20 Best Desserts in Rome and Where To Find Them
Looking for the best desserts in Rome, Italy? The kind of Roman desserts you’ll dream about long after you return from the Eternal City? Then you’re in the right place!
I’m a chef with Italian ancestry who has visited Rome many times. I grew up eating many of the most popular desserts of Italian cuisine. Needless to say, I’m pretty picky when it comes to “dolce,” or “dessert” in Italian.
So, for every one of the best Rome desserts on my list, I offer a delicious spot for you to try them.
An assortment of some of the best desserts in Rome
Desserts in Rome
If you have a sweet tooth, you’ll be happy to know Romans eat dessert any time of day, from morning to night.
Italian breakfasts are most often sweet, and they routinely consist of simply a pastry and a cup of coffee.
Midday, you’ll see pastry shops and gelaterie (gelato shops) buzzing with Italians indulging in all kinds of yummy baked goods and frozen treats.
After dark, Rome bakeries are just as popular as bars. In fact, some, like Pasticceria Lambiase, are only open at night.
Although, since its signature dessert has a somewhat obscene name, “la sorchetta doppio schizzo,” maybe this particular bakery is not allowed to be open during the daytime.
Best dessert in Rome
Let’s face it, you don’t travel to Rome to eat carrot cake. You come for the traditional Roman food and famous Italian sweets.
That’s why I stick to Italian desserts in Italy and order the local specialties as much as possible. Preferably those that are “fatta in casa,” or made in house.
I’ve literally conducted years worth of research over numerous trips to come up with this list. Yet I realize we all have different tastes.
So, while we may differ on choosing our personal favorite dessert, hopefully we can agree that the best dessert in Rome is one on the list below!
Best Desserts in Rome
Foodies in Rome will want to check out these recommended Roman food tours. There’s even a Rome tour just for desserts!
Or, you can follow this guide to the best desserts Rome has to offer and try all 20 at the best dessert places in Rome! Some of these dessert shops even offer affordable light meals as well.
1. Tiramisù
The most popular dessert in Rome, tiramisù
What’s the most popular dessert in Rome? Tiramisù!
This classic Italian dessert layers espresso-soaked savoiardi biscuits (ladyfingers) with mascarpone cheese that has been beaten with egg yolks. The mixture is then sprinkled with cocoa powder and served in squares or in individual cups or glasses.
Tiramisu appears on most of the dessert menus of Rome restaurants. However, with thousands of versions in the capital city, there definitely are some clunkers.
If you want to try the best tiramisù in Rome, head to Bar Pompi near the Spanish Steps. The spot is known as “Il Regno del Tiramisù,” or “The Kingdom of Tiramisù.”
Bar Pompi: Via della Croce, 88, 00187 Roma RM
2. Pistacchio Tiramisù
IMHO, the best tiramisù in Rome is pastacchio tiramisù.
With so many delicious desserts, why does tiramisù get two spots? Because I love pistacchio (pistachio) tiramisù more than the traditional recipe flavored with coffee and chocolate.
Nowadays, pastry chefs are experimenting with different flavors of the classic dessert. One shop even has 100 different types of tiramisù.
Enjoy a fabulous dinner with warm, friendly service at Fraschetteria Roma near Piazza Barberini. Make sure to finish with their pistacchio tiramisù.
Fraschetteria Roma: Via dei Cappuccini, 26, 00187 Roma RM
3. Maritozzo Con La Panna
The classic Roman pastries, maritozzi (the plural of maritozzo)
Usually referred to simply as “maritozzo,” maritozzo con la panna (maritozzo with cream) is one of the most traditional Roman pastries.
A sweet brioche-like bun is sliced and stuffed with fresh whipped cream. This is one of the typical Roman desserts that doubles as an Italian breakfast pastry. They’re also a popular street food!
If you’re visiting Rome, you must try at least one! After your first bite, you’ll probably decide to try more than one.
Most pastry shops in Rome will have these sweet treats, but why not try a place that specializes in them? That would be Il Maritozzaro. I think theirs are even better than the ones at the famous Pasticceria Regoli.
Il Maritozzaro: Via Ettore Rolli, 50, 00153 Roma RM
4. Crostatina alle Fragole
The crostatina alle fragole from Pasticceria Regoli is a special treat.
Some Italian dessert names can’t be translated, others are quite simple. “Crostatina alle fragole” is a tart of strawberries, or strawberry tart.
