Panificio Bonci

Tucked into Rome’s Trionfale neighborhood, Panificio Bonci is the lesser-known sibling to the legendary Pizzarium, both helmed by master baker Gabriele Bonci. This unassuming bakery offers the same remarkable quality in a more intimate setting, where locals pop in for their daily bread and visitors stumble upon one of Rome’s best-kept secrets.

The star of the show here is the oven-baked tiramisù—forget everything you know about the traditional layered dessert. Bonci’s version transforms the classic into a moist mascarpone cake kissed with espresso and encased in a rich, chocolatey crust that manages to be both familiar and completely unexpected. It’s the kind of dessert that will absolutely wreck your dinner plans, and you won’t regret it for a second.

Beyond the tiramisù, the pastry case tempts with plump maritozzi (those pillowy Roman cream buns) and delicate ricotta tarts studded with sour cherries. The pizza is equally impressive—thick, airy slices with bubbled edges and creative toppings that rival anything at Pizzarium. Don’t overlook the shelves stocked with crusty loaves of grainy bread and bottles of high-quality olive oil perfect for bringing a taste of Rome back home.

This is the ideal spot for a casual lunch when you want something quick but exceptional. Grab a few slices of pizza, maybe a pastry for the road, and soak in the neighborhood atmosphere. It’s unpretentious, delicious, and exactly the kind of place that makes eating in Rome such a joy.