Best Gelato in Venice, Florence, Cinque Terre and Rome?

There is a debate looming on this question, I am sure. Venice - Polo du Nord. Kind of hard to find. Near Piazzale Roma - except across the canal. You can tripadvisor it. Also, there is one on Santa Marguerita square along San Pantalon. These are in San Polo/Dorsoduro area.

Florence - our favorite was right on piazza Signoria. It was "kitty corner" to Palazzo Vecchio, right on the Main Street with a street name like Calaziuoli. Get the blackberry flavor or frutti di bosco.

Ask the locals/ hotel front desk clerks. Our front desk person in Venice took our question very seriously. She believes gelato is an important matter. Too many flavors - too little time. I regret I didn't get to try more flavors.

In Rome, just across the street from the Vatican City walls, is Gelateria Oldbridge. It's been there forever, is just a hole in the wall, and the gelato is really good. Huge portions for a good price! It's at the northeast corner of the wall, just west of the Piazza del Risorgimento bus area. Just follow the road that leads along the wall of the Vatican and you can't miss it as there is usually a line down the street!

We just returned from Florence. Hidden jewel was the Gelateria della Passera on Piazza della Passera, street is Via Toscanella. It is in Arno Alto, a few blocks from Ponte Vecchio. One euro per scoop of truly original artisan flavors. We walked in one afternoon and the scent of lemon met us at the door. Of course, that was the gelato being prepared! We stopped in every afternoon and, of course, after dinner. Well worth seeking out this gelateria.

We just returned from Florence, too. My favorite was Mordilatte, on Via dei Servi just a short way from the Duomo (specifically the door up to the dome climb). Facing the cathedral entrance, walk around to the left of the church, turn left when you get to Via dei Servi, go about 100 meters, and it's on the right. Everything we tried was great, and our "un assagio, per favore" requests were met with smiles and encouragement. Lovely staff!

Florence.
If you asked 100 Florentines to rate the top 10 in Florence, most of those 10 would not be in the historical center.
Since I doubt the readers of this forum will venture outside of the historical center, I'll mention a few in the historical center that might make the top 10 (or at least the top 20) with many locals (in no particular order):
Carraia (piazza Sauro, in the Oltrarno across the Carraia bridge)
Mordilatte (via de Servi)
Vivoli (via Isola delle Stinche)
Gelateria de Neri (via de Neri)
and Perche' No (via de Tavolini)
Vivoli of course is the worldwide famous historical Gelateria.
I heard from friends there that a new chain Gelateria called Grom is good. No personal experience with that one.
My favorites were closer to my house: Il Sorriso, Badiani and also the Gelateria Veneta in. Piazza Beccaria. But don't go out of your way just for a gelato. The ones I gave you above are all good too.

Roberto's list is good for Florence

However, Grom has gotten pricey and there are often long lineups. I also like Mordilatte, but I think they focus on gelato (with milk duh) and don't have any fruit flavours.

I like Carapina on via Lambertesca which might be a bit harder to find. It runs off of via Por S. Maria (which is the street leading onto Ponte Vecchio). Great gelato and only seasonal fruit flavours and cheaper than Grom.

I also like Rivareno on Borgo degli Albizi.

Before going to Rome a relative told me about Gelateria Del Teatro. We stopped there 2 days out of 5 in Rome this past september. Amazing gelato and not many tourists at all. It's tucked in a corner of a side alley. You have to know it's there or be looking for it. It's between Piazza Novana and the Vatican. Here is a pic of the outside.

http://sweets.seriouseats.com/20120511-205931-gelateria-del-teatro-rome.jpg/del%20Teatro.jpg

I am a Grom fan...love it!

I have to disagree with the above post--and isn't it great that we are having a debate about gelato?! :) Mordilatte has great fruit flavors, but I think they are seasonal. We had fragola (strawberry) and it was the best I've ever had!

I had Grom as well (the one between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria), and meh. I was completely unimpressed. Mordilatte was much better.

In Rome, we went to Giolitti, because everyone said to go. (It's on the Piazza Navona, Pantheon walk in Rick's Rome book.) It was great, and it's certainly BEAUTIFUL, but it wasn't life-changing.

