Sweet Life

Found this hidden gem just outside of Piazza Navona. The young lady behind the counter (spoke…read moreperfect English) was so friendly and helpful. She took the time to cheerfully explain what was inside the pastries and offered suggestions to try. We would have gone back just to see her again, she made our day! The pastries though! Come hungry. Plan on eating way too much. The scent alone will make you want to taste everything. Look at what they have. We tried their sugared donut (ciambella), a jam filled linzer tart and a sfoglie romane (pastry dough/ like phyllo, filled with an incredible chocolate ganache-like cream). We are headed back tomorrow, even though it's a 20-minute walk and we pass eight other pasticcerias to get there. Five of six two-person tables inside. They also have coffee, wine, beer, pinse and panini.

Focaccia!! This bakery has an old school feel to it, right…read moredown to nonna sitting at the cash register opposite to the bakery display counter. We had a spinach and ricotta slice, and a focaccia filled with mortadella and they were both delicious! There were plenty of other savories and tempting sweet treats on display in the cabinets - enough to please all tastes. Tjhis is a good value option for lunch!

The view of their offerings

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Grano Frutta e Farina

4.5(122 reviews)

1.2 km•Centro Storico

Simply delicious and authentic Roman style pizza…read more There are so many different types of pizza to choose from that it's overwhelming. There is also a crowd, so you'll need to get your order in fast. They'll cut your slice for you, so if you want to try a few small pieces of various pies it's easy to mix and match. We were in a rush and a little overwhelmed and ended up trying slices that had fresh ricotta + mozzarella, basil, tomatoes and grilled veggies like sweet peppers and eggplant. The pizza is just perfect. The crust is doughy and salted to perfection. I love how Roman style pizza basically just feels like eating pizza on focaccia. There is a generous amount of toppings. This is pretty much everything that you'd want pizza to be. I didn't try any other pizza in Rome, so I can't compare. But based off of my experience and other reviews I'd venture to guess that this is some of the best pizza you can find in the area.

Pizza was okay, I've had better. Tried the prosciutto and garlic one since the server recommended…read moreit. They sell pizza by the pound -- I just wanted a small piece but the slices are huge, so ended up getting a big one lol. The real selling point is the location and atmosphere -- Mostly outdoor seating, not much room inside. There's a little bakery in the back with homemade stuff, which was pretty cool. Restroom's in the basement and you have to go down some steep stairs to get to it.

A double order of the pizza and a drink special.

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Tomato pesto and pepperoni

Antica Salumeria

4.5(94 reviews)

0.7 km•Centro Storico

Amazing !!!! This place has been featured on instagram and on other travel sights ! A must see stop…read morewhen in Rome . They have a huge selection of cuts and cheese . At the end of the store there is a sit down area where you can request a nice glass of wine and get a cheese and antipasto board with fresh bread. Later on we got some delicious sandwiches to go. The service is amazing and there are sample platers throughout the store for tasting .

We enjoyed a nice relaxed experience at Antica Salumeria. Head to the very back and sit down at a…read moretable. You will be served the handcrafted charcuterie board with a beautiful mix of 10+ meats and 6+ cheeses (i didn't count) Enjoy a glass of wine and some bread. You are surrounded by aging meats and cheese. We were definitely full and took a small sandwich of leftover meat and cheese home for an afternoon snack.

A picture of the antipasto board - available for take away!

"Small" charcuterie board.

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Antica salumeria

Dolce Maniera

4.5(51 reviews)

1.6 km•Prati

Unbelievably inexpensive baked goods…read more Quality: 5 Value: 5 Service: 4 Ambience: N/A (take-away only) This place somehow survived the pandemic, while also not raising prices. You want a delicious croissant or eclair for only one or two euros? Stop in, they're open almost all day and night. Prodotti da forno incredibilmente economici. Qualità: 5 Valore: 5 Servizio: 4 Ambiente: N/A (solo da asporto) Questo posto in qualche modo è sopravvissuto alla pandemia, senza aumentare i prezzi. Volete un delizioso croissant o eclair a solo uno o due euro? Fermati, sono aperti quasi tutto il giorno e la notte.

