Where to find the best gelato in Rome

You will find a gelateria on virtually every corner in Rome, but these are the ones are worth seeking out.

Fata Morgana

Whether your wanderings take you to Monti, the Via del Corso or Trastevere, you are bound to stumble across one of the half-a-dozen branches of Fata Morgana scattered across town. What sets Maria Egnese Spagnuolo’s gelato apart is her creative flavour combinations. Depending on the season, she may team hazelnuts with butter and sage flower or with spicy dukkah, combine lime with magnolia flowers or pair Kentucky chocolate and tobacco leaves.

Gunther Gelato Italiano

For Günther Rohregger, the mastermind behind Gunther Gelato Italiano, a good gelato is all about choosing the right ingredients, which is why he publishes the recipes for some of his best-loved flavours, such as mountain pine or eggnog, on his website. He even imports water from his home province of Alto Adige, while sourcing organic milk from local famers. Vegan and gluten-free options are available; head to Piazza Sant’Eustachio or Via Due Macelli near the Trevi Fountain to try them for yourself.

Gelateria del Teatro

Sitting on Via dei Coronari, one of Rome’s loveliest streets, Gelateria del Teatro makes its gelato fresh daily, and creativity abounds. The flavours of the gelato are strictly seasonal, apart from the strawberry – the owner promised local schoolchildren he would keep it on the menu all year round, using greenhouse berries in winter. Look for intriguing options such as sage and raspberry or lavender and white peach. Gelateria del Teatro is also known for having some of Rome’s tastiest cones.

Gelateria dei Gracchi

If you haven’t yet made it to the hip Prati neighbourhood it’s about time you went, and Gelateria dei Gracchi is as good a reason as any. There are plenty of boutiques, bars and restaurants to discover along the main strip of Cola di Rienzo and its side streets, but you can always spot this tiny outlet by the queue outside. Steering clear of colourings and preservatives, this gelateria specialises both in classic flavours (try the pistachio) and unusual combinations such as rice and honey.

Fiocco di Neve

Heads-up if you happen to be gluten-free: Fiocco di Neve is the gelateria of your dreams. Every single flavour here is gluten-free and there are plenty to choose from, from classics like coffee and fruit of the forest to tiramisu. But wait, there is more: the cones and waffles here are also gluten-free, so you can indulge without hesitation. The location near the Pantheon makes it super-easy to find.

Otaleg

Cacio e pepe gelato: yes or no? For some, the idea of creating a gelato based on Rome’s favourite cheese-and-pepper pasta is pure brilliance. Others will shudder and reach for a scoop of something safe, like hazelnut, instead. The good news is at Otaleg in Trastevere, Marco Radicioni offers both. If you lean towards the old school, his chocolate and fruit gelatos are wonderful. Perhaps his signature flavour is a rich eggnog, made with heady Marsala wine.