Best Bakery and Cake Shops in Italy

"Located not far from the Vatican, Panificio Bonci is a bakery opened by internationally renowned baker and Pizzarium founder Gabriele Bonci in 2012. Bonci trades in Roman bakery classics like loaves of bread, cookies, cakes, pastries, and some prepared foods, such as impeccably roasted chicken. There’s pizza al taglio (by the slice), too, and the toppings are far more mainstream than the creative combos you’ll find atop pies at Pizzarium nearby."

"Rome’s superstar baker and pizzaiolo Gabriele Bonci initially gained fame for his gourmet pizza-by-the-slice joint, Pizzarium, close to the entrance to the Vatican Museums. His bakery, Panificio Bonci, is just a few minutes away in the Prati neighbourhood. Here the chef showcases his breads, as well as a selection of pizzas and baked goods, all prepared with specialty flours."

"This is considered one of the best pizza places, if not the best Pizza al Taglio in Rome. It is more of an institution than a pizza place. It is a bit of a hike from the Vatican Museums but worth it for a very creative post-Vatican tour quick meal."

"Address: Via del Portico d'Ottavia 1Head to Rome's Jewish quarter (ghetto ebraico) and -- if you look closely, there's no sign on the door -- you'll find Forno Boccione, a Jewish bakery that makes a show-stopping crostata di ricotta e visciole, or ricotta and sour cherry pie. A little research told me there are many ways to make this dessert, but I think that Forno Boccione has it down to a science: the pie is sliced into generous slabs, not elegant slices -- they're not messing around here, guys -- with a tall, just sweet-enough ricotta filling. The cherries are cooked until soft and jammy, and contrast beautifully with the flavor and color of the ricotta."

"Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 1 (Jewish Quarter) Sunday – Friday 8am – 7.30pmBOCCIONElanticoforno. Insider tip: a little hold in the wall bakery in the Jewish Ghetto, they serve delicacies that date back to ancient traditions. This family run business is the worst kept secret in Rome, with no sign on the door you have to follow your sense of smell."

"Italians love to finish a meal with a homey tart like they often eat at grandma’s house. Although not ubiquitous in the city, you’ll find this dessert on many menus in the Jewish Ghetto and at pastry shops. It has ricotta cheese and visciole (sour cherry), two flavours that perfectly complement each other and call to mind a blueberry cheesecake."

"If you need to stop for a coffee near to the centre and the Piazza del Popolo area is can be easy to end up paying more than you need to for a sub-standard espresso. So make a beeline for Re Cafe. This modern restaurant and bar serves pizzas and other simple Italian dishes and is often busy around lunchtime."

"Piazza Orazio Giustiniani 4Tues-Sun: 2pm-8pmEntry Fee €4-6mattatoioroma.it. The Mattatoio is a former slaughterhouse with pavilions built as far back as 1888. It is considered one of Rome’s most important industrial buildings and the gallery shares the building with various art and architecture universities."

"Embarrassed by the state of the Capitoline Hill (Campidoglio) following a visit to Rome by Emperor Charles V in 1536, Pope Paul III ordered Michelangelo to draw up plans for a dramatic makeover. The scheme involved a trapezoid-shaped piazza and remodeling of the existing buildings—Palazzo dei Conservatori and Palazzo Senatorio. Michelangelo’s space-saving design included a paving pattern with an interlaced 12-pointed star to mark the epicenter of Roman might, and a new building—the Palazzo Nuovo—that would thematically link the other two structures."

"Located opposite Villa Farnesina, Galleria Corsini is part of Rome’s Arte Antica collections, along with Galleria Borghese and Palazzo Barberini, though it is the least known of the three museums. It is housed in the impressive late-Baroque Palazzo Corsini which belonged to the prominent Corsini family (who incidentally also founded the Capitoline Museums, commissioned the Trevi Fountain and other notable structures in Rome). The gallery has a wide breadth of Italian art from early Renaissance to the late 18th century, including works by Caravaggio, Fra Angelico, Van Dyke, Rubens and Reni, though the highlight of the museum may be the Biblioteca Corsini, a gorgeous library embellished with columns, trompe l’oeil painted busts and elaborate ceiling frescoes."

"Located just opposite Villa Farnesina, Galleria Corsiniis part of Rome’s Arte Antica collections, along with Galleria Borghese and Palazzo Barberini. The museum is housed in an impressive late-Baroque palace built by the wealthy and prominent Corsini family. The gallery has an impressive collection of Italian art from early Renaissance to the late 18th century."

"You might also like to visit some of Rome’s palaces – Palazzo Corsini and Villa Farnesina Or just hang out on the steps in front of the Fontana di Ponte Sisto with the locals and watch the city go about its business."

"Corso Trieste 157 b/c, Via Riano 11, Viale America 91, Via C. Alberto 24, open daily, weekend brunch on Saturdays and Sundays from 9:30am – 4pm. Inspired by American pastries and gastronomy, Bakery House invites you to join them for breakfast, lunch break, afternoon coffee and sweets or an easy American brunch on Saturdays and Sundays. All pastries and cakes are homemade and sweet and savory breakfasts are available daily."

"Via Riano, 11 (Ponte Milvio) / Viale America, 89 (Eur) / Via delle Gondole, 90 (Ostia)Sat – Sun, 9.30am – 4pmPrice: à la carte menu. The brunch at Bakery House adheres to the traditional US style, with a menu that includes scrambled eggs and bacon, ham and cheese omelettes, pancakes, Eggs benedict, French toast, bagels, and stuffed sandwiches. Every dish is accompanied by fresh orange juice and American coffee."

"At Bakery House Rome (located both in corso Trieste and Ponte Milvio) the best of American traditions is taken seriously. Here, you take brunch slowly, starting at 9.30am for those early-risers, and finishing up at 4pm. On the menu you’ll find scrambled eggs and bacon, ham and cheese omelette, pancakes, french toast, bagels and sandwiches."

"If you’re looking for a convenient lunch spot right in the centro, this is a good option. With an extensive menu to choose from, you’re sure to find something tasty to enjoy. Their burgers come in all sizes, from small to extra-large, with interesting combinations of toppings and fun names like “Soprano” and “Casanova”."

"Once a private villa in the Liberty style, an Italian variant of Art Nouveau, the Lord Byron has been renovated into a luxury hotel with a lush Art Deco look, a blend of modern and antique that feels effortlessly stylish, especially compared to the aging palace hotels and the ultra-modern design experiments elsewhere in town. Most rooms come with balconies or terraces, as well as marble baths, fabric-covered walls and massive, enveloping beds. The location may be the Lord Byron's greatest advantage with its spectacular city and garden views."

"The luxury boutique Hotel Lord Byron, housed in a converted villa, has Wi-Fi, vintage marble baths, towel warmers, and plush robes and slippers in all rooms. A free daily breakfast buffet includes homemade croissants, freshly squeezed Sicilian orange juice and gourmet coffee. The romantic Italian restaurant is open for lunch and dinner; there is also a bar and a wine cellar."

"This unique hotel is located on the north of Borghese Gardens. It’s not very well connected, and you’ll need taxis to take you to and from the various attractions of the city. The Spanish Steps are one of the closest popular attractions, and they’re 10 minutes away by taxi."

"The Fluid Cocktail & Wine Bar is a modern place, located in the city center of Rome, right near Piazza Navona. There, the buffet consists of various first and main courses, also fruits and small portions of desserts. In addition, the buffet is unlimited with a cost of 10 euro on Sunday, while during the week the price is 8.50 euro per person, with a drink included."