The Best Gelato in Rome: 14 Gelaterias We’ve Actually Tried

If you’re heading to Rome, one thing you have to do is try gelato. Strictly speaking, gelato differs from ice cream in a few key ways. It has less fat, less air, and is served warmer, which makes it denser and more intensely flavoured than standard ice cream. It also melts faster, which on a hot Roman afternoon is something you’ll want to keep in mind.

We’ve been visiting Rome for years, and every trip involves a ridiculous amount of gelato. After all that research (the sacrifices we make), I can tell you that my favourite gelateria in Rome is Come il Latte, near Termini station. The chocolate-lined cones are extraordinary. But Rome is a big city, and you’re not always going to be near Termini, so I’ve organised this guide by neighbourhood. Wherever you are, you’ll know where to find great gelato nearby.

If you’re looking for a more comprehensive dining experience, we also have a guide to the best food tours in Rome, many of which include gelato stops.

How to Spot Good Gelato in Rome

Rome has gelato shops on practically every corner, and not all of them are worth your time or money. After years of eating our way through the city, here are the things we look for.

First, avoid anything wildly colourful or piled up in dramatic peaks. Real gelato is too dense to pile high, and bright neon colours are a sign of artificial colouring. Pistachio gelato should be a muted greenish-brown, not radioactive green. If it looks like it belongs in a children’s party, walk on.

The best gelaterias in Rome often don’t even have their gelato on display. Instead, it’s stored in covered metal wells (called pozzetti) sunk into the counter, which keeps the temperature consistent and the flavours fresh. If you see a row of stainless steel lids instead of colourful mounds, that’s usually a very good sign.

Pricing in Rome is generally reasonable. Expect to pay around €2 to €4 for a small cup or cone with two flavours, depending on the location. Touristy spots near major landmarks tend to be at the higher end.

Finally, check the ingredient list if it’s displayed. The best gelaterias use seasonal fruit, fresh milk, and no artificial preservatives. If the shop mentions making everything on site daily, even better.

Best Gelato Near the Trevi Fountain and Pantheon

This is the most popular part of central Rome for visitors, and there’s no shortage of gelato options. The trick is knowing which ones are actually good and which are tourist traps. These four are all ones we’ve eaten at multiple times.

Il Gelato di San Crispino

Found a stone’s throw from the Trevi Fountain, Il Gelato di San Crispino is practically an institution. It even made it into Eat, Pray, Love, and as you can imagine given its location, it’s popular.

The gelato lives up to the reputation though. Fresh flavours, an obsession with quality, and everything is made with carefully selected ingredients. They’re quite strict here: you can only get your gelato in a cup. The reasoning is that the flavour of a cone would overpower their delicate gelato. You might think that’s a bit precious, but the gelato is good enough that you won’t mind.

Buy your cup and wander past the Trevi Fountain or over towards the Pantheon with it. Just bear in mind that since February 2026, there’s a €2 entry fee to access the Trevi Fountain basin area (9am to 10pm, electronic payment only), so plan your gelato route accordingly.

There are several locations around Rome, but the ones most useful for visitors are at Via della Panetteria 42 (near the Trevi Fountain) and Piazza della Maddalena 3 (near the Pantheon). There’s even a branch at Fiumicino Airport if you want one last fix before you fly home.

 

Giolitti

One of Rome’s oldest gelato shops, Giolitti has been serving gelato since 1890 and has been in the same family ever since. For a time, they supplied cream to the Italian royal family. Even the Obamas stopped in here on a visit to Rome.

The gelato comes in a huge range of flavours, and there’s a full-service bar as well if you want coffee or something stronger alongside your scoop. Their champagne and marsala custard flavours are made from old family recipes and have been on the menu for decades, so they’re a safe bet if you’re overwhelmed by choice. The pistachio is also reliably good.