Enjoyed my quick lunch. Gnocchi Bolognese was absolutely amazing! Would definitely recommend this…read morerestaurant.

Lovely

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Delicious

L'Antico Forno

4.3(56 reviews)

1.2 km•Centro Storico

What an awesome coffee shop! Right next to the trevi fountain tucked in one of the alleys. We came…read morewhen the shop barely opened and got a nice seat outside. The cappuccino was delicious and hot chocolate with cream was delicious! Not too strong and very good taste. The chocolate and pistachio croissant were also very tasty. Each had cream fillings which also made it nice and sweet. Our waiter was very kind.

Pistachio Croissant, 5/10. It's dense and the pistachio was a bit too sweet for my liking…read moreAffagato, 7/10. It was good, just heavier on the gelato. Service and ambiance were great

Chocolate croissant

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Antico Forno Roscioli

4.7(115 reviews)

0.6 km•Centro Storico

Pizza and pastries as far as the eye can see. After eating at the other Roscioli, I knew I had to…read morecome check out this one. The staff was friendly and took their time with us even with a line out the door, we got some pizza, pastries but what stood out to me was the large crispy porchetta staring at me from the back of the store so I had to order a slice(arguably one of the best pieces of pork I've ever had), good vibes- seating is minimal but we ate out at the front of the shop

Food: delicious, ate a sandwich, pizza and game back the next day for a maritozzo - recommend all 3…read more Ambiance: deli vibe! Walk in, they ask behind the counter what you want, you pay and you collect Service: it may be pretty intimidating but they were super nice once they were locked in on you!

Mushrooms and potatoes (funghi e patate)

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The bakery 11/12/23

Sant' Eustachio Il Caffè

4.1(414 reviews)

0.6 km•Centro Storico

My wife and I were brought here during a city tour and couldn't be happier because of it. I'm an…read moreAmerican (Dallas), so I take my coffee different than the locals. (Sorry about that.) Despite that, the man who took my order was professional, friendly, helpful and accommodating. And the coffee was so good we came back the next day. I'll miss Rome, and I'll miss this place in particular. When I come back, this will be the first place I come. If you're curious, I had a freddo cappuccino with sugar the first time and a hot chocolate with espresso (what Americans view as a simple mocha) the second time.

Ordered a shaken espresso, affogato, and caramel cannoli. The espresso was strong, but overpowered…read morethe flavor of the coffee. Affogato was ok -- the ice cream wasn't the best. Lastly, the cannoli looked good, but it was way too hard and sticky. Felt stale, not freshly made. Came here bc of the high rating, but perhaps it's too touristy...

Chocolate cannoli

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Outdoor seating

La Casa del Tazza d'Oro

4.5(382 reviews)

0.8 km•Centro Storico

We learned of this gem from some folks we met in line at the Pantheon - literally like 200 feet…read moreaway. I was expecting good, but got some of the best coffee we've ever had! The Granita with cream and the Caffe di creama are the signature drinks and trying them shows why! The Granita is basically frozen coffee with cream above and below, while the Caffe de Crema is a coffee frostee - both delicious, the crema was unreal good! Sweet, smooth and just plain delicious. The line starts inside, is often long, but move quick. We know this because we went twice in a couple hour. You order, pay and pick up at another counter. The Granita and Crema are at the far counter- just take your receipt and give it to the guys working behind the counter. It's a very quaint little Italian spot with limited seating and a ton of charm. It feels older than it probably is and they've got plenty of tea, coffee and other accoutrements to grab while there. Go here. It's worth the trip!