Grom has the best chocolate gelato in the world!

But I am more than willing to accept opinions to the contrary and sample those myself :-)

Thanks all for the help.
We knew there would be some controversy as each has their own tastes and opinions. We'll be there long enough to form our own opinions. If we are not happy with one we'll try another.

When we return we'll add our reviews and comments also.

The couple who own the Beehive Hostel in Rome are foodies and have published an eating guide to Rome. One of their top choices for gelato is Come il Latte - via Silvio Spaventa, 24, which is close to the Termini train station. Here is a quote from their guide:

"The ice cream truly is amazing and it's only a 10 minute walk away from The Beehive! Well worth the stroll over and they are generous with their portions. There are two running faucets - one with dark chocolate and one with white chocolate. You have a choice of either your cone being filled with either and a cookie/biscuit being dipped in it to top your cone or cup. Delicious!"

My wife and I and our adult daughter stayed at the Beehive (a great hostel!) in 2013 and made three trips to Come il Latte.

Astute people, might I ask: what is the name of the famous Roman gelataria, somewhere near Piazza Navona, with about 150 flavors, including 14 or 15 varieties of chocolate? It has a huge and very colorful display of gelatos, snaking through the entire location. If you know this one, do you think its quality matches its quantity?

Here's the rest of the Beehive's recommended gelaterias:

Gelateria dei Gracchi - Via dei Gracchi, 272 (Vatican) and viale Regina Margherita, 192 (Porta Pia) Open daily. 06.3216668 (Gracchi), 06.85353508 (Regina Margherita) The owner used to build mandolins and now spends his days making some of the best gelato in Rome. They use only local ingredients and no artificial flavors or preservatives such as some of the best pistachio gelato made with Sicilian pistachios. Slow Food award winning gelato and you can taste why - light, creamy and
delicious. This gelato is gluten free and they even offer gluten free cones by request.

Fatamorgana - Piazza degli Zingari (Monti), Via G. Bettolo, 7 (Prati/Vatican area), Via Lago di Lesina, 9/11 (Piazza Crati) Open daily. 06.86391589 (Pz Crati location) Similar in style to the before-mentioned San Crispino gelateria, but Maria Agnese who owns and runs the shop is 10 times nicer. You won’t find attitude here, just genuine friendliness and someone who really cares about her product. She’ll let you taste any flavor and you’ll need her help deciphering the exotic titles: “Cioccolato Kentucky” an amazing chocolate gelato with a tobacco infusion. “Dukkah” – cumin, sesame and coriander flavor. There are several flavors that focus on spices and herbs. Fruit flavors include Mango & Lime, Apple & Cinnamon, and one made with pear, port and sambuca. Flavors are always changing. There are also the old favorites, chocolate, cream and pistachio. To top it off, all of their gelato is glutin free and made with all natural organic ingredients. A definite must do if you have the time and the inclination. At the Piazza Crati location, next door is Nemorense Park where you can take your gelato and wile away an hour enjoying a true taste of “la dolce vita”.

il Gelato di Claudio Torce - 2 locations: Piazza Monte d’Oro, 91/92 (near Via del Corso/Spanish Steps area) and Viale Aventino, 59 (Circo Massimo) Open daily. Closed Mondays in winter. Claudio Torce is a true gelato artisan. Habanero pepper, gorgonzola, at least TEN different chocolate choices this is not your average gelato shop!

Neve di Latte - Via Luigi Poletti, 6 (Lungotevere Flaminio) Open daily. Near the new MAXXI museum, this is some serious artisanal gelato. Biodynamic Alpine milk (and water!), specially produced eggs from Pisa, Tuscan chocolate, fair-trade sugar and vanilla. It’s a very calm space to cool off on a hot afternoon.

Gelateria del Teatro - Via di San Simone, 70 (Piazza Navona), Lungotevere dei Vallati, 25 (Jewish Ghetto) Open daily. Many interesting flavor choices here. Refreshing lemon with basil, chocolate with Nero d’Avola, pistachio nuts from Sicily, lavender and white peach. There are lots of milk free options as well and gluten free cones.

