When you think of Italy and food, often 3 items instantly come to mind: pizza, pasta and gelato! This creamy sweet treat is happily consumed all year round with seasonal flavours making it ideal for the gastro-adventurous, with chestnut cream and pumpkin in winter, and watermelon and passionfruit come summer (to name but a few flavours). There is something for everyone, just deciding which flavour to choose is the hardest choice to make.
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 both milk-based and sorbet offerings, it’s perfect for people who are lactose intolerant. In summer, favourites include zesty Mojito infused with lime and mint, or in the winter try nutty pistachio or velvety crema.
Via Toscanella 15
+39 055 291882
gelaterialapassera.wordpress.com
Open: Daily 12 noon – 12 midnight
Gelateria dei Neri
On the other side of town, Gelateria dei Neri is neatly positioned at the end of this medieval street filled with panini joints and café bars. Under a glistening counter they serve an array of flavours with chocolate and noci (nuts) or mandarin and mint, plus a delicious display of desserts, including tiramisu, to be tempted by.
Via Dei Neri 9/11r
+39 055 210034
Open: Daily 9 am – 12 midnight
Gelateria La Carraia
This gelateria was opened in 1990 by twin brothers Massimo and Roberto and is fast becoming a favourite with both 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
+ 39 055 280695
lacarraiagroup.eu
Open: Daily 11 am – 12 midnight
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
+39 055 2381130
gelateriasantatrinita.it
Open: Daily 11 am – 12 midnight
Antica Gelateria Fiorentina
This hole-in-the-wall gelateria in San Lorenzo has mouth-watering flavours from crunchy stracciatella (chocolate chip) to fruity flavours such as fragola (strawberry), or if feeling adventurous, try matcha (green tea) from only €1.50 a scoop. It’s a great shop for a sweet stop after visiting the famed leather markets in this neighbourhood.
Via Faenza 2a
+39 320 848 5018
gelateriafiorentina.com
Open: Daily 12 noon – 12 midnight
Gelateria Edoardo
It’s the smell of the freshly baked waffle cones which first hits your senses. Then you are drawn into this small gelateria opposite Florence’s imposing Duomo to explore the organic gelato on offer housed in steel tubs. Try Il Gianduia secondo Edoardo (hazelnuts and chocolate) or in summer, try the sweet peach that uses not only the fruit but all the skin for maximum flavour.
Piazza del Duomo 45r
+39 055 281055
edoardobio.it
Open: Daily 11 am – 11.30 pm
Gelateria Vivaldi
This gelateria/café in San Niccolo makes their sweet treats onsite then housed under the silver lids of the ice cream pots. You can see the gelati being made by hand in their backroom with employees at work 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 that also offers free wifi.
Via de’ Renai 15r
+39 055 046 7656
Open: Daily 12.30 pm – 12 midnight
My Sugar
Opening in summer 2015 to much local applause, this small shop offers seasonal scoops of soft, sweet gelato from only €2 a cup. Run by husband and wife team, Alberto and Julia Bati, who pride themselves on seasonal and “made fresh daily” products. Try a classic like dark chocolate, or in summer opt for a fruity flavour like watermelon or zesty passionfruit.
Via de Ginori 49r
+39 393 069 6042
Open: Daily 12.30 – 8.30 pm
La Sorbetteria
Hidden away in the very local yet central neighbourhood of San Frediano, La Sorbetteria opened in 2007 by Antonio Brustolon with 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 with recipes handed down through the generations.
Piazza Torquato Tasso 11r
+39 055 512 0336
lasorbettiera.com
Open: Mon – Sat 12.30 – 11.30 pm; Sun 11 am – 1 pm, 3 – 11.30 pm
This article first appeared in Eating Italy