"The 10 Most..." Gelatos of Rome - a list in superlatives
Did you know? Italy has one gelateria for every 3,000 residents. That equates to more than 850 gelaterias in Rome alone!
So, where does a first time visitor to the Eternal City even begin to take on the modern empire that is gelato? With our "10 Most..." Gelatos of Rome list!
"The 10 Most" - Gelato Flavors of Rome
Most Delicious: LAMPONE
Raspberry is one of those common flavors that can be found in virtually any gelateria in Rome. Almost to the point where it can be overlooked. But our advice: don't overlook it, at least not at il Gelato di San Crispino, where our favorite lampone in Rome can be found.
Map: Il Gelato di San Crispino, Via della Panetteria, 42
Most Herbaceous Combination: SALVIA E LAMPONE
It can be tempting to stick to the familiar, more American-ish ice cream flavor combos when choosing your gelato. But we recommend venturing into the herb-and-fruit categories popular in Rome's gelaterias. Our favorite pre-mixed combo: sage and raspberry at Gelateria del Teatro.
Map: Gelateria del Teatro, Via dei Coronari, 65-66
Most Surprisingly Good: RISO
When Amy of Raising World Citizens recommend the rice-flavored gelato from Giolitti, we almost skipped it. Rice? In gelato? Really? Yep! Delish!
Map: Giolitti, Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40
Most Underwhelming: MIELI
Something about honey sounds like it would be delicious in just about any dessert or sweet treat. And yet in gelato, it just doesn't work. Luckily, there are plenty of other fabulous options at il Gelato di San Crispino (like lampone, listed above), so don't skip this stop, just skip this flavor.
Map: Il Gelato di San Crispino, Piazza della Maddalena 3
Most Debated: SESAME NERO
Black sesame gelato is not for the faint-of-heart, and there is no guarantee that you'll appreciate it. But after sampling every "normal" flavor of gelato Rome has to offer, you might just be up for this challenge at Claudio Torcè. (And if you try the hot habanero cream gelato while you're there, be sure to let us know how it was!)
Map: Claudio Torcè, Viale Aventino, 59
Most Manly: CIOCCOLATE FONDENTE
Gals, even the most diehard choco-lovers among us tend to prefer fruity flavors when ordering gelato. But for the fellows, the dark chocolate of Come il Latte will be a winner.
Map: Come il Latte, Via Silvio Spaventa, 24/26
Most Girly: FIORI DI LAVANDA E PESCA BIANCA
Lavender flowers and white peach. Does it get any girlier? Assolutamente no! No surprise this is found right alongside sage and raspberry at Gelateria del Teatro (above).
Map: Gelateria del Teatro, Via dei Coronari, 65-66
Most Stereotypically Italian: TIRAMISÙ
Is there any dessert more stereotypically Italian than tiramisu? Short of pizza-flavored gelato, this has got to be about as Italian as it gets! If you can resist the temptation of the 149 other flavors of Gelateria della Palma, we recommend the tiramisu here.
Map: Gelateria della Palma, Via della Maddalena, 19-23
"The 5 Most" - Gelaterias of Rome
The Most Expensive: il Gelato di San Crispino
Long before its appearance in the film "Eat, Pray, Love," il Gelato di San Crispino was already touted as serving the best gelato in Rome. So no big surprise that it's also the most expensive. About .50 - 1.00 Euro more per cup than most gelaterias, it's worth the splurge once in your visit, especially for the "lampone" flavor (above).
Map: Il Gelato di San Crispino, Via della Panetteria, 42
The Most Adorable Decor: Come il Latte
Come il Latte (literally, "like milk") puts a strong emphasis on basic ingredients, especially -what else?- milk! And their adorable decor highlights this milk obsession, with an entire wall covered in old-fashioned glass milk bottles. This place is an instagrammer's dream come true! (Although we didn't instagram it...)
Map: Come il Latte, Via Silvio Spaventa, 24-26
The Most Kid-Friendly: Gelateria della Palma
Often described as the Willy Wonka of gelaterias, Gelateria della Palma has a cutesie candy and palm tree decor, not to mention 150+ flavors to choose from; the most we found in Rome. What more could a kid ask for?!
Map: Gelateria della Palma, Via della Maddalena, 19-23
The Most Erroneously Discussed: Giolitti
All over the internet, you'll see mention of Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck's characters having stopped in at at Giolitti for gelato in the film "Roman Holiday." Only problem: the pair didn't have gelato in the movie; only Hepburn did. And she didn't get it at a gelateria, but from a vendor's cart at the bottom of the Spanish Steps.
One can only hope that this internet falsehood has some basis in reality; perhaps the two actors stopped in at Giolitti during their down time? Or perhaps the fact that the location sells a flavor named "Vacanze Romane" has lead to a series of misquotes of one blogger to the next. Who knows? In any case, Giolitti is apparently one of the oldest gelaterias in Rome, and is definitely worth a stop, especially for the "riso" flavor (above).
Map: Giolitti, Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40
The Most "Out There": Claudio Torcè
Both in terms of distance from the sites and in flavors offered, Claudio Torcè is about as "out there" as you can get!
Actually, it might only feel far after walking the city for a few days; in reality, it's a quick 15 minute walk from Bocca della Verità, and just 10 minutes from Circus Maximus. But with flavors like celery cream, gorgonzola cheese, and black sesame (above), this place truly is out there!
Map: Claudio Torcè, Viale Aventino, 59
Pin this post for your next trip to Rome!
What gelato flavors have you loved in Rome?
Let us know in the comments.
Attention gelato lovers! Are you heading to Italy soon? Want to record your own gelato experience? Check out our "Gelato Mini Journal," a FREE downloadable printable!
More fun with gelato!
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