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If you haven’t eaten gelato every day when you’re visiting Italy, have you even been there? There’s nothing better than the creamy treat on a warm day. Or a cold day. Any day, really. Here are my favorite places to get the best gelato in Milan, Italy.
If you think there are too many gelaterias to visit in Milan, just remember that gelato is healthier than ice cream because it has less fat. The flavors of gelato are more concentrated thanks to having less air incorporated, so a small taste can go a long way, and you don’t have to feel bad about having your daily fix.
When you’re looking for real gelato in Milan (or anywhere else in Italy), there are a few simple rules to follow. If a gelateria has bright, fake-looking colored gelato or gelato piled high above the container, stay away. Real gelato should be the actual color of the ingredient and shouldn’t be pumped full of air to take up more space. Think about it: if gelato doesn’t contain banana peels, why would it be bright yellow?
These Milan gelaterias I’m recommending are known for using high-quality ingredients, so you don’t have to worry about low-quality calories.
One other note: most gelato spots in Milan seem to have no problem giving out samples of flavors, but don’t be that person who takes forever when there’s a queue of hot, hungry people behind you.
Book your hotel in Milan now!You might also want to consider taking one of these Milan food tours, which are a great way to learn about the city’s cuisine. Or you can take this pizza & gelato making class!
And now, time for gelato!
Best Gelaterias in Milano
Antica Gelateria Sartori
There are plenty of Milan gelato places with modern looks and artisanal flavors. Antica Gelateria Sartori is not one of them.
The gelato kiosk has been open near Milano Centrale train station since 1937.
There’s nothing too outrageous here, but you wouldn’t want anything beyond traditional flavors at a place that has been around for so long. They also serve granita.
I enjoyed the salted caramel along with the cheesecake. Hazelnut and pistachio are two other popular flavors.
Address: Piazza Luigi di Savoia, 20125 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Terra Gelato
For a more modern gelato experience near Milano Centrale, head to Terra Gelato. The shop has received the prestigious Tre Coni Gambero Rosso Award for being one of the best gelato shops in Italy.
Terra Gelato’s creations are made in-house from alpine hay milk. The machines are visible through a glass window. They also offer vegan flavors.
Go beyond sampling a taste or two and get yourself an entire tasting tray. These are best split with friends or family, though if you’re solo and want to treat yourself, I won’t judge.
I wanted to keep it simple to see just how much the quality of ingredients matters. I went with one of my favorite gelato flavors, zabaione. Zabaione is a dessert or drink typically made from egg yolks, sugar, and wine.
It’s essentially Italian egg nog with a luxurious gelato flavor, especially when made at a place like Terra Gelato that knows what it is doing.
Local favorites such as hazelnut and pistachio are popular, of course, but other more adventurous flavors such as black sesame and black cherry crunch are also not to be missed.
Address: Via Vitruvio, 38, 20124 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
VERO ~ Gelateria Cremeria
VERO ~ Gelateria Cremeria was formerly OGGI – Officina Gelato Gusto Italiano – Milano.
The brick-walled gelato shop offers over 20 different flavors, plus crepes and brioche.
While the gelato flavors are excellent—I especially enjoyed the luxurious salted caramel, tiramisu, and pistachio—the little touches also make customers line up at this gelato shop near Sforzesco Castle.
Water with citrus and mint is available for those who like to have a little something to drink with their gelato.
Most importantly, a prominent chocolate fountain is displayed near the gelato containers. While topping your gelato with chocolate sauce is great, Vero takes it a step further and puts some at the bottom of the cone first, so you get a tasty treat at the end.
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Address: Corso Garibaldi, 60, 20121 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Artico Gelateria
Artico Gelateria, which is also a Tre Coni Gambero Rosso Award winner, has several gelato shops in Milan.
The gelateria offers a wide selection of creative flavors. Its specialty is chocolate, and nearly half of the flavors contain it in some form.
One of the gelato flavors I had was the crema artico, which is an egg cream with lemon. The lovely concoction was one of my favorite flavors of gelato in Milan. It reminded me of a lemon bar, but lighter and creamier.
I also loved Artico Gelateria’s chocolate cheesecake. Unlike a lot of cheesecake gelato, it actually had chunks of crust in it, adding some texture to my scoop.
If you’ve visited Artico Gelateria and become inspired by their high-quality gelato, don’t fret. The group also operates a gelato school, where you can learn how to make it yourself.
