If you are looking for the best things to eat in Rome, you will probably hear about pasta, pizza and gelato.
But there is another Roman classic that deserves a place on your list:
Maritozzo.
Soft, lightly sweet, and generously filled with fresh whipped cream, Maritozzo is one of the most iconic traditional desserts in Rome.
And when Romans talk about classic Maritozzo, one historic name often comes up:
Pasticceria Regoli.
Located in Rome’s Esquilino neighborhood, Regoli has been at Via dello Statuto 60 since 1916. In 2026, the family pastry shop celebrates 110 years of history.
What started as a charcoal shop eventually became a tiny pizzeria, then a pastry shop — and today, a destination for anyone looking for a truly traditional Roman Maritozzo.
What Is Maritozzo?
Maritozzo is a soft, slightly sweet Italian leavened bun traditionally associated with Rome.
The most famous modern version is sliced open and generously filled with panna montata, or freshly whipped cream.
It looks simple.
But that is exactly the point.
Soft bread, fresh cream and just enough sweetness make Maritozzo one of the most recognizable flavors of Roman pastry culture.
Traditionally enjoyed for breakfast, Maritozzo has also become popular as an afternoon snack, a quick sweet break or even a dessert after dinner.
For first-time visitors to Rome, Maritozzo con panna is one of the easiest ways to taste a genuine Roman food tradition.
The History of Maritozzo: From Ancient Bread to a Symbol of Love
The story of Maritozzo goes back centuries.
According to Turismo Roma, the modern pastry has an ancient ancestor: a large sweetened loaf made with flour, eggs, oil or lard, honey and raisins. It was prepared as a substantial food for workers, farmers and shepherds spending long days outdoors.
During the Middle Ages, the bread became smaller and was enriched with ingredients such as pine nuts and candied fruit.
It also became associated with Quaresima, the forty-day period of Lent.
The traditional Lenten Maritozzo, known as maritozzo quaresimale, was one of the sweet exceptions associated with the fasting period.
The Roman poet Giuseppe Gioachino Belli even referred to the dessert as “er santo maritozzo” in his 1833 sonnet La Quaresima.
Why Is It Called Maritozzo?
The name is generally connected to the Italian word marito, meaning “husband.”
The most romantic tradition dates back to the 19th century.
On the first Friday of March — traditionally associated with lovers — young men were said to give sweet rolls to their future brides.
Some were decorated with little sugar hearts and, according to tradition, could even contain a ring or another small piece of gold hidden inside.
The story has become one of the most charming legends surrounding Rome’s favorite pastry.
And it explains why Maritozzo is more than just a sweet bun.
It is also a little piece of Roman folklore.
Pasticceria Regoli: From Charcoal Shop to Historic Roman Bakery
The story of Regoli begins in 1916.
Umberto and Narcisa Regoli left a small village near Pisa and moved to Rome in search of a new beginning.
Their first shop on Via dello Statuto 60 was a charcoal business.
A few years later, the shop became a tiny pizzeria with only three tables and a small pastry laboratory.
Among the early specialties were Maritozzi, Bavarese and traditional ring-shaped cakes.
Little by little, pastry became the real vocation of the family.
Ermete and Rita Regoli, together with their aunt Quirina, transformed the small shop into a proper pastry business.
In 1978, the third generation — Carlo and Laura Regoli — took over.
Today, the fourth generation, Agnese and her husband Marco, continues the family business.
The address has never changed.
The family has.
The city has.
But the pastry shop has remained in the same place for more than a century.
What Makes Regoli’s Maritozzo Special?
Regoli’s signature is the classic Maritozzo con panna.
The preparation is deliberately traditional.
The dough is prepared and rested in the refrigerator the day before. The following morning, it is shaped and placed in a proofing chamber before being baked.
Once cooled, the buns are filled with freshly whipped cream.
The result is exactly what you expect from a classic Roman Maritozzo:
A soft, golden bun.
A generous amount of fresh cream.
And absolutely no need for unnecessary decoration.
Try the Maritozzo Quaresimale Too
If you are interested in traditional Roman sweets, look for the Maritozzo quaresimale.
Unlike the famous cream-filled version, the Lenten Maritozzo is smaller and does not contain whipped cream.
Instead, the dough is enriched with raisins, candied orange peel and pine nuts.
It is closer to the older version of the pastry and offers a glimpse into Rome’s historic baking traditions.
Still, if this is your first visit to Regoli, the classic:
Maritozzo con panna
is the one to try first.
How Do Romans Eat Maritozzo?
The easiest answer:
For breakfast.
Pair it with a classic Italian coffee:
- Espresso
- Cappuccino
- Caffè latte
Find a quiet morning in Rome, order a Maritozzo and a coffee, and take your time.
There is no need to turn it into a complicated experience.
That simplicity is part of the charm.
Today, Maritozzo is also enjoyed as an afternoon snack, a quick break or even an after-dinner dessert.
Pasticceria Regoli: Practical Information
Pasticceria Regoli
📍 Via dello Statuto 60, 00185 Rome
📌 Esquilino, near Santa Maria Maggiore, Piazza Vittorio and Roma Termini
What to Order
- Maritozzo con panna — the classic cream-filled version
- Maritozzo quaresimale — the traditional Lenten version
- Other traditional Italian pastries
Momento Tip
The pastry shop is small and can get busy, especially around popular breakfast hours.
If Maritozzo is the reason you are going, make it part of your morning Rome itinerary.
Have your Maritozzo first.
Then start exploring the city.
The Best Maritozzo in Rome? Start with a Morning at Regoli
Some foods don’t need to be complicated.
A freshly baked bun.
A generous spoonful of whipped cream.
An espresso.
And Rome slowly waking up around you.
That is the beauty of Maritozzo.
It is not simply a Roman dessert.
It is a small invitation from the city itself:
Before you rush to the sights,
sit down and taste Rome.
Let Roma Frame Your Momento.
