Best Gelato in Italy

"A tiny, no-frills kind of place, Fatamorgana is known for its all-natural ingredients, but it’s the whimsical flavor combinations—and their claimed health benefits—that draw the crowds. Thumbelina (walnuts from Sorrento, rose petals, and violet leaves) is a taste sensation with pleasing crunch, while Thought—ginger, horseradish, lemon peel, and pink grapefruit—is a firecracker of a flavor that doubles as an instant hangover cure. It's an exciting, energizing, and totally take on Rome's favorite frozen dessert."

"No tricks, just nature.” This is the Fatamorgana motto, effectively summarizing what lies behind the delicious and imaginative gelato. In all their Rome locations — the original is in Via Lago di Lesina; the latest is this small shop in Trastevere — find classic flavors and ones from farther afield, like the mesmerizing dark chocolate and lapsang souchong smoked tea or the lovely Thumbelinawith Sorrento walnuts, rose petals, and violet flowers."

"If you are looking for a great gelato near the Colosseum, look no further than Fatamorgana gelateria. It is known to be one of the best in Rome, with over 50 delicious flavors to choose from. Popular choices include mango, mint chocolate and lemon."

"With more than 2,500 gelato shops in Rome, the sheer range of choices can be overwhelming. But there is a handful of gelaterie that rise far above the rest. At Otaleg, Marco Radicioni and his team use exclusively natural ingredients in their artisanal gelato and sorbet — a surprising rarity in Rome these days — which they churn in full view of their customers for ultimate transparency."

"It’s not all about central Rome, although from a visitors perspective, the above five options are definitely going to be the easiest to get to as part of your Rome trip. If you don’t mind a bit of effort in your quest for the ultimate gelato, then you might want to head out of the city centre to Otaleg. Which, you will have noticed, is gelato spelt backwards."

"Upon entering, frequenters of this Otaleg are met with an unexpected view of the so-called ‘Acquarius Laboratory’. This is the place where the ice cream is produced by Marco Radicioni, the owner of Otaleg. It is there that the creative magic takes place, where seasonal ingredients are mixed and blended in surprising ways."

"Gelateria de Gracchi was one of Rome’s first gourmet gelaterias and it all began with a single shop not far from the Vatican 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."

"This is a real grab-and-go type of establishment, with a strict no-lingering policy. The tiny red-and-white tiled gelataria is crammed full all day, every day, with an inevitable queue spilling into the street too. Located in upmarket Prati, it’s the perfect pit-stop if you’ve spent all day exploring the labyrinths of the Vatican City."

"An oldie but a goodie, Gelateria dei Gracchi has been around for over 20 years!. There are nearly 40 flavours on offer here so you might have a problem deciding which ones to eat!. Sample a few different scoops here and you will not be disappointed!"

"If you’re over near the Castel Sant’Angelo or Piazza Navona, then you’ll probably want to head to Gelateria del Teatro for your gelato fix. Established in 2004, Gelateria del Teatro is also the some of the best gelato near the Vatican, even if it’s a bit more of a walk. This gelateria regularly tops best gelato in Rome lists, and for good reason – the ingredients are high-quality, Italian sourced, and everything is made on site under the guidance of passionate owners Stefano and Silvia."

"Otherwise continue your walk down picturesque Via dei Coronari where the only thing to do is soak up the atmosphere, browse antique and jewelry shops and stop for gelato at Gelateria del Teatro – details below. A walk along the Tiber"

"The ice cream parlor is located in Via dei Coronari between Piazza Navona and Castel Sant’Angelo. Here you can see into the ice laboratory from the street. The flavor combinations are exciting, the choice is huge."

"Giolitti is a stickler the old school, both in terms of the menu—yes, that’s a banana split you’re seeing—and the space itself (beige wood, beige walls, lots of marble). The crowds though, tell us that we’re onto something special. They’re jostling for space at the bronze-and-glass gelato counter, waving to get the baristas’ attention at the espresso bar, or scooping up the last of the cassata (Italian ice cream cake) while sitting at the canopy-covered tables outside."

"Giolitti is said to be the oldest ice cream parlor in all of Rome, dating back to the late 19th Century. It is also one of the most popular. Situated a few blocks east of the River Tiber, Giolitti gives passersby a taste of new and innovative gelato flavors in an Old Rome setting."

"While this isn’t technically a coffee bar, Giolitti serves some of the best cappuccinos and espressos in the city and you can also order gelato while you’re there."

"This elegant little place on the Piazza San Lorenzo isn’t exactly hip or fancy. There are no crazy flavours or ambitious combinations, just classic Italian gelato the way it’s supposed to be. Sample traditional flavours like pistachio and chocolate, with tiny bits of candied fruit mixed in for a little extra surprise."

"You’ll pay a premium to sip coffee on the charming outside terrace here but we’d be inclined to say it’s worth it. There’s table service so you don’t need to worry about a complicated ordering system and the coffee is delicious. It’s the perfect place to stop for a caffeine hit if you’ve been to the Spanish steps."

"Ciampini has long been the secret vice of Romans in the know. After a recent renovation, they've expanded and now have a second gelateria, literally a stone's throw from the first. Many Romans consider Ciampini to be some of the best gelato in Rome."