These strawberry tarts usually have a flaky crust filled with creamy custard. On top, tiny strawberries are sprinkled with powdered sugar.
I will give the historic Pasticceria Regoli the nod on this one. But go early; they sell out of everything by early afternoon! It is a Rome foodie favorite and you don’t want to see the sad face posted on their door!
Pasticceria Regoli: Via dello Statuto, 60, 00185 Roma RM
5. Cannoli
A popular pastry in Rome, cannoli
Not all popular pastries in Rome originated in Rome, and that goes for cannoli. They are the darling of Sicilian desserts but now appear throughout Italy.
A crisp, tube-shaped, fried pastry shell is filled with sweet ricotta cheese. Traditionally, chocolate chips or orange peels adorns the ends.
I have been eating cannoli my entire life. And of all the Italian desserts on this list, I am most particular about this one.
I’ve seen some people recommend Pasticceria Dagnino or Ciuri Ciuri for cannoli, but I prefer I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza. I just think they’re the best, but with four locations back in Sicily, Nonna Vincenza has some serious cannoli hometown cred as well.
I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza: Via dell'Arco del Monte, 98a/b, 00186 Roma RM
6. Crostata Ricotta e Visciole
Crostata ricotta e visciole, a historic dessert born in the Roman Jewish Ghetto
This tart made of ricotta and sour cherries looks nothing like any tart you’ve ever seen. Although it’s a treat for your taste buds, you’re eyes won’t consider it anything special.
The history of crostata ricotta e visciole dates back to the 18th century in the Roman Jewish Ghetto.
At the time, Jews in Rome were not permitted to buy or sell cheese. One crafty baker came up with a simple but brilliant plan to skirt this restriction. She hid ricotta, an Italian cheese used for sweet and savory dishes, in a tart under a layer of dough. The tradition still continues!
Today, this historic tart is one of the most popular desserts in Rome. You’ll even see knockoffs with different names using cream or custard to replace the ricotta.
Of course, you’ll want the real deal from the creator, Pasticceria Boccione.
Pasticceria Boccione: Via del Portico d'Ottavia, 1, 00186 Roma RM
7. Crostata di Visciole
Crostata di visciole, my go-to dessert for breakfast in Rome
Yup, the name of this tart is pretty similar to the one above, with the exception of ricotta. Yet, the two really are very distinct tarts.
Crostata di visciole has a lattice top, similar to that of a traditional American apple pie. And while you’ll also find apricot versions of this tart, you won’t see apple. As you may have guessed, I prefer the sour cherries to the sweet apricot.
In fact, this is one dessert in Rome that I could not get enough of on my latest trip, but I most often ate it for breakfast!
You can buy slices of round or rectangular tarts by the kilo at one of the oldest bakeries in Rome, Antico Forno Roscioli.
Antico Forno Roscioli: Via dei Chiavari, 34, 00186 Roma RM
8. Pangiallo Romano
Pangiallo Romano, a traditional dessert from ancient Rome
Pangiallo Romano is a classic dessert originating from Rome, Italy. The name means “yellow bread,” yellow being the color of the outer crust.
Pangiallo is believed to have been invented in ancient Rome, where it was a must-have dish during the winter solstice. Today, this delicious sweet treat has become a staple of Roman cuisine year-round.
The ingredients of this traditional Roman dessert include honey, nuts, dried or candied fruit, cocoa or dark chocolate, cinnamon, and flour.
If you’re strolling through Trastevere, you’ll see a beautiful display in the windows of Pasticceria Valzani. They having been passing down their family recipe for generations since 1925.
Pasticceria Valzani: Via del Moro, 37a/b, 00153 Roma RM
9. Torta Caprese
The cake for chocolate lovers, torta caprese
Italian cake names often include their place of origin. This is one of those cakes, or in Italian, “torta.” “Caprese” tells us that it comes from the island of Capri off the Amalfi Coast.
It is a great dessert for chocolate lovers!
It also is a type of flourless chocolate cake that utilizes almond flour instead of wheat flour. So, it’s also perfect for those with gluten sensitivities!
If you find yourself near the Borghese Gallery, stop in Al Forno della Soffitta for a slice.
Al Forno della Soffitta: Via Piave, 62, 00187 Roma RM
10. Italian Cookies and Biscuits
There is no shortage of Italian cookies in Rome!
In Rome, you’ll find an abundance of Italian cookie types. Fresh-baked delicious biscuits (cookies) are literally everywhere—bakeries, food markets, grocery stores, even some salumerie (delicatessens).
