Searching for the Best Panettone in Italy - Our Top Picks

If you’re visiting Italy during the holiday season, you can’t miss trying panettone! This traditional Milanese sweet bread is a festive favourite, known for its fluffy, airy texture and delightful mix of candied fruit and raisins.

We adore eating soft, moist, and fragrant panettone anytime!

Typically enjoyed at Christmas and New Year's, it's often served with a glass of sparkling wine or a cup of coffee. Whether you enjoy it on its own or with a dollop of cream, panettone is a true taste of Italian holiday tradition you won’t want to skip!

As avid travellers and passionate food lovers, we're always on the lookout for the best panettone Italy has to offer.

From strolling through the charming streets of Milan to discovering hidden gems in quiet little towns, our love for this iconic holiday treat has taken us on some unforgettable adventures.

From traditional recipes passed down through generations to innovative artisan twists, we’ve tasted (and savoured) it all. Here, we’re sharing our top artisan panettone picks—the ones we’ve personally tried, tested, and recommend for their unbeatable flavour, texture, and festive spirit.

Join us on our journey and discover the best panettone that Italy has to offer!

🍰 Have a sweet tooth? Join this 2.5-hour sweet tour through Milan and taste some of the best panettone in the city! 😋

A glimpse of panettone: Golden, soft, aromatic and full of flavour

In Italy, panettone is more than just a dessert—it’s a beloved holiday tradition. This tall, fluffy “dough cloud,” filled with raisins and candied fruit, evokes memories of family, warmth, and celebration.

What sets artisanal panettone apart is the care and time behind it. Made with natural ingredients and no additives, it’s slowly crafted for the perfect soft texture, golden crust, and rich, balanced flavour.

While new variations appear every year, nothing beats the classic—light, buttery dough with notes of citrus, honey, and fragrant candied orange.

Over time, panettone has become a symbol of Italian joy, now enjoyed around the world each holiday season. 👉 See gift ideas for Italian food lovers!

Our Favourite Spots to Buy Panettone in Italy so far:

  • La Rinascente Department Store in Rome (near the Spanish Steps)
    As you arrive at the food department of this iconic store in Rome, you're greeted by a stunning display of panettones. Bright, colourful boxes immediately catch your eye, and the selection is impressive. If you happen to be in Rome around New Year’s or in January, you’re in luck—many of them go on deep discount, and you can score a high-quality panettone for just €10–15.

    👉 Check out where we love to stay in Rome—and our favourite spots to dine!

  • Leonardo Firenze bakery from Florence
    Every time we visit Florence (which is quite often), Leonardo Firenze Bakery (Via Porta Rossa 14R) is a must. Their artisan panettone is next-level—light, fragrant, and full of flavour. What we love most is that they offer a variety of flavours, from the classic with candied fruit to more creative ones like chocolate or pistachio. Each one is handmade with care, beautifully wrapped, and absolutely delicious. Taking one home has become our favorite Florence tradition.

    👉 See what else we love to buy in Florence—and how to explore the city even when it rains!

  • Tre Marie Café & Store – Milan
    We stumbled upon this spot while walking along Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, just steps from the San Babila metro stop. Tre Marie makes their own artisanal panettone, baked right in the heart of Milan. They’re soft, rich, and come in a variety of flavours—classic with candied citrus and raisins, chocolate with pastry cream, coffee-flavored, and more. Our favorite so far is the one filled with lemon and almond paste—melt-in-your-mouth good! Prices start around €20, but we scored a few for just €11 (750g) during their January sale.

Shelves at Tre Marie store in Milan filled with fresh panettone loaves in various flavors, ready to be pickedThe shelves at Tre Marie in Milan are stacked with fresh, fragrant panettone loaves—classic, chocolate, coffee, lemon, and more. Just walk in, pick your favourite

More places to buy artisanal panettone in Italy (or order online)

  • Olivieri 1882 (Arzignano, Veneto)
  • Marchesi 1824 (Milan) - We had the most delicious pastry filled with pistachio custard here.
  • LePolveri (Milan)
    A cult-favorite micro-bakery known for its natural fermentation and artisanal breads. Their panettone is so popular it’s sold by reservation only—plan ahead.
  • Panificio Davide Longoni (Milan)
    A destination for bread lovers. Longoni experiments with ancient grains, wild fermentations, and non-traditional flours for deeply flavorful, rustic loaves.
  • Pasticceria Polenghi (Milan)
    Family-run since 1945, this old-school pasticceria makes just 400 classic Milanese panettone each year. Run by 70-something Angelo, using tools passed down through generations.


A slice of soft panettone is a true treat for foodies!A slice of soft panettone is a true treat for foodies!

Is Panettone bread or cake? Let’s settle the debate!

Panettone is a bread, but the way we eat it is more like a cake. The sourdough base is incredibly rich, made of eggs, sugar, softened butter and dried fruits. It can also be flavoured with chocolate drops, pastry or pistachio cream and topped with chocolate or other glazes.

👌 More tasty adventures through italy

How do Italians eat their panettone?

Traditionally, Italians eat a slice of panettone at breakfast. Slice yourself a pillowy piece of panettone and enjoy with a strong espresso first thing, for the true Italian experience.

The simplest and perhaps most traditional way to enjoy panettone is to cut it into wedge-shaped slices and eat it as is, savouring its soft, sweet crumb and the bursts of candied fruit or chocolate chips, depending on the variety. It’s important to smell it before you eat it, to get the full flavour profile.

Creative ways to serve panettone:

  • Our favourite is a simple slice on a plate served with a few tablespoons of lemon or orange curd (the sweetness of panettone goes well with tanginess of citrus curd).

  • We also adore spreading a spoon full of pistachio spread over a slice of panettone for a very special treat. The second favourite is chocolate spread!

  • Warm your panettone in the oven, then cut into individual portions and serve with a dash of double cream and a dollop of jam for a real winter warmer.

  • Enjoy a slice of panettone alongside a cup of coffee or tea, or a sweet wine like Vin Santo. Just tear a piece of panettone and dip it into the drink.

  • Toast the slice of panettone lightly, then spread a bit of butter on top. The heat warms the fruits inside, releasing their aromas, and makes the crust a little crispier. The butter adds an extra layer of richness to the already rich bread.

  • Panettone can be used as a base for desserts. Transform it into luxurious bread and butter puddings or serve the slices with a scoop of gelato.

How long does panettone stay fresh?

Panettone keeps far longer than other baked goods. Classic panettone can be kept for 4-6 months, while flavoured one lasts for 2-3 months. Just check the best before date on the pack. Place your panettone back in its plastic bag between cutting a portions, to keep it fresh and moist.


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