The ice cream shops in Florence are a true paradise for gelato lovers. Ice cream aficionados assemble, as I have some great recommendations for all of you! While coming up with a definitive list of the best is difficult, we've rounded up some of our favorites. So hopefully you’ll know where to go if you’ll travel to Florence at some point. But, remember that ice cream is a personal adventure: when in Florence explore, taste and discover your favorite ice cream shop.

Here our Top 9 Ice Cream Shops in Florence

Sbrino - Gelatificio Contadino

Sbrino is much more than just a simple ice cream shop. They focus on milk quality, fresh seasonal fruit and high-quality raw materials to create memorable tastes. The ingredients are carefully selected: high quality milk, eggs are used for the cream and fruit is chosen from the best on the market, always following seasonality. One of the things that makes them special is their approach to using sugar: to minimize the amount, the fruit is cut and left to macerate for several days in the refrigerator to extract its natural sugars. The wide range of flavors includes options for everyone, including gluten-free and vegan. So, when you are here, you are not just enjoying ice cream, but you are having an authentic and sustainable taste experience.

Cantina del Gelato

The “Cantina del Gelato” is much more than a simple ice cream parlor. Located in via De' Bardi, it has an enchanting setting inside a former wine cellar with a breathtaking panoramic view of the monuments of Florence. What makes it really special is the variety of flavors available. Each ice cream is handcrafted with the highest quality ingredients, following traditional recipes. While enjoying your ice cream, you will be able to enjoy the view of the Uffizi, the Vasari Corridor and the Ponte Vecchio. It is an experience that involves all your senses. But that's not all, the Cantina del Gelato also offers juices, shakes and smoothies prepared with seasonal tropical fruits.

La Sorbettiera The Sorbet Maker

La Sorbettiera is located in the heart of the San Frediano district, it is much more than a simple ice cream shop. It is a laboratory of ideas, a workshop in which in direct contact with customers. When you pass, you will notice that the ice creams are not on display, but are stored in steel cylinders lowered into the icebox. You can choose your ice cream only through the cards. This preservation method suggests that the production technique is based on ancient systems, just like the ice cream cart or the ancient ice cream parlors of the past. In short, a visit to La Sorbettiera is really worth it. You can be sure that you will not find yourself enjoying a heavy cream that requires an immediate sip of water, but rather an authentic old-school ice cream.

Mordilatte ice cream shop

The Gelateria Mordilatte, inaugurated way back in 2010, is a real point of reference in the Florentine confectionery scene. This place combines traditional flavors with bolder ones, such as herbs and spices, creating a unique fusion. Among the restaurant's specialties, there is a secret recipe called "Mordilatte", which combines a delicious saffron cream with toasted pine nuts and other mysterious ingredients. Furthermore, the fruit flavors are enriched with notes of lime, pink pepper, chili pepper, mint and turmeric, creating extraordinary flavor combinations. This ice cream shop is renowned for its 100% natural ice cream, prepared with the highest quality ingredients.

Gelatarium

Gelatarium is not just an ice cream shop, it is a unique place that offers an extraordinary experience. In addition to enjoying exceptional ice creams, you can experience magical moments in a dream setting with swings inside the venue. The atmosphere here is designed to make every tasting a special moment. Gelatarium's fruit ice creams and creams are made with the highest quality milk. The design of the venue is bright and colorful, almost like a courtyard, with a painted ceiling that creates the illusion of an open sky. Here, the service is self-service and the ice creams are freshly creamed. Thanks to a series of batch freezers, you can create your own personalized ice cream by choosing from around fifteen different flavors. But Gelatarium offers much more. In addition to ice cream, there is a cafeteria with croissants, stuffed focaccias, granitas, and smoothies. During the winter, you can delight in hot chocolate and traditional crepes.

Gelateria De' Medici

Gelateria De' Medici is a true treasure chest of exceptional ice creams that was founded in 1997. Here, everything revolves around the quality of the ingredients, with the aim of creating ice creams that will leave an indelible memory. With forty-four flavors on display, cakes, stuffed fruit and other innovative creations, this artisanal ice cream shop combines ancient tradition with creativity. The fruit-based flavors are made using only seasonal products and simply adding water. During the summer, I recommend you try the surprising basil flavor and the irresistible sorbets. Among the house specialties, you will find the gentle hazelnut, the Crema de' Medici and the jasmine chocolate, inspired by an 1700 recipe by Francesco Redi. Gelateria De' Medici is committed to carefully selecting the ingredients, combining this care with a profound knowledge of traditions and a constant search for new flavors. This makes it an unmissable point of reference for lovers of artisanal ice cream.

La Carraia ice cream shop

La Carraia is run entirely by women, and has become a point of reference in the world of artisanal ice cream in Florence. They always try to bring a touch of personality to the continuous evolution of the world of ice cream, offering new flavors and following the ancient Florentine culinary traditions. The ice cream shop is located just over the Ponte alla Carraia, just outside the center, and is a place that is really worth visiting. Even though there is often a queue, I assure you that it moves very quickly. Their selection of flavors is wide and varied. Their ice cream uses no artificial flavors or colors, they prefer to focus on the pure nectar of the best seasonal fruits, nuts and herbs. You can also opt for something unusual, such as "grandma's cake", a regional dessert with pine nuts. The choice is yours, and now it's up to you to delight your palate with authentic Florentine flavors.

Gelateria dei Neri

Located in the heart of the historic center, a stone's throw from the Uffizi Gallery, the place doesn't pay too much attention to aesthetics, it has that flavor of one of those traditional family-run places that promise only the best. Chocolate lovers will surely be amazed by the numerous variations of this flavor: from Modica chocolate to pure dark chocolate, through orange and the legendary Moretto from via Dei Neri, so dense and pasty that it feels like eating cold Nutella . On a similar consistency and equally legendary, you can taste the Caramel with salted butter, ricotta and figs. We move from tradition to more refined flavors, with a wide choice also for celiacs and vegans. Gelateria De Neri is much more than a place to enjoy exceptional ice cream. It is the result of a story, of passion and love for a special profession. Here ice cream becomes a reason to connect, socialize, a call of intense and pure emotions that unite anyone who enters and wishes to delight in a dessert after a meal or something fresh during a walk.

Gelateria della Passera

The Gelateria della Passera is an authentic demonstration of love for ice cream. If we had to choose two words to define what they do and their deep affection for the art of ice cream, we would choose "continuous research". Their ice cream is a symphony of raw and perfect flavors, a testimony to the meticulous care they dedicate to the raw material and attention to detail. It is no coincidence that they received the prestigious award from Gambero Rosso as the best ice cream shop (3 cones).  The shop, although very small, overlooks Piazza della Passera which is very discreet and reserved. It's worth dropping by!

Information may have changed since date of publication. Please confirm details with individual establishments before planning your trip.

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