Savoring Italy one gelato at the time: a tour of Italy's best gelaterie

The origins of gelato are unclear and several Italian towns claim to be the birthplace of this best loved dessert, but one thing we know for sure: after the proliferation of industrial gelaterie and pre-packaged ice cream, in the past few years the trend has changed and Italians have veered towards traditional artisanal shops that prepare gelato like it was prepared more than 60 years ago. All over Italy gelato lovers are seeking gelato that is made with only fresh ingredients and traditional methods, such as the ones that can be found in these top Italian gelaterie:

 

Vivoli is said to be Florence’s oldest gelateria and legend has it that at the beginning of the 20th century they used to carry snow from the nearby mountains to produce their famous gelato. Although nowadays they count on more modern technologies, their ice cream is still amazingly good: just look at the crowd lining up all the way outside the shop at all times of the day! A true Florentine institution, Vivioli opened in 1929 as a milk shop where people gathered to drink coffee topped with fresh whipped cream. Three years later brothers and owners Serafino and Raffaello Vivoli started making gelato and, in the following decades, became ice cream legends. Try the lemon gelato or the cream of Vin Santo, made with local wine and cantucci cookies. 

 

Ideally set in the central Piazza del Duomo, Gelati DiVini not only can boost a stunning location, but also some of the best artisanal gelatos in Sicily. Their specialties are pistacchio, from nearby Bronte, spiced Mayan chocolate and ricotta. Because Gelati DiVini is also a winery, make sure you try their unique Passito di Pantelleria and Moscato D’Asti ice cream flavors: you won’t find them anywhere else!

 

Sartori has been opened for 78 years right next to Milan’s Central Station and, ever since then, has been a hit with locals and tourists alike. You won’t find anything fancy here: the gelateria is a actually a kiosk and the red neon sign above it is everything but sophisticated: but don’t let that fool you, their gelato is one of the best in town. Their stracciatella -vanilla ice cream with chocolate chips- is simple but amazing, as are the hazelnut and lemon granitas that made Sartori famous. 

 

The most creative and talked about gelato in Rome is prepared at Otaleg!, where an amazing array of ingredients, many of which are registered as Presidio Slow Food (http://www.slowfood.it/), are turned each day in wonderful and unexpected concoctions. Sure, you can have a chocolate ice cream, but wouldn’t you rather try the gorgonzola and white chocolate gelato? And what about mustard ice cream? It all sounds crazy, but gelato aficionados always go back for more. Don’t miss it if you travel to the Eternal City.

 

Opened by Mauro Bandirali in 1973, this family run gelateria has a rich and proud tradition in gelato making: Grandma Anita had been preparing homemade ice cream for her trattoria since 1951 and taught her young son everything there is to know to produce rich creams and delightful sorbets. Her grandson is now in charge of the shop and produces an incredible variety of flavors using only the best and freshest ingredients. Try the wonderful amaretto gelato or, if you are a fan of fruit, the frutti di bosco, made with fresh wild berries. 

 

Via Angarano 65, Bassano del Grappa 

With its retro atmosphere and vintage look, this gelateria is famous for using locally sourced ingredients, such as fresh milk from nearby San Michele farm. The gelato is then prepared using traditional methods and the result is a creamy, delicious and light gelato that tastes like real milk: the fior di latte is their best, although very traditional, flavor; for something more adventurous try the delicious hazelnut gelato made with nuts from Avola, Sicily. 

 

Stefano, Fabio and Antonella Dassie will dazzle you with their beautiful presentation and delicious gelato, containing only fresh ingredients and absolutely no hydrogenated fats. Chocolate and rose petals, lemon and basil, cinnamon and apples, milk and Nutella… these are just some of the creative, unusual flavors offered at il Gelatiere Sant’Agostino. No wonder Stefano has won the title of Gelato World Champion in 2010!