Best Gelato in Rome, Italy | Top 5 in Quality + Flavor

Discover the absolute 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!

This map shows where to find the best gelato in Rome. Click the icon in the very top left to see a list view of each pinned location. Click the top right button to enlarge the map. Click the star to save to your own Google Maps account. To access this map once saved (after clicking the star), open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), click the menu button, go to "your places", select "maps", and you will see this map listed.

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 when I visited Rome in 2021 and it blew my socks off! A few revisits in 2022 and 2023 confirmed it's still my favortie gelato in Rome. The line out the door at all hours of the day confirms I'm not 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. 

The dark chocolate covering takes your gelato to another level, but to be honest, it makes 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 is 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 that 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 visit to Frigidarium is a must if ou want to taste the best ice cream in Rome.

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2. Gunther - Multiple Locations

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 four locations. All are around popular sights; the Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, Ponte Sisto bridge (by Campo di Fiore and on the way to the Trastevere neighborhood), and in the Rome Central Market (by the Roma Termini train station).

3. 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.

4. Gelateria Della Palma - Piazza Navona/Trevi Fountain

The best gelato in Rome for diverse flavors, sorbet and vegan/sugar-free option

Gelateria Della Palma has been on the Rome gelato map for quite some time. To be honest, I didn't think the quality was great when I first visited about twelve years ago. I decided to revisit on my most recent trip to Rome, and the place looked like it got a major makeover both in design and in the look of gelato.

Gelateria Della Palma is known for its 150 flavors of gelato. Usually, any place that has this many flavors immediadly gives me scepticism. As you can see in the photo, the place was packed. I decided to give it a fourth shot (I've visited several times over the last decade or so). 

To test whether a gelato spot is legit or not, I get the pistachio. This is a flavor that will tell if fake colors and flavors are used. The color was a true pistachio color (muted green with undertones of brown). Test one passed. The taste was a true pistachio taste...not fake in the slightest. Test two passed. I was pleansantly suprised at the quality. I tried a few other flavors. 

The simple flavors were great...hazelnut, tiramisu, stracciatella (cream with chocolate shavings), fior de latte (cream).

For those that like something with a little more pizazz, you'll be very happy here. Champagne, lemon cake, snickers, whiskey chocolate, and basil are a few options you'll find.

Because of sheer quantity of flavors here, this is a place that's great for special diets (sugar-free, vegan, etc.). Everyone will be able to find something a Gelateria Della Palma.

5. 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.

Honorable Mention - Gelateria Alla Scala - Trastevere

The best gelato in the Trastevere neighborhood

The Trastevere is my favorite neighborhood to wander and have dinner. Gelateria alla Scala is a convenient stop while walking around. They offer a 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, which is always a good sign. Stop at Gelateria alla Scala after enjoying dinner at Tonnarello, one of the most popular restaurants in Rome.

While Gelateria alla Scala is great, I like the other 5 Rome gelato spots above better. Hence why it gets an honorable mention for the best gelato in Rome. But if you're in the Trastevere neighborhood and don't want to walk to walk far, this is a great option.

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 are my absolute favorite spots and I’ll be sure to revisit each one whenever I’m in Rome.

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Best gelato in Rome, Italy | Top 5 for quality and taste

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