Fair warning: the ordering system takes getting used to. You pay at the counter first, get a receipt, then join a separate queue to choose your flavours. The queue can look intimidating, and it moves in a sort of organised chaos where being assertive is essential. Some people find the whole experience a bit much, especially in peak season when the crowds are heavy. We’d say it’s worth it, but if you prefer a calmer gelato experience, some of the other spots on this list might suit you better.

There’s counter service (cheaper) or table service (costs extra). We’d suggest counter service. The gelato is the same either way, and the queue is part of the Giolitti experience.

Where is it? Via Degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, moments’ walk from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain.

 

Gunther

Gunther, named for its owner Gunther Rohregger, is all about ingredients. The organic milk comes from local farmers, the fruit is seasonal, and the water comes from the Plose mountain. You won’t find a huge choice compared to some of the bigger gelaterias, but what you will find is excellent. Their ricotta stregata (ricotta “bewitched” with Strega liqueur) is a signature worth trying, and the pine nut flavour is unlike anything you’ll find elsewhere.

The shop near the Pantheon isn’t huge, but they make everything on site and you can see into the kitchen where it all happens. They now have several locations across central Rome, with the ones near the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon being the most convenient for visitors.

Where is it? Several locations. The most convenient are Via Due Macelli 108 (near the Trevi Fountain) and Piazza di Sant’Eustachio 47 (near the Pantheon).

 

Fiocco di Neve

Fiocco di Neve (which translates to “snowflake”) is just a minute’s walk from the Pantheon. You might expect that kind of prime tourist location to mean mediocre gelato, but that’s not the case here.

They don’t have a massive selection, but what’s on offer is all good. The mango and melon gelato we had here were perfect for cooling off during a heatwave, with proper fresh fruit flavours rather than the artificial sweetness you get at the tourist-trap places.

Where is it? Via del Pantheon 51. About a minute from the Pantheon.

 

Best Gelato Near Piazza Navona

Piazza Navona is one of Rome’s loveliest squares, and the streets around it are packed with restaurants and gelaterias. Most of them are mediocre. These three are not.

Gelateria del Teatro

If you’re over near the Castel Sant’Angelo or Piazza Navona, Gelateria del Teatro should be your first stop. Established in 2004 by owners Stefano and Silvia, everything here is made on site with Italian-sourced ingredients. They use filtered water and freshly delivered milk, and they take their cones seriously too, so if you prefer your gelato in a cone, this is a great place for it.

They’re known for creative flavour combinations you won’t find elsewhere, like white chocolate and basil, or dark chocolate with Nero d’Avola wine.

The location is picture-postcard perfect: a narrow cobbled street with a few tables and chairs outside, surrounded by some of the oldest streets in Rome. They also have a newer location on Lungotevere dei Vallati, facing Trastevere.

Where is it? Via dei Coronari 65-66, about three minutes’ walk from Piazza Navona.

 

Frigidarium

Frigidarium is one of those places you’re glad to discover, especially when you’re walking around the Piazza Navona area and everything looks a bit samey. This was the first gelato place in Rome I took my father-in-law to, and he loved it. I had the mango, which was fresh and properly fruity.

The staff are friendly, the queue is orderly (a nice change from some of the more chaotic gelaterias), and the quality is consistently good. It’s a reliable option in an area where it’s easy to accidentally end up at a tourist trap.

Where is it? Via del Governo Vecchio 112, about a five-minute walk from Piazza Navona.

 

Gelateria Della Palma

When we took a food tour in Rome, the guide chose Gelateria Della Palma near the Pantheon as their gelato stop. They’ve been making gelato here since 1978, and the most impressive thing about this place is the choice: on any given day, they’ll have around 150 flavours.

That can make choosing a bit tricky as you walk along the long wraparound counter. With that many flavours, not every single one is going to be a winner, so stick to the classics (chocolate, pistachio, the seasonal fruit options) rather than going for the more novelty end of the menu. The guide clearly knew what they were doing picking this place.

Where is it? Via della Maddalena 19-23, a couple of minutes’ walk from the Pantheon.

