Located in a more residential area of Rome, La Romana feels like a step above your average gelato…read moreshop, with a polished storefront and plenty of cute outdoor seating. Inside, the design is clean and modern, and it's bright, organized, and efficient even when crowded. The vibe is lively and indulgent, with a constant stream of customers, even when we arrived at around 9pm on a Thursday night. I've been told that the telltale sign of a touristy gelateria is when the gelato is piled-high and laden with toppings; this often means that it isn't replaced often, so it isn't fresh. There's none of that here; the gelato is tucked away beneath lids, most likely to retain the fluffiest, creamiest texture.
There's menus in both Italian and English, with a variety of upscale, unique flavors, such as Coffee & Cardamom, Zabaglione, and even frozen yogurt! They're more than happy to let you sample, and there's plenty of options for your gelato, including cups, cones, and brioche rolls; there's also other items, such as crepes, coffee drinks, and more. We all ordered different flavors; even a small scoop (€4) comes with two flavors. I truly enjoyed my combination of flavors: Zabaglione (an Italian dessert with egg yolks, sugar, and a sweet wine) and Yogurt Miele e Noci (yogurt with honey and wanluts); the former was just boozy enough with a rich, custardy flavor, and the latter was tart yet herbal from the honey, and earth walnuts adding textural contrast. My friends also loved their flavors, particularly the fruity ones such as Lemon and Raspberry.
Pricing is moderate for gelato, but nowhere near tourist traps in the more crowded areas of Rome; I think it's justified. Yes, it's a chain, but I can truly taste the high quality of the ingredients that they use, and their unique flavors that you can't find elsewhere. A great stop if you're in the area!
