How To Find Good Gelato in Italy

When you ask people about what they like the best and/or what they hope to do in Italy, it usually has something to do with food. I have a lot of clients that say they want to have gelato every day they are there. That is not such a hard task. Gelaterias (Gelato Shops) can be found in Italy as easily as churches - They are everywhere. In fact, I have 5 gelaterias and only 3 churches on my 1/2 mile route from my home to the Ponte Vecchio.

A Gelato Shop in Italy is called a "Gelateria"

But how can you spot a good gelateria from a "so-so" one? Here are a few tips my local friends tell me to look for when choosing my gelato:

Stainless Steel Containers

Look for gelato in deep stainless-steel tubs. Even better if the gelato is covered with a stainless-steel lid. Good gelato is always kept at the proper temperature. A good Gelateria doesn’t bother with piling the gelato sky-high to attract customers. They are more interested in producing fine gelato for those who appreciate it.

Stainless Steel Containers may not be the most appealing display, but you know you're getting fesh ingredients at optimum temperatures for the best taste.

Modest Displays

Stay away from Gelato piled up above the container's brim. Good gelato is kept close to the edge of the container because it needs to be kept cold. If it’s piled high, it is likely to be high in artificial vegetable fats that don’t necessarily need to be refrigerated.

Few Ingredients

Good gelato stores will have a list of ingredients that you can read and it won’t be a long list as real gelato has very few ingredients. If you see any preservatives or additives, walk away.

Seasonal Flavors

Good gelaterias won’t have a million offerings. These stores stay true to only serving gelato with the freshest ingredients. If an ingredient isn’t in season, they won’t sell that flavor. So if you are seeing a strawberry gelato in the dead of winter, they may be using frozen ingredients.

Here are a few of my favorites in Italy. PSA: they may not be the most authentic, but they are my favorites. Mine might not be the best palette, but you can check for yourself.

Rome

Old Bridge Gelateria: Viale dei Bastoni de Michelangelo, 5 (behind Vatican Museum)

Fonte della Salute: Via Cardinale Mamagg,i 2 (Trastevere area)

Florence

My Sugar: Via de’ Ginori, 49r.

Gelateria della Passera: Via Toscanella, 15r (in the Oltrarno)

Milan

Casa Infante: Via Torino, 48

Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato: Via Giuseppe Mengoni, 1

Venice

Gelato Di Natura: Campiello de L'Anconeta, 1915

Geleteria Peter: Corso dell Terme, 181

I seriously need to add to my "Favorites" list. If you have a favorite gelato spot in Italy, let us know in the Comment Section below.