If you're looking for a classic Roman coffee experience, La Casa del Caffè Tazza d'Oro is…read moredefinitely one to add to your list. Located just steps from the Pantheon in Piazza della Rotonda, this historic coffee bar has been a Roman institution since 1946 and is especially known for its coffee, which has helped make it one of the city's most famous cafés. The line was pretty long when we arrived, but it moved surprisingly quickly. You can enjoy your coffee and pastries inside while standing at the counter, or, if you're lucky, grab one of the few seats available inside. There's also outdoor seating, but keep in mind that sitting outside comes with a separate--and if I remember correctly, significantly higher--service charge. I'll be honest--I'm pretty sure I ordered the wrong thing. I ended up with what was essentially a frosty coffee ice cream, which is not what I was going for, lol. I was supposed to order the Granita di caffè con panna, which is their signature. It's a coffee granita--essentially finely shaved/frozen coffee--topped with whipped cream. Instead of whipped cream, I accidentally told my Italian nephew I wanted the coffee with ice cream, whoops. I also ordered a maritozzo, which I was absolutely on a mission to try while in Rome. The maritozzo is a traditional Roman sweet bun filled generously with whipped cream, and it did not disappoint. I was in a bit of a rush, so I didn't have time to enjoy my maritozzo there. I packed it up and ate it later that evening, and it was still delicious. I've also essentially given up coffee completely, so I only had a few bites and sips of my coffee ice cream, but what I tried was really good. The menu is fairly large and varied, and it can feel a little overwhelming when you're standing at the counter with a line behind you. I'd recommend taking a look at the menu ahead of time if you can so you have an idea of what you want before you get up to order. Overall, I'd definitely recommend stopping by. Tazza d'Oro is an institution, the location is hard to beat, and there's something fun about experiencing one of Rome's longtime coffee traditions--even if you accidentally order the wrong thing like I did!

0.9 km•Centro Storico, Prati

The amazing variety of coffee and cannoli

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Outside the shop

Nuova Esperia

4.5(2 reviews)

Delicious cheap pastries and proper Italian coffee. A bit noisy as on a busy street. In cool…read moreafternoon shade near the Vatican. For a change from the rest of the places I've been in rome this week, the toilet has both a seat and plenty of toilet paper! I think I might just have another dolce...

Lovely place to sit outside and enjoy a (FANTASTIC!) cappuccino and (NOM NOM NOM) pastries. :)read more

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Pompi

4.4(173 reviews)

1.4 km•Centro Storico

Pompi was my favorite tiramisu spot in Rome for flavor, convenience, and price. This location is…read morenear the Spanish Steps, so convenient when visiting the area. The store wasn't busy, so the process was quick as well. First, you order and pay in the back counter. Then you'll get a ticket to claim your tiramisu at the display case. We got one Classic Tiramisu (€5), which was perfectly boxed up. I like that they sprinkled the pistachio one only when you order, so it keeps it fresh and crunchy. The coffee flavor is strong and creamy. Even days later, it tasted just as good too, especially with the flavor soaked into the ladyfingers. It's the perfect treat while exploring Rome or to take back to your place to enjoy afterwards.

Cute little spot with variety of tiramisus. Honestly loved it! I know that tiramisu with a flavour…read moreis not the real one kinda but it was aaaamaizng! It also had some gelato and bakery deserts to go, everything looked sooooo good!

Tiramisu closed package

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Tom Y.

9 years ago

In June of 2017, we fortunately stopped after a hot day of sites to some fabulous gelato flavors, and the family agreed that this is the best Gelato shop in Rome. My kids made it clear that we needed to plan our day so we ended up at Sweet Life. Really enjoyed meeting and seeing the friendly owner every day of the visit. I am writing this now because my son kept the business card and reminded me of the experience. It is a must for travelers to try his wide selection. The price is right!! Enjoy!! read more

Michael O.

