111 Best Places to Shop in Rome, Italy

Founded in 1945, Brioni is hailed for its impeccably crafted menswear. Italy's best tailors create bespoke suits to exacting standards, measured to the millimeter and completely personalized from a selection of more than 5,000 spectacular fabrics. A single made-to-measure wool suit will take a minimum of 32 hours to make. The brand's prêt-à-porter line is also praised for peerless cutting and stitching. Past and present clients include Clark Gable, Barack Obama, and, of course, James Bond.

Instead of sending a postcard home, why not send a letter written on sumptuous handmade Amalfi paper purchased from this shop? It also sells hand-bound leather journals in an extraordinary array of colors and sizes. There is a second location on Piazza Navona.

Opening its flagship shop near the Vatican in 1932, this gastronomic paradise has long been Rome's port of call for decadent delicacies from around the globe; there are now 13 locations throughout the city. Jonesing expats and study-abroad students pop in for local sweets, 300 types of tea, and even good old-fashioned Betty Crocker red velvet cake mix. If you need a pick-me-up, try the house-roasted espresso, which is some of the best coffee in Rome.

Husband-and-wife duo Andrea Ferolla and Daria Reina (he's a fashion illustrator, she's a photographer) curate a selection of clothes, bags, vintage jewelry, books, home decor, and anything else you might need in this cult favorite lifestyle-concept shop. Their signature fabric bags are designed to go from the plane straight to the beach club, and they regularly release collectible items featuring Ferolla's whimsical illustrations.

This tiny shop is a holdout of Via Margutta's days as a street full of artists and artisans. Sandro Fiorentino's father opened the shop in 1969 (he carved plaques like the one that marks Federico Fellini's house up the street), and Sandro still engraves the marble by hand. The shop is packed full of plaques, many with clever phrases, which make a great souvenir. Sandro will also engrave a message of your choice upon request.

For more than 50 years, INOR dal 1952 has served as a trusted friend for Romans in need of an exclusive wedding gift, delicate stemware, or oh-so-perfect china place settings for a fancy Sunday lunch. Entrance is via a secluded 15th-century courtyard and up a flight of stairs. The store specializes in work handcrafted by the silversmiths of Pampaloni and Bastianelli in Florence.

Tailored jackets with exotic trims, dresses in eclectic prints and bold colors, and smart linen suits are some of the offerings at this airy, spacious boutique curated by Soledad Twombly (daughter-in-law of painter Cy Twombly). In addition to her original designs, look for a sophisticated mix of antique Turkish and Indian textiles, jewelry, shoes, and small housewares picked up on her travels.

Set in a dazzling, seven-story space, Italy's best-known department store is packed top to bottom with luxury goods, from cosmetics, handbags, and accessories to ready-to-wear designer sportswear to kitchen items and housewares. Even if you're not planning on buying anything, the basement excavations of a Roman aqueduct and the roof terrace bar with its splendid view are well worth a visit. There's also a location at Piazza Fiume.

Lebanese designer and artist Gilbert Halaby was featured in fashion magazines like Vogue and created jewelry for Lady Gaga before giving up the rat race and opening his own shop, where the ethos is all about slow fashion. His boldly colored leather handbags incorporate suede, python, fringe, raffia, or jeweled handles, and his silk scarves are printed with his original watercolors, some of which are also on sale. The small, homey boutique—with a velvet sofa and lots of books, plants, and art by Halaby himself—is mainly open by appointment. But try passing by and ringing the bell; if Gilbert is there, he might just invite you in for coffee or Campari.

This tiny Monti art gallery/boutique/bar has some of the most sophisticated retro-inspired garments in Rome. Its owner, Carlotta Cerulli, sells clothes by her mother, Wilma Silvestri, who cleverly combines vintage and contemporary fabrics for her label Le Gallinelle, creating stylish fashions with a modern edge made for everyday wear.

A Piazza di Spagna fixture since 1870, this was once the go-to shop for corsets, petticoats, stockings, and bonnets. Today, it's the place to stop for essential basics that are increasingly difficult to find, like fine-quality pajamas, underwear, and handkerchiefs made of wool and pure cashmere.

Founded in the 1920s, Tod's has grown from a small family brand into a global powerhouse so wealthy that its owner, Diego Della Valle, donated €20 million to the Colosseum restoration project. The shoe baron is best known for his simple, classic, understated designs done in butter-soft leather, but his light, flexible Gommini line of driving shoes with rubber-bottomed soles are popular as well. This location sells menswear and men's shoes; womenswear and women's shoes are available at another location on Via dei Condotti.

A Roman institution for over 50 years, Volpetti sells excellent cured meats and salami from its buzzing deli counter. The food selection also includes genuine buffalo-milk mozzarella, fresh pasta, Roman pecorino, olive oils, balsamic vinegars, and fresh bread. The rich aromas and flavors are captivating from the moment you enter the store—pull up a high stool and order a sampling platter with a glass of wine. It's also a great place for assembling gift baskets, and offers worldwide shipping.

At this little atelier on a side street off Via di Ripetta, Elisa Ruggieri and Ilaria Gozzi dream up sustainable jewelry in unconventional shapes (think: square or egg-shaped rings). They like to work with clients to create tailor-made jewelry, customizing pieces with precious and semiprecious stones.