 

Best Gelato Near the Vatican and Prati

After a few hours in the Vatican Museums, you’re going to want gelato. The Prati neighbourhood, just north of the Vatican, has some of the best options in the city.

Gelateria dei Gracchi

About halfway between the Vatican and Piazza del Popolo, Gelateria dei Gracchi has been going since 1999, when owner Alberto Manassei brought his gelato-making experience from Sardinia to Rome. The chocolate here is divine. Anthony Bourdain rated this as one of the best gelato spots in Rome, and I can see why. Their dark chocolate with orange is a signature, and the pistachio is excellent too.

Like many of the best gelaterias, it’s not a huge place, so expect to grab your gelato and go. You could wander with it along the banks of the nearby Tiber, although I’d eaten mine well before I got there.

There’s a second outlet on Via di Ripetta, which is probably the best option for gelato near the Spanish Steps.

Where is it? Via dei Gracchi 272. About 15 minutes’ walk from the Vatican Museum or 10 minutes from Castel Sant’Angelo.

 

Best Gelato in Trastevere

Trastevere is Rome’s foodie neighbourhood, just south of the River Tiber. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Piazza Navona and well worth the detour for both the food and the atmosphere. These two gelaterias are among the best in the city.

Otaleg

You will have noticed that Otaleg is gelato spelled backwards. What makes this place stand out, beyond the name, is that you can see the whole gelato-making process happening in their laboratory as you visit. There are around sixty flavours at any given time, all based on seasonally available produce, and some are infused with alcohol.

Some of the flavour combinations are unusual. The cacio e pepe gelato (yes, based on the pasta dish) and the fava bean with Pecorino cheese are worth trying if you’re feeling adventurous. If not, their classic pistachio is excellent.

Where is it? Via di S. Cosimato 14a, in Trastevere.

 

Fata Morgana

We’ve taken a lot of walking tours in Rome, and whenever we ask the guides where their favourite gelato spot is, Fata Morgana regularly comes up. So naturally we had to check it out.

It did not disappoint. The range of chocolate flavours is particularly good, and some are best described as experimental. On one visit, I discovered a Lapsang Souchong and chocolate gelato. For those not familiar, Lapsang Souchong is a very smoky tea, and pairing it with chocolate was inspired. It’s not a flavour they always have, but it’s a good example of how creative this place gets. Sure, not everything is going to be to everyone’s taste, but there’ll always be something interesting to try.

They have multiple locations around Rome. The most convenient for visitors is likely Via dei Chiavari 37A, which is about five minutes’ walk from the Pantheon. There’s also one in Trastevere itself.

 

Best Gelato in Testaccio

Most visitors don’t make it to Testaccio, which is a former working-class neighbourhood south of the centre. Their loss. The food here is some of the best in Rome, and the gelato is no exception.

Brivido Gelateria

Brivido has been making traditional artisan gelato here every day since 1986. Everything is all-natural: no artificial colouring, no chemical preservatives, no sweeteners.

The thing that sets Brivido apart is what happens after you choose your flavour. They dip your gelato in hot chocolate and present it in a cone. It’s a bit like Come il Latte’s chocolate-lined cone, but taken a step further. The result is spectacular.

They also have a good range of vegan and sugar-free options, which isn’t something you find at every gelateria in Rome. It’s a bit off the beaten path, but if you’re exploring the Testaccio area (and you should), Brivido is a must.

Where is it? Via Giovanni Battista Bodoni 62, in the Testaccio neighbourhood.

 

Best Gelato Near Termini and Esquilino

The area around Rome’s main train station doesn’t have the best reputation with tourists, but it does have two of the best gelaterias in the city. If you’re arriving by train or staying near Termini, you’re in luck.

Come il Latte

This is my favourite gelato place in Rome. All the others on this list are excellent, but if I could only go to one gelateria in Rome, this would be it.

