Brian Nagele
If you’ve never tried authentic Italian gelato, you’ll find it’s smoother and creamier than American ice cream.
It’s a little lighter because the custard mix doesn’t usually have eggs.
I try a new gelateria and return to my favorites whenever I return to Rome.
I’ve been to many places in Europe obsessed with gelato, and I can confidently say Rome has the best gelato in the world.
I’ve assembled a list of the best gelato in Rome for your next trip.
Come il Latte
Via Silvio Spaventa, 24/26, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 4290 3882
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Come il Latte was one of the first gelaterias I visited in Rome, and I keep going back because I haven’t yet tried every flavor.
They sell a wide variety of classic and fruit flavors.
I think they have the best selection of nut-based flavors in the city.
My favorites are Ricotta, Cinnamon, Chocolate, and Bergamot.
Come il Latte is located in the Sulliastiano neighborhood, close to the Museo Boncompagni Ludovisi and the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vittoria.
It’s not in a touristy area, so the lines are relatively short, though the locals are loyal customers.
They make their crispy waffle cones.
The service is friendlier than you’d expect from a Roman gelato shop.
Gelateria del Teatro
Via dei Coronari, 65/66, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
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The Gelateria del Teatro is nicely located beside the Piazza di San Salvatore in Lauro, along the Via dei Coronari.
It’s a beautiful shop that opens onto the square where you’ll find other amazing places to eat.
If you’re a chocolate lover, you need to make this your first stop.
They use cru cocoa from Peru, dark Belgian chocolate, and chocolate with cayenne in their amazing creations.
Don’t skip the fruit flavors either.
The shop is on the fancier side, but the prices are surprisingly affordable for what you get.
The owners are gluten-free and lactose-intolerance friendly, which my gluten-free friend was happy to see.
The shop makes unique cones with olive oil, and they smell delicious.
Fatamorgana
Multiple locations
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Fatamorgana was founded by chef Maria Agnese Spagnuolo.
She was diagnosed with severe celiac disease and worried she would never enjoy a dessert again, but became inspired to create allergy-friendly gelato.
Many of her flavors are also nut-free, tree-nut-free, and vegan.
Her inventive flavors include basil, honey, walnut, grapefruit, ginger, wasabi, pineapple, and ginger, my current favorite.
The Rome locations are all over the city, so wherever you happen to be visiting, you may have a Fatamorgana close by.
If you’re longing for gelato but can’t get to Rome soon, Fatamorgana ships its creations in the United States through their website.
Gelateria dei Gracchi
Via dei Gracchi, 272, 00193 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 321 6668
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Located close to Vatican City, Gelateria dei Gracchi is a delicious place to stop after a busy day seeing the sights.
It’s also close to the Roma Centro and Twentyone Hotels.
You should prepare to try anything, from Pan dei Santi (nuts and pepper) to ricotta and pears.
The shop founded by Alberto Manassei became famous among American food fans when it appeared on Anthony Bourdain’s The Layover.
Gelateria dei Gracchni’s nut flavors are especially well-known.
They always use fresh seasonal fruit and develop flavors in their lab.
Giolitti
Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 699 1243
Giolitti is close to the Italian parliament building, and it’s always busy.
The gelato shop features an espresso bar and cocktails, making it a fun afternoon or evening stop.
It’s charmingly old-fashioned, with staff dressed up in waistcoats.
The portion sizes are famously generous, something you won’t find at every Roman gelateria.
There aren’t many flavors in the case at Giolitti, but they are all excellent.
My favorite flavor from Giolitti is the classic coffee and cream.
You can also get pastries, a sandwich, or even a pizzette if you’re not in the mood for gelato.
Günther
Via dei Pettinari, 43, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 6839 5030
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A young South Tyrolean chef and former ski instructor who traveled to Rome to be with his partner founded this shop.
He uses only the best ingredients, including organic milk and cream.
Some of his best flavors are the extra dark 72% chocolate, the intriguing mountain pine, and the Mediterranean pistachio.
My favorite is the chocolate Gorgonzola.
The shop is just a few blocks from the Pantheon and several major churches, so it’s always busy.
It’s a charming little corner shop with a friendly and clean atmosphere.
Tourists and locals alike feel welcome.
Gelateria Della Palma
Via della Maddalena, 19-23, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 6880 6752
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Gelateria Della Palma has 150 flavors!
It might take a long time to decide, so do yourself a favor and look at their website before arriving.
The staff is happy to give you a few samples to help you make up your mind.
My favorite flavor from Gelateria Della Palma is the dark chocolate mousse.
