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There’s nothing better than some refreshing gelato on a hot summer day. Or a hot spring day. Or a hot autumn day. Or a hot winter day, given the way the weather is trending. Whenever I’m in Italy, I have a gelato almost daily, regardless of how hot or cold it is outside. Here are my favorite places for gelato in Rome, including how to identify real gelato so you don’t waste your calories and money with touristy garbage.
If you’re a gelato fan, you might also want to take a Rome food tour or cooking class. Check out these excellent food tour options. There are even classes where you can learn how to make gelato!
Tips For Finding The Best Gelato In Rome
Wherever there are tourists, there are people trying to take advantage of tourists with low-quality goods and services. While there are plenty of great Rome gelato shops, many spots of dubious quality cater to tourists who don’t know better.
I’ve learned a few tips for getting the most out of your gelato experience in Rome.
First, you know those enticing displays with gelato piled high? That’s not what you want to see from a quality gelato shop. Those piles have air added. You want dense, creamy gelato. The real good stuff can be 20% heavier than low-quality gelato. So, while you might get a smaller cup as a result, what you’re getting is better, with a much richer flavor.
Speaking of enticing displays, another sign of inferior gelato is bright colors. Flavors like banana, pistachio, and mint are some of the most popular in Italy. However, if those flavors are bright yellow or bright green, stay away. That’s not how real gelato should look. Think about it: We don’t eat banana peels, so why would something with banana in it be so bright?
Related: If one gelato flavor is fake, the rest are, too. So don’t think you can just avoid those brightly colored flavors at a particular shop and still get quality gelato. They’re going to cut corners with every flavor.
Also, as you walk around Rome, you’ll spot gelato shops with a plastic ice cream cone outside. While not a universal symbol of low-quality gelato, your Spidey sense should at least be tingling so you can be on the lookout for other warning signs.
That’s enough about bad gelato. Let’s talk more about how I spot good gelato.
If you can’t see the gelato, that’s often a sign of quality, as some shops keep the containers closed entirely to ensure it’s kept at the proper temperature.
At the very least, each available gelato flavor shouldn’t be higher than the container’s edge.
Look for gelaterias that are making their gelato fresh in-house. Although disappointing, being out of a flavor is perfectly normal. That means there’s no massive stock stored up in a freezer somewhere.
Finally, as you make your gelato selections, it can be overwhelming. Many of these Rome gelaterias have dozens of tantalizing flavors. One way to narrow it down is to think about flavors that pair well when ordering multiple scoops. So, you can have fruit one day and go back for chocolate-based flavors the next day.
Above all – enjoy your gelato! It’s one of the best parts of visiting Italy and one of the best things to eat in Rome.
The Best Gelato Shops in Rome
Fatamorgana Gelato Rome
Fatamorgana is one of the best and most famous gelaterias in Rome. It helps that they have so many locations, with six and counting scattered around the Eternal City.
But don’t let their chain status fool you. While having so many shops can sometimes be a red flag, Fatamorgana serves excellent gelato. Founder Maria Agnese Spagnuolo has created a delicious gelato empire.
Don’t just believe me – Fatamorgana has won the Tre Coni Gambero Rosso Award, awarded to Italy’s best gelato shops.
Their shops offer tons of different flavors, including some very Italian concoctions. They might be a little bit pricier than some other places, but the gelato is fantastic.
On my first visit, I kept things fairly classic. I got the zabiaone (egg custard), along with ricotta cheese and Sicily citrus.
I enjoyed the ginger crème pat along with basil, walnuts, and honey at another location. Yes, that’s the sort of flavors you can expect at Fatamorgana.
Address: Via dei Chiavari, 37A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Centro Storico (Chiavari)
Address: P.za degli Zingari, 5, 00184 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Monti
Address: Via Roma Libera, 11, 00153 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Trastevere
Address: Via Lago di Lesina, 9/11, 00199 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Nemorense (Trieste Salario)
Address: V. della Croce, 46, 00187 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Croce
Address: P.za della Libertà, 6, 00015 Monterotondo RM, Italy (map) – Monterotondo
Website
Otaleg
Gelato philosopher Marco Radicioni is a legend. He has won many gelato awards, including the prestigious Tre Coni Gambero Rosso Award. Fans line up at this gelato shop in Trastevere to try his concoctions.
The inventive flavors are like nothing you’re likely to have had before, especially if you try the flavor of the day, which can get a little crazy. There are some 30 flavors of ice cream and sorbet to choose from, all made with top-quality ingredients from local producers.
I enjoyed the salted peanut and chocolate, pineapple ginger, and mango. The mango was absolutely jammed with real mango. All of the flavors were excellent.
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Portions are smaller than other places, but this is a gelato shop where you’re getting quality over quantity and something truly unique.
Address: Via di S. Cosimato, 14a, 00153 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Trastevere
Address: Viale dei Quattro Venti, 70, 00152 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Monteverde
Website
Guttilla Alta Gelateria Italiana Roma
I was taking a walk near Musei di Villa Torlonia on my way to one of Rome’s excellent beer bars, when I spotted Guttilla Alta Gelateria Italiana Roma.
It’s hard not to spot it, as it’s a bright, modern shop filled with not just gelato but other desserts as well. They also sell sauces and chocolate.
