As the temperatures rise in Rome, many visitors are seeking some relief by grabbing an ice cream cone or a dish of gelato shops in Rome. To avoid an icy disappointment, make sure you’re heading to a gelateria original (an artisanal, family-run place that follows strict production methods) and not one of the many tourist traps. It’s also worth checking that the place has real ingredients rather than using frozen fruit or food coloring to disguise poor quality.
A favorite among locals is Fiordiluna in Trastevere. While many of the other more famous shops have been ‘touristified’ with Coldplay playing in the background and long queues, this shop has kept it real with traditional flavors like chocolate and pistachio and some wacky ones too like ricotta and figs or zabaione (an Italian dessert made with egg yolks, sugar and sweet wine).
Scooping Up Memories: A Taste of Rome’s Iconic Gelaterias
Another good option is Come il Latte on the edge of Villa Borghese. This upscale, high-end gelato chain has nine locations in the city but this particular location near the metro stop is one of the best. They serve rich, creamy flavors like salted caramel (using the much-prized pink Himalayan salt) and pistachio as well as a Roman specialty of an ice cream sandwich with Gentilini cookies and vanilla gelato.
More of a hidden gem is Gutilla on Via Nomentana in the eastern part of the city. While the shop isn’t fancy and the walls are covered in graffiti, this is a place where the taste of the gelato matters most. Their Dueto gelato is popular, a mishmash of pistachios and hazelnuts with dark chocolate while Novellina is a winner for those who prefer custard.