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BAKERY

This map shows where to find the best desserts in Italy

The Gambero Rosso - the equivalent of the Michelin guide or the Bible for Italian foodies - has released its annual list of the very best pastry shops up and down the country.

Published: 15 November 2016 11:35 CET
Updated: 15 November 2016 13:35 CET
This map shows where to find the best desserts in Italy
Photo: Giuseppe Cacace/AFP

The culinary experts say that the country's dessert sector is thriving. Italy's pastry chefs “are renowned as masters, for their creativity, technique and ingredients,” it notes.

A total of 18 bakeries received over 90 points from Gambero Rosso's cake connoisseurs – up from 15 last year, with four new entries in the top list and only one bakery losing the honour. The bakeries with scores over 90 earned the 'Tre Torte' title ('three cakes', the guide's version of three Michelin stars).

Top of the pack was Pasticceria Veneto in Brescia, with 95 points. The 'best pasticceria in Italy' is run by renowned pastry chef Iginio Massari, who has published several books on cake-making and is one of the judges on Italian MasterChef, as well as training the Italian team for the annual 'Pastry World Cup'. 

But if you can't make it to Brescia, it's likely that there's another top bakery near you – the 18 with 'tre torte' ranking are spread fairly evenly across the country. 

The map below shows exactly where they are – you could even organize a pastry-themed road trip to judge them for yourself. 

As well as the traditional ranking, Gambero Rosso handed out some special awards: the Corsino bakery in Syracuse won the 'Taste and Health' award for its totally gluten-free selection, and the Newcomer of the Year award went to the La Pâtisserie des Rêves, a traditional French bakery which recently opened up in Milan, just a few steps from the city's famous cathedral. 

Here's the list (in order of ranking) of all the bakeries awarded the prestigious 'Tre Torte' award.

1. Pasticceria Veneto, Brescia
2. Dalmasso, Avigliana
3. Maison Manilia, Montesano sulla Marcellana
4. Besuschio, Abbiategrasso
5. Gino Fabbri Pasticcere, Bologna
6. Acherer, Brunico
7. Biasetto, Padua
8. Nuovo Mondo, Prato
9. Pasquale Marigliano, Ottaviano
10. Bompiani, Rome
11. Caffè Sicilia, Noto, Syracuse
12. Cortinovis, Ranica
13. Cristalli di Zucchero, Rome
14. Dolce Reale, Montichiari
15. Ernst K Knam, Milan
16. Pasticceria Agricola Cilentana Pietro Macellaro, Piaggine, Sardinia
17. Rinaldini, Rimini
18. Sal De Riso Costa d'Amalfi, Minori (SA)

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FOOD AND DRINK

Six of the most Italian non-alcoholic aperitivo drinks

As well as its most famous cocktails, Italy has a long tradition of making refreshing aperitivo drinks without the alcohol.

Published: 11 April 2024 12:01 CEST
Six of the most Italian non-alcoholic aperitivo drinks

Italy’s favourite aperitivo-hour cocktails are known far beyond the country’s borders, so their names will probably be familiar to you whether you drink them or not.

But if you’re in Italy and not drinking alcohol, you might find yourself stumped when it comes time to order your aperitivo at the bar.

The first time I found myself in this situation, there was no menu. The waiter instead rattled off a long list of all the soft drinks available, most of which I’d never heard of, and I just picked something I thought sounded nice.

Luckily it turns out that Italy has some great options for an aperitivo analcolico. As well as ‘virgin’ versions of well-known cocktails, there are bitters, sodas and other Italian-made soft drinks that you’re unlikely to find anywhere else.

They might not be quite as iconic as the Aperol Spritz, but they’re as thoroughly Italian – plus, effortlessly ordering one of these will make you look like a true local.

SanBittèr

San Pellegrino’s SanBittèr is one of the most famous non-alcoholic Italian drinks of all, with its highly-recognisable red packaging, often enjoyed in place of Campari cocktails because of its similar dark, ruby-red color.

This drink is carbonated with a slightly sweet, citrus flavor. The recipe is more complex than that of an orange or lemon soda, with notes of spice and herbs, making it ideal to pair with your aperitivo-hour snacks.

Crodino

Crodino looks a lot like an Aperol Spritz with its bright orange hue, and that’s not an accident: it’s said to have been created as a non-alcoholic alternative, and the zesty, slightly herbal taste is similar. It’s typically served the same way. in a round goblet glass over ice with a slice of orange: a Crodino Spritz.

The name comes from the town of Crodo in Piedmont, where it is still bottled today by the Campari group.

Chinotto

Citrusy Chinotto is an acquired taste for many, but it’s worth trying: it’s one of the classic Italian bitters and is said to have a long history, dating back to a recipe shared by Chinese sailors arriving on the Ligurian coast in the 1500s.

It may look a little like Coca Cola, but don’t let the appearance fool you.

(Photo by Eugene Gologursky /Getty Images via AFP)

Aranciata/Limonata

Aranciata is Italy’s version of an orange soda, but not as sugary, and it tastes like oranges. Its base is sparkling water with the addition of orange juice and sugar. There are various brands, but San Pellegrino’s is the most popular. It also sells a ‘bitter’ aranciata amaro, with even less sugar, more citrus tang and herbal notes, which might be more aperitivo-hour appropriate.

Limonata is, as you might guess, the Italian answer to lemonade. Again there are many versions out there but the fizzy San Pellegrino limonata is beloved for its strong, sweet-sour flavour and there’s nothing more refreshing on a hot summer’s day.

Cedrata

Cedrata is one of Italy’s oldest and best-known non-alcoholic drinks. It’s a refreshing, carbonated drink made from a large citrus fruit called a cedro, grown in southern Italy. It’s far less bitter than a Chinotto, but not as sweet as limonata.

The main producer of Cedrata today is Tassoni, and this is what you’re likely to get if you order it at a bar.

Gingerino

This is harder to find than the other aperitivi on the list and is seen as decidedly retro, but it’s worth trying if you can track it down.

It’s another orange-coloured, sparkling drink which became popular in Italy in the 1970s and is still sold today, though you’re more likely to find it in the north-east, close to Venice, where it’s produced.

You may be expecting it to taste a lot like ginger beer, and there are similarities, but it has stronger citrus notes and more bitterness.

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