Best Tiramisu in Rome: Locals' Top Picks From Prati to Trastevere
By Elena Rossi
I've called Rome home for a decade, spooning tiramisu from counters scarred by generations. It's more than dessert here—a debate among baristas, a sly post-pasta treat. I asked Romans from market vendors to that grumpy tabaccaio near Campo de' Fiori: these are their favorites, where mascarpone melts just so and savoiardi hold their soak without surrender. No tourist traps, just the authentic stuff locals guard. (Imagine mapping a trail: Prati mornings, Ghetto alleys midday, Trastevere at dusk—photo ops at every crumbly turn.)
Prati: Creamy Powerhouses Near the Vatican
Broad avenues and pastry hum—this neighborhood owns tiramisu that feels polished yet comforting, the kind Romans hit after Mass or opera.
Pompi
On Via della Meloria 43, open 7:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily. Pompi changed the game with takeaway cups in the '90s; lines snake out for good reason. Layers of ladyfingers in intense robusta espresso, airy mascarpone, bittersweet cocoa—around €8 for a fistful of cloud. Last summer my nonno Luigi nearly ditched his scooter mid-ride from Prati market, yelling "Pompi first!" It toppled anyway, mascarpone everywhere, but we laughed till tears mixed with the mess. Go strawberry-infused for Tiber picnics; regulars swear it's portable perfection. Dodge lunch crowds post-2 p.m., chase with affogato.
Sciascia Caffè
Via Fabio Massimo 7/A, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. Third-gen baristas pull shots on a 1919 Faema; tiramisu lands coffee-forward, faintly crunchy edges, custardy mascarpone with marsala warmth—no fake vanilla. Enzo the owner once handed me beans to grind (I botched it, sparks flew). Tucked like a secret, scarred marble counters, back-room tables if lucky. Cornetti pairs make it a full ritual.
Centro Storico: Pantheon-Area Indulgences
History pulses, but these slips off the main drag deliver the tiramisu Romans sneak bites of between fountains and ruins.
Barnum Café
Via del Pellegrino 87 near the Pantheon, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bohemian spot for lawyers and artists; towering €6.50 layers dusted Valrhona, lemon-zested mascarpone brightening firm savoiardi. Rainy 2019 afternoon, a painter friend pulled me in: "This heals everything." Jazz nights, mismatched chairs, poet-named slices—ask for Dante. Vegan twists too; short stroll to Trevi if wandering.
Tazza d'Oro
Via degli Orfani 84 by Pantheon square, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., lines early. Since 1946, compact €7 explosions: dissolving espresso biscuits, creamy peak, cocoa storm. Post-Pantheon sweat, one revived me instantly—baristas bellow like at La Scala. Pure, chaotic joy.
Jewish Ghetto: Rustic Heart in Narrow Alleys
Ancient whispers mix with fried artichokes; tiramisu here carries old-soul weight.
Il Boccione
Via del Portico d'Ottavia 1, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tue-Sun since 1883. Amid sfogliatelle, rustic €6 slabs: hand-dipped savoiardi, morning-whipped mascarpone, amaretto hint, crusty edges for crunch. Nonna Maria biked here till 92, grumbling it beat her own. Cash-only counter chaos—grab paper-wrapped for Portico steps. The authenticity locals hoard.
Esquilino: Bold Eastside Surprises
Multicultural buzz hides family legends worth the trek.
Pasticceria Regoli
Viale dello Statuto 60, 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tue-Sun from 1912. Mega €7 slices: thick savoiardi, cloud-fluff mascarpone, lingering bold coffee. Chain snapped on my bike uphill once—cursed the walk, blessed the reward. Market crowds flock; maritozzi buns amplify the madness.
Trastevere: Ivy-Draped Sunday Dreams
Cobblestones and lazy vibes; cross the river for bohemian comfort.
Pasticceria Andreotti
Viale di Trastevere 36 on the edge, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Retro €7 simplicity: perfect soak, tangy-fresh mascarpone, silken cocoa. Carnival night, masked pals dragged me post-parade; Signore Andreotti's dad still bakes, spins recipe tales. Ivy terrace for watching life unfold—seconds tempt fiercely.
That's my roundup of Rome's tiramisu stars, forged from forks, nods, and near-scooter disasters. Hunt these hidden gems where locals linger. Craving a custom itinerary? Day 1: Prati duo to Ghetto. Day 2: Centro to Esquilino. Day 3: Trastevere finale. Which calls first—Pompi's mess or Regoli's beast? Spill your story or top pick in comments. Buon appetito, sweet seekers.
Verified on-ground 2024; hours/prices may shift—double-check. Crumb-dusted selfies encouraged.