The Best Gelato In Rome

Rome is a city rich in culture, history, food and, most importantly, gelato. As anyone who's ever visited the Eternal City knows, gelaterias are everywhere you look, and on a piping-hot summer day, the frozen treat is essential for keeping cool. Here are five great bets for making good on the maxim When in Rome.

Let go of your go-to gelato move; Gelateria Della Palma offers more than 150 bold flavors daily, and you'd be a fool to stay in your comfort zone. Think: ricotta cheese and fig, fresh basil, grapefruit rose, and coconut. If you can't decide on just one, go for the giant cone consisting of eight—yes, eight—massive scoops.

Gelateria Vice is a new-age gelateria spinning local and organic ingredients like Amalfi lemons, amarena cherries and pistachios into inventive flavors. The triad of amarena cherry with cherry chunks, nocciola (hazelnut) and caramel can't be beat.

You'll notice dozens of gelaterias around the Trevi Fountain, but hold out for Il Gelato di San Crispino. Eat, Pray, Love put this spot on the map; despite that dubious honor, though, the joint is still among the best in the city. Standout flavors include pistachio, natural honey and apple; the latter tastes like a chilled version of apple pie—real fruit bits and all.  

Come il Latte, a veritable science lab, is where creamy, rich flavors like coffee (made with real mocha), Sicilian pistachio, ricotta with cinnamon and even dairy-free varieties like chestnut come to life. There's also a chocolate fountain, so don't sleep on chocolate-dipped cones.

For a hyped Italian gelato chain, GROM always delivers. And in Rome, GROM arguably serves the city's best stracciatella, Italy's version of chocolate chip. The shop also masters other classic flavors like coconut and pistachio, but rotating specials—calling all tiramisu fans—are just as satisfying.

Jenn Rice is a food and travel writer constantly traveling for cheese, tacos and kouign-amann pastries. Follow her on Instagram at @jennricewrites.