The best pastry shops in Umbria in 2026
Umbrian pastry making, often overlooked compared to the region's other gastronomic traditions, represents a culinary treasure rooted in a millennia-long history, marked by the influences of the ancient Etruscan and Roman civilizations and the profound influence of medieval monasticism.
It's therefore fascinating to see how such a deeply rooted identity, represented by animal- or anthropomorphic-shaped desserts and celebrated masterpieces like the Rocciata and the Ciaramicola, is interpreted by pastry chefs, each with their own interpretation, finding a way to combine it with much more modern influences. It's a challenging task that requires great sensitivity and expertise, and it was the cornerstone of the selection process that led us to our six favorite pastry shops in the region.
A traveling project that takes us to test Italy's best pastry shops, region by region, and which for this 2026 edition is made possible by Molino Dallagiovanna.
Pastry Shop Piazza Settevalli – Perugia
To find our favorite pastry shop in Perugia, we need to venture just outside the city center, a residential neighborhood where Piazza Settevalli welcomes us into a spacious, modern, and meticulously maintained space, clearly expressing its intention to be enjoyed throughout the day. The offerings are well-balanced between classic and modern pastries: the weather allowed us to sample the rice fritters, the well-made individual portions, and the colorful selection of macarons. Special mention goes to the savory pastries, with buttery, fragrant puff pastry and delicious fillings, and the leavened pastries, a specialty of owner Nicola Antonacci.
A Sugary Stop – Passignano sul Trasimeno (PG)
We're not on the lakefront, but that doesn't stop Passignano residents from flocking to the "Bar della Sosta," undoubtedly seduced by the unabashed generosity of the house creations. One of the specialties is undoubtedly the pâte à choux, zeppole, cream puffs, and éclairs brimming with fillings, as well as Neapolitan-inspired desserts like babà, sfogliatelle, and fiocco di neve. Carla Toccacieli's skill with leavened products is evident in both the holiday desserts and the truly unmissable savory selection of pizzas and focaccias.
Pizzoni Bakery – Foligno (PG)
Not exactly a pastry shop, but more what today would be called a bakery, a term that would be laughable for those who have been running a business like this since 1935: like the Pizzoni family, now in its third generation to master the historic brick oven, one of the very few original examples left in Italy. We sampled a rustic and characterful pastry shop, with leavened products—naturally—stealing the show. Check out the airy maritozzi and Veneziane, the fragrant and generous puff pastry, as well as one of the best savory rocciata you'll find.
Snacks – Foligno (PG)
Ask a Foligno native what their favorite pastry shop is, and you'll likely hear, nomen omen, Merendoni. A true local institution where, as it should be, any modern frivolity is banished, and even a foreigner can't help but feel part of the local community. A story that began in 1959, based on family and the custard, still rigorously cooked in a copper cauldron, which fills proverbial cannoncini or Italian-style croissants. Umbria is a land of savory breakfasts, and the red and white pizzas continue to draw lines outside.
Tonka – Terni
We're just steps from the Zodiac Fountain, in a refined, modern space where pastry chef Giulia Giocondi has been in charge since 2015. Her colorful, elegant pastry shop demonstrates her mastery of diverse skills: ethereal, crispy viennese pastries, modern compositions, cake design, and timeless local classics like maritozzi, where Giocondi showcases her expert leavening skills, clearly recognizable in the soft, even texture of her large leavened pastries.
Vinti Pastry Shop – Assisi (PG)
We're in Santa Maria degli Angeli, in the lower part of Assisi, in a pastry shop that delights both locals and the many pilgrims on their way to the upper town or visiting the Porziunciola in the nearby Basilica of Santa Maria degli Angeli. This is thanks to a substantial offering, whose specialty is sweet Umbrian peaches, of which Vinti is one of the most celebrated, also offering various versions, from the classic Chantilly cream to a more daring mojito-flavored version, strictly in season. The classic Umbrian ciaramicola is soft, beautifully scented with alchermes and available in individual portions, and the brioches are generous: a must-try treat when traveling in these parts.