7 years ago

There is a very good reason for all the 5-Star reviews here. If you want incredibly tasting Gelato in Rome. This is the place to visit. This stuff will light up your taste buds with flavor. You can tell the owner takes great pride in his creations. Also, do yourself a favor and ask for a Macaroon on top of that gelato. It make cost a little extra but well worth it. read more

Sweet Life - bakeries - Updated October 2026

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La Romana

4.8

(366 reviews)

Legendary Roman Ice Cream…read more * * * La Romana has been around since 1947. That does not make it the oldest gelateria by a long shot. But 1947 puts La Romana in the "senior class" for sure. That means almost 50 years of driving thousands of people insane with pleasure from utterly amazing ice cream. That is a good way to spend 50 years. * * * Most Italian Gelato places are very consistent. If one flavor is good, they all are good. If one flavor is fake or artificial, they all are fake and artificial. That said - despite La Romana's full range, The establishment is known for one distinctive flavor that is very much their signature. Crema dal 1947. Crema dal 1947 is absolutely and utterly insane. It is an eggnog custard gelato subtly flavored with lemon zest. It is the most creamy dreamy lemon cloud dessert every made by any human being. Just to get an appropriate placement within the lemon family, I paired it with a plain lemon gelato. Rome has absolutely amazing lemons. Plain lemon gelato almost anywhere is die-and-go-to-heaven good. Putting eggnog custard creamy dream Crema dal 1947 With bracing in-your-face screaming lemon-lemon-lemon traditional gelato Was like pairing Margot Robbie as Barbie with Amy Winehouse singing her soul out. Both were absolutely perfect for what they are. I want to have that ice cream cone tonight, tomorrow, the day after that, the day after that and every other consecutive day for the next consecutive 50 years. When La Romana becomes 100 years old, I can think about changing flavors. But it is hard to argue with perfect perfection.

If you've had gelato in Rome, you already know the standard is different--and Gelateria La Romana…read moreis one of those places that actually lives up to it. Everything tastes super fresh and creamy, and the flavors feel really authentic without being overly sweet or artificial. What I liked most is how consistent it is--whether you go for classics like pistachio or something more indulgent, it always tastes rich and high quality. It's the kind of spot where you can tell they really care about what they're making. The vibe is simple and focused on the gelato itself, not anything flashy, which honestly fits perfectly for a place like this. Always worth stopping by if you're in Rome and want proper gelato.

La Romana

4.8

(128 reviews)

Today, on my walk toward Neptune's Fountain, I passed this little gelato shop--Gelateria La…read moreRomana--and kept going. But I stopped in my tracks because I saw a line wrapped up 50+ people deep, all waiting just to get inside and order. Now it's day two in Rome and I still hadn't had any gelato, even though I've walked past what feels like a hundred shops. So what would a fat man from Alabama do? Turn right back around, of course--because nothing says "this is probably good" like a crowd stacked up like cordwood waiting for ice cream. I finally make it up to the counter and the young guy looks at me and says in English, "What do you want?" Well... I can't pronounce half of what I'm looking at, so I just show him a picture of his own menu I had snapped a minute earlier. He smiles, reads it out loud, and then asks, "What size?" At that point my brain is a mess, so I mumble "medium" and point at the cup sitting by the register. One problem down. Then I move into the next line--about a dozen people ahead of me--and when it's finally my turn again, I just point at my receipt like, "It's on there somewhere, I think." I can't read Italian, so I'm fully operating on faith at this point. The guy looks up and says, louder this time: "What flavor?" Flavor? That was not the question I was prepared for. So I point back at the picture again and say, "Whatever that is... I want that one." He scoops it up, loads it into the cup, and sends me on my way. Now comes the real test--taste it--but there are people everywhere, so I grab a quick photo first, because priorities. First bite? Hallelujah. That was the moment. That gelato hit and I just kept walking down the sidewalk like a man who somehow figured out how to survive ordering ice cream in Italy. Seriously, it was excellent. And if I get turned around again like today, I already know where I'm going back.

Great location, seating in the back, restrooms downstairs. Many options. Delicious gelato.read more

Lemongrass Gelato

4.7

(54 reviews)

We visited after a hot and long day at vatican city. The place is about a 8 min walk from the…read morevatican and 5 min away from the metro. The service was very good and the staff was kind and answered any questions we had. I really enjoyed the pistachio and ferrero rocher flavor (which i thought was an excellent combination). Also tried pistachio cannoli and cappuccino which were delicious. i definitely recommend for a refreshing treat after such a long day.

