Loved by some and hated by many, panettone is one of the quintessential symbols of Italian Christmas. Pistachio, chocolate but also savory and gourmet, today’s panettone is produced in a thousand thousand varieties and the classic version has become almost commonplace. During the holiday season, this traditional dessert fills the entrances of all supermarkets making it accessible to everyone. On the other hand, there are those who prefer to spend a little more and reward a long and artisanal processing, with refined ingredients to enjoy the best of the best.
Although it is a dessert with Milanese origins, according to the annual Panettone Maximo 2024 competition, the best panettoni is found in Lazio. Here are 8 pastry shops in Rome where you can find excellent artisan panettone, traditional or with a modern twist.
Cresci
Cresci ‘s artisan panettone is a Christmas dessert that stands out for the quality of its ingredients and traditional workmanship. Prepared with sourdough starter and a 48-hour rising time, the dough is enriched with selected flours, French butter and Bourbon vanilla from Madagascar. Agrimontana candied fruit and Valrhona chocolate make it especially soft and aromatic. In addition to the classic version, Cresci also offers more mouth-watering variants, such as chocolate panettone. The price for a 1 kg panettone is generally around 35-40 euros. This product is ideal for those looking for a panettone rich in taste and tradition.
Where: Via Alcide de Gasperi, 17
Macrì
Pasticceria Macrì in Rome is among the excellences of the Italian confectionery scene, recently awarded at Panettone Maximo 2024 as third place in the “Best Traditional Panettone” category. Popular offerings include the classic, rich with candied fruit and raisins, and creative variants such as dark chocolate or with exotic fruits, designed to satisfy all palates. Prices start at around 35-40 euros for the 1 kg size, and if it seems like a lot, fear not, with its softness and intense flavors the panettone will be finished in no time.
Where: Via della Casetta Mattei, 157
Vizio
If you are a chocolate lover, you will find the best at Vizio Bakery. Winner of first prize in the Panettone Maximo 2024 competition in its category, this masterpiece of haute patisserie combines a soft, fragrant dough drizzled with dark chocolate–also artisanal–that lends character to the dessert. Prices are around €38 and the panettoni can be found directly at the bakery, located at 42 Via del Marchesino, which has become a must for those looking for exceptional panettone.
Where: Via del Mascherino, 32
Patrizi
From the classic raisin and candied fruit combination to singular combinations such as apricots and rosemary, there is something for everyone at Patrizi’s. At the pastry shop in Piazza G. Battista Grassi 6/7/8 (Fiumicino) you will find traditional and original variants, all of which share a soft and tasty dough given by impeccable leavening. The price of artisanal panettone cakes ranges from 35 to 45 euros, depending on the variant chosen.
Where: Piazza G. Battista Grassi 6/7/8
Grué
If you are looking for an amazing panettone, Grué in Rome is the place to go. The bakery is located on Viale Regina Margherita and their panettone cakes are a real treat, perfect for those who love tradition but do not disdain a touch of originality. Among the most popular variants we definitely find the panettone IGP William pears and chocolate (48€), but if you prefer something more classic there is the Mandorlato, with its delicate flavors and a rich glaze of whole almonds (45€). Gruè also stands out for its Gianduia panettone, winner of awards in artisan panettone competitions.
Where: Regina Margherita Avenue, 95
Le Levain
Le Levain is a French-inspired pastry shop in the heart of Trastevere in Rome. In addition to their classic and wide selection of panettone cakes, this year they are offering an interesting novelty for Christmas 2024: the caramel and pecan panettone. The artisanal cake is the result of a long leavening process and the use of sourdough, and combines the enveloping sweetness of caramel with the crunchiness of pecans, creating a perfect balance between Italian tradition and modern creativity. It is available in 1 kg format at a price of €45, presented in curated packaging that also makes it an excellent gift idea.
Where: Via L. Santini, 22
Casa Manfredi
At Casa Manfredi not only handcrafted panettone, but also delicious pandoro! For this holiday season, the famous Roman bakery located at Viale Aventino 91/93, offers products that combine natural leavening with sourdough starter and an artisanal processing of almost three days. If you find the classic panettone a bit too cloying, Casa Manfredi offers you the Romanese version (42€), inspired by the Milanese tradition but with a Roman touch, with a less sweet and more balanced taste. Handcrafted there is also the classic traditional pandoro, with Tahitian vanilla and butter from Normandy, for a delicious product of the highest quality.
Where: Aventine Avenue, 91/93
Zest
About an hour’s drive from Rome, in Ardea, is the Zest bakery where the artisanal panettoni is a triumph of quality and creativity, so much so that it has earned prestigious awards such as the Panettone Maximo award. Among the proposals for Christmas 2024, their Pistachio Panettone stands out, a perfect balance between softness and authentic flavors. There is no shortage of gourmet and traditional variants (about 40€), all made with high-quality ingredients and natural leavening.
Where: Viale Laurentina, 24