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Italy is home to many gelato shops. Many of these gelato shops offer fresh, flavorful gelato made with natural ingredients. Gelato sold in other gelateria is often made in a factory and packaged in metal containers to make it look “artisanal.” For a complete explanation of what makes gelato unique, visit our blog about the magic of gelato.
You need to know where you can find the best gelato from Italy. Don’t worry: We can help. These are the results of our “research ” on where to find Italy’s top gelaterias. We are aware that there are other great gelateria in Italy. We’d love to hear about your favorite gelateria in Italy that wasn’t on our list.
Rome’s best gelato
Gelateria I Caruso. We love I Caruso, but it’s still a secret. I Caruso, which opened a year ago, is one of the few true artisanal gelaterias. They make their gelato right on-site (and you can watch them doing it!). All fresh ingredients. You can’t go wrong with their fondente, which is a rich, creamy dark chocolate. Even if you don’t usually like Panna (whipped cream), this time it’s a no-no. The Panna is fresh-made and the zabaglione Panna, which is marsala-wine-flavored, is simply divine. Via Collina 13/15 is a 10-minute walk from Repubblica’s train station.
Il Gelato di Claudio Torce. Claudio Torce is known by Rome foodies as the master of his wild-creative flavors, high-quality organic ingredients and exceptional creativity. You can try his creations for yourself. There are over 100 flavors available, so there’s plenty of options. The original location was in EUR. However, the newer outpost opened in the historic centre, right off Via del Corso. Locations include Viale dell’Aeronautica 105, near EUR; Viale Aventino 59, near Circus Maximus; and Piazza Monte d’Oro 91/92, near Piazza Navona and Via del Corso.
Fatamorgana. Fatamorgana is another option for serious gelato fans, with such innovative flavors as cinnamon, apple, and almond, or the Kentucky (tobacco cinnamon, dark chocolate, and cinnamon). More than 60 flavors are available and all of them change seasonally. Prati is the most central place, so make sure to have a cup of coffee after visiting the Vatican. Via di Lago di Lesina 9/11 Salaria or via G. Bettolo 7 Prati are both less than 10 minute walk from the Vatican museums.
Ciampini. Ciampini, a classic, is one of the best choices in Rome’s central storico. Even the fruit flavors are more creamy and delicious than the usual grainy ones you get. Castagna is a chestnut-flavored dish with bits of chewy chestnut. You don’t have to spend three times as much to enjoy the outdoor tables at the cafe. Piazza San Lorenzo, Lucina 29 is a 5-minute walk away from the Spanish Steps and Piazza Navona.
Gelateria dei Gracchi. After your visit to St. Peter’s, you can reward yourself with another one. Fresh, organic ingredients make flavors pop, such as chocolate-and-rum (made of fondant, and not cocoa powder) or pistachio, made with fresh-roasted Sicilian piscachios. The bonbons are also worth a look. You can find them at via dei Gracchi 272, Prati (10 minutes walk from the Ottaviano–San Pietro metro station), viale Regina Margherita 220, Prati and via Tuscolana 251, Tuscolana.
Florence’s best gelato
Gelateria dei Neri. This artisanal gelateria is a local favourite. It offers unusual flavors like gorgonzola, rice, and classics like stracciatella, chocolate-chip, caramel, and mango. You can also make gelato sandwiches with their Sicilian Brioche. Via dei Neri 26r, a 5-minute walk from Ponte Vecchio.
Carapina. Carapina’s gelato are made fresh every day in-house. Any leftovers in the evening are thrown away. All the ingredients are natural and seasonal flavors like cherry, fig, and jelly biscuit change. Although it’s not as central as some of our favorite gelaterias we believe it’s well worth the effort. Piazza G. Oberdan 2, just a 10 minute walk east of Casa Buonarroti.
Vivoli. Vivoli is Florence’s most well-known gelatoeria. They make their gelato fresh every day and won’t sell anything they haven’t made the same day. There are many flavors to choose from, including chocolate with orange and pear with caramel. Vivoli’s quirky quirks are not to be taken lightly. Despite its fame and pride, it is some of Florence’s most expensive gelato. The portions are small, and they won’t give you more than a cup. Cones can distract from the gelato’s flavor. It’s well worth a visit if you are in the area. Via dell’Isole delle Stinche 7r, right by Santa Croce.
Carabe. This gelateria is run by a Sicilian couple. It offers gelato as well as cannoli, Brioche and other Sicilian specialties. (For more information on cannoli, visit our blog on Italian sweet treats). The frozen treats are the best. This gelato is free of artificial colorings and preservatives. Every week, Sicilian lemons are imported. A Carabe granita can be a refreshing addition to any summer day. Via Ricasoli 60 (right by the Accademia or Piazza S. Jacopino).
Festival del Gelato. Festival del Gelato, a crowd pleaser and a true crowd pleaser, is easy to find, as it’s located right off Via dei Calzaiuoli. It has been a popular tourist attraction, being praised by Rick Steves to Frommers, and still continues to be loved by locals and tourists alike. They make more than 60 delicious flavors, including rose, green apple, and profiterole. Via del Corso75r, close to the Duomo.
From Verona to Naples, the best gelato in Italy
Il Massimo del Gelato (Milan). It’s not surprising that people and cars line up at the entrance to this gelateria in Milan. You will be blown away by the intense flavors. Although it’s not the most popular place, it is worth taking the bus, tram or taxi to get there. Via Castelvetro Lodovico 18, Milan.
RivaReno (across Italy). RivaReno has ten outposts across Italy, three of which are in Milan, and three in Turin. Its gelato is still a top-rated product due to its fresh ingredients and refusal to use artificial preservatives, color, or synthetics. Delicious fusions include “Alice”, which is mascarpone with gianduia, and “Morena”, which is cream with whole black cherries and blackberry sauce. Milan: Viale Col di Lana 8, Via Mercato 20, and Via Paolo Sarpi 58. Torino: Via Lagrange 29, Piazza Vittorio Veneto 7/C, Corso Alcide De Gasperi 8. Flornece: Via Borgo Degli Albizi 46/R. Rome: Via Magna Grecia 25. Ferrara: Via Mazzini 12. Milane Marittima: Viale Gramsci 37/B.
Alberto Marchetti (Turin). His handmade gelato has won many prizes. All gelatos are made fresh (everyone gets their gelato within 24 hours). There are many flavors to choose from, including the classic (peach, cream and zabaglione), or the more creative (try the bonet which is a piemont dessert). You can also find Sicilian Granita and brioche. Corso Vittorio Emanuele II 24, Torino.
La Boutique del Gelato (Verona). Each flavor is derived from fresh fruits and real food, and not artificial colors or flavors. There are many flavors to choose from, including traditional and unusual ones like fresh dates or khaki fruits. You can also try wine sorbets, such as frozen spumante, moscato or amarone. Via Ederle 13, Verona.
Gelateria di Piazza (San Gimignano). This gelateria is located on San Gimignano’s main square. However, it has remained true to its roots and continues to produce some of the finest gelato in Tuscany. The flavors are fresh every day, with no preservatives. Piazza della Cisterna 4, San Gimignano.
Otranto (Naples). You’re familiar with the basics: excellent gelato is made from fresh, high-quality ingredients. Otranto is no exception to this rule. All milk and other products are made from Campania. The flavors are mostly traditional, but they change seasonally to match Neapolitan pastries like pastiera napoletana, roccoco and cassata. We recommend that you try one of Naples’ most famous pastries and then go to Otranto for the gelato. This will allow you to “experience” Neapolitan flavors. Yum! Piazza Fanzago 118, Naples.
