When visiting a new place, an integral part of the whole process consists in tasting local and typical products and dishes: food is an important expression of local culture, in the same way as it is represented by a work of art or a monument. That’s especially true in Italy and you cannot miss a taste of Roman typical desserts when you’re in town!
As for other kinds of food, Rome (and Italy in general) is rich in local products that will be able to satisfy the taste of tourists of any age and nationality.
How many and what kinds of desserts can represent the city of Rome at its best?
Maritozzo
It’s a sort of soft brioche stuffed with whipped cream (or also ice cream) and sprinkled with powdered sugar. It’s not a proper “dessert”, but it can be considered as a kind of sweet street food or a snack, which is really popular in Central Italy. You can find it in every bar and café, but also in bakeries. Its origins are really ancient and it was probably already prepared during the times of Imperial Rome. It derives its name from an old custom: husbands-to-be (“maritozzo” is the Roman pet name to indicate one’s husband) used to offer this treat to their wives-to-be and they also used to hide a small gift on the inside. Dough could sometimes be enriched by the use of pine nuts, raisins or candied orange peels.
Bignè di San Giuseppe (Cream puffs)
They are fried cream puffs stuffed with custard and they are traditionally prepared for Saint Joseph (March 19th) which has become national Father’s Day. Like fried treats in general, they can be found in bakeries from February on, together with other typical Carnival pastries (frappe and castagnole). A part from some small differences in the preparation of this dough (including eggs for example), they are really similar to Neapolitan “zeppole”. You can also find baked cream puffs, which are lighter but less authentic.
Crostata con le visciole (sour cherries tart)
Sour cherries are wild cherries with a slightly sour flavor and a deep red color. They are very popular in Rome and Lazio and they are used to prepare this traditional tart made with shortcrust pastry. You can find it in every restaurant and you should also try the special version with ricotta and custard, which is typical of Hebrew gastronomic tradition and very popular in the Ghetto district.
Pangiallo (yellow bread)
It’s a typical Christmas dessert and it dates back to Ancient Rome. It was once prepared on the Winter solstice as a sign of good auspices: in fact, its yellow color (obtained by using saffron), recalled the return of the sun. Its main ingredients are dried fruits, candied fruits and honey and you can find different versions and recipes, even if today saffron isn’t used anymore, to leave space for other local ingredients like walnuts, almonds and pine nuts.
Frappe & Castagnole
They are local Carnival pastries. Frappe are widespread throughout Italy, but with different names according to each Region (“gale” in Piedmont, “bugie” in Liguria, “chiacchiere” in Sicily, “cenci” in Tuscany and so on). They are thin layers of pastry which is fried and sprinkled with powdered sugar. They can be flat and rectangular or shaped as a little ribbon of pastry (“gale” in Piedmontese). Castagnole are widespread too and they also have different names: “fritole” in Veneto, “fricieu” in Piedmont, “tortelli” in Lombardy, “graffe” in Campania and so on. They are small bites of soft dough, which is fried and sprinkled with granulated sugar. They can also be stuffed with raisins, apples, custard, chocolate or jam, according to different local traditions.
Tiramisù
It is the most widespread dessert in Italy, so it’s not something specifically Roman, but you cannot miss a taste if you are in town, since you’ll find it everywhere: from restaurants, to bakeries to ice-cream shops. It is famous worldwide and associated with Italian gastronomy. You can find different versions of this dessert (with strawberries, pistachios, Nutella and so on). The traditional recipe includes a raw custard made with fresh eggs and Mascarpone and flavored with Marsala (a liqueur) spread over a base made with biscuits soaked in coffee. The origins of this dessert are still to be assessed, but it might have been invented in Veneto towards the half of the XXth Century, so not a long time ago!
Ice Cream
Another dessert which is commonly associated with Italian gastronomy is ice cream. You can find it everywhere and its artisanal version is so nutritious that it can be a substitute of lunch, especially in summer. It is mainly a summer dessert, but you can find it all year long and taste hundreds of different flavors.
Are you craving for something sweet?
Try these addresses:
- “Dolce” – Via Tripolitania, 4, 00199 Roma RM (African district)
A cozy restaurant and bakery with a nice vintage atmosphere. It is especially popular for its desserts, mainly tiramisù and cheesecakes. A particularity of this place is the possibility to compose your own dessert on the spot and choose your favorite ingredients (just for tiramisù and profiteroles).
- “Pompi”
You cannot miss this place if you want to taste the best tiramisù in Rome! It is a bakery and ice-cream shop which prepares handmade and fresh products, but it is specialized in making different kinds of tiramisù. It is also exported abroad and you can find different shops of this chain scattered throughout the city.
- “Grom”
It is an ice-cream chain born in Turin but widespread throughout Italy. It is specialized in the use of high quality and organic ingredients. It offers classical flavors (about 10 flavors always available) and some flavors that change over the months (seasonal fruits and some special flavors). In Rome there are 9 ice cream shops belonging to this chain.
- “Le Levain Roma” – Via Luigi Santini, 22, 00153 Roma RM (Trastevere district)
An artisanal bakery offering also a wide selection of sandwiches, salads and soups for lunches on the go. It is specialized in French-style pastry: croissants, tartlets, tiramisù, cheesecakes and so on.
- Gelateria “La Romana”
It is an ice cream chain born in Rimini, but widespread throughout Italy. Their ice creams are made with organic and high-quality products and you should absolutely taste their cream flavors: from the traditional chocolate or zabaione, to their own creations such as Grandma’s custard, 150th anniversary of Italy or Luisa’s chocolate.
- “I dolci di Nonna Vincenza” – Via dell’Arco del Monte, 98/A/B/98/A/B, 00186 Roma RM (Campo de’ Fiori district)
It’s a bakery chain born in Catania but popular in Rome and Milan too. They are specialized in typical Sicilian pastry using the traditional ingredients of this particular gastronomic tradition: pistachios, almonds, walnuts and hazelnuts. You cannot miss their cannoli and cassata!
- Gelateria “Fiocco di Neve” – Via del Pantheon, 51, 00186 Roma RM (near Piazza Navona)
According to a great number of locals, here you’ll find the best ice cream in Rome. This central ice cream shop offers many different flavors, but the best one is zabaione. Here you can also taste coffee and zabaione affogato, frozen yogurt and some cakes. It is the best destination for a sightseeing break during a hot summer day!
All the above-mentioned venues have been tested and the opinions are personal and don’t represent any kind of advertising nor agreement with the owners.
