Verona's medieval predecessor to pandoro, a flatter denser eight-pointed star cake topped with sugar glaze and almonds. Editor pick on TableJourney with address and what to order.
Where to eat it: 3 restaurants across 1 city.
Nadalin is the older eight-pointed-star Christmas cake of Verona, traceable to the late 13th century during Scaligeri rule. The name comes from Natale (Christmas). When Domenico Melegatti patented pandoro in 1894, he was technically improving the Nadalin tradition by lightening the dough and removing the sugar glaze. Some Verona pasticcerie still bake the original Nadalin alongside pandoro at Christmas.
Common allergens: Gluten, Eggs, Dairy, Almond (tree nut)
Tip from the editors. The glaze-and-almond topping distinguishes Nadalin from pandoro; if you don't want it, you've made pandoro instead.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
Dolce Locanda Perbellini in Verona is the central pastry shop of Giancarlo Perbellini, opened on Via Catullo in 2014. A 2026 TableJourney editor pick.
Tip: The pandoro A Ernesto (named for the chef's grandfather) is the seasonal signature; risino and millefoglie are the year-round counter picks.
Worth the queue: Pandoro A Ernesto and panettone A Enzo
Pasticceria Castelletto in Verona runs a daily pastry counter on Via Roma between the Arena and Castelvecchio. A 2026 TableJourney editor pick.
Tip: The tiramisu sold in individual cups (€3.50) is the move; the brioche and morning pastries are the take-on-the-go option.
Worth the queue: Tiramisu individuale
Pasticceria Flego opened in 1950 in Verona and runs three city shops. TableJourney editor pick with address and booking notes inside the entry.
Tip: Buy Baci di Giulietta in a 250g paper box (€18); the Torta Russa is the second souvenir.
Worth the queue: Baci di Giulietta (almond-hazelnut shortbread)
More cities are in research. Want nadalin covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.