If you’ve been to Italy, you’re probably familiar with traditional puff pastries like filled maritozzi, sweet girelle and the croissant-like cornetti. There, locals start their day chatting over sweet treats and espressos – it’s the La Dolce Vita we all dream of. It was this feeling that Federica Fronterre wanted to capture when she opened The Sanctuary, an Italian bakery on Torstraße, in October 2022. The Berlin-based Italian “takes tradition a step forward” by using recipes from her home country and reinventing them using plant-based ingredients. Federica’s pastries are filled with whipped cream made from pea milk and come in a variety of flavors. Whether it’s vanilla, chocolate or pistachio cream you’re after, make sure you stop by first thing in the morning because they sell out quickly. Not the biggest fan of sweet stuff? The Sanctuary also has a selection of savory focaccia and pizza rolls that are just as delicious as the sugary options. The shop’s name, incidentally, comes from the idea of creating a place of inner peace – a cafe where you can sit back and savor a coffee and a bite (or two), Italian style…
Text: Theresa Garwing / Photos: Luna Schaffron
The Sanctuary, Torstr.175, 10115 Berlin–Mitte; map
Wed–Sun 9h30–18h
