Ah, cannoli. These tube-shaped confections might just be Italy’s most iconic dessert after gelato. Though they’re a source of pride for locals in their birthplace of Sicily, many Romans would argue that the natives of the Eternal City can whip up cannoli as well as any Sicilian.
I didn’t know a whole lot about where to find the best cannoli in Rome until I started running my Rome food tours. I began to dig a little deeper into the city’s lesser-known foodie spots and discovered a myriad of pastry shops boasting row after row of these sweet snacks.
If you’re fond of these ricotta-filled delights, read on to uncover the pasticcerias with the best cannoli in Rome.
Photo credit: The Pasticceria Siciliana
The Pasticceria Siciliana is a coffee bar just west of the Vatican City that serves up a seriously good batch of cannoli.
I’m sure you’ve quickly gathered from the name, but this pastry shop specializes in Sicilian-style treats. It’s a modern little spot with a small clutch of tables and an extensive range of goodies, including cornettos, cassata, and, most importantly, cannoli.
While I was glancing over the many displays of cakes, I spotted the pistachio cannoli out of the corner of my eye. I got here just in time, as I snagged one of the last of this flavor. When I saw the generous helping of pistachios on either end, I had a feeling this would be super filling.
Though small, I had a hard time getting to the end of this cannoli. The creamy ricotta cheese and crispy fried dough were incredibly rich, and the slightly fruity pistachios added more depth to the flavor palette. I left stuffed yet eager to return for another serving of this dreamy dessert.
The Pasticceria Siciliana (€€) – Via Cipro, 93, 00136 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day from 6:30 am to 10:30 pm
Pasticceria Valzani in Trastevere is just shy of its 100th anniversary in business and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. This place was one of the first pastry stores I was told to try when I first moved to Rome, and I soon learned it’s more than deserving of the praise it gets.
The traditional setting is part of the allure, and the interior has remained the same for decades. As there’s no seating, customers regularly gather outside and nibble on their cannoli along the storefront. Everything is homemade in-store by the warmest, friendliest staff.
I’m fanatical about the plain cannoli here, and I can’t put my finger on what it is that makes them so tasty. Maybe it’s the velvet-like consistency of the ricotta filling, or perhaps it’s the firm but crunchy outer shell. Whatever these guys put in their cannoli, I’m all for it.
These cannoli are typically larger than those I’ve encountered in other pastry shops, yet they don’t feel as heavy. Even though the filling is thick and indulgent, there’s a lightness to it that prevents it from feeling overpowering.
Pasticceria Valzani (€€) – Via del Moro, 37a/B, 00153 Roma RM, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 7:30 pm
I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza is actually a chain of pasticcerias with various branches in Rome and Sicily. So far, I’ve only visited their Regola location, but I’m already excited to check out their other stores.
Despite a few modern features, such as the perspex chairs and swanky coffee machine, I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza almost feels like an open-plan kitchen. The wooden cabinets display dozens of confections, while the glass shelves are reserved for freshly baked cakes and cannoli.
When I made it to the top of the queue, I couldn’t choose between the chocolate cannoli or the hazelnut variety. One of the ladies behind the counter pointed me in the direction of the hazelnut option, and I’m so glad I took her advice.
I’ve had my fair share of cannoli, but nothing like this one. The sweetness of the ricotta cheese with the buttery hazelnut was to die for, and the shell wasn’t overly sugary, balancing it out. Though picking just one cannoli spot is impossible, this store is proving difficult to beat.
I Dolci di Nonna Vincenza (€€) – Via dell’Arco del Monte, 98/A/B/98/A/B, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Closed every Monday, open every Tuesday to Friday from 7:30 am to 7:00 pm, and every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Photo credit: Two Sizes
Two Sizes is a quaint pastry shop near Piazza Navona. Although the sublime tiramisu available here initially put it on the map, their cannoli are becoming increasingly popular, too.
The interior is cute and cozy. It consists of just a few tables surrounded by white-washed brick walls and fridges full of tiramisu and cannoli. If you spot a piece of a purple motorbike outside being used as a seat, you’ll know you’re in the right place!
I’d heard tales of how delicious the tiramisu was at Two Sizes, but when I got here, I was more intrigued by the Nutella cannoli. They also offer this Sicilian treat in a bunch of other flavors, and the pistachio one looked pretty great, but I had my heart set on the Nuttela variety.
Thankfully, the serving was on the smaller side, as this was among the most decadent cannoli I’ve ever tried. Every bite was an intense blend of smooth, chocolatey goodness and crumbly pastry.
Two Sizes (€) – Via del Governo Vecchio, 88, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Closed every Monday, and open every Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 am to 10:00 pm
Photo credit: Antico Forno Serpenti
I probably passed by Antico Forno Serpenti in Monti a half-dozen times before I decided to sample their cannoli. They’re best known for their pizza al taglio, suppli, and savory goods, but I only recently learned that they make a mean cannolo.
The decor at Antico Forno Serpenti was pretty cool and featured a honeycomb-inspired ceiling, sleek black seating, and an open kitchen. It’s relatively small but a lovely spot to watch the world go by if you’re lucky enough to secure a table.
When I arrived, it was surprisingly quiet, which meant I could take my time selecting the cannoli I wanted to order. All of them looked incredible, but I decided to go for the chocolate edition.
While it wasn’t quite the best cannoli in Rome that I’ve ever tried, it comes seriously close. Before I came here, I truly didn’t expect to find such a perfectly crafted cannolo in a joint more acclaimed for its savory offerings.
The filling was robust and almost caramel-like, while the pastry had a unique crackle to it. Even though the cheese was quite dense, the shell kept its shape and leveled out the overall sweetness.
Antico Forno Serpenti (€) – Via dei Serpenti, 122/123, 00184 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Monday to Saturday from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm and every Sunday from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm
Photo credit: La Cannoleria Siciliana – Trionfale
La Cannoleria Siciliana is a pasticceria slightly north of the Vatican City. I came across this place a while back when I was searching for some Sicilian fare and have been meaning to come back ever since.
The bright white and soft brown interior is chic and contemporary, yet the recipes and cooking methods are traditional. After I joined the queue, I actually had my eye on the granita, but I quickly changed my mind when every second person in front of me seemed to be ordering cannoli!
They had eight flavors on offer, including a seemingly popular gluten-free one, but I went for the classic cannolo. It’s similar to the simple kind that has no additional topping or flavorings but is served with candied cherry, orange zest, and dark chocolate chips.
Despite being late in the afternoon, the pastry was fresh and flaky. Equally tasty was the ricotta, as the orange and cherry added a tangy and subtly sour kick to the mixture. I’m a sucker for dark chocolate, and I love how it gives a hint of bitterness without overshadowing the other flavors.
La Cannoleria Siciliana – Trionfale (€€) – Piazzale degli Eroi, 24, 00192 Roma RM, Italy – Open every Sunday to Thursday from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm, and every Friday and Saturday from 7:00 am to 12:00 am
No matter where you visit in Italy, you’ll find somewhere selling some cannoli, but as you can see, there’s something special about the way the Romans do it.
Maybe it’s the way they cook the pastry or the type of ricotta they use; regardless, if you hit up one of these spots, you’re in for a mighty good serving of the Sicilian specialty.
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