Finding the Best Panettone in Italy – Our Story

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

We’re not panettone experts, but we absolutely adore this traditional festive Italian bread, known for its fluffy, airy texture and variety of fillings.

That’s why we’re always on the lookout for the best panettone Italy has to offer.

Every time we’re in Italy during the festive season—whether in Milan, Rome, Florence, or elsewhere—we buy and sample as much panettone as possible.

While panettone originated in Milan, today every region puts its own spin on it.

You’ll find classic version with raisins and candied citruses, as well as modern twists filled with pistachio cream, chocolate, limoncello, or hazelnut. Artisanal bakeries often spend days preparing their dough, resulting in an incredibly soft texture and rich flavour that supermarket versions simply can’t match.

Panettone also makes a wonderful gift for loved ones—just be sure you have enough space in your luggage.

On this page, we’re sharing our top artisan Italian panettone picks: the ones we’ve personally tried, tested, and recommend for their unbeatable flavour, texture, and festive spirit.

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Our favourite spots to buy panettone in Italy:

La Rinascente Department Store in Rome (near the Spanish Steps)

As you arrive at the food department of this iconic store in Rome at Christmastime—just a five-minute walk from the gorgeous little guesthouse Laurina 33, where we love to stay—you are 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 buy a high-quality panettone for just €10–15.

Leonardo Firenze Bakery in Florence

Every time we visit Florence (👉 we always stay at La Casa di Chiara), Leonardo Firenze Bakery (Via Porta Rossa 14R) is a must. Their hand-made 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. Panettone makes a perfect gift for your loved ones!

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-flavoured, and more. Our favourite so far is the one filled with lemon and almond paste—melt-in-your-mouth good!

Prices start around €20, but we bought a few for just €11 (for 750g) during their January sale. We stayed in nearby Bergamo and reached Milan by train in only 30 minutes.

The shelves at Tre Marie in Milan are stacked with fresh, fragrant panettone loaves—classic, chocolate, coffee, lemon, pistachio...

Best panettone in Rome:

• Passticeria Grué (Viale Regina Margherita, 95)
• Casa Manfredi (Viale Aventino 91-93)
• Dolcemascolo (Viale G. Mazzini 84-86)
• Nero Vaniglia (Circonvallazione Ostiense 201)
• Pasticceria Veneziani (Via Tagliamento 86)
• Le Levain Roma (Via L. Santini 22 - Trastevere, Via Piave 8 - Sallustiano)

Best panettone in Milan:

• Marchesi 1824
  We had the most delicious pastry filled with pistachio custard here.
• LePolveri
  A cult-favourite 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
  A destination for bread lovers. Longoni experiments with ancient grains, wild fermentations, and non-traditional flours for deeply flavourful, rustic loaves.
• Pasticceria Polenghi
  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.

Best panettone in Florence:

• Galleria Iginio Massari Firenze (Via de' Vecchietti, 3)
• Caffè Gilli (Via Roma 1/R)
• Gucci Osteria (Piazza della Signoria, 10)
• Leonardo Firenze (Via dei Macci, 65R)
• Pasticceria Buonamici (Via dell'Orto, 27R)

Best panettone in Bologna:

• Il Forno di Calzolari (Via Marchesana, 4B)
• Cremeria Santo Stefano (Via Santo Stefano, 70C)
• Forno Brisa (Via Galliera, 34D)
• Regina di Quadri (Via Castiglione, 73A)
• Gino Fabbri (Via Cadriano, 27/2A)

Best panettone in Veneto:

• Olivieri 1882 (Arzignano)

So, whether you’re gifting, sharing, or enjoying it yourself, now you know which panettone deserves a spot at your Christmas table!

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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.

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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.

Be sure to smell it before you eat it — such a divine aroma!

Creative ways to serve Italian 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.
  
  
  

Craving more Italy? Check out these:

Florence for food lovers

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