Immerse yourself in the deliciously refreshing world of Italian gelato in Rome: must-visit addresses for a gourmet experience you won’t want to miss!
Looking for the best Italian gelato on your next trip to Rome? Look no further! We asked a local to recommend the best local artisan ice cream parlors.
She also gave us the local ingredients used, manufacturing techniques and tips for finding authentic ice cream shops in Rome. Discover Rome’s gelato culture and enjoy a unique experience tasting the best artisanal gelato in the Eternal City.
La Gourmandise, Rome’s must-visit artisanal ice cream parlour
- 📍 Location: Monteverde district, Via Felice Cavallotti, 36b
- 💙 We like: Surprising and delicious choice of flavors
Try La Gourmandise ice cream parlour if you’re looking for an authentic artisanal ice cream experience in Rome! Romans love this spot in the local Monteverde district, increasingly recognized by tourists for its natural ice creams made from Maltese goat’s milk. Owner Dario takes care to cater for customers with food intolerances, offering sorbets just as creamy as the milk-based ice creams.
The surprising and delicious flavors range from thyme and lemon cream to saffron and crunchy walnuts. If you’re an ice cream lover, La Gourmandise is the place to come for your sweet treat. And what’s more, it’s close to the Belvedere del Gianicolo, one of the most beautiful vantage points in Rome, and the picturesque Trastevere district!
Fatamorgana, a unique taste experience
- 📍 Location: Between the Tiber and the historic center, Via dei Chiavari, 37A
- 💙 We like: Creamy, richly flavored texture
The various gelaterias of the Fatamorgana brand offer artisanal, quality gelato in Rome. This institution, which has several stores in and around the city, including one close to the historic center, is famous for its ultra-creamy, additive-free ice creams. Enjoy original, natural flavors such as almond, apple and cinnamon ice cream, or hazelnut ice cream with fructose sugar.
Fatamorgana has managed to maintain its artisanal production despite its expansion, offering a unique taste experience. After visiting the city’s sights, there’s nothing better than refreshing yourself with a gelato from Fatamorgana! Think no more, and come and sample this must-taste address for Italian gelato in Rome.
Otaleg, the artisan gelateria in Trastevere
- 📍 Location: Trastevere district, Via di S. Cosimato, 14a
- 💙 We like: Subtle, original taste
If you’re looking for a unique taste experience in Rome, visit Otaleg. This artisanal ice cream parlour in the lively Trastevere district is renowned for the quality of its ice creams, prepared daily with seasonal ingredients.
Owner Marco Radicioni is passionate about his work, constantly experimenting with new flavors to delight his customers. We particularly recommend Mandorla in comitiva, a dried fruit and almond flavor without milk, if you’re looking for a subtle, original taste. This ice cream is a real treat for the taste buds and will give you the energy you need to continue your visit to the Eternal City.
At Otaleg, you’ll discover a true culture of excellence. This ice cream parlour is one of the few in Rome to make a commitment to using only quality ingredients for its creations. The strawberry and wild strawberry flavors are particularly popular at the start of the season. We can assure you that at Otaleg, you’ll find artisanal, natural, quality ice cream. It really is a must for your next trip to Rome!
Gelateria dei Gracchi, a traditional ice cream experience in Rome
- 📍 Location: Via di Ripetta, 261
- 💙 We like: Freshness and softness guaranteed.
Gelateria dei Gracchi is also on the program for a traditional ice cream experience in Rome! This gelateria, which has four outlets, including one near the famous Piazza del Popollo, is the ideal place to enjoy the classic flavors most appreciated by Italians. The gelateria produces daily and adapts its output to the seasons, using fresh, high-quality fruit.
Although open tubs are used, this does not reflect a drop in quality, as Gelateria dei Gracchi uses no additives. What’s more, lactose-free and gluten-free options are also available for those with dietary restrictions. So, if you’d like to try a traditional, quality gelato in Rome, be sure to stop by Gelateria dei Gracchi!
Come il latte, the natural ice cream parlour with seasonal fruits
- 📍 Location: Sallustiano
- 💙 We like: Creamy ice cream and homemade cones
If you’re looking for an address where you can enjoy a delicious artisanal gelato in Rome, Come il latte is the last address in our selection. Master ice cream maker Nicoletta Chiacchiari, who runs this establishment close to Villa Borghese, offers exceptional ice creams made from natural, seasonal and additive-free ingredients.
You’ll be able to indulge yourself with original flavors like tangerine or chestnut, dairy-free and absolutely delicious. The place is pleasant, with an elegant, industrial design, enhanced by clever benches and small tables to allow you to spend a relaxing moment outside. You can enjoy the brioche filled with ice cream or granita, a true Roman rarity, sitting comfortably. If you’re looking for an unforgettable ice cream experience, Come il latte is the place for you!
With a traditional Italian gelato, you can enjoy the unique flavors of this eternal city. So, what are you waiting for to discover the best ice cream parlors in Rome? We leave you with the advice of our local correspondent in Rome:
What are the different types of ice cream offered by Roman ice cream parlors?
The ice cream flavors found in Rome are similar to those found elsewhere in Italy. A good ice-cream maker can be recognized by the way his fruit sorbets change with the seasons (figs in September, strawberries in April and May, etc.).
Good ice-cream makers often source their raw materials from regions of Italy known for having the best (Bronte pistachio, Piedmont hazelnut, etc.).
What are the typical flavours most appreciated by the Romans?
As in the rest of Italy, pistachio, hazelnut, Fior di latte (milk flower) and Crema are the most popular flavors. For fruit sorbets, strawberry and lemon are the Roman favorites. Crema is the most basic flavor, and in France could be compared to vanilla in that it forms the basis of all perfumes. It’s a mixture of cream, sugar, milk and eggs. A good ice cream maker will be judged in particular by his Crema fragrance and whether he has succeeded in giving it a particular identity despite its simplicity.
Another popular flavor is chocolate, especially Fondente (dark chocolate). Good ice-cream makers often use water-based fonds (without milk), as the chocolate is already very dense and fatty. Likewise, if you find pistacchio senza latte in an ice-cream parlour, it means they only use pistachio butter. The taste will be much more pronounced and the whole thing easier to digest than with a cream base. It also implies a more expensive raw material, which means the ice cream maker doesn’t skimp on quality! The same goes for almonds and hazelnuts.
How can you avoid the touristy ice cream shops and find those that offer an authentic experience?
One sign of quality is to check whether the ice-cream tubs are open or made of metal with a lid. Some good ice-cream makers have them open, but this is quite rare, as it implies that they have a very large capacity. If they are open, they must be small, as ice cream without a holding additive cannot remain open without changing its consistency at the top. Avoid ice cream where the ice cream protrudes from the container in ripples.
Also, look at the way the labels are made. If they’re very colorful and set in time, it’s a bad sign. A good ice-cream maker regularly changes his seasonal flavours to adapt to the products available. He will also indicate that he uses only natural raw materials and no additives!
Finally, the color. An ice cream maker with a Smurf blue or pistachio green ice cream that’s too bright can’t use natural ingredients.