The Roscioli family's pastry arm — sitting just two doors from their famous salumeria-restaurant — is where Roman breakfast gets an upgrade. You're here for the maritozzo, that gloriously indulgent cream-filled brioche that Romans have been eating for centuries, done here with an airy, balanced touch. The display of creative homemade cakes and fruit tarts is gorgeous, and the coffee holds its own. Yes, there's often a line, and yes, it's touristy — but the quality is real.
The Roscioli family's four-generation bakery turns Rome's iconic maritozzo into an airy, cream-stuffed breakfast worth queuing for.
Go before 8:30am on weekdays to skip the worst of the line — weekends get crowded fast, especially in tourist season.
Roman breakfast done right — if you don't mind the line
If you're doing breakfast like a Roman, Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria is one of those places that belongs on your shortlist. Part of the Roscioli family empire that started with Antico Forno Roscioli back in 1972, this pasticceria sits just two doors down from their well-known restaurant on Piazza Benedetto Cairoli. The family has been baking for four generations, and it shows — the pastry counter is a serious piece of work, loaded with creative homemade cakes, fruit tarts, and those little bombolone that disappear faster than you'd expect.
The star of the show is the maritozzo. If you've never had one, it's a soft, slightly sweet brioche split open and stuffed with clouds of whipped cream — a Roman breakfast institution. Roscioli's version gets praised for its airy brioche and silky cream, and most reviewers find it well-balanced, though a few feel the cream-to-bread ratio leans a touch heavy. Pair it with a cappuccino or espresso, both of which consistently get positive marks, and you've got the classic Roman morning combo done right.
Here's the honest part: this place is popular, and not just with locals. Expect lines, especially on weekends and in peak tourist season. The Google rating hovers around 3.9, which feels a little harsh — other platforms rate it much higher (4.8 on Restaurant Guru), and the gap probably reflects tourist expectations versus the reality of a quick-standing café experience. It's not a sit-and-linger spot; it's a grab-your-pastry, stand-at-the-counter, and-go kind of place. Go early, go hungry, and order the maritozzo.