Roscioli Caffè

Roscioli Caffè is the pastry and coffee arm of the Roscioli family's small food empire around Campo de' Fiori. The family arrived in Rome from the Marche in the late 1950s and built their reputation as bakers, and today their businesses include the Antico Forno Roscioli bakery on Via dei Chiavari, the Salumeria con Cucina on Via dei Giubbonari and this café, which faces Piazza Benedetto Cairoli, a short walk from Largo di Torre Argentina.

The café is a pasticceria first and foremost, and the counter is stocked with pastries made for the Roman breakfast. Expect cornetti, the Italian cousin of the croissant, alongside other breakfast pastries, tarts, biscuits and small cakes that change through the year. Coffee is taken seriously, and the espresso and cappuccino are well made; the Roman way is to take both standing at the bar, but there is space to sit as well.

There is also an indoor room that can be booked, useful for small gatherings or a private breakfast. During the day the café serves as a meeting point for people working nearby as well as for visitors exploring the centre, and the pastries make good gifts if you are visiting Roman friends.

Roscioli Caffè opens from 7:00 to 18:00, Monday to Saturday, and from 8:00 to 18:00 on Sunday, so it is a daytime place rather than an evening one. Mornings are the busiest time, and the best pastries can sell out, so arrive early for the widest choice. Pay at the till, then order at the counter, as in most Roman bars. It suits early risers, families and anyone who wants a proper Roman breakfast before a day of sightseeing. Prices are a little higher than in a neighbourhood bar but in line with the quality.

The café is at Piazza Benedetto Cairoli 16, where tram 8 stops on Via Arenula, and is a short walk from Campo de' Fiori, the Jewish Ghetto and the ancient temples of Largo di Torre Argentina. It makes a good starting point for a morning walk to the Pantheon and Piazza Navona, or across the river to Trastevere. For lunch, the family's Salumeria is just a few minutes' walk away. Contact the café on +39 06 8916 5330 or by email at [email protected].