Chasing Maritozzi in Rome: Top Spots & Tasty Recipe

In Rome they often start the day with a maritozzo – a light brioche bun, scented with orange zest and filled with fluffy whipped cream.

Rome’s most iconic pastry, maritozzi are brioche buns filled with whipped cream. They're made with flour, eggs, sugar, olive oil and honey, vanilla and citrus zest.

While the process is lengthy, with several steps over two days and three leavening stages, the recipe itself isn’t actually that difficult.

✨ Quick Rome Trip Planner →
Maritozzi are Roman sweet brioche buns filled with whipped creamMaritozzi are Roman sweet brioche buns filled with whipped cream

Maritozzi (singular: maritozzo) are traditional sweet buns from Rome, Italy.

They're soft, yeasted buns that are sliced and filled with whipped cream. They're particularly popular during Lent and are a classic Roman breakfast treat. The name "maritozzi" is derived from "marito" (meaning husband in Italian), as these buns were traditionally given by young men to their fiancées. Romans call them "maritozzi con la panna".

Lately, Rome has been honoring the maritozzo with an annual Maritozzo Day, celebrated by local bars and restaurants every first Saturday of December.

Read also: Best Food Cities in Italy


Where to find the best maritozzi in Rome?

The best way to enjoy a maritozzo in Rome, is by scoring a table outside and people watching with an espresso in the morning hours. Maritozzi usually run out by 10AM, so to try them go early.


Our tried-and-tested maritozzi locations in Rome:

  • Pasticceria Leonardo Roma (near Piazza Navona)
  • Roscioli Caffè Pasticceria (Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, 16)
  • Regoli Pasticceria (Via dello Statuto, 60), not far from Termini and the Colosseum
  • Sciascia Caffè 1919 (Via Fabio Massimo, 80/a), close to the Vatican

👍 We're inviting you to discover great maritozzi place on Testaccio food and market tour with Devour Tours. You'll have both breakfast and lunch on this foodie walk!


How we enjoyed Rome as foodies

Already ticked off the classics like pasta in Trastevere and gelato by the Trevi Fountain? Don’t worry — Rome has plenty more to offer food lovers beyond the usual highlights.

One of our favourite ways to start the day is with a cornetto and espresso at Castroni on Via Cola di Rienzo — especially when we stayed just around the corner at the lovely Eccelso Hotel.

Castroni is also a great spot to pick up foodie souvenirs, from Italian coffee and pasta to truffle oils and artisanal chocolates.

For a midday bite, we couldn’t get enough of the pizza al taglio from Bonci — the toppings are super rich, creative, and totally indulgent. It’s a must for any pizza lover.

We love going to Trionfale Market, close to the Vatican, to buy a bunch of apples or oranges, pick up some fresh pasta or gnocchi, and grab a slice of porchetta with focaccia for a light lunch.

Taking a foodie walk in the historic centre with the lovely Roberta was one of our most cherished memories — so much tasty food and so many fascinating historical facts. We also loved walking around Prati, the elegant district in the north of Rome, and popping into eateries, gastro shops and restaurants to try delicious food.

For an authentic experience, we joined a hands-on cooking class in Rome and loved making fresh pasta from scratch, cooking the sauces, and enjoying a great meal afterwards.

Wrap up the day with a leisurely aperitivo in a hidden piazza — a spritz, some snacks, and the warm glow of the Roman evening. Food in Rome isn’t just about eating — it’s about slowing down and savouring every bite.

🌟 Quick Rome Trip Planner

🚆 1. Book Your Train to Rome

Catch a fast train to Rome from Florence, Venice, Milan, or Naples, or board the Leonardo Express if you land at Fiumicino.

🚗 2. Arrange a Car Transfer to Rome

If you’re flying into Fiumicino Airport ✈️, pre-book a comfy private car transfer to your hotel/apartment.