As the name suggests (it means “like milk”), Come il Latte specialises in super creamy gelato. They make it with between 60% and 70% milk (non-dairy gelato is also available), and use the freshest seasonal products for their flavours. Everything is made fresh every day, with no colour additives or chemical preservatives.

My favourite part of the whole experience isn’t even the gelato, although that’s pretty epic. It’s the fact that before you pick your flavour, you get to decide if you want the interior of your cone coated in dark chocolate or white chocolate. They have what amounts to a chocolate fountain, from where the interior of the cone gets coated in your choice. Then it’s filled with mind-bogglingly good gelato, and you can top it with homemade whipped cream. At that point, why not?

Even better, all of the above is included in the price. No nickel-and-diming for extras. And the price is very reasonable for what you’re getting. So yes, just go here.

Where is it? Via Silvio Spaventa 24/26, a short walk from Rome’s Termini station. See their website for opening times.

 

Fassi Gelateria

First opened in 1880, Fassi Gelateria is the oldest gelateria in Rome and one of the oldest in all of Italy. Today, the fifth generation of the Fassi family still serves up some of the best gelato in the city.

The experience starts as soon as you walk in. The cavernous interior feels palatial, which is how it earned its nickname: the Palazzo del Freddo, or “Palace of the Frozen.” The walls are covered in media clippings from years of coverage, plus some historical gelato-making equipment.

This is one of the places where you pay at the till first, then choose your gelato (show your receipt at the counter). The flavours include classics that have been on the menu for years, alongside more modern options. Their zabaione (a frozen eggnog-like custard) is a long-standing favourite, and look out for the persimmon flavour if you’re visiting in autumn. Prices are also among the cheapest in the city.

Where is it? Via Principe Eugenio 65/67. About 15 minutes’ walk from Roma Termini.

 

Best Gelato Near the Colosseum

The area immediately around the Colosseum is full of overpriced tourist restaurants, and the gelato situation is no different. This is the one we’d recommend.

The Gelatist

We stumbled across The Gelatist while walking across Rome on a very hot summer’s day. We weren’t near any of our other favourite spots, so we dropped in, and we were glad we did.

There was an excellent choice of gelato, and we appreciated that you could have up to three flavours even in a small cup. The salted caramel and strawberry cheesecake were both good. They also do smoothies and crepes if you want something different. Everything is made with fresh, seasonal ingredients.

There are quite a few locations across Rome, including a couple within 10 to 15 minutes’ walk of the Colosseum. It’s not a place I’d cross the city for when Come il Latte or Fassi exist, but as a convenient option in an area where the alternatives are mostly tourist traps, it’s a very solid pick.

Where is it? Several locations, including Via Nazionale 160. A good option within about 15 minutes of the Colosseum.

 

Map of the Best Gelato Locations in Rome

To help you find the nearest great gelateria wherever you happen to be, I’ve put together a map of all the spots in this guide. Click here to see this map on Google Maps.

 

Gelato in a Cone or Cup?

When you order gelato in Rome, you’ll be asked if you want a cup (coppa) or a cone (cono). For both, you’ll normally choose a size, which determines how many flavours you can have.

My preference is a cone, especially at places like Come il Latte where the cone itself is part of the experience. But a cup is more practical on a hot day when everything is melting fast, and it’s easier to mix flavours in a cup without them dripping everywhere.

One thing to note: at most gelaterias, you can ask for whipped cream (panna) on top, usually at no extra charge. It’s always worth asking.

 

How Much Does Gelato Cost in Rome?

Gelato in Rome is surprisingly affordable. A small cup or cone (usually two flavours) will run you between €2 and €4 at most places. Larger servings with more flavours cost more, but even the most generous serving rarely tops €6 or €7.

Places in prime tourist locations (right next to the Pantheon or Trevi Fountain) tend to be at the higher end. Gelaterias slightly off the main drag, like Fassi or Brivido, are often cheaper despite being just as good or better.

