Nonna Bakery Opens In Holborn 

Nonna Bakery has arrived in Holborn, and it’s not just another pastry shop — it’s a slice of Sicilian tradition tucked into the city’s bustle. 

Nonna is rooted in the recipes and rituals of founder Matteo Cicero’s grandmother and is built on the foundation that food is comfort, connection, and culture. Nonna began in Shanghai’s Former French Concession in 2022, and this Holborn spot marks its first UK location. Matteo met his business partner, Dr. Jonathan Hazon, who was on holiday in Salina, Sicily, and who felt drawn to the story behind Nonna.  Together they are expanding Nonna and this marks the the start of its international chapter. 

The pastry counter is impossible to ignore. I was immediately drawn to the pistachio and strawberry maritozzo — soft brioche buns split open and stuffed with whipped cream. I went for pistachio, and it was rich and generous. Honestly, it’s a share-with-a-friend kind of treat unless you’re fully committed to a sugar high.

Before diving deeper into dessert territory, I tried a few savoury options. Nonna’s focaccia sandwiches are baked fresh daily, and the prosciutto one stood out — salty, soft, and just the right amount of chew. There’s a good range too: salmon and cream cheese and prosciutto, tomato and rocket to name a couple. There was also margarita pizza and vegetable pizza made with focaccia. The bread itself is airy and light, which makes it easy to keep snacking. Nonna also offers rustic loaves, ciabatta, and pane di casa (translates to bread of the house) baked fresh daily.

Now back to sweets- because how could I not. I was especially excited to try the Cassata Siciliana. One of my friends is from Sicily, so I snapped a photo and sent it to her immediately and her response was to tell me that Sicilian cake is ‘so nice’. This traditional Sicilian cake is a sponge cake layered with sweet ricotta, wrapped in marzipan, and topped with candied fruit in yellow, orange, and green. It tasted like something celebratory, like a cake you’d bring out for a family gathering and upon researching when I got home 

Authentic Sicilian cannoli is made daily at Nonna’s. These crisp pastry shells are piped with chocolate, pistachio or ricotta and garnished with chocolate or nuts. They were crisp and fresh — I tried one with chocolate and another with ricotta. The ricotta one was dipped in nuts and had a lovely balance of creamy and crunchy. Of course, I had to try the tiramisu. There’s a pistachio version, and that’s what I went for. It was creamy, nutty, and not overly sweet. 

There’s still more to explore- my eyes were bigger than my belly at this point. Gelato is made daily. There was a chocolate tart, two cheesecakes (lemon or pistachio), four flavours of bignes (lemon, pistachio, sea salt caramel, and chocolate). I didn’t try the Brioche col tuppo with gelato — a Sicilian classic — but it’s on my list for next time. Same with the tiramisu cornetto, which sounds like a dream: flaky pastry, creamy filling, and all the comfort of a croissant with Italian flair. 

We were given butter biscuits in the goodie bag and I’m saving those for a quiet weekend moment with coffee. 

Coffee is Italian-style: espresso, cappuccino, and a pistachio latte that I’ll definitely be trying next time. There’s also a selection of premium teas if you’re not in a coffee mood.

The vibe is relaxed and unfussy, with wooden tables and a mix of stools, benches, and chairs. There’s greenery tucked around, softening the space and making it feel like somewhere you’d happily linger over coffee and cake.

Address:

75 High Holborn, London WC1V 6LS

Website: nonnabakery.co.uk

Instagram: @nonnabakeryuk

Written by Caitlin