Where to Find the Best Gelato in Rome

At first glance, you might think gelato is just Italian ice cream, yet its artisanal heritage provides a smooth creaminess and richness that makes it a must-try treat on any Rome food tour. It also has less fat in it than traditional American ice cream, which makes a stop at a Roman gelateria a nearly guilt-free indulgence.

The best gelato shops in Roma also sell other treats like refreshing sorbet and high-quality desserts stuffed with decadent panna. So, whether you’re strolling past the Vatican, touring the Trevi Fountain, or taking pics outside the Pantheon, you might as well stop in for a sweet treat at one of the following gelato shops. 

Gelateria del Teatro

Photo credit: Gelateria del Teatro

Located just a short walk from Piazza Navona and Sant’Angelo Castle, Gelateria del Teatro is the perfect spot for a gelato break after a day of exploring Rome’s rich history. They use a small-batch artisanal method for making gelato in-house, which opens the door for some creative flavors you can’t find anywhere else in the Eternal City.

Even before you step through the door Gelateria del Teatro draws you in with their colorful signage that hints at a uniquely tasty experience. The interior’s exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and artisan-style displays give it an old-world coziness that still feels modern. The open kitchen showcases their gelato-making process which tempts you to try more than just a few bites.

The gelato at Gelateria del Teatro is made with locally sourced dairy, and fresh seasonal ingredients. Some of their standout options include summer wild strawberry, hazelnut and pistachio, and caffè.

On my last stop, I tried a small batch special of a honey-sweetened gelato with hints of rosemary. My willingness for adventurous eating was rewarded with a complex depth of flavor that suggested the bees themselves had been dabbling in the aromatic rosemary bush.

Gelateria del Teatro (€) – Via dei Coronari, 65/66, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day from 10:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

Giolitti

Photo credit: Giolitti

Giolitti is more than just a gelateria. It’s a historic Roman institution that’s been serving up delicious gelato since 1900. You can find it a stone’s throw from the bustling Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, which makes it an easy stop for a cold refreshing treat on a hot day touring some of Rome’s most popular attractions.

Giolitti’s interior has a lot of charming vintage décor and high ceilings that gives it an inviting atmosphere. The dark wooden counters create a perfect visual counterpoint to the glass display cases festooned with vibrantly colored gelatos.

With over a century of success, Giolitti has a reputation for creating artisanal gelato, made from high-quality ingredients. At any given time they have at least 30 different flavors available. Some of their popular staples include classics like stracciatella, hazelnut, and pistachio.

The last time I visited I ordered their gelato al bicchiere sampler cup, with a scoop of ricotta with figs and chocolate with orange zest. I loved the way the aromatic quality of the orange elevated the flavor of the figs while helping to cut a little of the ricotta’s richness.

Giolitti (€) – Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day from 7:30 AM to 12:00.

Otaleg

You’ll find Otaleg conveniently located in the charming Trastevere neighborhood of Rome near the Tiber River and the Piazza Navona. It’s a part of the city that vibrates Roman history with cobblestone streets and nearby historical sites. Yet it’s also an amazing place for tourists and local families to enjoy an innovative take on gelato.

The ambiance and decor in Otaleg tap into minimalist design elements, with wooden accents and a clean layout. This draws your eyes naturally to the radiating colors of gelato in the display case. 

The friendly staff has a strong command of English to help you navigate their creative flavors. They might even point out to you that the word Otaleg is actually “Gelato” spelled backward. A nod to the creative twists they put on such a classical Italian treat.

Otaleg’s assortment of high-quality gelato starts with what is fresh and best in season. Then they give it a head-spinning twist to create flavors you didn’t know you loved yet. They also usually have a small assortment of dairy-free and gluten-free options.

Some of the best flavors I’ve had on my various visits include saffron with pistachio and honey with yogurt. However, the one that really challenged my palate and lodged itself firmly in my sense memory was the dark chocolate with chili.