If a gelateria is charging significantly more than this, or if you’re being asked to pay separately for every little addition, that’s a warning sign.

 

Gelato Tours in Rome

If you want to combine gelato with a broader food experience, or even learn how to make your own, there are some good tour options in Rome.

• The Trastevere food tour from TakeWalks is one of our favourites. It covers a lot of food and drink across the neighbourhood, and finishes with gelato. We enjoyed this one.
• This well-rated street food tour of Rome includes gelato as well as a number of other local specialities.
• This tour covers two Italian favourites: gelato and coffee. We also have a guide to the best cafes in Rome if you want more on the coffee front.
• If you want to get hands-on, this pizza and gelato making class teaches you to make both from scratch. It’s a fun experience, especially for families.
• This Rome by night walking tour covers many of Rome’s attractions after dark, with pizza and gelato included.
• This walking tour of Rome’s neighbourhoods includes stops at restaurants in the Campo de’ Fiori, Jewish Ghetto, and Trastevere areas, with a gelato stop along the way.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between gelato and ice cream?

Gelato is made with more milk and less cream than ice cream, and it’s churned more slowly, which means less air gets mixed in. The result is a denser, more intensely flavoured product. Gelato is also served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, which makes it softer and means it melts faster.

In practice, you’ll notice that good gelato tastes more intensely of whatever flavour it is. A pistachio gelato should taste noticeably more pistachio-y than pistachio ice cream. The downside is that it melts fast in the Roman sun, so eat quickly.

How can you tell if gelato in Rome is good quality?

Look for natural colours (pistachio should be brownish-green, not bright green), gelato stored in covered metal wells rather than piled high, and a shop that mentions making everything fresh on site. Avoid gelaterias with neon-coloured displays piled into dramatic peaks, especially near major tourist sites.

If you can see a “laboratorio” (laboratory) sign or can actually see the gelato being made, that’s a very good indicator. Several of the gelaterias in this guide have visible production areas.

Where is the best gelato near the Trevi Fountain?

Il Gelato di San Crispino on Via della Panetteria is the most famous option, and the gelato lives up to the hype. Gunther also has a convenient location at Via Due Macelli 108, just a few minutes’ walk away. Both are a much better bet than the tourist-oriented places immediately facing the fountain.

How much does gelato cost in Rome?

Most gelaterias charge between €2 and €4 for a small cup or cone with two flavours. Prices tend to be a little higher at shops in prime tourist locations near major landmarks, and a little lower at neighbourhood gelaterias further from the centre, like Fassi in the Esquilino area.

Should I get gelato in a cup or a cone?

Either works. Cones are more fun and some gelaterias (like Come il Latte) make their cones a feature of the experience. Cups are more practical on very hot days when everything melts quickly, and they’re better if you want to mix several flavours. Most places let you add whipped cream on top at no extra charge.

Is it worth taking a gelato tour in Rome?

If you’re interested in learning about gelato history and tasting flavours you might not pick yourself, a food tour that includes gelato can be a good experience. We’ve taken several food tours in Rome and always enjoyed the gelato stops. A gelato-making class is also fun if you want a more hands-on experience, especially for families.

That said, you don’t need a tour to find great gelato. This guide should have you covered wherever you are in the city.

 

More for Your Rome Trip

If you’re planning a visit to Rome, we have plenty more guides to help. Our 3-day Rome itinerary passes near most of the gelaterias on this list, so you’ll be able to check many of them out. We also have itineraries for 2 days in Rome and a day in Rome, as well as a guide to things to do in Rome.

If you plan on visiting the Colosseum, our detailed Colosseum guide covers everything you need to know, including the latest ticket structure. Coffee lovers will want our guide to the best coffee in Rome.

We also have a detailed 10-day Italy itinerary if you’re planning a longer trip, and if you want a guidebook, we recommend the Rick Steves Rome guide, which has lots of practical information.

And that’s it! Got a favourite gelateria in Rome that didn’t make our list? Let us know in the comments below!