Some of the flavors I wanted weren’t available since they were in the middle of being made. I could see the gelato makers in action. But once again, that’s a good sign, and it’s cool to see the gelato being made fresh.
I ended up going with milk chocolate, pistachio, and zabiaone. They all were nice and creamy, but the latter was one of the best zabaglione I’d ever had.
They also have another gelato shop in Prati, near the Vatican.
Address: Via Nomentana, 267/277, 00198 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Roma Nomentana
Address: Via dei Gracchi, 93, 00192 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Prati
Website
Ruma Bottega & Cucina Agricola
For an even fancier gelato experience, head to Ruma Bottega & Cucina Agricola near Piazza Navona.
More than just a gelato shop, it’s also a bistro and cheese shop that offers wine, platters, and a food menu. It’s a chill little space that’s nice to relax in, with jazz playing on the stereo.
As for the gelato, they only have six flavors, but what makes their gelato special is that it’s all made using Buffalo milk from their own farm.
I enjoyed scoops of their chocolate, pistachio, and stracciatella, along with their pure Buffalo milk flavor that really lets the creaminess shine.
If you’re looking for something high-quality and a bit different, Ruma Bottega & Cucina Agricola is the place to go.
Address: Via di Parione, 13, 00186 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
Gelateria dell’Angeletto
Gelateria dell’Angeletto is a tiny gelato shop in Monti. Since I stayed right nearby, it became a beloved favorite.
Despite basically being a kiosk, Gelateria dell’Angeletto has some of the best gelato in Rome. It’s certainly the best gelato in Rome near the Colosseum, an area crowded with touristy options.
Their 22 flavors are super creamy and fresh. Between empty spaces in the display due to what has run out and the rotation of seasonal flavors, you can tell it’s a quality shop. Of course, there are classics, some unique options, plus vegan flavors. Founder Stefano Segnalini learned his craft at Gracchi, another well-known Rome ice cream shop.
On my first visit, I enjoyed a perfect combination of salted caramel, rum chocolate, and banana.
We would end up going back a couple more times, including for “dinner” before taking a night tour of the Colosseum.
Address: Via dell’Angeletto, 15, 00184 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
Rivareno Gelato
Rivareno Gelato is a small local chain with three gelato shops around Rome. They also have gelato shops in Milan and other cities around Italy, plus international locations, with more coming soon.
In addition to traditional gelatos, they have a long list of specialty flavors, including dairy-free options.
I enjoyed their Crema Fiorentina (made with cream, eggs, honey, and extract of orange and lemon peel), chocolate with rum, and ricotta & fig.
The latter had a massive chunk of real fig, not just a bit of flavor. The chocolate with rum was intensely packed with chocolate and rum. All three were very creamy and flavorful, making Rivareno Gelato one of my favorite gelaterias in Rome.
Address: Via Magnagrecia, 25, 00183 Roma RM, Italy (map) – San Giovanni
Address: Via Tuscolana, 1114, 00174 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Tuscolana
Address: Corso Trieste, 207, 00198 Roma RM, Italy (map) – Trieste
Website
Buono Così Gelateria Naturale Roma
Rome’s Centocelle neighborhood isn’t on the radar of most visitors, but thanks to the quality bars and restaurants, it’s a cool place to check out if you want to see a real part of the city. I went there for some local Roman craft beer and tagliere, but I also visited a couple of great local gelaterias.
In addition to the tasty gelato, one of the things I liked about Buono Così Gelateria was their ordering system. Some shops encourage orderly queues, while others are complete chaos, but Buono Così has a ticket system where you take a number. This keeps things organized while also keeping it from getting too crowded inside.
Once my number came up, it was time to order. The server behind the counter was so helpful and friendly. Not only did she tell me about some of the flavors, but she also kept me from accidentally ordering licorice, which I thought was some kind of liquor based on my poor Italian translation skills.
The flavors and ingredients at Buono Così show their love of Italy. I opted for the ricotta and cinnamon, pistachio (which was emphasized as 100% Sicilian), and egg cream with Marsala wine (zabaglione).
Everything was phenomenal. It was some of the creamiest gelato I tasted in Rome.
Address: Piazza dei Gerani, 30, 00172 Roma RM, Italy (map)
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Grostè Gelateria Artigianale
Grostè Gelateria Artigianale is another neighborhood gelato shop in Centocelle. Local pigeons were lining up, hoping kids would drop something good.
In addition to good gelato that’s enjoyed both by humans and birds, the shop also offers crepes.
I enjoyed the banana (not bright yellow!), mango, and the zabaglione.
Other flavors recommended by owners Mauro and Gabriele include Sicilian pistachio, Madagascar vanilla, Roman ricotta, cassata, Piedmontese hazelnut, fior di latte ice cream variegated with Nutella and crunchy caramel, walnut and fig, Venetian Sunset, and Profumo di Capri.
Tip: Each cup of gelato comes with a mini cone on it, so don’t feel like you’ll miss out on a crunchy treat if you want to go with the cleaner option.
Address: Via dei Castani, 238/b, 00171 Roma RM, Italy (map)
Website
What’s your favorite gelato flavor? And are you a cup or a cone person? Let me know below!
Here are some great Rome tours & the best things to see & do in Rome.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out these Rome hotels.
