The story of Pasticceria Citterio began in 1922 in the heart of Canzo, the northernmost town of Brianza and the final gateway to the Valsassina valley. Founded by Mr. Citterio over a century ago, the pastry shop was taken over by the Villa family in 2003 with the aim of continuing its legacy while blending it with the flavors and creativity of contemporary pastry-making.
A major milestone came in 2020, when the patisserie won Best Bakery, a television competition that featured sixty pastry shops from across Italy. This media exposure helped Pasticceria Citterio earn national recognition and paved the way for the launch of its online shop, where customers can purchase cookies, leavened cakes, and all kinds of sweet treats. The business also expanded into custom contract services, creating tailor-made desserts for private clients and companies alike.
“Our philosophy is to always strive for the highest quality—both in ingredients and in technique,” says Pastry Chef Cristiano Villa. “We respect tradition, but we’re also inspired by international pastry trends, especially French patisserie, renowned for its attention to aesthetics and detail.” Pasticceria Citterio pays homage to the Italian love for flavor—rich yet refined—while always keeping pace with new tastes and preferences. A perfect example? The Dubai Bar, reimagined in an Italian key by replacing kataifi pastry with classic puff pastry. Among the most loved products are their artisan leavened creations—from panettoni and colombe to the signature Fluffy with an apricot heart—alongside Canzo’s famous hazelnut bites, elegant pralines, cookies, cakes, gelato, and a full range of fine pastries. In addition to the historic shop in Canzo (open from breakfast through aperitivo), the Villa family also operates two more locations in central Erba: a cozy café and a stylish boutique.