This creamy, frozen dessert stole my heart and kept my wallet in a chokehold all semester. Unlike American ice cream shops, Italian gelaterias always seem to offer the ability to pick multiple flavors regardless of what size you select.

In Florence, I sampled as many gelato shops as humanly possible. I have ranked the gelatos based on quality, serving size, and price from the absolute best to mediocre. If you are visiting Italy and looking for the best gelato check out these places…

Sbrino

Price: €3; Best amount of gelato for the price.

Address: Via dei Serragli, 32r, Via Senese 1R, & Piazza Piave 3 (Scandicci)

THIS WAS THE CREAMIEST GELATO EVER!! They make fresh, small batches of unique flavors everyday. The small is comparable size-wise to a medium at another shop. Employees at Sbrino beautifully twist the gelato into pointed swirl when serving a cone. Gelato delivery is possible through Just Eat and Uber Eats.

Flavors:

• Pistachio (AMAZING-must try)
• Salted Caramel (ribbons of caramel, very strong flavor profile & delicious!!)
• Bourbon Vanilla (when paired with Salted Caramel it perfectly balances the flavor)
• Gianduja di Messina (hazelnut chocolate that tastes like Nutella)
• Dark chocolate (yummy, very rich, reminded me of brownie batter, not my favorite)

The culinary students of Florence University of the Arts swear by Sbrino’s gelato. 

La Strega Nocciola

Price: €3

Address: Via Ricasoli 16r  & Via de’ Bardi 51/r

“Ok, but first #gelato!” My favorite part of ordering gelato from La Strega Nocciola is the small, rounded, waffle-cone bite that comes with it regardless if you pick a cup or cone.

One of the gelato shops was located just down the street from Florence University of the Arts (FUA) and Fedora (pastry shop and bistro) which was incredibly dangerous.

Flavors:

• Azteco: white chocolate & cinnamon (reminded me of cinnamon toast crunch milk= so yummy)
• Bignolosa: cream-nutella-puffs; chocolatey base swirled with cream and with chocolate covered puffs mixed in

La Sorbettiera

Price: €3.50, Best Quality.

Address: Via dei Banchi, 49r, Via Mazzetta, 9/a, & Piazza Tasso 11r

Near Santa Maria Novella and Piazza Santo Spirito

They make fresh, small batches daily. This gelato is incredibly creamy and has very elegant flavor profiles. Pistachio was my favorite flavor that I sampled at La Sorbettiera. Delivery services are available!

Grom 

Price: €3.20 

Address: Via del Campanile, 2

Grom is a global chain that makes high quality flavors. If you show your Italian student ID you can recieve a small discount on your order. In stores, this franchise offer tubs of gelato to bring home with you! There is also delievery available to fans of Grom.

Rivareno Gelato 

Address: Borgo degli Albizi, 46R

Near Lion’s Fountain Bar.

I only was able to test this gelato the last week I was in Florence and deeply regret not paying it a visit sooner! The lemon gelato is a satisfying summer flavor that is perfectly refreshing. #RivaRenoGelato

La Carraia 

Price: €2, Cheapest.

Address: Via dei Benci, 24/r & Piazza Nazario Sauro, 25/r

Near Piazza di Santa Croce & Across the Arno

BEST PRICE!! This company is run by a pair of brothers. There is a large variety of gelato flavors. My favorite combination to get on a cone was baccio (chocolate/hazelnut) and cookies.

Gelateria Dei Neri

Address: Via dei Neri, 9/11R

Established in 1989. Don’t miss out on trying a next level ice cream sandwich… gelato on a brioche roll with whipped cream (€4)! This shop is the perfect walking distance to the Uffizi Gallery or Florence Uniersity of the Arts.

Studio Gelato

Price: €2.90, €3.50, €4.50

Address: Via dei Servi, 41R & Piazza del Mercato Centrale, 43R

Studio Gelato has a good flavor, but can be on the expensive side for the quality and size. In addition to their frozen treats, they offer bubble waffles, crepes, and pancakes. One of their shops is right outside of the Central Market, which is very convient after grocery shopping or a quick bite in the dinning hall upstairs.

Vivoli

Price: €2.50, Historical.

Address: Via Isola delle Stinche, 7r

In 1930, Vivoli, the oldest gelateria in Florence, openned its doors a street away from Santa Croce. Since then they have expanded overseas into the United States: New York and Orlando.

• Affordable price

Gelateria Choccolatte Artigianle & Creperia 

Price: €2.50

Address: Piazza Gaetano Salvemini, 2/3

Near Lion’s Fountain Bar.

This shop opperates as a pasticceria and caffetteria that offers waffles, crepes, mini donuts, and bubble tea in addition to gelato. It’s open until midnight, which offers a nice late night spot to stop for a sweet treat with friends.. This gelato could be considered a little more icy than the high quailty variety that is in the individual, silver lidded tins.

Festival del Gelato

Price: €3

Address: Via del Corso, 75/red

Festival sells gelato, waffles, crepes, tiramisu, smoothies and granitas.

Gelato to Avoid

Never buy gelato when it’s piled up high into mounds!

When the gelato is stacked that means chemicals had to be added to the ingredients to make sure it doesn’t melt being out of the freezer (pictured above).

Instead, look for shops where you can’t see the gelato at all. If you see silver, round covered tins then this is a good sign that the gelato inside is higher quality! In the tins that have individual scoops there is a much lower chance of cross contamination. Small containers of gelato also means the dessert was made in small batches.

NOTE *These were the prices in the Spring of 2023; prices may have changed.