🏠 3. Find the Perfect Stay

From historic palazzos converted into stylish B&Bs to luxury hotels with rooftop views of the Eternal City, Rome has accommodation to suit every kind of traveller. We love to stay at Laurina 33 Guesthouse and Sophie Terrace Hotel!

💡 Tip: Reserve well in advance, particularly in peak season — the most popular spots get snapped up fast!

🌺 4. Plan Activities in & from Rome

  • Stroll through Rome’s timeless streets and soak in the golden-hour glow at Piazza Navona ✨
  • Explore ancient wonders like the Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Pantheon 🏛️
  • Take a day trip to gems like Tivoli, Ostia Antica, or Orvieto 🚆
  • Join a pasta-making class or enjoy a food and wine tasting — pure Roman joy! 🍝🍷

🚙 5. Rent a Car for Your Italian Road Trip

Find affordable car rentals to explore the hills, lakes, and historic towns surrounding Rome and beyond. 🛣️

When Rome is far away, make your own maritozzo!

We know this page has probably got your mouth watering, and we’ve got you dreaming of waking up in Rome. But even if Rome is far from home, you can enjoy a maritozzo, try this recipe to make it on your own!

We have a proven recipe that makes 24 maritozzi buns, traditionally filled with lightly sweetened vanilla whipped cream.

You can use any filling you like—pastry cream, mascarpone, pistachio, chocolate spread, or even whipped cream mixed with cocoa for a chocolate version. It all depends on your taste.

Roman Maritozzi recipe

SERVES: 24 
COOKS IN: 2 hours
LEVEL: Moderate

Maritozzi are baked sweet buns filled with whipped cream

Ingredients

For the lievitino

  • 60g manitoba flour
  • 16g fresh yeast, crumbled
  • 50ml milk

For the dough

  • 520g manitoba flour
  • 120g white sugar
  • 2 medium eggs
  • 240ml whole milk
  • 60 ml olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon of runny honey
  • ½ tsp fine sea salt
  • grated zest of 2 lemons or oranges (or combined)

For the glaze

  • 1 medium egg
  • 1 tbsp water

For the filling

  • 400ml whipping cream
  • 1 tablespoon icing sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Icing sugar to dust

Instructions:

  1. In a bowl, mix the flour, crumbled yeast, then pour in milk, and mix to a thick batter. Cover and leave at room temperature for 1 hour or until bubbly and doubled in size.

  2. Heat the milk in a small pan until lukewarm (not hot). Mix in honey and olive oil.

  3. Place the flour in a large bowl, make the well in the middle, then add eggs, sugar, yeast and citrus zest. Lastly, pour milk/olive oil mixture into this, then add salt. Stir with spatula until everything is combined and the soft dough is formed.

  4. Next, turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for about 10-12 minutes until smooth and elastic. The dough will be a little stickier than normal bread dough. Sprinkle with more flour from time to time to avoid sticking. 

  5. Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled or dusted bowl, cover and leave to rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes or until doubled in size.

  6. Meanwhile, make the glaze for the maritozzi by whisking the egg and water.

  7. Divide the dough into 24 equal pieces, each around 60g in weight. Lightly dust the tops and work surface with flour. Roll each one into a ball, pinching the underside to create a smooth dome on the top. Arrange on 2 lines baking trays, leaving plenty of space between the dough balls, then cover with a damp clean tea towel and leave to prove for 30 minutes.

  8. Once the dough balls have doubled in size, gently brush each one generously with the glaze. Make sure they’re completely covered.

  9. Heat the oven to 180°C fan/gas 6, and bake maritozzi for 12-14 minutes or until risen and a deep golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

  10. For the filling, whip the double cream, icing sugar and vanilla extract together using an electric hand mixer until the mixture forms stiff peaks. Once the buns have cooled completely, cut them open (but don’t go all the way through). Spoon in some cream, then smooth the top and sides with a spatula or knife. Dust each bun with extra icing sugar to serve. The filled buns are best eaten straightaway. 

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