’t exactly hip or fancy. There are no crazy flavours or ambitious combinations, just classic Italian gelato the way it’s supposed to be. Sample traditional flavours like pistachio and chocolate, with tiny bits of candied fruit mixed in for a little extra surprise."

"You’ll pay a premium to sip coffee on the charming outside terrace here but we’d be inclined to say it’s worth it. There’s table service so you don’t need to worry about a complicated ordering system and the coffee is delicious. It’s the perfect place to stop for a caffeine hit if you’ve been to the Spanish steps."

"Ciampini has long been the secret vice of Romans in the know. After a recent renovation, they've expanded and now have a second gelateria, literally a stone's throw from the first. Many Romans consider Ciampini to be some of the best gelato in Rome."

"The Bakery House brunch consists of an American style breakfast which serves eggs and bacon, ham and cheese omelettes, pancakes, French toast, bagels, and sandwiches. It is important to know that the Bakery House is extremely popular and it is be best to call ahead to reserve a table so that the wait isn’t so long. Nonetheless, it is soooooooo worth it!"

"Located inside the ornate Galleria Esedra, near Rome’s Termini Station, this Sicilian bakery is a go-to for sweets, such as cannoli, cassate and marzipan. Pasticceria Dagnino opened in Palermo in 1896 but has operated a branch in the Eternal City since 1955. The décor hasn’t changed much since; it’s an elegant place with old-world charm."

"If you’re in the mood for cannoli, Pasticceria Dagnino is the place to go. That said, this Italian pastry shop has a wide variety of sweets and pastries to choose from. Additionally, Pasticceria Dagnino has ample outdoor seating, so it is a great place to enjoy a pastry and soak in Rome’s beauty."

"The collection of the Galleria Borghese, defined as one of the most beautiful collections in the world, consists in sculptures, bas-reliefs, and ancient mosaics, as well as statues and paintings from the fifteenth to the eighteenth century. In addition to being exceptional for its splendid collection, the museum is perfect in the coherence of its beautiful ensemble that implies marbles, inlays, mosaics, stuccoes, and inserts of the antique."

"Considered one of the most beautiful small museums in Europe, the Borghese Gallery and Museum is worth a visit even to just admire its interior decor. The fact that it also houses the most valuable collection of Bernini’s early sculptures and Caravaggio’s best paintings just seems like a bonus. The beautiful 17th-century villa used to be the holiday palace of Cardinal Scipione Borghese."

"An art gallery set within the Villa Borghese gardens, Galleria Borghese houses one of Rome’s greatest art collections: the Borghese Collection. Here, visitors can discover classical sculptures by the likes of Bernini and Canova, and ancient artworks by Italian masters such as Raphael and Caravaggio. End the day with a five-minute drive or a 15-minute walk back to the hotel."

"Via Francesco Negri 43 (Ostiense)Tues-Fri 3pm-7pmthegalleryapart.it. A secret gem tucked away in a graffiti clad apartment block, The Gallery Apart is hidden from the street and so you must ring the bell and step into the unknown. You are greeted by a welcoming space with sofas and a community spirit, spread over two floors and complete with an artist in residence room."

"The Ermanno Tedeschi Gallery Tel Aviv was founded in June 2011 by the Italian gallerist Ermanno Tedeschi who owns three other galleries in Torine, Rome and Milan. The gallery aims to create a bridge between the Italian, European and Israeli art scenes. Since opening, it has hosted well-known artists such as Vallerio Berruti, Enrico de Paris, David Kassman, Moshe Gordon, Alex Pinna and many others."

"Strawberry tiramisu and hazelnut tiramisu from Bar Pompi|Courtesy of Marianna Hunt. For those with a sweet tooth, a visit to Bar Pompi should be on the cards in order to taste one of Rome’s most famous desserts: the tiramisu. Diners come from all corners of the globe to admire the creamy deliciousness of Bar Pompi’s take on the delicacy, which comes in multiple flavors including pistachio, hazelnut, and strawberry."

"If you ever will ask an Italian where you can try the best Tiramisu in Italy, he will probably get offended and reply that there is no better Tiramisu than that of his Nonna (granny). Soon after his choice will definitely fall on Pompi. Pompi is an all beloved Italian chain of confectionery that offers a variety of tiramisu choices."

"Pompi has consistently made the best tiramisu in Rome for decades. If you happen to eat lunch or dinner near here, skip dolce and have it here. If you ask someone local to Rome where to get the best Tiramisù, 9 times out of 10 they are going to say Pompi without hesitating."

"Its minimalist yet functional decor gives it a Scandinavian feel, inside a wooden building with lots of windows built in Piazza Manila, next to the disused railway line. Every day they bake bread, focaccia, bread sticks and pizza in their wood-burning oven using organic products from Treefarm. These include the wheat and barley malt to make their lagers, ales and their own brew ‘Apart’ (€5-6)."

"VinAllegro wine bar located in the famous area of Trastevere, where you can find many bars and restaurants with Italian, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, and Mexican food. The price for the aperitif is 10 euro with 5 euro for the second cocktail/beer/glass of wine. It is famous for its food choice for “happy hour” and friendly ambiance with great service."

"This warmly lit space welcomes its guests with an incredibly generous aperitivo buffet. Here you can also try tasters of dishes in their own right. From lasagna to omelettes, pasta to rice salads – there is plenty to snack on!"