In the past, I knew of Gelateria Navona, just a few doors up from the actual piazza, and that was…read moremy go-to place for gelato in Rome. Expecting it to be there one year, I walked over to Piazza Navona and Gelateria Navona had evidently closed. I would then get gelato here and there. I then learned that Giolitti is a long standing gelateria and it's also in the historic center. I filed the name away in my head. Then, one day, I happened to walk right in front of it without even looking for it, so I went in. Giolitti is popular and it can be crowded. I'm going to say that I waited about 10 to 15 minutes. You pay at a counter first, deciding on what you want and how much of it, such as scoops and whether it will be in a cup or a cone. Once up at the counter, they don't rush you, which surprised me. I don't take that much time since I don't experiment much, but I still appreciate the courtesy. The price is roughly what everyone else in the historic center is charging. I always opt for the gelato it in a cup so you can "control" the dripping. The gelato - a mix of dark chocolate and two citrus flavors - was "molto buono." That said, just because it's so popular, I'm not going to downgrade Giolitti for it and complain about the crowds. You downgrade gourmet donut places in the U.S. where their fame has gone to their heads. There is also a spacious salon with nicer decor in which you can eat inside. At this point, Giolitti is really the only gelateria in Rome whose name I remember. I would gladly go back and I recommend it.

Amazing!!!! Wanted to update with pictures because it's simply delicious and we truly miss the…read moreambiance.

1. Blood Orange Ricotta Gelato with Cinnamon…read more 2. Chocolate Gelato Dotted with Large Pieces of Orange Peel. 3. Whipped Cream on Top of All of That That is Even Better Than the Gelato. 4. A Cone Dipped in Fresh Liquid Chocolate 5. A Cookie Dipped in the Same Fresh Liquid Chocolate Standing Straight Up and Down in the Whipped Cream All of this was just as amazing as it sounds here. * * * Steve McQueen was hiding in the Chocolate that was lining the inside of the cone. As I was nearly passed out in bliss over Blood Orange Ricotta Orange Peel Chocolate and Whipped Cream The Chocolate in the Cone decided to make the Great Escape. It tunneled its way to the bottom of the cone and all of the chocolate prisoners made a mad escape through the very end of the cone. My shirt and my jeans were completely covered with large pools of chocolate from navel to knee. * * * Wearing chocolate like that is a Badge of Honor. It shows you have really been there. They sell clothes in Italy if it really comes to that. * * * For gelato like that, you should be ready to do Anything !

I tried the stracciatella and pistachio, topped with a little panna, and I'm still thinking about…read morethem. The texture was incredibly creamy & smooth, and the flavors had this rich, honest depth that made each bite feel a bit special. The panna added just the right touch without overwhelming anything -- it all came together beautifully. One of those gelato moments that stays with you long after the trip. A spot I'd happily go out of my way for again.

My husband and I had dinner at a pizza spot adjacent to Frigidarium, so we couldn't help stop by…read morefor dessert. I remembered it also being highly recommended to me by one of my friends. Frigidarium had a small storefront with room for a few guests at a time. Our timing was lucky, because we had arrived ahead of a big crowd. When I ordered and looked over my shoulder I saw that the line was snaking around the corner. Service was fast though, so people were in and out considerably quickly. I ordered the Frigidarium flavor and one that looked like a berry vanilla swirl with chocolate bits. I'm sure my mouth dropped when they asked if I wanted white chocolate, milk chocolate, or whipped cream at no additional charge. Based on the flavor palate I got white chocolate that becomes a hard shell when poured on. Loved everything about my gelato. I enjoyed both flavors with the white chocolate, and I got a bonus chocolate cookie from the Frigidarium flavor.

Every time I come to Italy, it's a personal mission to find and devour gelato daily--because…read morevacation calories? Yeah, they don't count! This spot didn't disappoint--the gelato was absolutely gorgeous and tasted just as amazing. Heads up: they only let us pick one flavor to taste test lol so choose wisely, but honestly, it was worth it. Open late, delicious, and just what we needed to end the night right!

