5 x The Best Gelato in Rome (2025)
Since last week I wrote about some of the best savoury street food in Rome, I thought this week it would be nice to switch things over to the sweet side and talk about one of the best treats Rome has to offer: gelato. As an international student, I’ve tried my fair share of gelato in Rome, and over time I’ve collected my top 5 gelaterias for the best gelato in Rome. These spots are the result of plenty of personal “research” (yes, eating a lot of gelato) combined with recommendations from my local Roman foodie friends. When you’re in Rome, you simply have to try them for yourself!
Gelateria Frigidarium
First on the list is the amazing Frigidarium, and if you’ve been following my blog since the beginning, you may have noticed that I talked about this gelateria before. They are located very close to Piazza Navona, right in the city centre, and they have been making gelato since 1988.
On their website, it says that they use whole milk and fresh, seasonal ingredients to create the best gelato, and in my opinion, you can really taste that. This is very personal, but my favourite gelato flavour has to be dark chocolate, and I have yet to find a dark chocolate that is better than the one at Frigidarium, which gives them the number one spot in my heart.
It can be quite busy at Frigidarium since it is a small gelateria, but if there is a line, don’t get discouraged because it moves quite fast. As a special option, you can choose to pour either white or dark chocolate on top of your gelato at no extra cost, which is exactly the kind of gluttonous behaviour I vouch for.
Gelateria Fassi
For the next gelateria, we are really diving into gelato history because Gelateria Fassi has been in business since 1880. They are located on Via Principe Eugenio 65/67, close to the metro stop Vittorio Emanuele, and they are very famous in Rome.
The gelateria is huge, with plenty of places to sit and enjoy your gelato. The whole ambiance is elegant and old-school, vintage, which is an experience on its own. Even though it is so famous, the prices here are actually some of the cheapest I know, starting at just 1.80 euros. What is probably good to know is that most gelaterias on this list use the common system of paying first at the counter before you go and order your gelato. It can be a bit confusing if you are not used to it, so make sure to pay first and then show your receipt when choosing your flavours.
At gelateria Fassi they serve classic, traditional gelato flavours and they are also famous for their rice flavour (yes, you heard that right), which is creamy, comforting, and a must-try in my opinion. They serve their gelato with whipped cream on top, and it is just too good.
Gelateria Fatamorgana
Fatamorgana has always been a gelateria that really stands out for me, and if you are a more adventurous gelato enthusiast, you will love it too. They have different stores throughout Rome, for example in Trastevere and also one in Monti. At Fatamorgana, they focus on using high quality and organic ingredients, creating very creative and natural flavours.
Last time I was there, I had ginger-pineapple flavour combined with a scoop of fig gelato, and let me tell you, it was delicious. At Fatamorgana, they also clearly indicate allergens for every flavour, and for someone with allergies and intolerances like me, this is very much appreciated.
Every time I am there, they have new combinations and experimental flavours like ricotta and pear or violet and lemon, and I just love it. If you want to try something different than your usual gelato, go to Fatamorgana!
Gelateria La Romana
Another classic in Rome is Gelateria La Romana, making gelato since 1947. La Romana has a couple of gelaterias in Rome, but you can find them all over the world. I often go to their gelateria close to Piazza Navona, but they also have one in Monti, Ostiense, and near Termini.
For me, La Romana has a distinctive vibe from the other ones on this list. It feels a little bit more modern but still very homey and warm. Their gelato is amazing, and it tastes very natural. They have also had some fun collaborations. I remember last year they had a collaboration with the Netflix series Bridgerton, and they had four different Bridgerton gelato flavours, complete with Bridgerton ice cream cups and napkins.
At La Romana they also offer some adventurous flavours besides the classics, and I can highly recommend paying them a visit.
Gelateria Giolitti
It is almost impossible to create a list of the best gelato in Rome without mentioning Giolitti. The thought of not including it crossed my mind a couple of times but I could not do it in good conscience. You see, Giolitti is probably the most famous gelateria in Rome and because of that it can be crazy busy and very touristic. But fair is fair, when I tried their gelato I could really taste why they are so famous.
Giolitti has been a gelateria and pasticceria since 1900 and their headquarters are very close to the Pantheon, making it the perfect city centre stop. Last time I was there I had to stand in line for a bit but it moved pretty fast. I chose their sour cherry gelato which was absolutely mind blowing and I can highly recommend visiting this gelateria.
Conclusion
I hope this blog post has inspired you to visit some of the best gelaterias in Rome. Whether you’re a fan of adventurous flavours or prefer the classics, these places have something for everyone. I will of course continue my mission of finding the best gelato in Rome, and if another spot breaks into my top five, I’ll update this list. If I missed your favourite place or if you’ve been to any of these and want to share your thoughts, feel free to leave a comment!
