6 Best Gelato Shops in Venice

Gelato is one of those iconic Italian treats you find in cities like Rome, Sicily, and Florence. Venice in particular has so many gelatarias it can leave you spoiled for choice. From Gelato di Natura to Gelateria Nico and the sorbets at Bacaro del Gelato there are so many places that deserve to stop on a Venice food tour.  

To keep you from feeling too head-spun in search of a sweet treat, I decided to take a closer look at what I think are some of the best gelato shops in Venice.

Gelateria Ca’ d’Oro

You can find Gelateria Ca’ d’Oro near the iconic Ca’ d’Oro Palace in Venice’s Cannaregio district. It’s a part of the city with a rich history as well as stunning old-world architecture, making this gelato shop a great stop for a cool treat on a historic walking tour.  

The interior of Gelateria Ca’ d’Oro is simple, with clean décor. Exactly the sort of thing you expect to find in a quality gelato shop. The bright, directed lighting makes it easy for you to see and choose from the various gelato they have on display in their case.

They are well known to locals and tourists for having a great selection of fruit-flavored gelato. Their lemon gelato in a waffle cone is especially popular.

However, I think the secret gem to order at Gelateria Ca’ d’Oro is their pistachio gelato. I find it has an intense, nutty flavor that stands out from other pistachio gelatos I’ve had in the past.

Sometimes I order a dish of it along with a scoop of whatever dark chocolate gelato they have in the case that day. I find the nuttiness of the pistachio plays perfectly with the complex flavors of the dark chocolate.

Gelateria Ca’ d’Oro (€) – Strada Nova, 4273/b, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Gelato di Natura

Photo credit: Gelato di Natura

Gelato di Natura has multiple locations in the city. However, I’m partial to the one in San Marco due to its closeness to the Piazza and the Rialto Bridge. It’s popular with locals and tourists but service is generally fast, which makes it a nice stop for a quick treat while touring that part of the city.  

As the name implies, Gelato di Natura is committed to quality natural ingredients and freshness. This means that many of their flavors change throughout the year depending on what’s in season.

Gelato di Natura is known for its especially creamy pistachio gelato, which I think has an outstanding authentic nutty flavor. They typically have at least one or two dark chocolate gelatos with richness and depth of flavor. There is also a variety of vegan and gluten-free options, making it an inclusive spot for everyone.

I’m particularly fond of Gelato di Natura’s stracciatella, which I think has a perfect balance of vanilla and chocolate. I love it when they make it with chocolate chunks that give a textural crunch to the otherwise silky smoothness of the gelato.

Gelato di Natura (€) – P.za San Marco, 1164/A, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

Bacaro del Gelato

Photo credit: Bacaro del Gelato

Bacaro del Gelato, is close to Basilica di San Marco and the Ponte dei Sospiri in Venice’s picturesque Fondamenta de l’Osmarin. With such beautiful surroundings, it’s a charming spot for enjoying truly artisanal gelato.

The ambiance is delightful without being whimsical, with a simple décor that draws your eye into the vibrant spectrum of gelato in the display case. You can even enjoy your gelato while watching passing gondolas.

Bacaro del Gelato has a well-earned reputation for using natural ingredients to create innovative flavors. This includes popular favorites like their salted caramel, venchi chocolate, and tiramisu, as well as a hazelnut gelato with authentic nutty flavor.

However, this is one of my favorite places for sorbet. I recently had a stunningly refreshing lemon sorbet that helped me beat the heat on a hot day. The lilt and natural sweetness of the lemon really reminded me of why Italian lemons are some of the best in the world.

Bacaro del Gelato (€) – Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2499, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

Gelateria Nico

You’ll find Gelateria Nico along Venice’s bustling Zattere waterfront. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a refreshing sweet treat while watching the goings on of the Giudecca Canal.

Gelateria Nico has a relaxed, laid-back ambiance with a comfortable outdoor seating area, which I think is the place to be on nice days. It’s also popular with both locals and tourists. Giving you an opportunity to rub elbows with native Venetians who often share what they love about the city.

Some of their most popular gelato flavors include pistachio, stracciatella, and hazelnut, which I think have an exceptionally creamy texture. I also really appreciate the brightness of their lemon, granita, and mango sorbets. I find them to have a perfect level of natural sweetness without being cloy on my palate.

Gelateria Nico (€) – Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 922, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.

La Mela Verde

Photo credit: La Mela Verde

Loosely translated from Italian to English, La Mela Verde means The Green Apple, which hints at the innovative ways they infuse natural flavors into their gelato. It’s only a short walk from St. Mark’s Square in a quiet alley, tucked away from the bustling tourist crowds.

I find the laid-back atmosphere at La Mela Verde to be the perfect thing after a long day walking around the city. It’s a stark contrast to the frenetic energy and sparse elbow room of the nearby St. Mark’s Square.

Of course, with a name like La Mela Verde, you know the signature green apple gelato, is going to be the star. It’s astoundingly refreshing, while also having a taste slightly reminiscent of apple pie, which sometimes scratches the itch for a taste of home.

Some of their other highly popular gelato flavors include rich and creamy pistachio and an especially nutty hazelnut gelato. They also offer a variety of fruit-based sorbets, perfect for those looking for a refreshing dairy-free treat.

La Mela Verde (€) – Fondamenta de l’Osmarin, 4977/A, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM. 

Gelatoteca Suso

Photo credit: Gelatoteca Suso

Gelatoteca Suso is conveniently located near the Rialto Bridge in the heart of Venice. They have a well-earned reputation for offering top-quality gelato with creative flavor combinations.

The interior of Gelatoteca Suso has a modern and vibrant atmosphere with a touch of elegance. While it’s somewhat small the interior is still very well-organized, and the visual display of vibrant gelato colors is a true feast for the eyes.

Gelatoteca Suso is best known for its innovative flavor combinations made from high-quality ingredients, fresh fruit and locally sourced nuts. This means that their flavors are constantly fluctuating with the season and what’s best at the market.

However, one of their high-quality staples that I enjoy is “The Opera.” It’s made with pistachio, hazelnut, and toasted almonds. The combination creates a full-bodied, rich, and nutty gelato with flavors reminiscent of Nutella. I love to have it with a waffle cone, which I find perfectly accents the nutty flavors.

Gelatoteca Suso (€) – Sotoportego de la Bissa, 5453, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 9:30 AM to 11:30 PM.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that Venice has some of the best gelato shops in Europe. Their focus on using fresh, in-season fruits, gourmet chocolate, and nuts elevates the classical Italian flavors of gelato to a whole new level. .

Of course, this means there are more gelato shops in Venezia than you can ever taste in just one Venice food tour. Yet the big names on this list like Gelatoteca Suso, Gelateria Ca’ d’Oro, and La Mela Verde are a great place to start.