Legendary Roman Ice Cream…read more * * * La Romana has been around since 1947. That does not make it the oldest gelateria by a long shot. But 1947 puts La Romana in the "senior class" for sure. That means almost 50 years of driving thousands of people insane with pleasure from utterly amazing ice cream. That is a good way to spend 50 years. * * * Most Italian Gelato places are very consistent. If one flavor is good, they all are good. If one flavor is fake or artificial, they all are fake and artificial. That said - despite La Romana's full range, The establishment is known for one distinctive flavor that is very much their signature. Crema dal 1947. Crema dal 1947 is absolutely and utterly insane. It is an eggnog custard gelato subtly flavored with lemon zest. It is the most creamy dreamy lemon cloud dessert every made by any human being. Just to get an appropriate placement within the lemon family, I paired it with a plain lemon gelato. Rome has absolutely amazing lemons. Plain lemon gelato almost anywhere is die-and-go-to-heaven good. Putting eggnog custard creamy dream Crema dal 1947 With bracing in-your-face screaming lemon-lemon-lemon traditional gelato Was like pairing Margot Robbie as Barbie with Amy Winehouse singing her soul out. Both were absolutely perfect for what they are. I want to have that ice cream cone tonight, tomorrow, the day after that, the day after that and every other consecutive day for the next consecutive 50 years. When La Romana becomes 100 years old, I can think about changing flavors. But it is hard to argue with perfect perfection.

If you've had gelato in Rome, you already know the standard is different--and Gelateria La Romana…read moreis one of those places that actually lives up to it. Everything tastes super fresh and creamy, and the flavors feel really authentic without being overly sweet or artificial. What I liked most is how consistent it is--whether you go for classics like pistachio or something more indulgent, it always tastes rich and high quality. It's the kind of spot where you can tell they really care about what they're making. The vibe is simple and focused on the gelato itself, not anything flashy, which honestly fits perfectly for a place like this. Always worth stopping by if you're in Rome and want proper gelato.

Friday afternoon on a warm day in Rome -- both the best time and probably least best time to visit…read morethis landmark of gelato. FOOD: Excellent gelato, both in texture and in all the flavors they had. Really, really good. SERVICE: This is a pay for what you are going to get first, then take the receipt to the counter to decide on flavors, etc. The person at the gelato counter was very friendly and helpful, when faced with a lot of flavors to choose from. AMBIANCE: Cavernous space, decorated with posters of the Fassi gelateria since its 1880 founding. Main problem we had was a shortage of places to sit -- amazingly enough, a lot of other people thought it was a great day for great gelato. NET-NET: Worth the 15 minute walk from where we were staying. If I have anything to say about it, we'll be back.

What a fantastic gelato place. My friend brought me here for a treat after lunch. The service is…read morereally fast, you pay for it in one spot and pick your flavors in the next area. It's a spot for families or you can come by yourself. They even add a bit of fresh cream on top of your gelato delicious!

Service was fast and friendly. We loved our gelato and Italian Ice. Went there every night during…read moreour stay!

The best gelato I've ever had in my life!!! This is the gelato spot to go to! All flavors we tried…read morewere great. We went multiple times during our trip and had the pistachio, dark chocolate, and orange almond. The orange almond was my favorite!

