Looking for the best Gelato in Florence? Let’s get into it

Italy doesn’t have ice cream—it has gelato. Originating in 14th-century Florence by Bernardo Buontalenti, gelato was first presented at a Medici banquet for the King of Spain. Now, gelato runs rampant all over Italy. You cannot walk down a street without spotting someone with a fresh cone of stracciatella. However, with its immense popularity, many fall into the tourist traps of inauthentic gelato. This gelato is the one that is shipped in containers from other countries and made with preservatives and dyes. There are three golden ways to tell if the gelato you’re eating is real:

• Color: As ingredients are real and hand-mixed, gelato colors aren’t bright. The pistachio flavor should not be bright green but should have a muted, pale color. The lemon flavor should have a tan-yellow color rather than bright yellow.
• The “dome:” In many busy streets of Florence, gelato will be presented in a glass case, piled high and ornately decorated. This is the biggest red flag. Authentic gelato won’t be piled too high in a dome shape, as this wouldn’t preserve the freshness. Instead, look for metal tubs and simple decorations or toppings, if any.
• Texture: Gelato h
  as a milk base that gets whipped with fresh ingredients. Therefore, it has a lighter, more airy consistency than the traditional ice cream. It also doesn’t melt as fast as ice cream due to the density of the milk. If your gelato is melting like an ice cream cone on a hot day, it probably isn’t fresh.

Fun fact: Due to the lack of heavy cream in gelato, it has 30% less fat content than ice cream, making it a healthier dessert. So, definitely get that large cone!

Now that you’re a gelato-seeking expert, you’re ready to hunt. Here are my favorite places to find the freshest, creamiest, most authentic gelato in all of Florence.

Perché No?

Founded in 1939, Perché No is a family-run shop on a quiet corner between the Duomo and Piazza Dell’Indipendenza. Gelato and sorbet flavors range from a classic Pistachio to a unique Rose or Sesame. The store also serves mousse flavors like trifle and tiramisu, if you’re in the mood for a whipped consistency. There is a small seating area inside, but it is mostly a takeaway to enjoy your cone on the go.

The vibe of the store is homey and unassuming, a well-kept secret from unknowing tourists. Buckle up because this gelato is going to be the best thing you’ve ever tasted in your life. Sometimes food is fuel, other times food is comfort, and occasionally, food is the highest form of art that helps you transcend multiple dimensions. This gelato is the latter. One bite in, and you will feel your stomach smiling. Made with all real ingredients, this dessert is airy and refreshing, creamy and decadent. The harmony of sweet and fresh creates a symphony on the palate. If you want life to feel like an Italian movie scene—hair blowing in the wind as you dance down the street eating amazing gelato—go to Perché…No?. I recommend the nocciola (hazelnut), a favorite of both mine and the shop owner.

Via dei Tavolini, 19/r, 50122

S’Brino 

How does one begin to describe S’Brino? No words can quite encapsulate the delicate and smooth creaminess, folded alongside real ingredients like bits of pistachio or chunks of cinnamon cookie. There’s a certain happiness in seeing the worker dig into the silver barrel and pile on the holy grail. Their dish sizes are larger than average gelato shops for the same price. Be careful with how addictive their gelato is; you can lose money buying multiple cones. For only 50 cents more, you can even add on a mountain of fluffy whipped cream, heightening the experience.

The ambiance of the shop is simple and rustic. Stained wood, chalkboards, and hanging lights give the shop a chic, farm-like aesthetic, telling customers just how close they are to the fresh ingredients that S’Brino uses. I recommend their two specialty flavors. S’brinnimiso, made with hazelnut and swirls of dark chocolate and cinnamon cookie, is their most popular for a reason. In the end, I can’t truly describe S’Brino, but I can guarantee that you should try it for yourself.

Via dei Serragli, 32/r, 50124

Via Senese, 1/r, 50124

Rivareno

 

Rivareno gelato is a favorite of many students. Made on the premises, the store comes with a viewing window into the back kitchen. Consumers can see workers churning milk and adding fresh fruits and flavors to create the decadent dessert. The store is white-walled with bright lighting, like a glimmer of sunlight inviting customers in from the outside. Comfortable seating indoors makes it perfect for a late-night gelato run with friends. The flavors themselves are unique and intriguing, from zabaglione—custard and Marsala wine—to fichi —sweet and fruity fig. The range of tastes makes it hard not to come back for more. That, and the rich creaminess that comes with every bite. I recommend the Cremino Rivareno: the house classic made with a combination of Nutella-like hazelnut goodness with crunches of praline and ribbons of white chocolate. You can also never go wrong with their sorbets, made with fresh Tuscan strawberries, grapes, and blood oranges.

Borgo degli Albizi, 46/r, 50122

ciola

This gelateria is a known favorite of locals and visitors in Florence. La Strega Nocciola offers life-enhancing cream and sorbet-based gelato, homemade cones, and its own merch. The store even comes with a mascot: the hazel witch. La Strega Nocciola oozes pride in their handcrafted gelato—it’s good, and they know it. There is no seating in the stores, which makes sense due to the always-present line spilling onto the street outside. Families and friends gather on the cobblestone steps outside to enjoy their fresh cone, a top-notch Florence experience. They are especially popular for their fruity flavors, like fragola (strawberry), where creaminess combines with the perfect amount of tangy sweetness that rivals biting into the fruit itself. I recommend the lemon cream flavor, which is the freshest gelato I’ve ever had.

Via Ricasoli, 16/r, 50122

Via de’ Bardi, 51/r, 50125

Edoardo 

With a prime location on the corner of the Duomo, it’s no wonder that Edoardo almost always has a line out the door. It’s worth the wait. As the first-ever organic gelateria in Tuscany, it is praised for its fresh, seasonal flavors and many vegan options. As you shuffle in the cramped store, there’s a cheerful authenticity amongst the smell of hand-baked cones and large silver gelato tins. There is a large range of options, but mostly the classic and well-loved ones, such as Pistachio and fresh strawberry. It is a perfect consistency, crisp and cold, with a little stretch. I recommend the cinnamon and dark chocolate flavors, both rich and tasty, that aren’t overpowering. If you need more convincing, this spot is a favorite of many locals I’ve talked to, who hail it as the best in Florence. Don’t forget to snap a picture of your gelato with the best possible background.

Piazza del Duomo, 45/r, 50122

Vivoli

Tucked away near Santa Croce, Vivoli may not flaunt flashy signage or trendy decor, but it delivers a Florentine classic that deserves a special mention: the affogato. This old-school gelateria has been around since 1930, and you can taste that legacy in every scoop. The affogato here is no afterthought—it’s a perfect marriage of rich, velvety vanilla gelato drowned in a shot of hot, aromatic espresso. Served simply, without fuss, it’s pure indulgence in a cup. The contrast of cold and warm, creamy and bold, makes it unforgettable. While tourists wander in out of curiosity, locals return for tradition. It’s a place that feels timeless, and the affogato is its understated masterpiece.

Via Isola delle Stinche, 7/r

Written by Spring 2024 student Addi Loftis

Prepared for website by Summer 2025 student Marina Hishikawa