Rome is marking Maritozzo Day December 1 to celebrate the typical cream-filled Roman bun that brightens breakfasts or morning coffees everywhere across the Italian capital. On December 1, storied Roman pastry shops and bars will offer their take on the traditional pastry, also feting "alternative vegan or gluten-free maritozzi" or apparent oddities such as the pizza-maritozzo combo offered by the Pizzeria Sancho.

Among the sweets meccas taking part are Andreotti, Bompiani, Linari and Romoli, along with the famed pastry maker Bonci, organisers said Thursday. There will also be up-and-coming award-winning pastry bars like Café Merenda, Lievito and Nero Vaniglia. Also featuring are "starred maritozzi" produced by Michelin-starred pastry chefs of the calibre of Cristina Bowerman, Riccardo Di Giacinto and Angelo Troiani, involving glorious pastry bars like Armando al Pantheon and Le Tre Zucche, the organisers said.