The choice is hard, but as always, distinctions must be made. There are many good maritozzi in Rome, but which are the best? We have tried to round up the most specialised locations for Rome's favourite breakfast pastry, in its classic, savoury or Lenten version. First, however, a brief mention of its origins: it is a sweet bread roll that in Roman times was given to the future wife by the soon-to-be groom, the 'maritozzo', (suffix added to the word 'husband'), who had to put a ring or other gold object inside as a pledge of love. Other stories tell that the cake was prepared in the shape of a heart, to be offered by girls of marriageable age to the handsomest young man in the village, who was to take the best cook as his bride. A cake of romantic origins, which still wins everyone over with its deliciousness: here is where to find the best maritozzi in Rome.
Where to find the best maritozzi in Rome
Caffé Merenda
For a relaxing break, there is nothing better than Café Merenda, a small but very cosy coffee bar, tastefully furnished and boasting an intimate, family atmosphere. Here you can find homemade croissants and very good maritozzi, prepared with love by pastry chef Chiara Caruso, Sicilian by origin but now Roman by adoption. Airy and fragrant, they are generously filled with fresh whipped cream: the ideal solution for those who feel like pampering themselves a little in the morning.
Café Merenda – via del Gazometro, 5 a - Facebook Profile
Casa Manfredi
Browned and with a shiny surface, Casa Manfredi's maritozzi are a nice way to start the day. The hand, after all, is that of Giorgia Proia, creator of the flaky croissants that continue to conquer the palates of gourmet Romans. For lovers of tradition, the maritozzo does not disappoint, with tufts of whipped cream in the centre and a light dusting of icing sugar on the surface. There's another location in the Ostiense neighbourhood, on Via dei Conciatori, 5.
Casa Manfredi – viale Aventino, 91/93 - casamanfredi.it/
CON.TRO Contemporary Bistrot
A modern venue in the Monte Mario district, a contemporary bistro that welcomes customers at any time of day with an offer based on quality and attentive service. And starting in the morning, with breakfasts played between an excellent assortment of pastries and the good work done by the coffee bar: there is no shortage of maritozzi, in fact they are one of the flagships. The base is soft, airy, the whipped cream fresh and mouth-watering, distributed in generous amounts.
CON.TRO Contemporary Bistrot – via dell’Acquedotto del Peschiera, 156 - controbistrot.it/
Faro – Caffè Specialty
This Piazza Fiume venue is known throughout Rome for its great work in promoting speciality coffees, but Faro's pastry department is no less impressive. Among the breakfast offerings aremaritozzi, in the classic version or 'torta della nonna' with pastry cream and pine nuts. Both variants are excellent.
Faro – Caffè Specialty – via Piave, 55 – farorome.com/
Federico Prodon Pâtisserie
Tucked away in the alleyways of Borgo Pio, a small elegant pastel-blue venue is home to the creations of Roman pastry chef Federico Prodon, whose career, which began on TV, was consolidated first with courses and prestigious collaborations and, in recent years, with experience at Caffé Hungaria. Among the many morning specialities are the maritozzi with whipped cream, thanks to the soft and digestible dough, and freshly whipped cream are very popular. There is another corner at the Mercato Centrale.
Federico Prodon Pâtisserie – vicolo del Farinone, 19 - Instagram Profile
Gastromario
A versatile project, moving between a coffee shop and a restaurant, keeping the level of the offer high from morning to evening. At breakfast, with well extracted coffees, silky cappuccinos, herbal teas, organic juices, and pastries of a high standard. The maritozzi are worth tasting, but you can't always find them: to be on the safe side, visit on Saturdays: they are never missing.
Gastromario – via Voghera, 10 - Facebook Profile
Grué
Gruè never disappoints, on the contrary: the proposal in this beautiful pastry shop gets more and more interesting, starting in the morning. The croissants are high standard, but also the maritozzi, proposed in their more traditional form or in the variant with pastry cream (equally tasty). The strong point is the sweet roll, with its full, precise crumb, intense aroma and soft texture.
Grué – viale Regina Margherita, 95 - Facebook Profile
Maritozzo Rosso
Tucked away in the more touristy Trastevere, amidst the alleys surrounding the beautiful Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere, the tiny Maritozzo Rosso restaurant is characterised by its savoury maritozzi, the perfect lunchtime snack or tasty solution for a generous aperitif. Some examples? Maritozzi all'amatriciana, with aubergine caponata, with chicken curry and apples or stracciatella and anchovies.
Maritozzo Rosso – vicolo del Cedro, 26 - ilmaritozzorosso.com/
Pasticceria Walter Musco
It is well known that Walter Musco at Tor Marancia is a guaranteed winner for breakfast. Alongside two-flavour croissants, filled with creams and jams, stuffed krapfens and doughnuts, there are also maritozzi. Well-risen, with a compact and soft dough, generously filled with lots of delicious whipped cream, sweet but not cloying. A must.
Pasticceria Walter Musco – Largo Benedetto Bompiani, 8 - pasticceriawaltermusco.it/
Regoli
For many these are the maritozzi of Rome, the classic filled with fresh whipped cream, a soft, well-risen pastry roll, yielding to the bite, split in half by the iconic whipped cream symbol of Roman breakfasts. But at Regoli you can find another exquisite version of the pastry, made to perfection: the maritozzi quaresimali, less well known but equally as good, smaller in size and filled with candied fruit and sultanas.
Regoli – via dello Statuto, 60 - pasticceriaregoli.com/
Roscioli caffè
The maritozzi at Roscioli Caffè always features prominently on the counter: soft and bulging, enriched with lots of whipped cream, the one stuffed in the moment at Roscioli is another of the city's most popular maritozzi. For a tasty breakfast it is the best choice, while for an aperitif you can opt for one of the many savoury variations available.
Roscioli Caffè – Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, 16 - rosciolicaffe.com/
In Milan, the largest fashion street celebrates rosé wines with Rose Rosè
Smiles, creativity, and some youthful mistakes. How dining at Portale 21 in Marino, the bet won by Valentina Pacifici, looks like
In Aprilia, a contemporary bakery has been born with French yeasts, baguettes, and ancient local breads
In Modena, there is the world's best social restaurant. Here's what it is
Where to eat in Florence and surroundings. The best farmhouses chosen by Gambero Rosso
