Florence is where it all began back in the Renaissance, supposedly first whipped up for the Medici court. Forgetting the bright green pistachio and fluffy mounds piled high in shop windows is the first step, and understanding the real difference between gelato and ice cream is key to the hunt. For people living in Florence, it’s a proper daily ritual, and knowing where to go for an authentic scoop is a true point of local pride.
Top picks for the best gelato in Florence
Broken down by neighbourhood, so you’ll always have a great option nearby wherever you find yourself wandering. While you'll find many of the most popular gelato flavours in Italy at these spots, they're all known for their exceptional quality and unique specialities.
Best gelato in Florence near the Duomo
It’s tricky finding the real deal right in the tourist heart of the city, but there are a couple of gems. After you’ve faced the queues and climbed the Dome, you'll have earned it.
- Gelateria Edoardo: a tiny, organic-only shop right in the shadow of the Duomo. They have interesting and quirky flavours that you won't see everywhere else.
- Venchi: a famous Italian chocolatier with a massive, cascading wall of liquid chocolate that usually draws people in. The gelato is genuinely good, especially if you're a fan of Italian chocolate desserts.
Most authentic gelato in the Oltrarno district
Once you cross the Ponte Vecchio into the Oltrarno, things feel a bit more local. This is the city's artisan quarter, and that craftsmanship extends to its gelato.
- Gelateria della Passera: tucked away in a tiny piazza of the same name, they focus on top-quality, seasonal ingredients.
- Sbrino - Gelatificio Contadino: they focus on a "farm-to-cone" philosophy, using milk from a specific local farm.
Famous gelato shops in Santa Croce
The area around the Basilica di Santa Croce is another great spot for a gelato crawl, with some time-honoured names in the mix.
- Il Procopio: a little gelateria that does the classics beautifully but isn't afraid to experiment with some interesting combinations.
- Vivoli: the Vivoli family has been making gelato since the 1930s, and they are one of the oldest gelaterie in the city. They don't do cones, only cups, which is part of the old-school experience, and their affogato is a must.
How to find good, authentic gelato in Florence
Forget the brightly coloured, gravity-defying mounds of gelato you see in shop windows near the main sights. Real, artisanal gelato is a much more subtle affair. Here are a few simple things to look for to make sure you're getting proper stuff, and these are the golden rules for finding the best gelato in Italy.
- Look at the colours. Check the colour of the pistachio. If it's a bright, lurid green, walk away. Proper pistachio gelato, made with actual ground nuts, should be a pale, brownish-green.
- Avoid the fluffy mountains. While those huge, swirly mounds of gelato look impressive, it’s a red flag. To keep that shape, the gelato is pumped full of air and vegetable fats.
- Look for the lids. The very best stuff is often hidden from view. Look for gelaterie that keep their gelato in deep, lidded metal containers called pozzetti.
- Check the ingredients. A good gelateria will have a sign listing the ingredients, or at least be proud to tell you what's in their product. Look for signs that say produzione propria (our own production) or gelato artigianale.
Most famous gelato in Florence
You can't talk about famous gelato in Florence without mentioning the spots that have become institutions. These are the places that have built up a loyal following among visitors and locals over the years.
- La Strega Nocciola: it’s very close to the Duomo and the Accademia, but it manages to avoid the mass-produced stuff you often find in tourist hotspots.
- Gelateria dei Neri: located just a short walk from the Arno, they have a huge range of flavours, so it’s a great place to go if you’re with a group and everyone wants something different.
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