Ever wanted to be Audrey Hepburn nibbling gelato on the Spanish Steps in your own “Roman Holiday?” Too much? How about just mastering the nuances of enjoying this frozen treat like a local when you’re visiting Rome? (How do you say “two scoops, please” in Italian?)
Experience Authentic Gelato in Rome Like a Local: Your Ultimate Guide
Sure, you’re going to love the history, art, and architecture in Rome, but what you’re really dreaming about is the food—pizza, pasta, and of course gelato, the ultimate Italian treat.
Eating gelato the Roman way is a bit of an art form. There’s tradition, etiquette, and a unique gelato vocabulary you’ll want to know before you go. So if a trip to Rome is on your horizon, brush up on your gelato skills so you can enjoy this frosty treat like a local.
For the ultimate Italian food experience, let us take you on a Custom Food Tour of Italy, where you'll taste regional specialties from the finest gelaterias to family-run trattorias across the country.
Let’s Start With the Basics: What is the Difference Between Gelato and Ice Cream?
You’d be forgiven for thinking these two cold, creamy desserts are practically the same, but those “little” differences between them make a big difference on your tongue. Even though gelato feels creamier and more rich, it’s actually made with more milk than cream, and that lovely texture comes from the slow way its churned.
Ice cream, as you’d guess, is made with more cream, but it’s churned much harder and faster than gelato, so it’s much airier. It’s also served a good bit colder than gelato—if you served ice cream at the temperature gelato is served, it’d melt into a puddle.
What is a Gelato?
Gelato’s dense, velvety texture is perfect at about 25℉, a temperature that intensifies its rich flavor. It’s another reason it’s so refreshing all year long.
Is Gelato Really Healthier Than Ice Cream?
There are some surprising nutritional differences between authentic Italian gelato and regular ice cream that might make you feel a bit better about that daily scoop. Traditional gelato contains less fat than ice cream since it's made with more milk than cream, typically containing 4-9% fat compared to ice cream's 14-17%. But that's not all - gelato's slower churning process incorporates less air, meaning you're getting more actual dessert and less fluff in every bite. This denser consistency also means you'll feel satisfied with a smaller portion, making it easier to practice the Italian art of moderation. Plus, artisanal gelato often uses fresh, natural ingredients without artificial preservatives or flavors, especially in Rome's top gelaterie where quality is a point of pride.
The Rich History of Famous Gelato in Rome: From the Oldest Gelato in Rome to Modern Delights
One could argue that gelato has biblical roots—Isaac offered sweetened goat’s milk over ice to Abraham, after all. But most food scholars trace the birth of modern gelato to Bernardo Buontalenti, who created a recognizable version for Catherine de Medici, which became the talk of Florence (which is why the city is known as the birthplace of gelato).
It took a Sicilian, Francesco Procopio dei Coltelli, to bring gelato to the rest of Europe. He opened Cafe Procope in Paris in 1686, and well, the rest is the history of gelato.
Italians love their gelato so much, there’s even a museum for it in Bologna.
Gelato Museum Carpigiani opened in Bologna in 2012 with over 1,000 square meters of modern space dedicated to this frozen delicacy. It’s even on Zagat’s list of the coolest new museums in the world—no pun intended. Did you know that Italy boasts some 37,000 gelateria?
After you’ve eaten your fill of gelato in Rome, and maybe visited Florence, its birthplace, it’s worth your time to venture to Bologna to pay homage to the treat at the Gelato Museum. While in Bologna, take your culinary exploration to the next level with our Private Food Tour in Bologna. As you discover the city's rich gastronomic heritage and visit the Gelato Museum, you'll understand why Bologna is nicknamed 'La Grassa' (The Fat One) and is considered Italy's food capital.
What is Gelato? Your Essential Guide to Traditional Italian Flavors
Nothing marks you as a non-native like not knowing how to order what you want. The best Roman gelateria label their flavors in Italian only, so if you don’t know the basics, you won’t get what you want.
Let’s look at the four main categories of gelato flavors, chocolates, nuts, fruits, and cream, and the most popular flavors of each. Want to decode more Italian culinary secrets? Join our Private Cooking Class in Rome where you'll learn to make authentic Italian desserts alongside traditional dishes from scratch.
Classic Italian Chocolate Gelato Flavors: From Dark to Spicy
Cioccolato fondente - dark chocolate
Cioccolato latte - milk chocolate
Gianduja - chocolate with hazelnut
Cioccolato all’arancia - chocolate with orange
Cioccolato con peperoncini - chocolate with a dash of hot pepper, all’azteca, or with cinnamon, is another variation.
