Rome is home to hundreds of cafes, bakeries, and pastry shops, each with its own loyal customers, local traditions, and specialties. Creating a definitive list of the five best breakfasts in Rome would be almost impossible, and honestly, a little unfair to a city with such a rich food culture.
The purpose of this guide is not to rank every cafe in Rome or claim that these are the only places worth visiting. Instead, it is designed to narrow down the options for visitors who may feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices available.
All five recommendations are located in or near Rome’s historic centre, making them convenient for most travellers while offering a good introduction to different sides of Roman breakfast culture. From cream-filled maritozzi and traditional pastries to pizza bianca and savoury bakery classics, each place offers something slightly different.
Think of this as a curated starting point rather than a definitive ranking. If you are only in Rome for a few days and want a handful of reliable, memorable options without spending hours researching where to go each morning, these are excellent places to begin.
A quick note: Breakfast in Italy is usually simpler than visitors from some countries may expect. Rather than large cooked breakfasts, many Romans start the day with a coffee and a pastry or a quick stop at a local bakery. That simplicity is part of the charm.
1. Roscioli Caffe
Perfect for: First-time visitors staying in the historic centre
Address: Via dei Giubbonari, 21-22, Rome
Nearest landmark: Campo de’ Fiori, a 2-minute walk
Located just steps from Campo de’ Fiori, Roscioli Caffe is one of the easiest and most enjoyable places to experience a traditional Roman breakfast. The atmosphere strikes a balance between classic and contemporary, making it popular with both locals and visitors.
What To Order
Sweet
- Cornetto alla crema, a cream-filled pastry
- Cornetto al pistacchio, a pistachio-filled pastry
Savoury
- Maritozzo salato, a savoury filled bun
- Cornetto salato, a savoury pastry often filled with ham and cheese
Drink
- Cappuccino
- Espresso
Why visit: Its central location makes it an ideal stop before exploring Campo de’ Fiori, Piazza Navona, or the Pantheon.
2. Il Maritozzaro
Perfect for: Trying Rome’s most iconic pastry
Address: Via Ettore Rolli, 50, Rome
Nearest landmark: Trastevere
Few foods are more closely associated with Rome than the maritozzo. This soft sweet bun filled with whipped cream has been a favourite among Romans for generations and remains one of the city’s most beloved breakfast treats.
What To Order
- Maritozzo, a sweet cream-filled bun
- Cappuccino
- Espresso
Why visit: If you only try one traditional Roman breakfast during your trip, make it a maritozzo. This is one of the city’s best-known places to enjoy one.
3. Pasticceria Regoli
Perfect for: Pastry lovers and traditionalists
Address: Via dello Statuto, 60, Rome
Nearest landmark: Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
Founded in 1916, Regoli is one of Rome’s most historic pastry shops. Walking inside feels like stepping into a different era, with display cases filled with traditional sweets and pastries that have delighted Romans for decades.
What To Order
- Maritozzo, a sweet cream-filled bun
- Bombolone, an Italian cream-filled doughnut
- Millefoglie, a layered pastry
- Cappuccino
Why visit: Regoli is one of the best places in Rome to experience traditional pastry culture and discover why Roman bakeries are so loved by locals.
4. Forno Monteforte
Perfect for: Savoury breakfasts and bakery enthusiasts
Address: Via del Pellegrino, 129, Rome
Nearest landmark: Between Campo de’ Fiori and the Pantheon
While many visitors focus on pastries, Roman breakfast culture also includes wonderful savoury options. Forno Monteforte is a traditional bakery where locals stop for simple but deeply satisfying morning bites.
What To Order
- Pane, burro e alici, bread, butter, and anchovies
- Pizza bianca, Roman flatbread
- Pizza bianca ripiena con mortadella, filled Roman flatbread with mortadella
- Pizza bianca ripiena con prosciutto, filled Roman flatbread with cured ham
Drink
- Espresso
- Tea
Why visit: The famous pane, burro e alici perfectly demonstrates how Roman food often relies on just a few excellent ingredients rather than complexity.
5. Coromandel
Perfect for: A slower, more substantial breakfast
Address: Via di Monte Giordano, 60/61, Rome
Nearest landmark: Piazza Navona
Not every traveller wants a quick coffee standing at the bar. Coromandel offers a more relaxed breakfast experience while maintaining the charm of an independent Roman cafe.
What To Order
Sweet
- Homemade cakes
- French toast
Savoury
- Toasts
- Eggs
- Seasonal specials
Drink
- Specialty coffee
- Tea
Why visit: A lovely choice for those looking to slow down and enjoy a leisurely breakfast before a day of sightseeing.
Final Thoughts
There are countless excellent cafes, bakeries, and pastry shops across Rome, and no list could ever capture them all. The goal of this guide is simply to make choosing easier.
If you only have a few mornings in the city, try both sides of Rome’s breakfast culture: enjoy a traditional maritozzo or bombolone one day, then swap pastries for pizza bianca or pane, burro e alici the next.
Whether you choose a historic pastry shop, a neighbourhood bakery, or a bustling cafe near Campo de’ Fiori, each of these places offers a small but memorable insight into everyday Roman life. Often, those simple moments become some of the most memorable parts of a trip.