Discover the BEST gelato in Rome, Italy! Whether you just finished touring the Vatican or gazing at the Trevi fountain, I have a gelato spot nearby for you!
What goes hand in hand with wandering the streets of Rome? Gelato...probably my favorite dessert. You can guarantee that I will be making a gelato stop not once, but twice a day whenever I'm in Italy. So of course, my last few trips to the Eternal City have included scouting out who serves the best gelato in Rome.
I've made sure to include places that are located throughout the city and close to popular sights so you won't have to go out of your way.
If you're planning a trip to Rome don't waste your time on the subpar gelato spots. These five shops serve the absolute best ice cream in Rome. Creamy, flavorful, and made with quality ingredients. You won't find giant mounds of fake flavors and day old gelato at these places.
Let's dive into where to find the BEST gelato in Rome, Italy!
1. Frigidarium - Piazza Navona
My #1 pick for the best gelato in Rome plus the option to dip your ice cream in white or dark chocolate
Frigidarium was a new find on my latest trip to Rome and it blew my socks off! I visited several times just to make sure it really was my favorite. The line out the door at all hours of the day confirmed I wasn't alone in my assessment.
The gelato is ultra creamy and the flavors really stand out without tasting fake or going overboard. You also have the option to add whipped cream or have your gelato dipped in white or dark chocolate.
My second visit I had my gelato dipped in dark chocolate. It was fantastic, but honestly, it made it a bit hard to eat trying to crack through the frozen chocolate without making a mess. Plus, I'm more of a purist when it comes to my gelato. I prefer high quality gelato without all the fluff.
The biscotto flavor is one I usually gravitate towards, and this was probably the best version I've ever had. The Mozart flavor is also really good...a combination of pistachio and white chocolate. Dark chocolate lovers will not be disappointed with the fondente flavor. Another plus is the scoops are very generous here.
Frigidarium is located five minutes from Piazza Navona...the perfect stop after you've enjoyed pasta carbonara at Mimi e Coco. It's literally right down the street.
A stop at Frigidarium is a must and easily serves the best ice cream in Rome.
SEE ALSO:
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BEST GELATO IN FLORENCE – TOP 5 FLORENCE GELATO SPOTS
2. Gunther - Trevi Fountain, Campo di Fiori, and Piazza Navona
The best gelato in Rome, Italy for dark chocolate lovers and unique flavors
If you're looking for the best dark chocolate gelato in Rome, Gunther is it. Their dark chocolate flavor, or fondente, is 75% chocolate and the ideal balance of bitter and sweet.
The tiramisu flavor is also excellent as is the sorbet. You'll find sorbet flavors that you don't normally see like kiwi and blackberry.
Gunther gets creative with its flavors. Try the buffalo milk with pink peppercorns or the Dolomiti made with cream, blackberries and a touch of pine oil.
Gunther has three locations...all around popular sights...the Trevi fountain, Piazza Navona, Ponte Sisto bridge (by Campo di Fiore and on the way to the Trastevere neighborhood).
Tonnarello - Trastevere
3. Gelateria Alla Scala - Trastevere
The best gelato in the Trastevere neighborhood
The Trastevere is my favorite neighborhood to wander and have dinner. A stop at Gelateria alla Scala is a must. There is one unique flavor that I have yet to find anywhere else...ricotta and pomegranate...divine. The pistachio is excellent as well.
There seemed to be a lot of locals grabbing gelato here. Stop at Gelateria alla Scala after enjoying dinner at Tonnarello.
St. Peter's Basilica
4. Lemongrass ICe Cream - Vatican City
The best PISTACHIO gelato in rome
There are quite a few subpar gelato shops around the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica. Not surprising as it's one of the most touristy areas in the city. Lemongrass is a gem. They may not offer 30+ flavors, but what they do offer uses the best ingredients.
The pistachio here really stands out. No fake, bright green, pistachio gelato here. It's the color it should be, a muted pale green/brown color...the color an actual pistachio is. The hazelnut flavor comes in a close second.
I also had a little pistachio drizzle (not quite sure what to call it), but it was delicious.
Lemongrass also serves pastries, coffee, and sandwiches for those needing a snack before or after visiting St. Peter's Basilica.
Lemongrass is hands down the best gelato in the Vatican City and easily makes the top 5 list for the best ice cream in Rome, Italy.
Spanish Steps
5. La Strega Noccialo - Spanish Steps
The best gelato in Rome for purists
I discovered La Strega Noccialo in Florence a few years back and it became my absolute favorite place to get gelato in Florence. No joke, sometimes I would visit twice a day. You can imagine how thrilled I was to see that there was a location in Rome.
The quality is exceptional and it might just be the creamiest gelato in Rome. The flavors are simple. You won't find crazy flavor combinations here. No caramel, chocolate, truffle surprise or oreo, white chocolate, swirl here.
Be sure the try the Buontalenti. A specialty flavor of Florence made with Mascarpone cream.
This is the perfect place to stop after visiting the Spanish steps as it's just 3 minutes away.
Chains - Grom, Venchi, Amorino
There are several well-known gelato chains in Italy. Grom, Venchi, and Amorino are decent options if you're not close to my top 5 options above. I personally don't think the quality is as good and they are usually more expensive, but you'll find one of these three brands almost anywhere.
In Summary
I hope this list of the best gelato in Rome, Italy steers you in the right direction on where to find your ice cream fix. These were my absolute favorite spots and I’ll be sure to revisit each one next time I’m in Rome.
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