Gluten free cones available for 4 Euros which includes 2 scoops. Note the cones are individually…read morepacked in plastic wraps before use and kept separate from the gluten containing ones. Lactose free flavors available too -- strawberry, mango, lemon, dark chocolate, and dark chocolate with cherry and rum. The second time I went the associate informed me that the lactose free flavors had red handled scoops. I came here twice. The first time the associate was very nice -- when I told her about my gluten intolerance she immediately said she'd clean the scoops to avoid cross contamination. I ended up getting mango and pistachio (pistachio does contain dairy.) Since I was ordering two cones to go, the associate was kind enough to prepare them for me to take in paper bags. Excellent service this time around. The second time I went -- the associate asked me whether I was intolerant or allergic. Informed that I was intolerant. Didn't proceed to clean the scoops. (I also realize I could have requested to do it -- this is more of the observation between associates on gluten contamination / awareness.) I was also informed me that pistachio, which contains dairy, has a possible cross confirmation with gluten? Lastly, when I asked if I could have the scoop upside down in a cup to go because I was ordering a second cup, I was told to decide cup or cone. I could not have both. Service varies here. (Photos attached to this review are from 2017. Guess I didn't write a review back then.)

Gelateria del Teatro

4.5

(161 reviews)

This is the third time I've been to this gelato restaurant. This time I took my daughter because I…read morewas so impressed with it the first two times. Now she's also extremely impressed with the flavors. She also knows the difference between fresh made and factory produced gelato. We ordered three flavors and loved them so much that we went back for two more scoops of our favorites. There's definitely a difference between gelato that is made with organic ingredients, freshly made on site as opposed to in a factory. The flavors are so much more intense when they're freshly made. I think the guy thought we were crazy when we came back in so quickly but I told him it was too delicious not to have more. Both guys behind the counter just had big smiles on their faces.

We loved the gelato here! Tell-tale signs of authentic gelato: flat tubs (the big puffy gelato you…read moresee at other places means it was pumped with air), natural colors (for example, pistachio gelato here is more of a brown color, at the tourist traps it is usually green), and seasonal flavors (this place tells you where the ingredients are sourced). There is a window next door which shows the adjacent room where they make the gelato on-site. You can see lemons, oranges, etc. on display, Fresh ingredients! I loved every flavor that I tried but my overall favorite was pistachio. So good! We came here twice. The first time we went, the person working there was very friendly and helpful. The second time, the gentleman behind the counter was more quiet.

Gelateria Cremilla

4.7

(51 reviews)

Best gelato we found in the Vatican area. Good price and close to St Peter's square. More to…read morechose from compared to L'arena which is a block closer. Got the briscotto and started eating before took a picture.

So glad we stopped by while walking around Venice. There were many flavors to choose from. We got…read morethe stracciatella and two other flavors I forgot. But all were delicious! Service was organized and quick. They were patient and kind, and I loved the servers' attire! We knew this place would be good when the gelatos are in the tin metal cans. The inside was clean and aesthetic. Definitely recommend this place!

Wonderful Ice Cream

4.5

(71 reviews)

Right beside our hotel…read more Lots of gelato options, granita, crepes, etc. I wouldn't say this is my ultimate favorite place to get gelato in Italy, but it was incredibly convenient. The gelato was still tasty and the employees here are very sweet and helpful. The Mango gelato was my favorite, tasted just like Mango Lassi. Yum! Their granita was a cool and refreshing treat on a hot summers day. After a full day of sight seeing, it was nice to grab a granita before going back to the hotel. The melon and strawberry granita had real pieces of fruit mixed within, which was delicious. Their Nutella crepe was awesome. The crepe had a perfect consistency and was prepared fresh. Filled with a generous serving of Nutella and topped off with powdered sugar. Excellent! There is counter seating inside and a TV. It's nice and cool in here too.

