Summary
Gelato, or Italian ice cream, is a beloved treat in Florence, Italy. Here’s an overview of the best gelato shops, or gelaterie, you can visit in Florence. Our team has sampled gelato at the first four shops, while the others come highly recommended.
Gelateria La Carraia
Address:
Piazza Nazario Sauro, 25/r, 50124 Firenze FI, Italy
When we met Kyle during our walking tour in Florence, he introduced us to his favorite ice cream shop, Gelateria La Carraia. They serve outstanding homemade gelato in a wide variety of flavors, making it a must-visit for gelato lovers. My cone with two flavors cost just one euro (2008). You’ll find Gelateria La Carraia in Piazza N. Sauro near Ponte Carraia, in the Oltrano area (across the river). They also operate another location, Gelateria La Carraia 2, at Via de’ Benci 24/r.
Gelateria dei Neri
Address:
Via dei Neri, 9/11R, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 210034
Kristin Stasiowski, a renowned walking tour guide in Florence, took me to her favorite gelato shop, Gelateria dei Neri. This small shop offers handmade ice cream in a range of unique flavors, including sorbetto and soy-based gelato. My personal favorite was the delightful chocolate and orange combination. Gelateria dei Neri is conveniently located at Via dei Neri 20-22, toward the city center from the river and Ponte alla Grazie.
Vestri
Address:
Borgo degli Albizi, 11r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 234 0374
Vestri is an artisanal chocolate shop known for its top-notch chocolate gelato. While they offer only a few flavors, each is crafted in a traditional style and stored in metal canisters rather than displayed in glass cases, ensuring an authentic experience. Vestri is conveniently situated north of Piazza Santa Croce at Borgo degli Albizi 11r.
L’Angolo del Gelato
Address:
P.za di Santa Maria Novella, 16r, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
L’Angolo del Gelato is an excellent stop for travelers arriving by train or bus. Located on the corner of Piazza Santa Maria Novella, you can indulge in ice cream while admiring the beautiful church nearby. The gelato is affordably priced and features interesting flavors, with my favorite being cinnamon.
Venchi
Address:
Via Calimaruzza, 18, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 016 4110
Venchi Chocolate features a captivating combination of an ice cream and chocolate shop located in Piazza del Mercato Nuovo, opposite the Loggia del Porcellino. Renowned for their exquisite artisan chocolate, their ice cream comes from all-natural products, steering clear of hydrogenated fats, artificial flavorings, colorings, and mono-diglycerides of fatty acids. They also provide an insightful educational area about the history and process of chocolate manufacturing.
Vivoli
Address:
Via Isola delle Stinche, 7r, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 292334
Vivoli is a favorite among gelato enthusiasts and comes highly recommended by Joe Palisi, a seasoned Italy traveler. He frequently praises Vivoli as his favorite gelateria, noting that their gelato is made fresh daily with natural ingredients, albeit at a slightly higher price point than most others. It’s easy to find Vivoli at Via Isola delle Stinche 7, located just a block from Piazza Santa Croce.
Grom
Address:
Via del Campanile, 2, 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
Phone: +39 055 216158
Grom prides itself on producing “Il Gelato Come Una Volta”, reminiscent of traditional Italian ice cream. They focus on high-quality ingredients and have an extensive range of flavors, including flavors of the month. Located near Piazza del Duomo on via del Campanile, Grom opens daily at 10:30 AM and remains operational until midnight during summer and 11 PM in winter. This popular chain can also be found in other northern Italian cities and in international cities such as Paris, Tokyo, and New York City.
Gelateria Carabé
Address:
Via Padre Ignazio da Carrara, 23, 55042 Forte dei Marmi LU, Italy
Phone: +39 327 342 5269
Gelateria Carabé is renowned for its Sicilian-style gelato. Don’t miss out on their gelato panino, an ice cream sandwich crafted with a delightful brioche bun. This gelateria is conveniently located on Via Ricasoli 60R, just a short walk from the Duomo.
Pizza and Gelato
Experience a hands-on cooking class where you can learn to create both pizza and gelato, all within a 3-hour session at a local pizzeria. This delightful experience concludes with a dinner that includes wine or soft drinks.
