Pasticceria Linari

I’m a regular in this Roman institution so writing a review after all these years is a bit of a shoe in for me. What can I say? Still the best place to have breakfast in Testaccio, even though the prices have crept up a bit over the past two years. The coffee is excellent, but most locals come here for the breakfast pastries. These include Roman «cornetti», the Italian version of a croissant (but a completely different animal — croissants are laminated with oodles of butter, cornetti dough contains more sugar and the result is fluffier, lighter, and sweeter) in plain and filled versions, as well as a variety of Danish delights. Look for «girelle», spirals of glacéd dough with an amber heart of apricot jam, or the two types of doughnut, «ciambelle», loose rings of heavily sugared, deep fried dough, or «bombe», filled doughnuts oozing with confectioner’s cream, jam or Nutella. Linari’s also great for a range of confectionary and cakes to take away, with occasion cakes a speciality. Just expect a bit of a crowd!

On our way to Mercato di Testaccio, we stopped by Linari because it seemed quite popular at about 8am. We picked up croissants and a cappuccino to share for a total of 3 euro. Their selection is very wide, from desserts to baked goods. We sat outside and watched the locals go about their morning. Stop by if you’re in the area.

Our Italian host who lives in the neighborhood recommended Linari’s for breakfast. Upon entering we were treated to a view of the hustle and bustle of a typical Roman morning. We fell in love with the place immediately!
As you walk in you see people standing at the counters or sitting at the tables engulfed in conversations with their friends or their servers. They enjoy one of the myriad pastry options while sipping on their caffe (espresso), cappuccino, ciocalatto or lattes. All of this happens very quickly as the typical person is in and out in about 5 minutes before heading to work or to school.
We started off our morning here everyday before hopping on the 83 bus to Rome. We couldn’t get enough of it.
For all of you Americans (like myself), who are unaccustomed to the Roman way of life (like myself), and lucky enough to be in this cool little neighborhood of Testaccio the MOST IMPORTANT RULE is: Don’t go to the counter to order! You will wait. .. And wait. .. And wait. .. And become angered as people who have come after you are helped before you! Lol.
Go to the counter. .. Look at what you want.
Go to the cashier. .. Place your order
Go back to the counter. .. Place receipt with a small coin for tip on counter
Then wait for your morning Roman experience to begin!

we started our food tour of testacchio here today. it’s a real neighborhood joint for romans, so you won’t see many tourists here. the cappuccinos here delicious, as were the whole grain cornettos w/​jam. w/​coffee this good, why would you ever make it yourself at home?