A trip to Rome won't be complete without a visit to one of the famous ice cream parlors. Although Italian ice-cream is traditionally associated with Florence and Sicily, Rome has its own traditional and world-wide famous gelaterie. Here, like everywhere else in Italy, "il gelato" is as important to Italian daily life as coffee and pasta, and not surprisingly Italian ice cream excels by its quality and originality.

Giolitti
Via Uffici del Vicario 40
(close to the Parlement)
Tel. +39-06-699-1243

Considered an "institution" by most Romans. One of the traditional Italian gelaterie, certainly worth a visit, especially if you can afford to have a seat and try one of their impressive ice cream compositions.

Il Gelato di San Crispino
Via Della Panetteria 42
(close to the Trevi Fountain)
00187 Rome
Tel. 06-6793924
Opening hours:
12pm-12.30am Mon, Wed, Thu, Sun
12pm-1.30am Fri, Sat
Closed Tuesday

One of the better gelaterie of Rome, where the ice cream is prepared without using artificial preservatives, chemical emulsifiers, frozen foods and sundry mixes. They work exclusively with raw materials of superior quality, sometimes bringing old recipes up to date with modern tastes using ingredients that have fallen into oblivion, as with their honey-based ice-cream, "Il gelato di San Crispino", inspired by a famous Buontalenti recipe. Also try their famous Zabaione flavor. 32 flavors, mostly cream-based.

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The list below includes some of the most famous gelaterie of Rome along with some more recent ice cream parlors in and outside Rome (for example, in the Roman Castelli). Don't be fooled by the hidden location of some small gelato shops: many of the best gelaterie are just long narrow, unpretentious shops where the only marketing effort is a high quality product relying almost exclusively on word-of-mouth.

The first selection criteria is, of course, that the ice cream is produced on the premises. Look for the signs "produzione propria" (home-made) or "produzione artigianale (small-scale, traditional production)". Only top-quality ingredients should be used to produce the gelato. Of course, home-made ice cream produced with fresh premium ingredients will always be more expensive than industrial ice cream. So, another important selection criteria is definitely the price. Many traditional gelateria have developed some original flavors that are unique to their gelateria, either in the creamy or fruity ice creams. Note that fruity ice creams, unlike fruit sorbets and granita, have a cream or milk base and are therefore always more expensive in production than home-made sorbets and granita which are prepared with water and sugar.

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Via Acaia 56/56a
00183 Rome (Appio - S. Giovanni area)
Tel. 0670450412. Opening hours: 11am-12am. Closed Tuesday

Fassi Palazzo del Freddo
Via Principe Eugenio 65/67 (Piazza Vittorio).
Open 12.00-01.30 (Mon closed). 

Probably the oldest ice-cream parlor not only in Rome, but in whole Italy. This four-generation ice-cream making dynasty started as a beer selling  business in 1880. The first ice-cream-only shop opened on Piazza Navona, then moved to Via Piave (from 1907 to 1927) and finally to Via Principe Eugenio. The Fassi gelateria is famous both for their fruity and creamy ice cream and their very generous portions.

Corso Matteotti 16
(the main central shopping street of Albano)
Albano Laziale (one of the Castelli Romani)
Tel.: 06-666.20.288

Our favorite for fruit-based ice cream. They have an incredible choice of fruity ice creams, ranging from water-melon to red currant, over banana, peach and other fruit flavor classics. Prepared with fresh fruit.

Brega
Piazza Roma
00044 Frascati
Tel.: (+39) 069424986

Gelateria Della Palma
20/23 Via della Maddalena
(near de Pantheon and Via del Corso)
Rome 00186
Tel.: +39-066 880 6752
Open Hours: Mo-Sa 8a-1:30a

A favorite with tourists. The choice is amazing, at least 100 different flavors, both creamy and fruit-based, and about 10 different chocalate flavors. Try the chocolate pepper flavor.

Fiocco di Neve
Via del Pantheon 51

Strong on creamy ice creams.

Tre Scalini
Piazza Navona 28-32
tel. +39-06-6880-1996

Not just a gelateria, but one of the historic cafes of Rome. Famous for their dark chocolate ice cream tartufo. Worth a visit for the beautiful setting and terrace in a historically elegant piazza. Piazza Navona is one of the major tourist spots of Rome, so expect prices and quality to be accordingly.

Bar/Gelateria Alberto Pica
Via della Seggiola, 12 (Campo dei Fiori)
Tel 06.6868405
(Ghetto & Campidoglio area)
closed on Sunday mornings and in August

Gelateria Pellachia
Via Cola di Rienzo, 105,
near the Vatican,

Set up in 1890 as a latteria (small dairy shop), Gelateria Pellachia is another among the oldest family-run gelateria of Rome still in the hands of the same family.

Settimo Gelo
Via Vodice 21/A (Prati area, near Piazza Mazzini).
Tel 06 3725567

Gelarmony
Via Marcantonio Colonna 34
Tel: 06.3202395

Famous for its Sicilian ice cream.

Ping Pong
Piazza della Radio,
Viale Marconi,
Trastevere

More than 75 flavors.

Outside Rome:

Fortini Caffe