If you fancy cookies with jam, chocolate, nuts, sprinkles, or frosting, or if you’re looking for the famed amaretto cookies, you’ll have plenty of options.
At restaurants, the most popular cookie on dessert menus will be biscotti, or cantucci as they have always been called in Tuscany and are now more frequently called in Rome. They will always be served with a sweet wine like Vin Santo.
Whether you pair your cookies with wine, coffee, tea, or hot chocolate, Biscottificio Innocenti is the perfect place to load up on them.
Biscottificio Artigiano Innocenti: Via della Luce, 21, 00153 Roma RM
11. Panna Cotta
Roman dessert menus will often include panna cotta.
Panna cotta appears on many dessert menus in Rome, although it originally comes from northern Italy, specifically from the Piedmont region.
The name “panna cotta” is derived from the Italian words "panna," which means cream, and "cotta," which means cooked. But, of course, it’s not that simple.
Interestingly, panna cotta was initially made with a mixture of fresh cream, sugar, and fish bones, which were added to thicken it. Modern Italian recipes use gelatin instead. Whew!
Traditionally, this dessert is served in small cups, garnished with fruit or a fruit sauce. One of the best things about this Italian dolce is that it’s light and easy to eat even after a large Roman meal.
If you can make it to one of my favorite trattorias, Da Cesare al Casaletto, for such a meal, be sure to order the panna cotta for dessert. You can walk it off in the nearby Parco di Villa Doria Pamphilj afterwards.
Da Cesare al Casaletto: Via del Casaletto, 45, 00151 Roma RM
12. Pizza Ebraica
Pizza ebraica is loaded with fruits and nuts.
The origin of pizza ebraica, or “Jewish pizza,” can be traced back to 16th-century Rome, where Jewish immigrants brought their culinary traditions to the Eternal City.
The dessert was originally made with leftover scraps of pastry dough and dried fruit. As the recipe evolved, the pastry was filled with almonds, pine nuts, dried fruit, honey, and cinnamon.
Baked to a golden brown, this Jewish pizza looks nothing like a traditional Italian pizza.
It is enjoyed throughout the year but traditionally served during holidays such as Passover and Hanukah, and at weddings and other special occasions.
The best places to find pizza ebraica is in the bakeries of the Jewish Ghetto, like Forno del Ghetto.
Antico Forno del Ghetto Urbani: Piazza Costaguti, 30, 00186 Roma RM
13. Zeppole di San Giuseppe
Zeppole di San Giuseppe, an Italian cream puff of sorts
This is one of my personal favorite authentic Italian desserts!
When I was a little girl in New York, every March I looked forward to the Feast of Saint Joseph. I honestly can’t tell you too much about the saint, but he must have been pretty impressive to deserve this pastry named in his honor!
Since this dessert is also called bignè di San Giuseppe, sfinci di San Guiseppe, and sfingi di San Guiseppe, it’s a pretty safe bet to order anything with San Giuseppe in the name.
What you’ll receive is a fluffy pastry made from choux dough (cream puff dough) stuffed with a delicate pastry cream and topped with a black cherry. Yum!
Try one at Pasticceria Gruè. It’s a great excuse to head to the Quartiere Coppedè, one of the best hidden gems in Rome for architectural treats!
Pasticceria Gruè: Viale Regina Margherita, 95, 00198 Roma RM
14. Millefoglie
Millefoglie, an Italian dessert similar to a Napoleon
Millefoglie is one of the most common Italian desserts in Rome, but no two are alike.
Millefoglie has the same meaning as the French pastry millefeuille: 1,000 leaves. The name refers to the many layers of puff pastry contained in this dessert. In French cuisine, it most often will be what Americans call a Napoleon.
In Italy, it can be similar to the French dessert—layered puff pastry sheets and pastry cream—or, really, any design the pastry chef dreams up.
Many of the best spots for millefoglie are restaurants. I loved the one at Ristorante Babbo’s with berries. But there’s really only one place the locals will tell you to go, and that’s Cavalletti.
Cavalletti Caffè: Via Nemorense, 179, 00199 Roma RM
15. Zabaglione
Waiting in line at Giolitti for zabaione gelato
Food historians have tracked down zabaglione recipes as far back as the 15th century. But it wasn’t until the 16th century that Caterina de' Medici helped popularize this classic dessert.
