Florence Gelato Guide: How to Find the Best — and Avoid the Rest
Natural colours, steel containers and flavours worth crossing the city for — an honest guide to Florence's finest gelaterias, and how to spot the ones to avoid.
Sbrino. Sbrino Image.
By Ana Ka · Ana's Secret Guide to Italy
Published March 22, 2026 · Last updated June 22, 2026
Every trip to Florence deserves at least one gelato stop per day. This is not negotiable.
But before the list, one rule that will save you from disappointment: always look for gelato stored flat in stainless steel containers with lids. If you see piled-high neon mountains with fruit balanced dramatically on top, keep walking. Genuine artisanal gelato uses natural colours — pistachio is a muted grey-green, not luminous lime. Mint is almost white. Banana is off-white. The texture should be soft and slightly warmer than traditional ice cream. Once you know what to look for, the difference is immediately obvious.
How to Spot Fake Gelato
Before the list, a quick visual guide:
Good signs — flat metal containers with lids, soft and slightly dense texture, muted natural colours, short and seasonal flavour lists.
Walk away — neon colours, towering decorative displays, artificial fruit on top, long lists of every flavour imaginable year-round.
Top Tier — Worth a Detour
These are the gelaterias I return to on every visit without hesitation — places I have tested across seasons and years and have never left disappointed. If you only have time for one gelato stop, start here.
Sbrino
A small artisanal chain with several locations across Florence, and one of my personal favourites. Everything here is all-natural and small batch — consistent across visits and across locations, which is rarer than it sounds. Their nocciola is exceptional, and seasonal flavours are always worth trying whatever is on offer.
For locations and current hours, visit the official Sbrino Instagram page.
Sbrino. Sbrino Image.
La Sorbettiera
Another artisanal mini-chain that does things properly. Lampone (raspberry), pistachio and nocciola (hazelnut) are reliable choices, and the seasonal flavours are frequently interesting. In summer, the almond granita is not to be missed.
For locations and current hours, visit the official Sorbettiera website.
La Sorbettiera. La Sorbettiera Image.
Barroccino
Creative, high-quality gelato in the historic centre. The flavour combinations here are slightly more adventurous than most, executed with care. Worth a stop if you are nearby.
For locations and current hours, visit the official Barroccino website.
Barroccino. Barroccino Image.
Rivareno
Slightly off the main tourist routes and consistently excellent — which is partly why it remains less crowded than it deserves to be. A solid choice for those willing to walk a few minutes from the centre.
For locations and current hours, visit the official Rivareno website.
Rivareno. Rivareno Image.
GROM
A commercial chain, and worth saying that clearly — but dependable and significantly better than many of the tourist-facing options near the major sights. A practical choice near the Duomo when the alternatives require a detour. Their pistachio and raspberry sorbet are reliably good.
For locations and current hours, visit the official GROM website.
Grom. Grom Image.
Also Worth Knowing
Gelateria della Passera — A charming location in the Oltrarno with decent quality. Worth stopping if you are exploring that side of the river.
La Carraia — Popular, generous portions and a central location. Expect queues in high season.
Venchi — Commercial and widely available across the city. Fine in a pinch, but not a destination in itself.
Vivoli — Historically one of Florence's most important gelaterias, though now very busy and trading largely on reputation. In winter, their millefoglie ice-cream cake remains worth seeking out.
La Strega Nocciola — A small artisanal chain with several locations near the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio, including one on Via dei Bardi. Natural colours, gelato kept in covered metal containers, and flavours like pistachio and hazelnut consistently praised. A reliable choice if you find yourself near the cathedral.
Edoardo il Gelato Biologico — Tuscany's first certified organic gelateria, right on Piazza del Duomo. Seasonal, organic flavours like lavender honey and Chianti sorbet, with handmade waffle cones cooked on-site. Smaller scoops than some, but a genuinely different, ingredient-led option steps from the cathedral.
One Final Note
The best gelato in Florence is rarely found directly on the most tourist-heavy streets. A short walk in any direction tends to improve both quality and price considerably. Trust the containers, trust the colours, and trust your instincts.
How to Spot Real Gelato — Quick Answers
How can I tell if gelato in Florence is authentic or not?
Look for gelato stored flat in stainless steel containers with lids — not piled-high neon mountains with fruit on top. Genuine artisanal gelato uses natural colours: pistachio is a muted grey-green, not luminous lime; mint is almost white; banana is off-white. The texture should be soft and slightly warmer than traditional ice cream.
What are the warning signs of bad gelato in Florence?
Walk away from neon colours, towering decorative displays, artificial fruit on top, and long lists of every flavour imaginable available year-round.
What is the best gelateria in Florence if I only have time for one stop?
Sbrino is a top recommendation — a small artisanal chain that is all-natural and small batch, consistent across visits and locations. Their nocciola is exceptional.
Is there a good gelato option near the Duomo for those short on time?
Yes. GROM is a dependable commercial choice near the cathedral. La Strega Nocciola, a small artisanal chain, also has a location near the Duomo with natural colours and reliably praised pistachio and hazelnut. Edoardo il Gelato Biologico, Tuscany's first certified organic gelateria, sits right on Piazza del Duomo, with organic, seasonal flavours and handmade waffle cones.
Is gelato near Florence's most touristy streets usually good?
No. The best gelato in Florence is rarely found directly on the most tourist-heavy streets — a short walk in any direction tends to improve both quality and price considerably.
Is Vivoli still worth visiting in Florence?
Vivoli is historically one of Florence's most important gelaterias, though now very busy and trading largely on reputation. In winter, its millefoglie ice-cream cake remains worth seeking out.
Continue exploring Florence
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About the author
Ana Ka is the founder of Ana's Secret Guide to Italy, a Florence-focused travel publication and 100,000-member community, writing from years of firsthand experience in Florence and Tuscany.