Today, on my walk toward Neptune's Fountain, I passed this little gelato shop--Gelateria La…read moreRomana--and kept going. But I stopped in my tracks because I saw a line wrapped up 50+ people deep, all waiting just to get inside and order. Now it's day two in Rome and I still hadn't had any gelato, even though I've walked past what feels like a hundred shops. So what would a fat man from Alabama do? Turn right back around, of course--because nothing says "this is probably good" like a crowd stacked up like cordwood waiting for ice cream. I finally make it up to the counter and the young guy looks at me and says in English, "What do you want?" Well... I can't pronounce half of what I'm looking at, so I just show him a picture of his own menu I had snapped a minute earlier. He smiles, reads it out loud, and then asks, "What size?" At that point my brain is a mess, so I mumble "medium" and point at the cup sitting by the register. One problem down. Then I move into the next line--about a dozen people ahead of me--and when it's finally my turn again, I just point at my receipt like, "It's on there somewhere, I think." I can't read Italian, so I'm fully operating on faith at this point. The guy looks up and says, louder this time: "What flavor?" Flavor? That was not the question I was prepared for. So I point back at the picture again and say, "Whatever that is... I want that one." He scoops it up, loads it into the cup, and sends me on my way. Now comes the real test--taste it--but there are people everywhere, so I grab a quick photo first, because priorities. First bite? Hallelujah. That was the moment. That gelato hit and I just kept walking down the sidewalk like a man who somehow figured out how to survive ordering ice cream in Italy. Seriously, it was excellent. And if I get turned around again like today, I already know where I'm going back.

Gelateria La Romana is a non-negotiable stop for anyone visiting Rome who wants truly exceptional…read moregelato. The quality, flavor, and overall experience here make it the gold standard. The prices are also amazing for the amount you get, which makes it even better. The staff are excellent, friendly, and very patient. They offer helpful guidance if you're overwhelmed by the choices, and it's worth listening because everything is done with so much care. My favorite flavors were the caramello salato con noci pecan, the stracciatella, and the crema di nocciola al cioccolato bianco. All of them were incredibly smooth, balanced, and packed with flavor. This place consistently delivers incredible gelato with great service and great value. An easy five stars and a must-visit every time I'm in Rome.

One of the top 2 gelatos I've had. We went back twice -- two nights in a row. The first time I got…read morea brioche because I was a bit hungry after dinner. Their cream flavor was SOO light and had a nice lemon taste to it. The pecan flavor was also amazing and had a good mix of sweet and a bit savory. Honestly would go back to this place every night! Service is quick and they offer recommendations as well (staff helped me choose since I don't like chocolate). Expect a long line on Friday nights and likely weekends! But it moves quickly and is worth it.

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!

During my trip to Italy, I had in plenty of gelato, and this place was undoubtedly my favorite. It…read morehad the best, most flavorful, and creamiest gelato I've ever tasted in Italy. They had a variety of milk-based and water-based gelatos, and you could choose between a cone or a cup. They also offered whipped cream, but if you're used to the whipped cream you get in the States, you might find it denser here. The service was excellent, and it seemed like a very popular spot. We visited multiple times, and each time, we saw people enjoying gelato outside the shop. My absolute favorite flavor was their pistachio. All their gelato was made with natural flavors, and nothing tasted artificial.

GO! GO NOW! This is the ONLY Gelato place that was not a let down. It might be near the Vatican but…read moreit's not touristy like so many are. It's authentic and creamy. You can even tell by the look of it. But the taste, wow! Especially the Limone. If you have to taxi or take the metro, do it! Because until you have this you won't know what to compare the rest to. And you can't leave Italy without actual real gelato. Found this place staying down the street years ago and this time I was staying over by the Spanish steps and still came all the way back here for Gelato. The rest are such a disappointment

In trastevere, one of Rome's best gelato shops, "Fior Di Luna" (can't argue...master gelato maker,…read moreEugenio Morrone has won god knows how many awards...) , is it the best i e had? ... no....top 5? YES! Best sorbet? ..... by far!

So many gelato spots in Italy, but this one takes the cake! Not only is it by an award-winning…read moregelato chef, but this place meets the criteria for proper gelato: stored in metal bins with a lid and no neon colored flavors. You placed your order at the kiosk and you then let the employee know what flavors you'd like . There are some seasonal flavors as well as the classics we all know and love. We decided to try: pistachio stracciatella coffee vanilla THE BEST GELATO. Period. We are talking quality and true authentic flavors . Mannnn I wish I could have some right now.