Traditional Roman Nut-Based Gelato Varieties
Nocciola - hazelnut
Mandorla - almond
Pistacchio - OK, you already know that one.
Fresh Italian Fruit Gelato Flavors in Rome
Fragola - strawberry
Lampone - raspberry
Fico - fig
Albicocca - apricot
Pesca - peach
Pera - pear
Frutti di bosco - literally “fruits of the forest,” think blueberries and blackberries
Authentic Italian Cream Gelato Flavors: Local Favorites
Crema - an egg custard flavor
Cocco - coconut cream
Caffe - when you aren’t getting enough caffeine from your espresso in Rome
Fior di latte - literally “flower of milk,” a sweet cream flavor
Stracciatella - a version of fior di latte but with little bits of chocolate
Zabaione - an eggy custard with sweet marsala wine
How to Order Gelato Like a Roman: Local Tips and Traditions
Now that you know your flavors, you’re ready to step up and order. First things first—coppa or cono? Although not every gelaterie offers both cups and cones, most do, and you’ll probably even have a few different cone-types to choose from. Of course, you may want to decide on how many scoops you want before deciding on a vessel!
In Rome, you’ll pay for your order—before you’ve actually given your order to the person who will scoop it. It works like this: You’ll tell the “cashier” that you want una coppa con due gusti, per favore, or “a cup with two scoops.” Then you pay, get your receipt, and move to the gelato counter where you choose your flavors.
Once you’ve decided, you hand your receipt to the person behind the counter and request your flavors. Note that while you can sample a flavor or two before you order, it’s best to just make a decision and stick with it. And if your server asks if you’d like your gelato con panna, always say yes! Nothing makes your frozen treat tastier than a heaping pile of whipped cream. Remember to say “grazie” after you’ve been served.
If you really want to enjoy your gelato like a Roman, order it at dusk before passeggiata to nibble as you stroll along the Via del Corso.
Other Italian Frozen Treats to Try: Don’t forget to Sample Some Other Awesome Italian Desserts
Let’s be honest, summers in Rome can be very hot and if you’re not used to the climate, it can be hard to keep your cool. Fortunately, there are lots of lovely frozen treats and desserts to help lower the temperature—at least in your mouth.
If you’re lactose intolerant or just don’t feel up to a heavy, creamy treat, you might love a grattachecca, the Roman version of a sno-cone. You might also hear it called granita, but whatever you call it, look for this delicious shaved ice with flavored syrups at kiosks in Testaccio and Trastevere. Explore the charming streets of Trastevere while sampling local delicacies on our Private Rome Food Tour in Trastevere, Campo de' Fiori and Ghetto - where you'll discover hidden gems most tourists never find.
And if you like sorbet, you’ll love the Italian version, sorbetto. Sorbetto has the same churned consistency as gelato, but there’s no egg or dairy, just fruits, juices, and water.
Need a little pick-me-up on your walking tour of Rome? Treat yourself to an affogato, which is a lovely dessert consisting of a scoop of gelato with a shot of espresso poured over it, occasionally dusted with chocolate shavings, toasted nuts, whipped cream, or a little caramel drizzle.
Best Gelato Shops in Rome, Italy: From Historic to Modern
You can take your pick of literally hundreds of shops in Rome, but here are a few of our favorites.
Feeling adventurous and want something more creative than a traditional cioccolato? Like maybe avocado? White wine? Rose petal gelato? Try Gelateria Fatamorgana on the Via del Corso.
Want the best gelato in Rome, consistently rated tops by locals? Visit Gelateria dei Gracchi, and try the pear and caramel.
Purists love the all-natural, low sugar creations at Gelato San Lorenzo. Try the raspberry basil for a refreshing treat.
If you want flavors that showcase the best produce of Italy, go to Gelateria del Teatro in Campo dei Fiori. You can enjoy Amalfi coast lemon gelato and almond gelato using Avola almonds from Sicily.
To really understand the soul of gelato, you need to visit Otaleg (gelato spelled backward). Take a class to become a true gelato connoisseur, or even learn how to make it at home.
And to get into the history of gelato in Rome, visit Il Palazzo del Freddo, the oldest gelateria in Rome. Giovanni Fassi opened his shop in the 1880s, and today’s flavors remain faithful to his original recipes.
Turn Your Gelato Dreams into Reality: Plan Your Visit Today and Tru the Best Gelato in Rome
If we’ve tempted your tastebuds with our ode to gelato, why not get in touch today and start planning your own Roman holiday? And if you’re not quite ready to chat, sign upfor our free email course to learn the secrets of planning the perfect Italian vacation.
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