Dimmi tutto: The best Gelaterias!

No one can deny that Italian gastronomy is among the best in the world. And there is no question of the debate between France and Italy of who lists the best dishes (because we would risk the third world war). No, there is the matter of a topic that is not discussed: Il Gelato (ice-cream). Because if the French, and everyone agrees on it, are excellent at pastries, the Italians are unbeatable at ice-cream. And this comes from a girl who has gone from the consumption of 3 ice-creams per year to 3 ice-creams per week (ok you also go to +3kg as a nice rule of 3, but diets are too mainstream anyway... ). So, in Italy the Gelateria (the ice-cream shop) is a bit like the bakery in France: after work, school, or lunch break, everybody goes there. So, naturally there are hundreds, more or less good, more or less expensive... This is why I present to you the first article in a series that will make you drool!

1. La Romana

I've placed it in number 1 for its quality to price ratio. La Romana has homemade ice-cream (you can even see their production), creamy, original and really cheap! If you are very gourmand and get an ice-cream with 3 flavors, that will cost you 2. 70€ (and 2. 20€ for 2 flavors). Whipped cream is included in the price, if you want it, and the best part : *drum roll* the chocolate they pour into the bottom of the cone (so, so good). I love this ice-cream shop also because the offer original flavors and according to the season, like Biscotto della Nonna, or Crocante della Nonna, raspberry/mascarpone or even the flavor 150 anti dell'Unita d'Italia (150 years since the unification of Italy). And for those who don't want ice-cream, they also make crepes and desserts like crumbles, glazed cookies etc...

Address :

• Via Venti Settembre, 60, 00187 Roma RM, Italy
• Via Cola di Rienzo, 2, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

2. Il Frigidarium

Discovered by an Italian friend, this ice-cream shop is madness, a few steps from Piazza Navona! The scents are limited but enough to satisfy everyone. Again, homemade ice-cream, with sometimes very original flavors. For 3 flavors you have to be gourmand because it's not the price that will make you hesitate. I suggest you get the waffle cone, then on top you have the option of whipped cream or (and this is where the madness begins) black or white chocolate sauce. And then you inevitably make this face when you see your ice-cream :

Address :

• Via del Governo Vecchio, 112, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

3. Venchi

This well known chain is not less excellent. Being a specialist in chocolate, I would say that Venchi is the lux version of Romana. You will find a wide choice in chocolate flavors, others more and others less strong, including the famous gianduja (a pure delight), as well as creams and more fruity flavors. Classic or original, with or without chocolate inside/on top (extra however), these ice-creams are worth the wait, and the price as well, when you compare it to France.

Address :

• Via del Corso, 335, 00186 Roma RM, Italy
• Stazione Termini Piano Binari, 00185 Roma RM, Italy
• Via della Croce, 25/26, 00187 Roma RM, Italy

4. Giolitti

This one enters the list particularly for its legendary side. Known for being one of the oldest ice-cream shops in Rome, Giolitti plays it classic. To sit (more expensive) or to take away, and at a good price once again, their ice-cream attracts many tourists, and rightly so. On the other hand, I doubt that everything is homemade, seeing quantity of the flavors offered.

Address :

• Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

5. Del teatro

This ice-cream shop ranked number 1 on TripAdvisor, is worth the visit for its atypical flavors! In the display of the most original ones: lavender/peach, honey/rosemary/lemon, or even sage/raspberry. The prices are therefore a bit higher (3€ minimum), and the access to the display a bit complicated, given the limited space.

Address :

• Via dei Coronari, 65/66, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

6. Dell’Angeletto

With a small window on the corner of a street in the de Monti neighbourhood, this ice-cream shop is made in efficiency. A selection of classic and original flavors, with or without milk and eggs, and at a unique price : 2. 50€ for up to 3 flavors of your choice, nice service, that's enough to please you!

Address :

• Via dell'Angeletto, 15, 00184 Roma RM, Italy

7. Della Palma

Here, it's not so much about the quality but for the quantity. Because there are plenty of choices, and for the ice-cream on your cone too. This ice-cream shop offers no less than 150 flavors, going from the classic stracciatella, to sherbet, mousse, and then mars, kinder and other candy brands. The hardest thing to here is to make a choice! And maybe even to top your cone off with garnish. The price is still correct, though don't expect anything handmade.

Address :

• Via della Maddalena, 19-23, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Things to know as well :

• In reality it is extremely difficult to rank the ice-cream shops in Rome, which for me are the best. So, consider that all those in this article are worth it, and you will not be disappointed. Especially since this list is unanimous with my friends in Rome, all nationalities combined. Of course the are many more that I didn't try...

• If your ice-cream costs more than 3€ it starts to get expensive, if it goes up to 5€, either you got a size XXL, or it's a scam (and the great luxury type of ice-cream brand marked magnum or lindt or whatever, apply in my opinion).

• Ice-cream in Italy can be eaten all year long and at any hour, day or night!

• Watch out for imported ice-cream, or ice-cream that is a little too bright, they are generally not good and very chemical.

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