Italy is known for many things, its architecture, art, and culture to name a few, but Italian food is a whole other beast. Desserts in particular, for Italians have a notorious sweet tooth and it comes to reason they should produce some of the best desserts in the world. Here’s a quick overview of some of Italy’s most famous sweet treats and places where you can indulge your sweet tooth.
Gelato
Not to be confused with ice cream, gelato is made with more milk than cream. The result is a more flavourful and dense frozen dessert that comes in just as many delectable flavours. The dessert was the brainchild of Italian chef Francesco Procopio, and has since swept the globe.
Gelato in Italy is relatively cheap, with a single scoop coming in at around €2. With gelato being such a steal, it’s hard to justify not stopping for a scoop any time of the day. Italy is also the only place in the world where there are more artisanal gelato stores than those specialising in regular gelato, so if there is ever a time to indulge, it’s now.
Gelatria La Romana
Come for the decor, stay for the gelato. This stylish chic farmhouse themed Gelatria has been operating since 1947. Gelato is made fresh in-store, the milk is whipped by hand in the lower basement, and the shop is committed to using high quality ingredients.
Addresses:
Via Venti Settembre, 60, 00184 Roma RM
Via Cola di Rienzo, 2, 00193 Roma RM
Via Magna Grecia, 47A, 00183 Roma RM
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 11am - 12am
Don Nino
This patisserie is the perfect place to go for top-notch Italian desserts of all kinds, but be sure to make a beeline for their gelato. The brand features a special, award-winning flavour called Cuor di Brontolo, perfected by Master Franceso Mastroianni, a delectable blend of nutella, pistachio and almonds.
Addresses & Opening Hours:
Via delle Muratte 33-34, 00187 Roma RM
Sunday - Thursday: 8am - 1am
Friday and Saturday: 8am - 2am
Viale Eritrea 109, 00199 Roma RM
Monday - Friday: 7am - 1am
Saturday and Sunday 7am - 2am
Piazza Fiume 77, 00198 Roma RM
Monday - Friday: 7am - 1am
Saturday and Sunday 7am - 2am
Piazza di Spagna 65, 00187 Roma RM
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 11:30pm
Neve Di Latte
This place prides itself in being a “natural” gelato store, with gelato made using all natural ingredients. The milk and cream are sourced from a biodynamic producer in Germany, the fruits used are local, fairtrade, and only what is in season. This is about as good as gelato gets.
Addresses & Opening Hours:
Via Federico Cesi, 1, 00193 Roma RM
Monday - Sunday: 8am - 12:30am
Via Luigi Poletti, 6, 00196 Roma RM
Monday - Sunday: 12pm - 12am
Affogato
This coffee-based dessert is shockingly simple: just a scoop of vanilla topped with a shot of hot espresso, yet it hits just the right spot. In Italian, affogato means “drowned”, referring to how the delicious, ice cold ice cream is absolutely doused in steaming coffee, a marriage that sees the best of two worlds come together in your mouth. As most foodies will agree, mastering simplicity can be the mark of a good chef. Preparation is key, so pay close attention to the quality of the ingredients when it comes to this dessert.
Most Italian restaurants qualify this as a dessert, though some venture to call it a beverage. Modern twists on the Affogato include the addition of berries and fruit. Some variations also include liquor, for an added kick.
Fiocco di Neve
Though this place also touts Gelato, skip the dish and order affogato instead. The coffee is rich and freshly roasted while the ice cream is smooth and an absolute dream. The two go together perfectly, and there is no better treat on a hot summer day.
Address: Via del Pantheon, 51, 00186 Roma RM
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 11am - 12am
Cannoli
This pastry is recognisable by its characteristic shell shape, and is stuffed with sweet filling, reminiscent of ricotta. The cream can be subbed out for different flavours, depending on your preferences, from oreo to nutella. Traditional Cannolis are made with cream sourced directly from Sicily. Depending on your appetite, you can choose from small, bite sized cannolis to enormous fist-sized versions. Once you have a bite, you’re guaranteed to come back for more.
