It's not unusual for travelers to find breakfast in Rome, or anywhere in Italy for that matter, intimidatingly unfamiliar. In general, Romans fuel up on carb-heavy baked goods instead of savory cereal, yogurt, bacon, and eggs with which non-Italians usually start their day. Though breakfast in Rome isn't always sweet – travelers can opt for a few savory options as well.
When in Rome, try to skip the hotel buffet to breakfast as the Romans do at least once. Here are five Roman breakfast foods and where to eat them.
1. Pizza bianca and pizza rossa (White and red pizza)
These types of pizza aren't the round pies that spring to mind when one usually thinks of pizza, but rather more of a long, focaccia-like, rectangular flatbread that's sold by the slice. Savory breakfast in Rome has always existed, even if it tends to get overshadowed by its sweet counterpart, and pizza bianca and pizza rossa are incredibly popular with locals, who often enjoy it alongside a caffè normale (espresso) or a cappuccino. There are a seemingly infinite number of places to try it, and the characteristics that separate the great from the good are that the pizza should be (not too) thin and crunchy, and it should be still warm and well oiled when eaten. Panificio Marè in Prati makes both styles exceptionally well, and you can finish with extra-virgin olive oil to taste from the bottle sitting on the counter.
2. La Bomba
La bomba, or the bomb, is – as suggested by its name – an explosive fried and filled dolce. The Roman bomba is served freshly fried, covered with sugar, and stuffed with a generous amount of cream, chocolate, or jam. You can taste it at Pasticceria Walter Musco (formerly known as Pasticceria Bompiani), with artfully scented cream, but also at Spazio Roma, where chef Niko Romito also proffers up savory versions in addition to sweet ones.
3. Pizza and mortadella
Referred to by the Romans as pizza e mortazza, this pizza and mortadella makes for an exceptional savory breakfast. A strip of pizza bianca stuffed a few slices of the mortadella of your choice – it's doesn't get any simpler (or more satisfying) that than. Two of the best places to sample it are Antico Forno Roscioli and Forno Campo de' Fiori – the earlier you can get there, the better.
4. The Cornetto
What most Italians refer to as the brioche, the Romans refer to as the cornetto. The baked treat resembles a French croissant, and it's plain or available with cream, jam, or chocolate fillings. For an unapologetically classic version, head to Linari di Testaccio pastry shop where they lay on the counter in the same pan on which they were baked. Off the beaten path in the Tuscolano district (near the entrance to the Parco degli Acquedotti), Le Sorelle Giordano whips up dozens every morning. These large, fluffy, and well-stuffed cornetti sell out quickly so arrive early.
5. Maritozzi
Over the last five years or so, Rome has seen a resurgence of the maritozzi, and you can find them in dozens of bars, bakeries, and pastry shops. Forno Monteforte, in Rome's historic center, specializes in the classic version embellished with fruit or chocolate. At Faro in Piazza Fiume (near the Borghese Gallery), you can enjoy one alongside one of the locale's specialty coffee drinks. They offer a classic version and the Maricordo inspired by Torta della Nonna, a lemon custard pie with lemon cream and toasted pine nuts. Other great spots are Casa Manfredi on Viale Aventino and at Roscioli Caffè in the historic center.