In our series [From cities: Admiring the cities of the world], we bring you the latest local information on cities around the world, such as Paris, Milan, New York, etc., notable addresses, and real city snaps! For a while, we will be sending you articles with the hope that in the near future, when we are able to travel abroad freely again, we will visit those places.

In the eighth installment, we will focus on maritozzo, an Italian dessert that has recently become popular in Japan.


Maritozzo is a traditional Italian dessert that dates back to ancient Roman times. It is typically made with fluffy bread dough and a generous amount of fresh cream sandwiched in between.

There are various theories about the origin of the name, but one commonly heard one is that in the past, this dessert was given by men to their future wives (although one theory is that it was bread that men rushed out to buy for their beloved wives while they were still sleeping), and brides would call it "maritozzo," a colloquial term for "marito," which means husband, hence the endearing name.

In this article, we'll introduce some recommended shops where you can find this romantic dessert, maritozzo. These are five must-visit shops in Milan. Plus, don't miss the maritozzo tasting report from our Milan-based staff! Check it out now!

01. Pasticceria Marl

Pasticceria Marl is a stylish confectionery shop that opened in 2018. In 2019, the year after its opening, it won a special award in the confectionery category at the "Gambero Rosso" contest, making it a notable shop.

Alongside cakes and baked goods, the shop's showcase displays three types of maritozzo - "Maritozzo Classic," "Chocolate," and "Zabaione" - sandwiched with plenty of freshly made cream every day.

The owners are Marco Battaglia and Lavinia Franco.
When you enter the shop, you can feel the passion of the two young pastry chefs for sweets.
Various Maritozzos, 3.50 euros each
《From: Staff based in Milan》
This time, I decided to enjoy the Zabaione flavored maritozzo with a cappuccino in the store. It's filled with plenty of fresh cream and custard cream, with a hint of liqueur, making it a sophisticated taste. The store also has an open kitchen with glass walls, so one of the joys of eating in is being able to watch the pastry chefs make your sweets while you savor them. After trying one here, I wanted to try the other flavors, so I took all three types of maritozzo to go.

"Maritozzo Classic Flavor"
"Zabaione Flavor"
"Chocolate Flavor"

All the flavors are delicious. My personal favorite is the "Maritozzo Chocolate Flavor." This chocolate-flavored maritozzo is packed with cocoa and has a fantastic combination of fresh cream and chocolate flavors. (Staff based in Milan)

02. Pasticceria Gelsomina

Pasticceria Gelsomina is a popular Milanese restaurant that opened in September 2020, with its main store near Milan's Central Station and its second store in the city center. They sell four flavors of maritozzo: Classic, Pistachio, Cream Lemon, and Cream Raspberry. The pistachio flavor is the most popular, and it often sells out by mid-morning.

Various maritozzos starting at 4 euros each
On this day, I went to the second store. As expected, the pistachio flavor was already sold out by lunchtime.
"Cream Raspberry Flavor"
"Cream Lemon Flavor"
The takeout boxes have a catchy design and are lovely too.
《From: Staff based in Milan》
This time, I ordered the cream lemon and cream raspberry flavors for takeout. The boxes they come in are cute, so they make a great gift. The cream lemon and raspberry flavors, which you won't find at other stores, are sure to be a refreshing change of pace even for regular maritozzo eaters.

The next morning, I discovered the pistachio flavor at another store, Gelsomina 1, and bought it immediately. I ate it in the store. The dough was fluffier and softer than it looked, and the pistachios were not only on top of the cream but also underneath. As I ate, the pistachio flavor spread throughout my mouth, making it delicious until the very end. It's no wonder it's so popular.


By the way, my favorite flavors at Pasticceria Gelsomina are pistachio and cream raspberry. Highly recommended! (Staff member based in Milan)

The photo shows the interior of our first store.

03. Iginio Massari

Iginio Massari is one of the world's most famous Italian pastry chefs. In recent years, he has been opening a number of his own patisseries both in Italy and abroad, and is also focusing on his online business. His philosophy is to share the taste of Iginio Massari all over the world.

To deliver delicious sweets to as many people as possible, Massari's sweets are prepared in bulk every day at a large factory in the Brescia region of northern Italy, and the frozen confections are then shipped to stores around the world.


Maritozzo Classic Flavor, 6.00 euros per piece (price for eating in the store)
《From: Staff based in Milan》
This time, at Iginio Massari, we tried the Maritozzo Classic flavor. The bread has a fragrant aroma and is very soft. The whipped cream sandwiched between the two has a fresh texture, making it a taste that you will never get tired of, no matter how much you eat. As I ate, I realized that Iginio Massari is truly a pastry master.

04. Pasticceria San Gregorio

When you think of a traditional shop, many people imagine a somewhat formal, classical interior, but this shop operates in a very unique style, with a Cinquecento car on display inside and a row of replica panettone hanging from the ceiling.



《From: Staff based in Milan》
There were no maritozzos in sight on display in the store, so we decided to order first. When we asked for a maritozzo, the staff member placed a Sicilian-style brioche with a bulging center on a plate and loudly announced, "Maritozzo, cream and one custard," as she carried the brioche into the workshop.


Maritozzo 3.00 euros each
We waited at our table for three minutes. The maritozzo that was brought to us had less cream than I expected. I thought it might be a little bland, but I was surprised after one bite! The fragrant, sweet flavor of the brioche was perfectly matched with the moderate sweetness of the cream and custard, and it was absolutely delicious. At Pasticceria San Gregorio, they don't prepare pastries in advance, so you can order them and enjoy freshly made pastries on the spot. By the way, the fresh cream is also made by hand every morning. Why not enjoy freshly made maritozzo in a unique setting, a classic Italian restaurant? (Staff member based in Milan)

05. Crivati

Clivati is a family-run confectionery shop founded in 1969 located in an area just outside the center of Milan. It is popular for its fresh bread and sweets. The shop's maritozzo comes in three flavors: classic, zabaione, and chocolate.


Chocolate Maritozzo, 4.00 euros each
《From: Staff based in Milan》
This time, I got it as takeout. I chose the chocolate flavor. While the chocolate flavor is relatively subtle, it pairs perfectly with the fresh cream. I enjoyed it so much that it completely satisfied my hunger.




Did you enjoy our feature on maritozzo in Milan, Italy?

When the day comes when you can travel abroad freely again, be sure to try the maritozzo from these five recommended shops.

>>Click here for the full series [From cities: Admiring the cities of the world]