It had all the bitter richness you expect in a dark chocolate gelato. At first, I barely even noticed the chili. It was only after swallowing that I felt a gentle heat start to build in the back of my mouth. An experience I could then wash away with another dairy-rich bite of cold gelato.

Otaleg (€) – Via di S. Cosimato, 14a, 00153 Roma RM, Italy – Open every day from 12:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

Come il Latte

Come il Latte is near Piazza della Repubblica in central Rome, which makes it the perfect gelateria to visit after touring landmarks, like the Baths of Diocletian and Via Veneto. Their traditional approach to gelato is a perfect fit when soaking in classical parts of the Eternal City.

The decor inside Come il Latte is stylish and modern, with an inviting atmosphere. They use a lot of warm tones and clever lighting to help direct your eyes to the vivid colors of the gelato in the display case.   

Dedicated to artisanal quality gelato, Come il Latte uses real cream and milk in their products. This gives every delicious lick a velvety smooth texture. They also offer to top many of their gelato desserts with decadent whipped cream.  

They have various classical gelato flavors, like pistachio and hazelnut. However, I think this is one of the best gelaterias for stracciatella gelato. The way they incorporate the chocolate swirls creates a perfect balance between the vanilla base and the dark chocolate ribbons, making it impossible for me not to get the perfect amount of chocolate with every bite.

Come il Latte (€) – Via Silvio Spaventa, 24/26, 00187 Roma RM, Italy – Open Sunday to Thursday from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Open Friday and Saturday from 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM.

Fatamorgana Monti

Photo credit: Fatamorgana Monti

Nestled in Rome’s charming Monti neighborhood, Fatamorgana Monti is within easy walking distance of iconic attractions like the Colosseum and Roman Forum. It also has a reputation for having a bohemian vibe, which is reflected in the creative gelato flavors they offer.

Fatamorgana Monti is small yet very inviting and laid out for efficient takeaway service. However, there is some limited seating available outside, which is nice for a little people watching.

If you have dietary concerns, Fatamorgana Monti has some gluten-free gelato made with high-quality ingredients and free from artificial additives. While they have a lot of staple flavors, I think this is the place to be adventurous and try some of their stunning creative gelatos.

One of the more unique flavors I tried on my last visit was basil, walnut, and honey. I was astonished by how the honey emboldened the aromatic flavor of the basil. While also playing a perfect accent to the organic flavor of the walnuts.

Fatamorgana Monti (€) – P.za degli Zingari, 5, 00184 Roma RM, Italy – Open Sunday to Thursday from 1:30 PM to 9:00 PM. Open Friday and Saturday from 1:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Conclusion

While other Italian hotspots like Florence and Sicily have a claim, I think Rome still has some of the best gelato in Italy. From classic flavors like pistachio and hazelnut at Giolitti and Gelateria del Teatro to the uniquely creative Fatamorgana Monti, there are plenty of great ways to include gelato in your Rome Food Tour.

Sources

Gelateria del Teatro. (n.d.). *Gelateria del Teatro – Via dei Coronari, 65/66, 00186 Roma RM, Italy*. Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.it/ShowUserReviews-g187785-d5328231-r468134993-Il_Cuoppo_Friggitori_Napoletani-Naples_Province_of_Naples_Campania.html 

Giolitti. (n.d.). *Giolitti – Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma RM, Italy*. Retrieved from http://www.giolitti.it/ 

Otaleg. (n.d.). *Otaleg – Via di S. Cosimato, 14a, 00153 Roma RM, Italy*. Retrieved from http://www.otaleg.com/ 

Come il Latte. (n.d.). *Come il Latte – Via Silvio Spaventa, 24/26, 00187 Roma RM, Italy*. Retrieved from https://www.instagram.com/comeillatte/?hl=en 

Fatamorgana Monti. (n.d.). *Fatamorgana Monti – P.za degli Zingari, 5, 00184 Roma RM, Italy*. Retrieved from http://www.gelateriafatamorgana.com/