When I was vacationing in Italy, I had gelato every single day, we tried different places but we…read morekept coming to Wonderful ice cream. Their flavors were so intense, they had a lot of fruity sherbet like flavors, not just the creamier ones that every other shop carried like tiramisu, coffee, Nutella etc. and you also got more for your buck. They are banana gelato was hands-down my favorite of all the ones I tried. Every time we went employees were very nice and attentive, I am not sure if they are a chain or a one off store, but we enjoyed it tremendously. The only drawback if I have to mention one is that they did not have outside seating, but they are in a busy street with no view, so he really doesn't matter. This ice cream is definitely wonderful!

Come Il Latte

4.9

(239 reviews)

1. Blood Orange Ricotta Gelato with Cinnamon…read more 2. Chocolate Gelato Dotted with Large Pieces of Orange Peel. 3. Whipped Cream on Top of All of That That is Even Better Than the Gelato. 4. A Cone Dipped in Fresh Liquid Chocolate 5. A Cookie Dipped in the Same Fresh Liquid Chocolate Standing Straight Up and Down in the Whipped Cream All of this was just as amazing as it sounds here. * * * Steve McQueen was hiding in the Chocolate that was lining the inside of the cone. As I was nearly passed out in bliss over Blood Orange Ricotta Orange Peel Chocolate and Whipped Cream The Chocolate in the Cone decided to make the Great Escape. It tunneled its way to the bottom of the cone and all of the chocolate prisoners made a mad escape through the very end of the cone. My shirt and my jeans were completely covered with large pools of chocolate from navel to knee. * * * Wearing chocolate like that is a Badge of Honor. It shows you have really been there. They sell clothes in Italy if it really comes to that. * * * For gelato like that, you should be ready to do Anything !

I tried the stracciatella and pistachio, topped with a little panna, and I'm still thinking about…read morethem. The texture was incredibly creamy & smooth, and the flavors had this rich, honest depth that made each bite feel a bit special. The panna added just the right touch without overwhelming anything -- it all came together beautifully. One of those gelato moments that stays with you long after the trip. A spot I'd happily go out of my way for again.

La Strega Nocciola

4.8

(82 reviews)

Delicious gelato! Definitely up their with my favorites in different cities. The pistachio was…read morenicely nutty and toasty and the texture was just right. You could do three flavors in a cup too which is awesome for trying a bunch of things. They have a few locations across Italy.

Easily the creamiest gelato I had in Rome! I was so happy to try this place as it was just around…read morethe corner from where I was staying. Gelato was extra creamy and flavor was good!! There aren't too many flavors to choose from as more would boost this shop to my number one gelato favorite. However, it was certainly the best or easily second best gelato. Service was very warm and welcoming and it was the kind of place hidden in plain sight so not very crowded. Tops all the gelato shops near the shopping/city center around the Spanish Steps.

Frigidarium

4.6

(638 reviews)

This was our second visit to Frigidarium, our first was on a previous visit to Rome several years…read moreago. In that review I warned gelato keeps melting even though it is covered in a chocolate shell. This time when I received my Black Cherry with a chocolate shell, I quickly took my photo and broke into my treat. Still got a little messy on a particularly hot day, but not totally out of control. Even eating quickly I really enjoyed my gelato with those broken pieces of chocolate shell. This previously very popular spot had no line this time, good timing for us. There is no seating so expect to be eating on your feet. We looked forward to a return visit and they did not disappoint.

My husband and I had dinner at a pizza spot adjacent to Frigidarium, so we couldn't help stop by…read morefor dessert. I remembered it also being highly recommended to me by one of my friends. Frigidarium had a small storefront with room for a few guests at a time. Our timing was lucky, because we had arrived ahead of a big crowd. When I ordered and looked over my shoulder I saw that the line was snaking around the corner. Service was fast though, so people were in and out considerably quickly. I ordered the Frigidarium flavor and one that looked like a berry vanilla swirl with chocolate bits. I'm sure my mouth dropped when they asked if I wanted white chocolate, milk chocolate, or whipped cream at no additional charge. Based on the flavor palate I got white chocolate that becomes a hard shell when poured on. Loved everything about my gelato. I enjoyed both flavors with the white chocolate, and I got a bonus chocolate cookie from the Frigidarium flavor.

L’Arena del Gelato

4.9

(41 reviews)