Where to Eat Like a Local in Florence: Gelato

Famous as the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence also shines as the birthplace of glorious gelato (Italian ice cream). Not quite as popular as Brunelleschi’s Dome, Donatello’s exquisite sculptures, or Michelangelo’s David, gelato is nevertheless revered as a centuries-old art-form in its own right. Therefore, it’s especially important to know where to eat like a local in Florence when it comes to gelato.

When you eat like a local in Florence, you understand why it is a Florentine experience and why gelato today remains an integral part of the “La Dolce Vita” lifestyle. It’s a tradition which visitors and locals alike embrace every day throughout the city – whether museum-hopping in the historic center, riding your bicycle, strolling the Arno River, meeting with family & friends, or opting for gelato at happy hour time rather than wine.

However, not all gelato is created equal.

As with regional competitions like futbol (soccer) and Palio (medieval bareback horse racing), gelato makers fiercely compete each year for the coveted “best gelato” trophies. A precursor to the grand festive event is to invite gelato lovers to a big fair where they can sample and then vote on each contestant’s creamy creations – some of which are brand new gelato flavors.

It can be challenging to know just which of the scores of gelaterias sell authentic, traditional gelato in Florence. Unfortunately, the uninitiated often fall prey to puffy gaudy mounds labeled as gelato but are not made in the Florence artisanal tradition.

As a gelato aficionada, I was very thankful that, during my three month stay in the city, I was able to find an authentic gelateria near every major attraction and on every discovery walk throughout the city. An artigianale gelato oasis was always waiting to refresh the weary. (Artisanal gelato is handmade ice cream using fresh ingredients, faithful to tradition.)

These hidden gems can be tricky to find amongst the tourist traffic and sheer number of museums, leather shops, and markets lining the cobblestone streets and piazzas.

If a gelateria’s product glares with intense color and is highly “mounded”, it’s probably not artigianale. And, in any case, a gelateria normally clearly advertises that it isartigianale.Where to Go to Eat Like a Local in Florence

For artigianale gelato, you can visit any of these six gelaterias which are listed by area and major attractions. Full disclosure – of course, I had to enjoy a gelato cone at each one of them – it’s a tough job but someone had to do it…

Where to Eat Like a Local in Florence for Gelato

Gelateria: Perche no!
19r via dei Tavolini
http://percheno.firenze.it/
Area Attractions: Via de Calzaioli, Piazza della Signoria, Casa di Dante

Gelateria: Vivoli
Via Isola delle stincha, 7r
http://vivoli.it
Area Attractions: Santa Croce Cathedral, Arts and Crafts Market

Gelateria: La Carraia
South side of Carraia Bridge
http://Lacarraiagroup.eu
Area Attractions: Oltrarno artisan shops, Santo Spirito Cathedral, Pitti Palace

Gelateria: Cantina del Gelato
via dei Bardi 31
http://Cantinadelgelato.com
Area Attractions: Ponte Vecchio (South side)

Gelateria: Grom
2 Campanile (South of the Duomo)
http://www.grom.it/en/
Area Attractions: Duomo, Baptistry, Campanile