Grom - Via della Maddalena, 30A (Pantheon) and Piazza Navona, 1 and Via dei Giubbonari, 53 Campo dei Fiori) Open daily. www.grom.it Yes, this is a chain, there are three branches at the time of this update here in Rome alone. The flavors change monthly and are all made from only natural, seasonal ingredients. In winter there are three different hot chocolates to try. Feeling indulgent? You can even add a scoop of gelato. They have gluten-free, vegan and soy options also.

Ciampini - Piazza San Lorenzo in Lucina, 29 (off of main shopping street, via del Corso) Closed Sundays. Credit cards accepted. Very good gelato in a very pretty piazza. The maron glace is what the crowds are usually here for. One of the real treats are the tiny chocolate dipped cones you can order from the freezer cases.

The list was too long. Here's one more.

Gelato Corona - Largo Arenula, 27 (Largo Torre Argentina) Open daily - 11:00-21:00/9:00pm www.gelateriacorona.it Look for the sign saying “Best Gelato in Rome”. It is pretty good gelato, but they have a lot of competition for that title! The lime basil is refreshing on a hot day. Other interesting flavors to try are celery and vin santo with biscotti chips. In winter, there are made to order nutella crepes.

Larry sounds like he's describing Della Palma which is NE of Piazza Navona and near Giolitti. What Giolitti has going for it is the time-travel ambience since they're set up like gelatorias used to be decades ago. I'm a big fan of GROM - I describe them as the Ben & Jerry's of Italy in the sense that they're a high quality chain.

I can also recommend Fatamorgana in Rome, off Piazza San Cosimato.

Paul, use Google Maps Streetview to get your "trail markers".

In Florence we loved Perchè No. Try the watermelon ice. It's a granita, not a gelato. It was unbelievably good. Better than real watermelon!

Grom has expanded to Paris in the St. Germain neighborhood, also....in case you're missing Italy on your next trip! Yum!

C'mon, let's admit it: Gelato just isn't that good, compared to real ice cream.
Sure, when you're desperate in the Italian summer sulties, anything cold will taste good, but gelato....?

I love this post!

Tim - thank you for the list of gelaterias, plenty to try when we're there in November.

Giolitti's was not our favorite for gelato in Rome but we did go every morning for a coffee and meet with locals. One of our friends doesn't drink coffee but she gave them high marks for their hot chocolate.

I agree with those who liked Grom, I found it very good, especially the stracciatella.

Great post everyone. :)

This is a topic with unlimited opinions and flavours. My favorite place is in Rome - L'Arena del Gelato - Via Porta Castello, 8 - anglo Borgo Pio - 5 minutes from St. Peter's, 2 minutes from Castel St. Angelo.
A young man from Milan makes and serves very fresh and tasty gelato. One night when we stopped last May he had just finished making mandarin gelato from fresh mandarins his grandfather had brought in that day from his farm. His other flavours were just as fresh and intense. We know from sources that the store is often frequented by visiting Cardinals!
We are off to Rome in October and will definitely be stopping again.

Enjoy Rome Enjoy Gelato

The best gelato(s) I had in Florence was at Gelato Fest. This is an annual (May) 4-day celebration of the craft, and artisans come from all over - including the U.S. - to hotly compete for the grand prize. If you're ever lucky enough to be in town on the right week (we were!) this is a not-to-be-missed!!!

The website from the 2014 fest (ignore the page that said it was in March; it was May 1-4):
http://www.gelatofestival.it/firenzegelatofestival/en/

Kent!? Seriously!? You ALWAYS give such great advice and now you're dissing Gelato????? Very Funny!
My vote in Rome is for Old Bridge near the Vaticano.

Let the debating continue! The Guardian published a list of the ice cream parlours in Europe.

Please try them all and report back. Remember that artificial coloring is not a good sign. I'm also turned off by gelato that is piled and swirled into a tall display, as it doesn't seem like the purist thing to do. Look for signs that say produzione propria or artiganale.