The best vegan bakeries in Rome selected by Gambero Rosso

It's now a well-established fact among the vegan community: Rome is Italy's most vegan-friendly city. Even more so than Milan, where there is no shortage of quality establishments (we'll talk about them soon), but the offerings are more limited. In recent years, there have been new openings of all kinds in the Capital, even in the suburbs and beyond the city, in the Castelli Romani area. But what about the bakeries?

The Best Vegan Bakeries in Rome

Beyond the morning croissants - which can also be found in other places in a vegan version, like Vegustibus in Garbatella, Centopercento Bio in Piramide, or Sorelle Giordano in Cinecittà - we wanted to compile a list of 100% vegan artisanal pastry shops where you can stop not only for breakfast but also to buy sweets for home.

Julietta Pastry and Lab

It opened its doors at the end of November and is already a reference point for taste enthusiasts. Julietta is the brainchild of Valentina de Matteis, the founder of the nearby restaurant Romeow Cat Bistrot. It's not just a pastry shop but also a store selling homemade preserves, plant-based cheeses, ferments, kombucha: here, you come to buy an excellent mushroom ragu (a must-try), a "fake tuna" spread, or self-produced tempeh and seitan. But above all, to savor a delightful croissant roll, with chantilly or chocolate: skeptics will have to change their minds because the flakiness is textbook, the filling generous but not excessive, the final taste well-balanced - a true croissant that leaves a good taste in the mouth, the only vegan yeast in the city in French style (we hope to find more soon, maybe a nice pain au chocolat...). Then, give a go to biscuits, single portions - the mille-feuille is unmissable - cakes, and leavened pastries for the holidays.

Julietta Pastry and Lab – via Francesco Negri, 25 - facebook.

Lilimpo’s vegan bakery

We move to Talenti, to a bakery that instead focuses entirely on tradition. On the sweets of yesteryears, like those homemade by grandma, who in this case is vegan and prepares specialties without animal products. The strong point of the shop is its biscuit department, offering decorated shortbread and small doughnuts, and more generally, the pastry dough, a starting base to create various types of tarts. Not to miss is a taste of the Lilinzer, the house version of the Linzer torte.

Lilimpo’s vegan bakery – via Giovanni Verga, 46 F/G - facebook.com/lilimposbakery?locale=it_IT

Radagast Vegan Bakery

In the Prenestina area, an ideal place for lovers of American pastry: at Radagast, you can find red velvet cakes, cupcakes, donuts, pumpkin pie, and, upon request, the legendary 'ugly cakes,' a phenomenon of recent years involving the decoration of cakes with skewed and ironic writings, personalized. There are also pies, tartlets, large donuts, and classic sweets, in addition to various single portions. Smiles and kindness are never lacking here, as well as cakes to celebrate birthdays and special occasions, which should be booked in advance.

Radagast Vegan Bakery – via Teano, 309 - facebook.com/radagastveganbakery?locale=it_IT

Snug – The Comfort Café

We stay in the East area, precisely at Villaggio Prenestino: to open in a neighborhood like this, where a new concept of dining has not yet arrived, it takes a good dose of courage. Luckily, Ilaria Belbusti did not lack initiative, and after an experience in the United States, she decided to bring a touch of America to the Capital. A beautiful, intimate, and welcoming place where you can find bagels, brownies, cake slices, banana bread, all 100% plant-based, as well as savory options that tell the tradition of American street food. Moreover, a bonus for hot beverages, available in a wide range of choices, from the most classic to contemporary variations.

Snug – The Comfort Café – via Fosso dell’Oso, 363/361 - facebook.com/snugthecomfortcafe?locale=it_IT

Fratelli Piermattei

Very traditional, Roman, and delightfully retro: for those who can't give up on maritozzo con la panna or the typical tray of pastries on Sundays, the right destination is Pietralata, at the Fratelli Piermattei, a neighborhood pastry shop that doesn't use animal products. At first glance, it might seem like any other local pastry shop, but everything here is vegan: bull's eye cookies and tartlets, cream puffs and peaches in alchermes syrup, puff pastry cones and diplomat pastries, maritozzi with plenty of whipped cream, baba and Italian croissants. Nothing is missing, especially during the holidays, with leavened sweets, frappe, castagnole, and Saint Joseph's cream puffs: the perfect address to buy a sweet gift to bring to friends' and relatives' homes.

Fratelli Piermattei – via Matteo Tondi, 14/16 - facebook.com/fratellipiermattei?locale=it_IT  

Wani

Final stop towards South Rome, in the San Paolo area. Wani has been a staple for the city's vegans for years: the croissants - especially those filled with custard, rich, delicious, and lemon-scented - are perfect to start the day on the right foot. For pastry lovers, the puff pastry cannoli are a must-try, as well as the house version of tiramisu, but the real star here is the Sacher cake, capable of bringing back a smile even on rough days. Additionally, the tart with cream and fruit is excellent, and the savory snacks are also good; the environment is comfortable and well-maintained, the staff always friendly, but unfortunately, during our recent visits, we have noticed delays in opening several times. However, it's worth the wait.

Wani – via Gabriello Chiabrera, 162 b - facebook.com/wani.bio?locale=it_IT