Citiso
Pasticceria Citiso feels like the kind of place that Shoreditch graphic designers come to visit on research trips (and then recreate -badly- for buzz London restaurant companies looking for the edge in the world of restaurant fashion). Everything from the signage, to the fonts on the awnings and sugar packets is so on point that it really is an extremely entertaining place to sit and have a drink/something sweet. It has a creamy marble/mid century concrete look, with mirrors everywhere, tables laid up with actual table clothes (and glass tops); windows lined with rows of classic cakes, and Romanesque columns each side of the door as you walk in. Even if I’m sure essential refurbs will come along in the future, I hope that from a design perspective nothing about this place ever changes.
Pasticceria De Leo
You’ll find Pasticceria de Leo about three quarters of the way up Via di Leuca (heading towards Castromediano from Porta San Biagio). It’s a humble place with a classic Italian bar interior that looks like it hasn’t been touched in well over 50 years. There’s a kinda brutalist concorse infront of it on which they’ve created a lovely little seating area. It really is a surprising relaxing spot for a morning coffee.