A historic pastry shop on Amalfi's main piazza operating since 1830, Pansa is the best place to try the region's signature sfusato lemon-based sweets including delizie al limone, lemon pastries, and fresh limoncello. The terrace overlooking the cathedral steps is perfect.
Pasticceria Pansa has occupied the same corner of Amalfi's cathedral piazza since 1830, making it one of the oldest continuously operating pastry shops in Campania and an institution as central to the Amalfi experience as the Duomo itself. The Pansa family has maintained the shop's character and recipes with remarkable consistency over nearly two centuries, building a reputation that draws visitors from across the Amalfi Coast and beyond. The shop's speciality is the sfusato amalfitano lemon, the elongated, intensely aromatic citrus variety grown on the terraced hillsides of the Amalfi Coast and protected under a PDO designation. Virtually every product in the Pansa display cabinet makes use of this lemon in some form: the delizia al limone (a dome of sponge filled with lemon cream and glazed with lemon icing) is the flagship confection and is considered by many to be the defining dessert of the coast. Lemon-filled pastries, chocolate-covered lemon rind, limoncello made in-house, and sfogliatella with lemon cream are among the other highlights. A counter at the front serves coffee; the outdoor terrace above the cathedral steps — one of the most beautiful café terraces in Italy — is ideal for a morning pastry with views over the piazza and the façade of the Duomo di Sant'Andrea. The shop also sells packaged sweets and limoncello as take-home gifts.
Signature dishes
- Delizia al Limone — €4
- Sfogliatella — €2.50
Good to know
- Known for
- Historic pastry shop with Amalfi lemon specialties since 1830
- Hours
- 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM (closed Tuesday in winter)
Location
Piazza del Duomo 40, 84011 Amalfi SA
40.6348, 14.6027 View on map
Highlights
- Delizia al limone — Amalfi's defining dessert — made with local sfusato lemon in a Pansa house recipe since 1830
- Terrace above the cathedral steps: one of the finest café-pastry settings in southern Italy
- Operating since 1830 on Piazza del Duomo — a historic pastry institution in the heart of Amalfi
- All products made using sfusato amalfitano DOP lemon grown on the surrounding coast
- In-house limoncello and packaged sfusato lemon sweets available as gifts or take-home treats
Tips for visiting
- The terrace overlooking the cathedral is the best seat in Amalfi for a morning coffee and pastry
- Try both forms of delizia al limone if available — the lemon cream filling is what sets Pansa's version apart
- Morning visits (8–10 AM) offer the freshest pastries and lighter crowds before day-tripper coaches arrive
- Packaged lemon products and limoncello from Pansa make high-quality, locally sourced gifts
Accessibility
Pasticceria Pansa is on Piazza del Duomo in the centre of Amalfi, the main cathedral square. The shop entrance is at piazza level; the terrace above the cathedral steps requires climbing several stairs and is not accessible to wheelchair users. The interior shop is compact but at street level.
Frequently asked questions
What is delizia al limone?
Delizia al limone is a Campanian dessert consisting of a dome of soft sponge cake filled with lemon cream and covered in a lemon-flavoured icing or glaze. It is closely associated with the Amalfi Coast and the sfusato amalfitano lemon, and Pansa is one of its most celebrated makers.
What is sfusato amalfitano?
Sfusato amalfitano is a variety of lemon grown exclusively on the terraced hillsides of the Amalfi Coast, recognised as a PDO product. It is larger and more elongated than standard lemons, with a particularly thick, aromatic pith and zest that is prized in both cooking and pastry.
Does Pasticceria Pansa serve breakfast?
Yes. The shop opens from 7:30 AM and serves espresso, cappuccino, and fresh pastries including sfogliatella, cornetti, and seasonal preparations throughout the morning and into the afternoon.
Is Pasticceria Pansa open year-round?
The shop is open most of the year but may reduce hours or close on Tuesdays in winter months. Confirming hours before visiting in the off-season is advisable.