Anima Romana

What is Anima Romana? Set along a quiet stretch of Main Street just south of Danforth in the Upper Beaches, Anima Romana is baker-owner Luigi’s unpretentious Italian panetteria and pasticceria. The warm, sunlit shop centers on glass display cases packed with Roman-style sheet pizzas, rustic loaves, and viennoiserie, accompanied by casual indoor tables and sunny sidewalk seating.

Anima Romana Menu & What to Order Everything here revolves around an additive-free 17-year-old sourdough starter, yielding airy focaccia, crackling sourdough country loaves, and crisp-bottomed pizza al taglio sold by the slice or half-slab. The sweet counter is headlined by pistachio-stuffed bombes, cream-filled zeppole, and flaky ciavatonni, which pair naturally with a pulled double espresso or Nutella latte. For lunch, order one of the hefty pressed panini loaded with porchetta or breaded chicken cutlets, with several vegetarian pizza and pastry options available daily.

Know Before You Go Everything operates on a walk-in, counter-service format with zero fuss, though the best pastries and fresh bread loaves can sell out before early afternoon on weekends. The shop is an easy walk from Danforth GO and Main Street subway stations, with street parking readily found on surrounding residential blocks. Doors are shut on Mondays, with regular service running Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.