Gelato in Italy: Florence, Rome, Venice

When I was in Florence I followed a suggestion from an old Lonely Planet that said Gelateria Vivoli was the best in the city. I can't vouch for it being absolutely the best, since I didn't try them all, but it was definitely amazing! It's a bit hard to find, but I made the effort to call back & it's stuck in my mind ever since.
I can't remember where I went in Rome, and I found the gelati in Venice decidedly average (like all the food I had there).

We also enjoyed Vivoli in Florence -- loved their pistachio. In Rome, we liked Giolitti and Il Gelato di San Crispino(get the honey gelato). Try the tartufo at
Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona.

I thought the whole point was to try as many as possible and pretend it is research

Like willit says!! And really, we didn't have any bad gelato during two weeks of daily "research" last spring.

That said, Di San Crispino is famous: even their strange flavors like whiskey are wonderful!

We have loved Giolitti in Rome.

I don't think you can ever run out of flavors to try!

Byrd

Shamelessly bookmarking.

In Venice I loved La Boutique del Gelato in Castello - Salizzada S. Lio 5727 near the church of San Lio. The chocolate was absolutely superb.

In Rome I adore Cremeria Monteforte in Via della Rotonda 22. Facing the Pantheon, it's on the street that runs along the righthand side. I love their the mousse-like semifreddo which comes in various flavours. Perfect taste and texture.

We liked Gelato Grom in Florence very much. Don't be put off by the fact that it is in a central, touristy, area. Vivoli always seemed to be closed when we were passing!

I liked Grom as well, it is a chain but a very good quality one.

Though truth be told, I've never had a bad gelato in Italy.

Absolutely without a doubt Giolitti in Rome.

Also in Rome, Il gelato di San Crispino. Go to the one by the Trevi fountain so that you can walk over to the fountain and enjoy both Italian treasures.

Grom in Turin.

We ate gelato everywhere we went. These were the memorable ones but there is truly no bad gelato in Italy. Sample them all.

I liked Vivoli in Florence as well as Festival del Gelato on Via del Corso near the duomo; it had many many flavors.

Like a previous poster, I always get the tartuffo at Tre Scalini in Piazza Navona in Rome.

The granita di caffe at La Tazza d'Oro near the Pantheon is very good, as is the smell of roasting coffee wafting out of the shop.

Rome - Sahn Crispino

Venice - San Trovaso, San Stae (especially the prosecco flavour !), also now has Grom

Florence: HIGHLY inflated prices for it

bookmarking necessity!

I loved every gelato I have had in every city. Its research!

What a yummy thread!

I haven't been yet (heading to Italy in May - yay!) but my brother's girlfriend insists that we try Perche No (sp?) in Florence.

Has anyone been there?

In Rome, we've tried TOO many! Here are a few of our suggestions: http://tinyurl.com/rome-gelato

In Florence, GROM mentioned above is good, but there are now huge lineups there and I think there is gelato which is just as good elsewhere.

Gelateria dei Neri on Via dei Neri - a nice street to wander down between Santa Croce and the Uffizi - this is a very good gelato place

Vivoli is just ok in my opinion - it's on via della vigna vecchia close to Santa croce

Vestri - good for chocolate and gelato - Borgo degli Albizi, 11

Rivareno Gelateria is another really good gelato place on Borgo degli Albizi, 46,

There is another place I like, but don't know the name of - it's in the same little square as the Quattro Leone restaurant - going to Via de' Vellutini should get you there - on the oltrarno side of Florence

Just returned from Florence. Now, I am picky about gelato so I will say that there IS bad gelato in Italy! I happened upon a place in Florence that was so good that I didn't bother going anywhere else for fear of having something that didn't measure up.
It's called Le Parigine Gelateria Artigianale and it's on vie dei Servi 41r. The street ends on the north side of the Duomo itself. This place is tiny, but wonderful! The best hazlenut I've ever had, and I've had a lot. And the small cone - which is NOT small - is only 1.50!

abedenek,your brother's girlfriend is right.

In Florence, Perche No is wonderful! Perche No? means Why Not? as in "Why not have another gelato?

Gelato in Florence is wonderful! almost everywhere.
If you go a bit outside.. in Valdarno try Gelateria Giannini from Montevarchi