The Sweet Side of Rome: Best Desserts and Pastries
Best sweet things to eat in Rome.
1. Biscottificio Innocenti: The Best Biscotti in Town
📍 Via della Luce, 21
Hidden down a quiet Trastevere street, Biscottificio Innocenti is a family-run bakery where time seems to stand still. The shop, run by Stefania Innocenti, has been making biscuits the old-fashioned way for over a century. The heart of the bakery is its massive, antique oven—long and narrow like a tunnel—where hundreds of golden, fragrant cookies bake daily. From delicate jam-filled occhi di bue to crunchy almond-studded brutti ma buoni, every bite carries the warmth of tradition. This is the kind of place where biscuits are still weighed on an old-fashioned scale and wrapped in brown paper, ready to be enjoyed with a morning caffè or an afternoon stroll through Rome’s cobbled streets. This is my favourite place in Rome to pick up afternoon tea, read about it here.
2. La Amatriciana: The Strawberry Cheesecake Nobody Expects
📍 Via del Viminale, 44,
Famous for its pasta, La Amatriciana hides a sweet surprise: one of Rome’s best desserts. Their strawberry cheesecake is quietly iconic- a buttery biscuit base that climbs the sides, filled with silky cream and crowned with piccole fragole and a glossy strawberry coulis.
Unexpected, nostalgic, and unforgettable. Come for the amatriciana, stay for this quiet hero of a dessert. We go back every month just to make sure it’s still on the menu- it is!
3. Pasticceria Regoli: Rome’s Cream-Filled Heaven
📍 Via dello Statuto, 60
Since 1916, Pasticceria Regoli has been serving some of Rome’s best traditional pastries. Their maritozzo con la panna- a sweet, pillowy bun filled with fresh whipped cream- is a Roman breakfast classic. It’s recently become Tik Tok famous though so be prepared to wait, worth it though!
4. Nonna Vincenza: A Taste of Sicily in Rome
📍 Via dell’Arco del Monte, 98
I have been coming here for a decade, this cozy pasticceria specializes in Sicilian sweets, from cassata to cannoli filled with fresh ricotta and pistachios. If you’re a citrus lover like me, try the Lemon cannoli for an authentic Sicilian treat, they also do great coffee!
5. Dolciumi E Frutta Secca - A Sweet Roman Tradition Since 1937
📍 Corso Rinascimento, 8, Rome
A true hidden gem near Piazza Navona, Dolciumi e Frutta Secca has been family-run for over 87 years. This historic sweet shop is a treasure trove of traditional Italian confectionery, dried fruits, and artisanal chocolates. The current owner, Patrizia Onorati, takes great pride in her selection and is always happy to guide you through the options, sharing the history behind each treat. Whether you’re after classic torrone, candied fruits, or something nostalgic from childhood, this shop is a must-visit for lovers of authentic Italian sweets.
6. Forno Boccione: The Legendary Jewish Bakery
📍 Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 1
Tucked in the heart of the Jewish Ghetto, Forno Boccione is an unmissable stop for lovers of rustic, old-school baked goods. Their famous ricotta and sour cherry cake (crostata di ricotta e visciole) is an institution, rich, slightly tangy, and wrapped in a golden crust. Be warned: they often sell out early, so get there before lunchtime!
Other notable mentions — the tiramisù at Rimessa Roscioli will forever be my go-to, and the lemon meringue at Mazzostill haunts my dreams. Both follow an incredible food journey, each ending with an impeccable dolce. 🍋✨
Rome’s sweets are as diverse as the city itself, bringing together flavours from across Italy. From a pillowy maritozzo at a historic pastry shop to handcrafted chocolates near the Pantheon — these are the sweet stops worth making.
Which one will you try first? 🍰