Hundreds of years after the Roman renaissance, it is still one of the most beloved desserts in Italy. Usually translated as eggnog, this is not the stuff Americans buy in cartons at Christmastime.
Also known as “zabaione,” this custard-like treat combines just a few ingredients: egg yolks, sugar, and Marsala wine. Yet it can be somewhat tricky to master cooking it in a double boiler until it reaches the perfect consistency.
The most famous zabaione in Rome is a gelato and can be found at Giolitti, a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and the Pantheon.
Giolitti: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma RM
16. Gelato
FataMorgana has some of the best gelato in Rome.
If you take a food tour in Rome, you will likely stop for small cones or cups of gelato at the end. It’s got to be the best-known dessert in Rome after all.
If you are out sightseeing, you will never be more than a few steps away from a gelato shop.
However, not all gelato shops are created equal. Look for the word “artigianale” in the name or tagline of the shop you’re considering, it means “artisanal.” Like the best ice cream, handcrafted homemade beats out industrially processed gelato every time.
Stay clear of the gelaterie that offer too many flavors; they will definitely not be made on site.
In addition to Giolitti mentioned above, Frigidarium, Gelateria del Teatro, and FataMorgana continue to rank high on best gelato lists.
With nine gelato shops throughout Rome, from the Piazza del Popolo to Trastevere, FataMorgana offers innovative gourmet gelato. From fruit flavors like white peach to creative concoctions like baklava, you can’t go wrong.
FataMorgana Centro Storico: Via dei Chiavari, 37–37a, 00186 Roma RM
17. Granita di Caffè
For coffee lovers, this granita is a must-try dessert in Rome, Italy.
Italians aren’t known for having the coldest drinks. If you’re lucky enough to get ice, it will melt so quickly, you may not remember it ever being there.
That’s why granita is so wonderfully refreshing. You’ll find colorful machines churning all sorts of flavors on sidewalks outside of bars and cafes. These are more of a beverage than a dessert. Think slurpy or slushy.
The original granita is a shaved ice dessert from Sicily with two iconic flavors, lemon and coffee.
If you want the best coffee granita in Rome, it makes sense to go a coffee shop known for some of the best coffee, Tazza d’Oro.
La Casa del Caffè Tazza d’Oro: Via degli Orfani, 84, 00186 Roma RM
18. Scorzette d’Arancia Candite
A traditional Roman candy, scorzette d’arancia candite
Italian candies cover the usual gamut from cristalli di zucchero (rock candy) to chocolates, and then there are quite a few you may never have heard of.
One of the more unique Italian sweets takes candied orange peels and dips them in chocolate. These are the scorzette d’arancia candite. This was a classic family favorite of my childhood—everyone was always excited when my nonna presented these at the table.
Whether you want to try candied orange peels, or you’re looking for the best chocolate in Rome, Italy, Said Chocolate Factory in San Lorenzo should be on your list.
I admit, this is not my favorite neighborhood in Rome. But combine your visit with a stop for one of the best porchetta sandwiches in Rome and it will definitely be worth the trip!
Said Chocolate Factory: Via Tiburtina, 135, 00185 Roma RM
19. Tartufo
The cake versions of chocolate and pistachio tartufo
Italians obsess over truffles, or “tartufi” as they’re called in Italy. And rightly so, these pricey fungi are one of the most delicious things on the planet.
Almost as delicious, the tartufo dessert resembles the fungus in appearance only.
In Rome, you’ll find two types. The first is a chocolate or pistachio cake with a creamy filling and a fondant shell. You’ll find these at the fancier pasticcerie.
The second is a decadent frozen dessert of molded gelato rolled in cocoa with a syrupy center.
For a homemade chocolate gelato tartufo, the go-to place in Rome is Tre Scalini on the Piazza Navona.
Tre Scalini: Piazza Navona, 28, 00186 Roma RM
20. Pasticcini
Sampling mini pastries in Rome lets you try a greater variety.
I can never pass up the beautiful displays of tiny colorful pastries, or pasticcini.
If you can’t decide what dessert to have, why not indulge in a few mini pastries? This has to be one of the best tips I can give you!
In one sitting, you can enjoy a rum babà, cream puffs oozing with pastry cream, tarts garnished with bright fresh fruits, AND cake doused with chocolate ganache or white chocolate.
You’ll find a wonderful selection at Le Levain in Trastevere. If you try enough, you may be able to figure out what YOU consider the best desserts in Rome!
Le Levain Roma: Via Luigi Santini, 22, 00153 Roma RM
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