Gelato is practically a food group in the Roman diet. You’re going to see this frozen Italian treat for sale in every neighborhood and near every famous monument. We recommend seeking out the good stuff, so we created this handy list of where to find the best gelato in Rome.
It’s important to note that gelato is not ice cream. A couple of key differences are a denser structure in gelato because it’s made with less air than ice cream and—best of all!—gelato is also lower in fat. All the more reason to have at least one cup or cone every day of your trip!
Gelateria Corona
If you want your gelato with a side of ancient Roman history, head to Gelateria Corona. This tiny shop is directly across from where Julius Caesar was assassinated in 44 BC. Creative and refreshing flavors that change with the season are the strengths here. We love the mango with hot chili and their sweet and zingy ginger. For the beer lover, a scoop of crema alla birra doppio malto is a must.
Come il Latte
Tucked into a side street in the residential neighborhood of Sallustiano, not far from the via Veneto and the edges of the Villa Borghese, Come il Latte is a gelato shop that is worth the hunt. Rich, creamy, flavors like salted caramel (the salt used is the highly-prized pink Himalayan variety!) and pistachio are made daily in the on-site laboratorio.
The extra special part of this gelateria is the fountain which dispenses dark and white chocolate inside of your crisp wafer cone. They also make a Roman version of an ice cream sandwich with Gentilini cookies and vanilla gelato and a special gelato tiramisu!
Insider’s Tip: If you spy fluorescent colors like bright greens and blues, keep walking! Pistachio is a good test: if it is pale green, there are likely no added artificial flavors and stabilizers. Look for signs that say produzione propria or produzione artigianale that mean the gelato is handmade or made onsite.
Gelateria dei Gracchi
Gelateria dei Gracchi (Via dei Gracchi, 272) was one of Rome’s first gourmet gelaterias and it all began with a single shop not far from the Vatican Museums in the Prati neighborhood. Now there are four branches, so you’re bound to find yourself near one, no matter what part of town you’re exploring.
Their limited flavor selection is a testament to the freshness and quality of the ingredients used. Look out for the pine nut cream and the apple and cinnamon! Or, on a hot afternoon, a basil and ginger granita is the perfect refresher.
Günther
Previously known as Punto Gelato, Günther is an ideal gelato destination for the chocolate lover! You have more than a dozen choices ranging from the deepest dark chocolate made from Venezuelan cocoa beans to a creamy milk chocolate that is blended with hazelnut paste.
Every ingredient is rigorously sourced, from the alpine cream and mineral water, to the freshest local, seasonal fruits, and exotic vanillas and cinnamon from far away, tropical islands. There are also unusual and creative combinations like buffalo milk dotted with pink peppercorns and a pine-scented cream that is a nod to the owner, Gunther Rohregger’s mountain origins.
Grom
Sure, Grom is a chain with outlets all over Italy and even in the US, but the quality of the gelato is excellent. Classic flavors like chocolate, straciatella, and their signature Crema di Grom, a vanilla with pieces of cookie and chocolate chips, are available year round. There’s also a small range that changes monthly.
Everything is made with all-natural ingredients and all of the flavors are certified by the Italian Celiac Association as gluten-free. The fruit sorbets and granitas are vegan, too.
In the winter, you can even warm up with a cup of hot chocolate here! To make things extra delicious, add a scoop of gelato and a generous dollop of whipped cream.
Fior di Luna
You will find this exacting gelato shop on a particularly picturesque vine-strewn street in Trastevere. Fior di Luna is a neighborhood family business that has adapted to today’s tastes and fashions and is truly artisanal. That means the pistachios are stone ground and the specialty machines that produce a dense rich gelato are all on-site.
There are no cones here, but you can add a freshly-baked cookie to your cup or have your gelato stuffed into a fluffy brioche roll! This is probably also the only place where you can try gelato made with donkey’s milk.
Insider’s Tip: Need a little something to take home? The shop has also started creating bean-to-bar chocolate that makes an excellent souvenir.
Fatamorgana
This gelato ranks high among Rome foodies’ favorites and is always expanding, now with nine outlets. Fatamorgana (Piazza Libertà, 6) is the creation of Maria Agnese who dreamed up flavors with romantic fairy tale names like Biancaneve (Snow White: vanilla, apple, and raspberry) and Bacio del Principe (Kiss of the Prince: hazelnut and chocolate) with no additives and all natural ingredients. If you have food sensitivities there are nut, dairy and gluten free and options.
Upate notice: This article was updated on July 14, 2023.
Want to try some of the best gelato in Rome with us? Lucky for you, this beloved sweet treat caps off our Testaccio Neighborhood Food & Market Tour. It’s the perfect way to end a morning exploring Rome’s most traditional neighborhood!