The gelato shop has a nice espresso bar where you can sit down and relax with a coffee and a pastry for a few minutes, and the service is friendlier than usual.
Gelateria Della Palma is a glossy, modern-looking shop and very clean.
You can find it between the Piazzas of Campo Marzio and della Maddalena, not far from the Pantheon.
You’ll find a mix of residents and tourists.
Fiordiluna
Via della Lungaretta, 96, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 6456 1314
You can find Fiordiluna in Trastevere, close to many shops and restaurants.
It’s a fun and engaging atmosphere.
The shop has regular gelato and a selection of dairy-free and gluten-free options.
The flavor selection is smaller than what you might find at other shops, but all the fruits are seasonal so the choices change often.
My favorite flavor from Fiordiluna is the persimmon, which you can only get in the fall.
My friend thought the banana was the best.
One of the biggest pluses of this shop is that the staff are multilingual.
Il Gelato di San Crispino
Via della Panetteria, 42, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 6948 9518
While Il Gelato di San Crispino is only a few minutes’ walk from the Trevi Fountain, it is much less busy than other places, but it deserves to be.
It’s often staffed by the owners, and they will answer any questions you may have about the flavors.
My favorite by far is the honey flavor.
Along with honey, nuts, and traditional chocolate flavors, the shop sells excellent fruit sorbets.
The shop itself is unpretentious, and the serving sizes are reasonable.
This gelato shop doesn’t serve cones, which may upset some visitors, but it doesn’t bother me because I prefer cups.
Otaleg
Via di S. Cosimato, 14a, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 338 651 5450
This highly-ranked gelateria (“gelato” spelled backward) is in Trastevere, close to the Basilica di Santa Maria.
It has many vegetarian and vegan options, which made my friend happy.
This gelateria appeared on a Food Network show with Bobby Flay and Giada de Laurentiis, which has helped to make its name with American visitors.
My favorite combination was the pistachio and chocolate.
My friend had the curiously olive oil-flavored gelato, which I tried and liked.
Next time, I want to try more fruit flavors.
The gelateria is reasonably priced and friendly.
Al Settimo Gelo
Via Vodice, 21, 00195 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 372 5567
This little gelateria is near Piazza Mazzini in Prati.
It’s not touristy, so if you’re looking for a place where the locals get gelato, this fits the bill.
I love the creative flavors, like Persian cardamom.
The fruit flavors are excellent as well, especially the Sicilian lemon.
The shop is casual and fun, with a family atmosphere.
You will find that all the flavors are natural and the shop has many gluten-free options.
It’s a great place to try adventurous flavors and cap off a sweet day in Rome.
Fiocco di neve
Via del Pantheon, 51, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 9600 6762
This gelateria also offers completely gluten-free selections, including cones.
It’s close to the Piazza della Rotonda and the Pantheon.
As a bonus, it offers a small seating area where you can relax with your gelato for a little while.
Many visitors rave about the pistachio, tiramisu, dark chocolate, and mango flavors.
My personal favorite is the zabaglione affogato (eggnog), which is good at any time of year.
The next time I am in the area, I plan to try the mint chocolate.
Frigidarium
Via del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 3105 2934
Frigidarium is not far from the Pantheon.
It’s fancier than some of the other shops in this roundup, but it’s welcoming and affordable.
One of the most fun things about the shop is that you can see the chef making gelato in the back.
We tried the lemon with dark chocolate and the pistachio cannoli.
Frigidarium is open until 2 am, making it a great late-night gelato stop.
The lines are quite long, but it’s worth it. Be aware that the staff sometimes enforces a two-sample limit.
Gelateria del Viale
Piazza Giuseppe Gioachino Belli, 9F, 00153 Roma RM, Italy
Phone: +39 06 580 3990
Another entry in the Trastevere gelato hall of fame, Gelateria del Viale is a tiny shop with creative and traditional flavors.
My friend loves pistachio, and he said that this was the best pistachio gelato he’d ever tried.
It’s fun to try different flavor combinations and see which you like the most.
I loved the dark chocolate and caramel.
The lines can be long, but the staff is friendly and relatively efficient in getting people in and out.
If the store is less busy, you can spend time sampling and deciding what you want.
Gelateria La Romana
Multiple locations
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The original shop opened in 1947, and the owners have been working to preserve the traditional craft of gelato across Rome.
Their exquisite flavors have been drawing customers for over 70 years, and it’s easy to see why.
There are many vegan flavors, and all the gelato is made in-store no more than three hours before serving.
The passionfruit and peach combination is delicious.
My friends loved the matcha green tea and the elderberry and chia seed flavors.
No matter where you are in Rome, you may have a nearby La Romana location.