Address: Via Luigi Porro Lambertenghi, 15, 20159 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Isola
Address: Via Dogana, 1, 20123 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Duomo
Address: Via Giovanni Pacini, 17, 20131 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Città Studi
Address: V. Ambrogio Bergognone da Fossano, 27, 20144 Milano MI, Italy (map) – Solari
Website
Gelateria La Romana
Gelateria La Romana is one of the most popular gelato shops in Milan. The chain started in 1947, not in Rome, but in Rimini, near San Marino.
Their Milano gelateria has long lines, especially on hot weekends, since it’s located on a busy street near Navigli.
If I have one complaint about the shop, it’s that the line doesn’t move fast. It doesn’t help that some people were cutting ahead, plus online orders were also slowing things down.
Once I finally got to the front of the line, I understood why service takes a while. There are a lot of decisions to be made. Of course, there are tons of flavors, including special seasonal flavors each month. There are also a variety of cone options, plus frappes, coffee, brioche, and crepes.
I opted for the large cone, which comes with up to five flavors. I was not expecting that, so I had only decided on three. Of course, I could have done just three, but when in Milan, why not go for it and try as many as possible?
My five flavors were Biscotto Della nonna, Ricotta e fichi caramellati, Stracciatella grand cru, Pesto di pistacchio, and Croccante Della nonna.
After the long line, I wondered if it would be worth it, but it was some of the creamiest gelato I had in Milan. While I’d probably go elsewhere if I were in a hurry (see below), the wait wasn’t so bad in the end.
Address: V.le Col di Lana, 2, 20136 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
Iconico Gelato
Iconico Gelato is part of the new generation of gelato shops. Their slogan is: For Real Gelato Lovers.
In addition to very creamy dairy-based gelato, they also offer vegan and gluten-free options.
Every gelato shop has pistachio, but their salted pistachio is a revelation.
Address: Via Molino delle Armi, 31, 20123 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Address: Corso Buenos Aires, 2, 20124 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
Gelateria Oasi
Gelateria Oasi is another longtime Milan favorite, having been open since 1982.
In addition to many traditional gelato flavors, the shop also offers crepes, fresh fruit, yogurt, and granita, along with other desserts and specialty coffee drinks.
Address: Via dei Fabbri, 26, 20123 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Gelato Fatto Con Amore
Gelato Fatto Con Amore is located just down the street from Santa Maria delle Grazie, home to Leonardo’s The Last Supper. It’s a great place for a break before or after visiting the church.
The small shop is one of the best in Milan. Popular flavors include passion fruit with mint, hazelnut, and ginger cream.
Address: Corso Magenta, 30, 20121 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Il Massimo del Gelato
Family-run Il Massimo Del Gelato is famous for its variety of chocolate gelato flavors.
My recommendation: While it’s tempting for chocolate lovers to get a few different chocolate flavors, they can potentially blend together rather than stand out. Instead, I recommend selecting a chocolate scoop and pairing it with other flavors that go well with chocolate.
For example, I also had salted peanut butter and zabaione with cognac.
It was a delectable combination.
Address: Via Lodovico Castelvetro, 18, 20154 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Website
Il Negozietto del Gelato
Il Negozietto Del Gelato is a small shop, but it offers a wide variety of flavors, as well as crepes and waffles.
The gelato shop is near busy bars and restaurants in Navigli, but because it is around the corner from the busiest area, it remains a bit hidden. Il Negozietto Del Gelato is a solid alternative to nearby Gelateria La Romana if you don’t want to deal with their queue.
I found their white chocolate and cinnamon flavors to be creamy and refreshing.
Address: Alzaia Naviglio Pavese, 6, 20143 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Avgvsto Premiata Gelateria
The award-winning Avgvsto Premiata Gelateria is another shop offering many chocolate and dairy-free flavors.
I wasn’t in the mood for chocolate, but my flavor combination of hazelnut, mascarpone pear and lotus cookie was fantastic.
Address: Viale Coni Zugna, 54, 20144 Milano MI, Italy (map)
Read about my recommendations for the best cocktail bars in Milan. If craft beer is more your style, here are my favorite craft beer bars and breweries in Milan.
Here are some great Milan tours & things to do in Milan.
If you’re looking for a place to stay, check out these Milan hotels.
