While walking through the Via Tiburtina, an old green van welcomes you to this amazing hidden gam in San Lorenzo. Do not miss this chance and just around the corner take a few steps along the lane. Especially if you like chocolate!
SAID dal 1923 is one of the oldest chocolate factory in Rome, founded in 1923 by Aldo De Mauro who starts producing chocolate together with a Swiss factory under the name of ‘Zurich’. But after a while fascist pressure forced him to change this name and the factory became ‘Società Anonima Industria Dolciumi’. Afterwards, during the bombing of Rome in World War II, Aldo De Mauro lost his wife and business, the structure was bombed in 1943. Then, he found himself among the ruins of San Lorenzo district to start all over again and he reopened the factory in current location.
Since 95 years, SAID dal 1923 goes on remaining as a family business. Fabrizio De Mauro, an architect, now is the third generation owner of the chocolate factory. With a respect to the historicity of the place, Fabrizio de Mauro transformed the factory into a multifunctional space and created a chocolate concept store in 2006. He composed an incredible place that maintains the charm of the ancient structure, where in the 20’s his grandfather produced chocolate and candy. He restored this old local chocolate factory and confectionery store, changed into a charming tea room, chocolate shop, pastry shop and a restaurant with traditional Italian kitchen incorporating chocolate into some of the dishes, which makes SAID dal 1923 quite unusual and original.
In 2013 Fabrizio De Mauro also opened a shop in the British capital, a slimmer format than the parent company that also wants to be a test bench to be replicated in other countries. The London branch is the first to open outside of Rome and locates in Broadwick Street in the heart of Soho. All the chocolates are producing in the factory, here in Rome and transporting to London. In a short time Said dal 1923 became one of the best places for having hot chocolates in the city, occurring long queues in front of it.
Said dal 1923 is an unexpected place around the corner of Via Tiburtina, makes you feel like you’ve gone back in time accompanied with delicious chocolate treats, sweets and meals, also plenty of options to purchase as a gift. This enjoyable unique atmosphere is a chocolate museum; a true industrial archeology has the power to drag you to the last century. Confectioners, pralines, packaging machines do not stop a moment to prepare and wrap delicacies. The decoration helps you to share the 95-year history of ancient chocolate factory and trail the Mauro family’s tradition. The open space rooms are the same ones used for the chocolate production with the old chocolate machines in a sort of solid. Old milk cans made of tin are used as seats, the lamps are like the original ones used in 20’s and like the thousand chocolate molds on the walls, industrial antiques are used as wall decor. The ancient manufacturing tools such as mills, copper basins and machinery are all preserved as before. Besides breathing all this history, the furniture which melts wood and iron, makes the ambiance welcoming. Large wooden tables and vintage sofas are giving a pleasant relaxing atmosphere, makes you feel like you are at home.
Said dal 1923 gives you a chance to discover many sort of delicious product based on chocolate. While relaxing in the glamorous lounge of black velvet you can taste a high quality cup of hot chocolate, tea and infusions, or a cocktail. You can also order a desert from the huge counter filled with individual chocolates, biscuits and cakes in several versions. The yummy proposals range from fondant chocolates, white, to milk, to grappa, to mint, to ginger, to fresh ricotta pralines. At noon, the restaurant serves lunch with a buffet meal or a la carte as well, includes an interesting selection of savory dishes accompanied by a delicious chocolate flavored finish and also long brunch on Sundays. In the evening the restaurant offers creative Mediterranean cuisine, like a small pie of polenta and cheese with aromatic chocolate chips or a pasta with pear and chocolate sauce, either the dark chocolate ravioli or a tuna fillet with chocolate and pistachios… you can taste a steaming cup of Brazilian dark cocoa with organic cream, white pizza and black chocolate, the 
superlative ricotta chocolates to taste after dinner with rare distillates. The local Roman specials combine with fusion experiments and the menu changes with the seasons. You would never imagine chocolate having so many tastes and uses in delicious main courses, right? Both for lunch and dinner, and even for snacks, the cuisine of Said dal 1923 is just fantastic!
Remember that handmade chocolates manufactured in dozens of shapes, colors and tastes, are a must to buy from an impressive chocolate store at the front. You can buy unique gifts to bring back home and it’s also possible to buy products online through their own website. Said dal 1923 is open from 10 o’clock until midnight, except mondays. If you don’t want to miss a chance to dive into this heaven made from chocolate, do not forget to make a reservation especially during the weekends.
