Panella (Esquilino)

A celebrated artisanal bread and pastry shop in the Esquilino neighbourhood, steps from Santa Maria Maggiore. Panella is best known for its extraordinary window displays of dough sculptures shaped like the Colosseum and other Rome icons — bread as street art. The café has a charming outdoor seating area draped in colourful flowers that makes it an irresistible stop. The caffè freddo (sweet cold espresso) is especially good here. Culture Trip features it specifically for this combination of artisan baking and café culture. Also sells some of Rome's finest focaccia and pizza bianca.