"The pride gelato master Günther Rohregger puts in his profession is evident in the quality of the ingredients used and the outstanding gelato he produces. Born in northern Italy, he thankfully chose Rome as the destination for his excellent gelato. His specialty flavors tend towards creativity and uniqueness, including a gelato made with pine extract, a delicious reflection of his alpine roots."

"The South Tyrolean Günther Rohregger has made his name among the Roman ice producers. Here you can find combinations like Madagascar cinnamon or Swiss stone pine. His selling points are in Via dei Pettinari just at the Sixtus bridge, in Piazza Sant’Eustachio between Piazza Navona and Pantheon and, named “The Taste Gelato”, in Via due Macelli between the Spanish Steps and the Quirinal."

"Punto Gelato by Günther Rohregger|© AromiCreativi / Punto Gelato. The secret to Günther Rohregger’s rich and intensely flavoured gelato is his careful selection of high-quality ingredients. The milk is organic and microfiltered, and even the water used for sorbets is specially chosen for its mineral content."

"One of Rome’s most prestigious hotels, the Hassler celebrated its 125th birthday in 2018. Guests book here for the magical views of the city from the top of the Spanish Steps, for the sophisticated style of the suites and for the impeccable service, which is surprisingly warm for a five-star hotel. The facilities are first rate and include the Rossano Ferretti Hair Salon, the Amorvero Spa, the Michelin-starred Imàgi restaurant and the elegant Hassler bar – where, it is said, Princess Diana described their house bellini as the best ever."

"Hassler Roma, or Rome’s Stairway to Heaven, as the legendary hotel is popularly known, is located at the top of the Spanish Steps in the heart of Rome and has been serving its clientele for the past 125 years. The hotel overlooks one of the city’s most famous squares, Piazza di Spagna, and offers guests a central, five-star hub for all their adventures in and around Rome. A total of 87 luxe rooms is available with only the best amenities, along with a sauna, fitness centre, and a Michelin-starred restaurant."

"See all of our readers' favorite hotels, cities, airlines, cruise lines, and more in the World's Best Awards for 2021."

"Close to Porta Pia there lies a nice place to walk, which will pose some amazing views, Villa Torlonia. The area has been transformed into a beautiful area for walking, leisure and photography. It’s a complex of monumental proportions with a vantage points that will showcase the old and new in one singular divide."

"Another one to add to your list of Rome parks is Villa Torlonia. Still today, although centuries have passed since it was first built for the banker Alessandro Torlonia and his son, it belongs to the Torlonia family. It was designed by the well known architect, Giuseppe Valadier (Neo-classic school)."

"The Napoleonic Museum, or Museo Napoleonico, houses the collection of Count Giuseppe Primoli, who began to gather objects regarding the Bonaparte family (his great-grandparents were Joseph and Lucien Bonaparte). His collection came to include family souvenirs, items from antique shops, and items that were donated by Empress Eugenie and Princess Mathilda. When Primoli died in the early 1900s, the collection was passed on to the city of Rome and a museum was created, as per his final wishes."

"Housed in the Palazzo Primoli, this Roman museum is dedicated to the period of Napoleon and his connection to Italy. Located just north of the Piazza Navona, the museum contains the collections of Count Giuseppe Primoli. He was the great grandson of Joseph and Lucien Bonaparte."

"Temakinho is known as the coolest sushi place in Rome – though a little on the pricier side, it’s perfect for a special occasion or unusual event. Even more so as it’s not traditional sushi, but the Brazilian version – expect to find typical sushi pairings, but also plentiful meat and caipirinhas to go with your temaki. With stunning pastel-coloured interiors that will make you feel you’re in a pineapple-flavoured acid dream, and colourful spreads of food, this is a restaurant that offers Instagrammable dishes that don’t compromise on quality or taste."

"Also found in the Monti neighborhood, Temakinho serves up Brazilian-Japanese fusion food, more specifically sushi with Brazilian flavors: tuna, salmon, and sea bass rolls are paired with ingredients like mango, coriander, lime, and other tropical ingredients. Temakinho also serves a variety of Brazilian beers. Reservations recommended."

"With three fun locations in Rome alone, reservations are highly recommended at Temakhino as these small restaurants tend to fill up fast for lunch and dinner. Address Borgo Angelico, 30 (Vatican) | Via dei Serpenti, 16 (Monti) | Via del Tritone, 62 (Piazza Barberini). Hours Check individual restaurant pages for hours"

"This Japanese restaurant in Prati mixes elegance with a contemporary setting that is able to take you to the orient. The dark interiors create a contrast with the lighting creating a relaxed and refined setting. But it isn’t just the cool design that’s great at Taki, their menu is a triumph of Japanese dishes, ranging from cold and warm dishes to classic sushi, sashimi and nigiri."

"If you’re looking for a contemporary setting and delicious traditional Japanese cuisine, Taki is it. Located on Piazza Cavour, the restaurant is set on two floors and has a sleek design. The restaurant has dimmed lights, an elegant atmosphere and a fantastic menu that offers hot and cold Japanese dishes."