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PhrasesAt the BakeryAvete il maritozzo con la panna?
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Avete il maritozzo con la panna?

Do you have maritozzo with cream?

Pronunciation

ma-ri-TOZ-zo — four syllables, double 'z'. Stress on third syllable.

When to use it

In Rome or a Roman-style bakery when looking for the most beloved Roman sweet pastry — a soft bun bursting with whipped cream.

What it means

'Maritozzo' is a Roman sweet bun — enriched with honey, butter, and orange zest — split and filled with an absurdly generous amount of fresh whipped cream. It is Rome's most iconic sweet breakfast and is eaten with a coffee. The name comes from 'marito' (husband) — traditionally given as a Valentine's gift.

Variations

Il maritozzo alla panna abbondante.

The maritozzo with generous cream.

The quintessential version — the cream should overflow the bun dramatically

Avete il maritozzo con la Nutella?

Do you have maritozzo with Nutella?

A modern variation — Nutella replaces or accompanies the cream

Il maritozzo è il dolce romano per eccellenza.

The maritozzo is the quintessential Roman sweet.

A cultural statement that every Roman will enthusiastically confirm

Mini Dialogue

— Avete il maritozzo con la panna? — Il simbolo di Roma! Fresco di stamattina. — La panna è abbondante? — Abbondantissima — non si fa il maritozzo con la panna a rischio.

— Do you have maritozzo with cream? — The symbol of Rome! Fresh from this morning. — Is the cream generous? — Very generous — you don't make maritozzo with cream if you're going to be stingy.

Cultural Note

The maritozzo has undergone a Roman renaissance in the 2010s–2020s, going from a slightly old-fashioned treat to the city's most instagrammed food. The proper way to eat it: push your nose into the cream before your first bite, accept the cream on your face as part of the experience, and do not apologise.