When you think of Italy and food, three items often come to mind instantly: pizza, pasta, and gelato! This creamy sweet treat is an all-year-round favourite with seasonal flavours, making it ideal for the gastro-adventurous. It has chestnut cream and pumpkin in winter and watermelon and passionfruit in summer (to name a few flavours). There is something for everyone, and deciding which flavour is the hardest choice. Discover where to find the best gelato in Florence right here.
Gelateria della Passera
Hidden in the corner of quaint Piazza della Passera, this tiny gelateria hand-makes its daily creations from its kitchen out back. Offering a range of milk-based and sorbet offerings, it’s perfect for lactose-intolerant people. In summer, favourites include zesty Mojitos infused with lime and mint, or in the winter, try nutty pistachio or velvety crema. Via Toscanella 15 gelateriadellapassera.it
Gelateria dei Neri
On the other side of town, Gelateria dei Neri is at the end of this busy medieval street with panini joints and café bars. Under a glistening counter, they serve an array of flavours, including chocolate and noci (nuts) or mandarin and mint, plus a delicious display of desserts, including tiramisu, to tempt you. Via Dei Neri 9/11r gelateriadeinerifirenze
Gelateria La Carraia
This gelateria has been in situ since 1990 by twin brothers Massimo and Roberto and is now a favourite for locals and travellers alike. Artisanal ice cream is made daily onsite, with cheesecake a personal favourite. A second outpost opened over the Arno River in Santa Croce on via dei Benci (24r), so now you have no excuse to try a cone on either side of the city. Piazza Nazario Sauro 25r lacarraiagroup.eu
Gelateria Santa Trinita
A block down the river Arno heading east, Gelateria Santa Trinita is another favourite all year round. Take a cup or cone filled with rich chocolate fondant or sesamo nero (black sesame seed) and sit on the bridge of Ponte Santa Trinita to take in the sweeping views of Florence and its famed bridge, Ponte Vecchio, whilst delving into your gelato. The store also has a small adjoining shop for Tuscan chocolates, wine and condiments. Piazza Frescobaldi 11/12r gelateriasantatrinita.it
Antica Gelateria Fiorentina
This hole-in-the-wall gelateria in San Lorenzo offers mouth-watering flavours, from crunchy stracciatella (chocolate chip) to fruity flavours such as fregola (strawberry). If you’re feeling adventurous, try matcha (green tea). It’s a fantastic shop for a sweet stop after visiting the famed leather markets in this neighbourhood. Via Faenza 2a gelateriafiorentina.com
Gelateria Edoardo
The smell of freshly baked waffle cones first hits your senses. Then, you are drawn into this small gelateria opposite Florence’s imposing Duomo to explore the organic gelato housed in steel tubs. Try Il Gianduia secondo Edoardo (hazelnuts and chocolate), or in summer, try the sweet peach, which uses the fruit and all the skin for maximum flavour. Piazza del Duomo 45r edoardobio.it
Gelateria Vivaldi
This gelateria/café in San Niccolo makes its sweet treats onsite and houses them under the silver lids of the ice cream pots. You can see the gelati being made by hand in the backroom by employees in the mezzanine kitchen. They also serve hot drinks, including hot chocolate in the winter, which you can sip reclined on one of their sofas in the cosy café, which also offers free Wi-Fi. Via de’ Renai 15r
My Sugar
Opening in the summer of 2015 to much local applause, this award-winning small gelato shop offers seasonal soft, sweet gelato scoops. It is run by the husband-and-wife team of Alberto and Julia Bati, who are known for their on seasonal and fresh daily flavours. Try a classic like dark chocolate, or in summer, opt for a fruity flavour like watermelon or zesty passionfruit. Via de Ginori 49r mysugarfirenze
La Sorbetteria
Hidden away in the very local yet central neighbourhood of San Frediano since 2007, La Sorbetteria is run by Antonio Brustolon and his wife, Elisa. With a family history in gelato-making (the Brustolon family has been making it since 1934), Antonio prides himself on producing the best flavours using only quality, local ingredients and recipes handed down through the generations. Piazza Torquato Tasso 11r lasorbettiera.com