Best Gelato in Florence (plus map!)

Literally translates into “Why Not?!”…which I love! Probably one of my favorites, if not my favorite place to get gelato! I love their unique flavors (including my personal fave: lavender) and everything I’ve tried here is delicious! Their coffee crunch is also a dream. This place rotates unique flavors that pack a delightful punch. And they usually have fun flavors of the day such as blue cheese, pine nut, English trifle or rose. They sound strange but I say give it a whirl and be adventurous! Or mix solid classics, such as chocolate or stracciatella (creamy vanilla yogurt with dark chocolate pieces…yum) with something inventive, such as matcha green tea or mascarpone cream!

This artisan joint houses my favorite flavor combination: cinnamon (cannella) and tiramisu…seriously, to die for! Their peanut crunch, chocolate chianti and coconut are also delightful! I go here a lot…like I know the people who work here “a lot”. It’s on my route to and from the city center and is the perfect place to stop in and grab delicious gelato- definitely a don’t miss place!

Hidden on the oltrarno, this gem serves unique, seasonal flavors that make it a must on your gelato bucket list! Think mojito and rose petal flavors! There’s a quaint square out front where you can enjoy your cup or cone! I like this place because it’s a bit off the beaten path but still near main sights so it’s easy to get to. Also, the gelato is light and creamy making it a refreshing treat!

Everyone is obsessed with this place…seriously. This place has a wide variety of flavors, so even the pickiest of eaters will find something to love! Check out their Sicilian brioche and make a gelato sandwich! Also, the street it’s on, Via dei Neri, has lots of local fun finds such as a good cappuccino place, Ditta Artigianale, or popular sandwich place, All’Antico Vinaio.

This place was a pleasant surprise for me as it looks a little commercial- don’t be fooled! This place is truly a hidden gem of super unique flavors, some I haven’t seen anywhere else in Florence, such as Maya, chocolate with chili peppers…hot hot hot but sooo good! Reminds me of my Texas roots! Great, inventive flavors, friendly service and a great place to rest your barkin’ heels after a day of exploring!

La Strega Nocciola, has a prime location- directly across the Ponte Vecchio on the oltrarno near Palazzo Pitti. Battle the crowds across the bridge and be rewarded with delightful gelato! This place was a pleasant surprise for me as it looks a little commercial- don’t be fooled! This place is truly a hidden gem of super unique flavors, some I haven’t seen anywhere else in Florence, such as Maya, chocolate with chili peppers…hot hot hot but sooo good! Reminds me of my Texas roots! Great, inventive flavors, friendly service and a great place to rest your barkin’ heels after a day of exploring!

My top choice for granita! Granita is kind of like slush…artisan style! This Sicilian joint serves up truly scrumptious flavors and their granita is perfect for hot summer days. No artificial colors or preservatives here and in true Sicilian form, almost all of their granita has lemon juice (where lemons are imported from Sicily every week). Also try their cannoli’s!

Yummy, fun and funky flavors abound, this place does not disappoint! This is a great place to try Italian mousse. It’s not my cup of tea but many people swear by it! If you’re wanting to give it a try, I suggest grabbing a mousse flavor and a gelato flavor so you can mix and enjoy!

With its prime Duomo central location, you know this place is packed with action! During popular times, you take a number and wait to be called to order! I think this place is fantastic and definitely a good stop however, I don’t love waiting in line. I suggest hitting this place up at an odd time to beat the crowd! Enjoy your creamy gelato on one of the many benches surrounding the piazza, people watch and gaze at the beautiful Duomo. This place also has many vegan flavor options and the most delicious house-made cones!

Their flavors typically consist of “the classics” but are delicious and made with high-quality ingredients.

This little place is in an odd location for tourists as it sits in the heart of a typical Italian piazza off the beaten path (think nonnas spoiling their grandkids and rambunctious boys playing soccer). This place is usually packed (typically locals only) but it’s a nice place to check out where you get a slice of Florentine life! Their flavors typically consist of “the classics” but are delicious and made with high-quality ingredients.

This place has a neat cave-like interior with modern touches. It’s in a prime location close to the Ponte Vecchio and I suggest grabbing your gelato and moving straight across the street to the Arno to see an up close Ponte Vecchio and pretty views of the Uffizi. I like this place for its unique and rotating flavors, creamy texture, great location and friendly customer service! Although I haven’t tried these, the place specializes in tropical fruit smoothies and chocolatey milkshakes!

Located right across the Santa Trinita Bridge, this bright place offers beautiful views of the Arno as well as regional wines, baked products and local goods such as hazelnut biscotti. With its spacious storefront and wide selection of gelato, this place is popular with tourists and gets busy quickly with lines out onto the street. I enjoy their scrumptious flavor creations and large portions but the place doesn’t take “gelato artigianale” too seriously. This place is a good stop for a rich treat however, some of the other places listed here truly envelope the Italian gelato artigianale style.

Grom is a beloved Italian gelato chain (it’s now global!) that dazzles locals and travelers alike. This place has a bit higher prices for what you’re actually getting but their flavors are always good. I prefer one-of-a-kind places vs. chains so this isn’t my favorite place but it’s usually open late (midnight…whoop!) so it’s a great late-night treat! Their flavors are very pure, you feel like you’re eating a piece of fruit rather than gelato, and that chocolate? Yea their cocoa beans are imported from Colombia and Venezula. Plus my good friend swears by their salted caramel.

Probably one of the most famous gelaterie in Florence, this place boasts Italian pride. It is the oldest gelato shop in Florence and has a cool, old-world feel inside. Written up in many guidebooks as the best, I don’t consider it to be the “best” per se. Still, it’s a neat stop on your gelato pilgrimage. You won’t see any cones here, only cups…the cone “distracts from the flavor of the gelato”.

Honorable mention: you can grab wine here too! Great pit stop on your way to Piazzale Michelangelo!