Five Gelato Faves in Florence

Caffe (coffee) cone from Grom

I imagined myself holding an ice cream cone filled with soft gelato, rich in flavor. I love ice cream and the thought of an endless supply of gelato in Italy was enough to convince me to buy plane tickets to Europe.

In preparation for my trip, I ended up with a list of 23 gelaterias compiled from recommendations, travel sites, and travel blogs. My plan was to hit each and every one of them. In reality, I ended up trying only a fraction and not all of them were from the list. 

Here are the five gelaterias I visited in Florence.

1. Grom

Via del Campanile, 50122 Firenze

Grom is a chain with locations all over Italy and select locations in the USA. I had mixed feelings about going to Grom in Italy but like any other chain establishment you know what to expect, just as you know how Coldstone tastes like in every suburb. One of Grom's signature traits is that their gelato is stored in metal canisters.  Expect long lines with tourists. It is right around the corner from the Duomo.

Antica Gelateria Fiorentina. That's Franceso!

Stracciatella (vanilla w/chocolate shavings) e Biscottino (butter cookie)

2. Antica Gelateria Fiorentina

Via Faenza 2A, 50123 Firenze

Antica Gelateria Fiorentina was so good we ended up going twice, two days in a row. It is a favorite amongst the locals. The price of gelato here is one of the cheapest in the Florence. A street vendor told us about this secret gelateria. However, it wasn’t much of a secret at all. We had discovered it the night before. Francesco, the owner, was so nice and friendly. He runs the gelateria with his wife and partner. Antica Gelateria Fiorentina specializes in crepes, mousse, gelato, and sorbet. Try the biscottino and fragola.

Almond Granita from Gelateria Carabe

3. Gelateria Carabe
Via Ricasoli 60R, 50122 Firenze

Sicilian Gelateria Carabe is directly down the street from the Accademia on Via Ricasoli. It is not difficult to find as the street is wide, straight, and without twists or turns to distract you. The gelato is soft and delicate. However, Gelateria Carabe is famous for their granita and that is what I suggest coming here for. The granita had bits of almond in it and the ice was almost none existent except for the cold texture of the granita. Gelateria Carabe uses no preservatives or artificial flavoring. Tip for tourists: Print the coupon on the website and get a free upgrade in size on your next vacation! (See link for coupon.)

Menta (mint) flavored gelato dipped in dark chocolate and almonds
La Bottega del Gelato

4. La Bottega del Gelato
Via Por Santa Maria 33, 50122 Firenze

La Bottega del Gelato is an outpost for Stickhouse. This gelato on a stick is a nice departure and break from the traditional cup and cone. Like a popsicle but richer, the ingredients are all natural and very basic- milk, cream, fruits, etc. Choose your gelato and dip it in almonds, white chocolate, dark chocolate, coconut... What fun! Grab one and go over the Ponte Vecchio.

Price ranges from 1 - 7 Euro for gelato at Gelateria dei Neri

Over 20 flavors of gelato!

Mango - Go for the fruity flavors!

5. Gelateria dei Neri
Via dei Neri 26R, 50122 Firenze

Gelateria dei Neri is one of the more famous gelato shops in Florence. It is in the vicinity of Santa Croce and Uffizi. Gelateria dei Neri is a feast for the eyes. They have many beautiful pastries in the window. Try not to get distracted. The mango gelato is out of this world.