The Best Bakeries in Rome, Italy

The Roscioli family dominates the restaurant scene in the area just east of Campo de’ Fiori. Their name is attached to a delicatessen, a coffee bar and to their bakery, Il Forno, in Via dei Chiavari. Il Forno serves delectable freshly baked bread, delicious cookies and some of the best pizza al taglio (pizza sold by weight) in town. Don’t miss the still-warm pizza bianca, stuffed with melt-in-your-mouth mortadella sausage.

With an influence firmly rooted in classic French boulangerie and patisserie, the sights and smells of Le Levain are hard to resist. From authentic French baguettes and croissants, to an enticing counter stocked with impeccably decorated cakes and pastries, to the gourmet sandwiches, focaccia and quiche, this Trastevere bakery will satisfy your cravings for savoury or sweet.

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.

As is evidenced from their slogan, “L’arte del pane” (the art of bread), it is obvious that Panella takes their business seriously. For almost 100 years they have served freshly baked treats on the Esquiline Hill. Panella still operates as a traditional bakery, but they have expanded their menu to offer breakfast service with coffee and pastries; a rotating lunch menu that includes pasta, meat and fish; and wine and cocktails in the evening.

Down a sleepy, cobbled side street in Trastevere, most visitors walk right past the unassuming façade of Biscottificio Innocenti—understandable, as there isn’t even a sign outside. But those in the know flock to this family-run biscuit shop where the Innocenti family have been baking their selection of cookies since the 1940s. Stepping into the shop is like stepping back in time; the huge 16m retro oven is the focal point of the room, and owner Stefania is always ready to welcome guests with a warm smile.

A longstanding institution in Campo de’ Fiori, the Forno (as the locals refer to it), is a bustling hive of activity throughout the day with both Romans and tourists popping by for their bread, biscuits and pizza. For a couple euros, visitors enjoy the late afternoon snack of choice, a generous slice of pizza rossa—a crunchy thin crust topped with a flavourful, sweet tomato sauce, wrapped in distinctive brown paper. Eat it out front while peeking through the window to see the bakers in action.