Though the dessert originated from Sicily, Rome is known for having it’s fair share of good Cannoli places as well. If you have a sweet tooth, pay a visit to these places.
Ciuri Ciuri
It is no exaggeration to say the Cannolis here are to die for. They are done in traditional Sicilian style, and the result is a high-quality, high-calorie extravaganza. They offer mini versions of their delicious cannolis, so you don’t have to feel too guilty about indulging.
Address: Via Leonina, 18/20, 00184 Roma RM
Opening Hours:
Sunday - Thursday: 8:30am - 12am
Friday - Saturday: 8:30am - 2am
I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza
The selection at I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza is absolutely stunning, and their pastry displays will have your mouth watering. Cannolis are the best pick here, and they come in several flavours, but you can also venture to try their cookies and cassatelle, which are also raved about.
Address: Via dell'Arco del Monte, 98/A/B, 00186 Roma RM
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 8:30am - 6pm
Sunday: 8am - 1:30pm
Profiteroles
Often mistaken for a French invention, Profiteroles are Italian through and through. They were in fact brought to France by Catherine de Medici, of the notable de Medici family, who was the wife of King Henry II. It was the Italian Panterelli that first invented the choux puff pastry.
Profiteroles resemble cream puffs, small bites filled with cream or custard. Chocolate or caramel is drizzled on top, and can be dusted with powdered sugar as well. There is also a variant of the Profiterole that is savoury, filled with cured meats or cheese though it is not as popular as it’s sweeter counterpart.
Regoli
This highly acclaimed patisserie has been featured in several eating guides and it’s no wonder why, with it’s pastries being hailed as “sublime”. The profiteroles are light and fluffy without being too sweet, making them a must-try.
Address: Via dello Statuto, 60, 00185 Roma RM
Opening Hours:
Wednesday - Monday: 6:30am - 8:20pm
La Vecchia Locanda
Don’t let the pizza and pasta here distract you. Keep your eyes on the prize, that is the Profiteroles. Doused in chocolate, they will be the delightful end to any meal, if not a sugary treat on their own. The place serves food at extremely reasonable prices, so you can tuck in whilst staying well within your budget.
Address: Vicolo dei Sinibaldi, 2, 00186 Roma RM
Opening Hours:
Monday - Saturday: 7pm -11pm
Tiramisu
Meaning “pick me up” or “cheer me up” in Italian, this dessert will definitely do just that. The coffee-flavoured dessert has become a staple even outside of Italy, made by layering coffee-dipped sponge with a mixture of cream, eggs and cheese. Other versions of the tiramisu replace coffee with strawberry, lemon or chocolate. There is even a beer-version of tiramisu, which you can consider trying.
Pompi
Their delicious tiramisu comes highly raved about, with a thick mousse that is not too overwhelmingly sweet. There are different flavours for those who shy away from coffee, including flavours like mixed berry, strawberry and chocolate.
Addresses and Opening Hours:
Via Albalonga, 7 b, 00183 Rome RM
Sunday - Thursday: 7am - 12:30am
Friday and Saturday: 7am - 1:30am
Via della Croce, 82, 00187 Roma RM
Monday - Friday: 2pm - 8pm
Saturday and Sunday: 12pm - 8pm
Pasticceria Barberini
This cozy cafe serves adorable miniaturized versions of the popular dessert, the perfect little pick-me-up fit for any appetite. Their tiramisu also comes in bite sized chocolate cups, so you can polish off your plate without any fuss.
Address: Via Marmorata, 41, 00153 Roma RM
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 6am - 9pm
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Known for its impeccable service, this place is hard to beat. The food is also incredible, but remember to save some space for dessert. This traditional restaurant does Italian food just right, and the amazing tiramisu is practically the cherry on top of an amazing meal.
Address: Via di Monte Testaccio, 97, 00153 Roma RM
Opening Hours:
Monday - Sunday: 12:30pm - 3pm, 7:45pm - 11pm
