The best gelato in Florence

Where to get the best ice cream go in Florence

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Florence makes some of the world's best ice cream, called gelato, and no visit is complete without indulging.

Don't call it ice cream. First thing to know, to call gelato "ice cream" is insulting to gelato and unfair to ice cream. Gelato is much richer, smoother, and more flavorful than ice cream.

It is churned, not whipped (as is most traditional American ice cream), so it is far denser, giving it a richer mouth feel. Gelato also is not as laden with sugar and cream, so the subtle tastes of its flavoring comes through much better than in ice cream.
Gelateria etiquette
At Florentine gelaterie, just like at bars and cafes, don't just saunter up to the bar and order two scoops of cioccolato or an espresso. Go first to the cashier, order what you want, pay for it, and take the receipt to the counter where you can order your cappuccino or your coppa (cup) or cono (cone) of gelato, putting the receipt down with a small coin as a tip.Get it at a gelateria: Second thing to know, gelato is something you go out for at a special parlor called a gelateria, and most of it is consumed during the early evening passeggiata stroll—not that gelaterie aren't equally busy during the heat of midday, or late at night...

I mention this because, unlike in America, gelato is not typically eaten after a meal—or at least you typically don't order it at the restaurant.

How to pick a parlor
The gelato shops listed here are not the only good ones in Florence. Ice cream abounds across Italy, and most of it is excellent. There are a few markers of a good gelateria, including details to look for in select flavors, even if you don't like them—because if they cheat on the banana, they'll cheat on the one you want, too:

• A sign proclaiming produzione propria (homemade)
• Banana that is gray (if it's yellow, they're using dye)
• Pistacchio that is pale, grayish -green (bright green: dye again)Restaurants often do offer "gelato" on their dessert menus, but this is almost always of the pre-packaged variety. This is fine (I'm partial to a tartufo, a Gobstopper-like sphere of vanilla, chocolate, and fudge dusted with cocoa) but it's not real gelato.
Cram in as many flavors as you can think of: Third thing to know, you pay by the size of the coppa (cup) or cono (cone), not by the scoop. That means you can (and are encouraged to) squeeze two or even three flavors into even the smallest cup.

Italians taught me that even unusual pairs go great together; a personal favorite: cioccolato e limone (chocolate gelato and lemon sorbetto). No, really; try it.

(Also most Italians order by the cup; the cone is a fun—if messy—American addition to the options, but not too popular).

The best gelaterie in Florence

Gelateria Vivoli - Top parlor in town since 1930; near Santa Croce. Via Isole delle Stinche 7r; tel. +39-055-292-334, www.vivoli.it; Closed Mon.
Gelateria Carabé - Fantastic, Sicilian-style gelato; between the Duomo and the Accademia... Via Ricasoli 60r; tel. +39-055-289-476, www.gelatocarabe.com.
Perché No? - Inventors of the glassed-in ice cream counter; near Piazza della Signoria and the Uffizi... Via dei Tavolini 19r, off Via de' Calzaiuoli; tel. +39-055-239-8969, www.percheno.firenze.it; Open daily.
Gelateria delle Carrozze - Open late and well-situated; near Ponte Vecchio and the Uffizi... Piazza del Pesce 3–5r; tel. +39-055-239-6810.
Festival del Gelato - Neon and pop music and great gelato, also open late with a premier location; halfway between the Duomo and Piazza della Signoria/Uffizi... Via del Corso 75r, just off Via dei Calzaiuoli; tel. +39-055-239-4386.

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This material was last updated January 2011. All information was accurate at the time.

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The best gelato in Florence

Where to get the best ice cream go in Florence

The best gelaterie in Florence

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