This Navona jewel, around since 1945, is crammed top to bottom with artistic, well-crafted puppets, dolls, masks, stuffed animals, and other toys for children of all ages that encourage imaginative (and low-tech) play and learning.

Bursting at the seams with not an inch of space left on its shelves, this tiny little bookshop is a favorite meeting point for English speakers in Trastevere. Irish owner Dermot O'Connell goes out of his way to find what you're looking for, and if he doesn't have it in stock he'll make a special order for you. The shop carries everything from popular best sellers to translated Italian classics, as well as lots of good books about Rome.

Step inside this beloved deli for some of the freshest ricotta in town, as well as ham and salami, burrata cheese from Puglia, Parmigiano-Reggiano, Rome's famed pecorino, Sicilian anchovies, and local wines—all served with polite joviality. Although not everything can be imported to the United States, some of the savory delights can be vacuum-sealed in case you want to pack some Italian specialties in your suitcase.

Complete with hand-labeled wooden drawers holding more than 200 varieties of herbs, flowers, and tinctures, Antica Erboristeria Romana has maintained its old-world apothecary feel (it's the oldest shop of its kind in Rome, dating back to 1752). The shop stocks an impressive array of teas and herbal infusions, more than 700 essential oils, bud derivatives, and powdered extracts.

Rome's oldest pharmacy, in business since 1552, produces its own line of skincare products and dietary supplements. The family-run shop's herbs and 17th-century furnishings evoke a store in Harry Potter's Diagon Alley, and although you won't find any potions, the pharmacists can whip up just-for-you powders, syrups, capsules, gels, or creams to soothe modern ailments.

Roman designer Patrizia Pieroni's sleek, unique, high-end fashion items stand out no matter the season. Her store, Arsenale, features everything from cleverly cut, stylish overcoats and seductive bustiers to sexy, flowing dresses perfect for the summer.

On one of Monti's steeply sloping streets is the small jewelry shop where Tiziana Salzano and Antonio Marino make elegant necklaces and earrings using the finest gold or silver and a combination of semiprecious gemstones. Most pieces are unique, so if you feel something tug at your heart be sure to grab it. They also take orders for bespoke pieces.

This modest shop is brimming with fantastic small gifts ranging from handmade ceramic volcanoes to tote bags crafted from vintage Italian silk. Assemblea finds artisans throughout the country and makes its quirky creations available in Rome, so every item featured is guaranteed to be made in Italy.

At this upscale atelier, Polish designer Aleksandra Badura creates one-of-a-kind bags that have been featured in magazines like Vogue, Elle, and Glamour, using sustainably sourced Italian leather and exotic skins. Make an appointment through the website to see the collection and you can choose from one of the exquisite bags on offer or customize any of the models, selecting from a wide range of colors and materials.

Considered by many to be the Cadillac of fedoras, the dashing version by Borsalino has been a staple of the fashionable Italian man since 1857, adorning the heads of many silver-screen icons, including Humphrey Bogart (who donned one in Casablanca) and Harrison Ford (as Indiana Jones). Few hats are made with such exacting care and attention, and the company's milliners still use machines that are more than 100 years old. Borsalino also has boutiques near the Pantheon and Piazza di Spagna.

Founded in 1954 by Florentine stylist Carla Braccialini and her husband, Robert, this outfit makes bags that are authentic works of art in bright colors and delightful shapes, such as rotary phones or mountain chalets. Be sure to check out the eccentric Temi (Theme) creature bags; the snail-shaped version made out of python skin makes a true fashion statement. There is another location on Via dei Condotti.

A landmark wineshop inside the former coach house of a noble Roman family, Buccone has shelves that stretch impressively from floor to ceiling and are packed with wines and spirits ranging in price from a few euros to several hundred for rare vintages. The historical atmosphere has been preserved in the original wood-beam ceiling, long marble counter, and antique till. You can also buy jams, pasta, and packaged candy—perfect for inexpensive gifts. Consider booking (a week in advance) a guided wine tasting that features highlights from many of Italy's important wine-producing regions.

The jewelry giant Bvlgari is to Rome what Tiffany is to New York and Cartier is to Paris. In the middle of the 19th century, company founder Sotirio Bulgari began working as a silversmith in his native Greece and is said to have moved to Rome with less than 1,000 lire in his pocket. This store's temple-inspired interior pays homage to the jeweler's ties to both places. Downstairs, a gallery called DOMVS displays archival creations in themed exhibitions, often including jewels that belonged to jet-setters and movie stars like Elizabeth Taylor.

This fragrance shop has been in the business of heavenly scents for more than 60 years. In addition to offering an array of labels like Bois 1920, Bond No. 9, and Comme des Garçons, the store has courteous, multilingual staffers who know the merchandise, making a shopping experience here a lot more pleasant than a dash through duty-free. There are three locations around the city: two on Via Frattina and one on Via Oslavia in the Prati neighborhood.

Chock-full of educational, fair-trade, and eco-friendly toys that share shelf space with retro and vintage favorites, Città del Sole is a child-friendly delight. Items are arranged by age group, and the staffers are knowledgeable in guiding you toward the perfect puzzle, gadget, or book.

Architects Giulia Giannini and Costanza De Cecco craft jewelry inspired by Italy's most beautiful structures. Available in silver and gold, standout designs from the contemporary brand include bold curved earrings in the shape of the Pantheon's internal dome and delicate rings based on Venetian arches.