Emily Eats Everywhere

📌 TL;DR

🍦 Giolitti was the BEST gelato we had during our entire trip to Italy. 

⭐ With 22,000 reviews and a 4.4 star rating, Giolitti is highly recommended. 

⚠️ They only let you taste-test one ice cream flavor. Choose wisely.

The search is over—there’s only one gelato you must try in Rome, and it’s Giolitti. This place was hands-down the BEST gelato we ate during our entire trip to Italy (and I still dream about it). 

In fact, it’s worth coming to Rome just to eat gelato here. Forget about the Colosseum. Who cares about the Pantheon? This is the real reason to come to Rome. (Okay, the other stuff is cool, too but this gelato is every foodie’s dream.)

Reasons Why You Absolutely MUST Try The Gelato at Giolitti

• So many flavors to choose from! This place is what all ice cream shops should aspire to… 30+ flavors, and not one disappoints (okay, I haven’t tried all of them—but I hope to.)
• Ideal location. Giolitti is located right in the heart of Rome, less than a 10 minute walk from must-see historical sights like the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon. 
• Authentic Italian gelato. This stuff is the real deal. Giolitti has been around since 1890, and for over 130 years, this family-run ice cream shop has preserved authentic gelato recipes made using traditional methods.
• Ice cream, any time of the day. Literally. Giolitti opens at 7:30am (and yes, you can order gelato at that time—ask me how I know) and closes at midnight. 
• Hands down, the BEST gelato in Rome. Warning: After trying this gelato, all other ice cream will disappoint you. It’s just that good. The only gelato we had in Italy that even came close to being as good as this one was the lemon gelato (served inside a real lemon) we had in the Amalfi coast.  

What to Know Before You Go: 

Rome is an elegant, fancy place. So here’s what you need to know to pretend to be elegant and fancy (and not embarrass yourself) at Giolitti. 

Pay First (Near the Door) 

Before you get your gelato, first, order and pay at the little cash register kiosk that’s right by the middle door. Use your best Italian (the next section will help). You don’t have to order the flavors you want, just the size of the ice cream cone or cup. 

Then, take your ticket to the line by the ice cream counter and wait for your turn to point to the flavors you want. 

How to Order Gelato in Italian Like a Pro 

Alright, here’s your mini Italian lesson of the day: 

You probably already know please is “per favore” and thank you is “grazie,” so let’s jump into the gelato-specific terms. After you greet the cashier with your best buongiorno (good morning) or buon pomeriggio (good afternoon), tell them what size ice cream you want: 

• Piccoli – small 
• Medi – medium 
• Grandi – large 

(There’s a large sign right behind the cashier if you forget how to say the sizes.) Then make sure to tell them if you want it in a cone or a cup: 

• Cono – cone 
• Coppetta – cup 

Then, if you want to eat inside, make sure you say: “Da mangiare qui” and pay the extra cost for dining inside. 

Finally—if asked—tell them how you’ll pay (with cash or card): 

• Contante – cash 
• Carta – card 

Finish it off with a smile and a well-rehearsed “grazie.”

They only let you taste-test one flavor. 

I know, I wanted to try them all, too. Unfortunately, they only let you try one, then you have to just go for it. Luckily, all the favors are truly incredible, so you really can’t go wrong. But, choose wisely. And come back often to try different flavors. 

Sitting Inside Costs Extra

If you’d like to enjoy your gelato inside this adorable Italian ice cream parlour in their picturesque seating make sure you say “per qui” (for here) when asked, “Mangia qui o porta via?” (for here, or to go?). You’ll have to pay a few more euros, but you’ll be able to sit inside or outside on the windowside seating. 

If you don’t pay the extra euros, you’ll have to enjoy your gelato outside, or while you walk around the beautiful city. 

Pro Tip: Come Your First Day in Rome 

And your second. And your third. And your fourth. Then dream about Giolitti gelato for the rest of your life. My mouth waters just writing this. 

Yes, it’s really that good. 

We discovered Giolitti’s grandeur on our second day in Rome, but that didn’t stop me from coming back the morning our flight left (yes, at 7:30am, right when it opened) for one last gelato before leaving Italy. And it was well worth it. 

The Flavors I Tried

The first night we came to Giolitti, I got a medium cup with three flavors: coconut, strawberry, and lemon. Pedro, my husband, got limoncello and coconut.

They were all absolutely incredible. Pedro loved the coconut because it had little pieces of shredded coconut and a very natural, creamy flavor. Strawberry was everything you’d dream it should be: fresh, fruity, and flavorful. 

Both of the lemon flavors were fantastic—the one I got (lemon) was a whiter, almost transparent color with a more sorbet-like texture. The limoncello (by the way, it doesn’t have alcohol) had a more dairy-based texture and a yellower color—and, in my opinion, was even more delicious. 

When I came back the morning we left, I got strawberry again, mint, and arancia (orange). This dreamy combination was absolutely divine. The mint flavor is super natural and not creamy like U.S. mint flavors—but a sorbet style that just melts in your mouth—with actual little mint leaves. The orange flavor was tart and combined magically with both the strawberry and mint. It also had little orange square gummy pieces in it. 

Each flavor is absolutely unforgettable. Oh, how I long to try them all! I need to plan a day trip to Rome asap. 

Try the Pastries, too!

Giolitti also has a ton of traditional Italian pastries. We tried the basic croissant and it was surprisingly delicious. There are all sorts of cute treats to try. 

If you’re not going to Naples on your trip to Italy, make sure you try the “Sfogliatella napoletana” from Giolitti. This was my all time favorite treat from Naples—and it’s worth every cent. It’s a thinly layered pastry with a thick, creamy, citrusy filling made with ricotta cheese. So good. 

One More Thing: Be Patient 

This is a very popular spot. We came around 7pm in mid-October and there were still quite a few people. But, I have seen pictures on Reddit of this place being packed. So, come early, be patient, and remember, it’s worth it. 

Things to Do In Between Meals in Rome 

• Colosseum, Roman Forum, and Palatine Hill Guided Tour. Of course, you have to see Rome’s world wonder: the Colosseum. We loved exploring these breathtaking historical sites on our own, but if I were to do it again, I’d do a guided tour like this one to be able to learn from a Roman History expert. 
• See the Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s Basilica. Rome is packed with vibrant religious history, and the Vatican is a must-see, whether you’re religious or not. Enjoy the art, take in the views, and don’t miss this essential stop in Rome. 
• An early-morning jog to see the sights without the crowds. If the weather collaborates and you enjoy running, I recommend waking up early (like 6am early) to jog around Rome and see the Trevi Fountain, Colosseum, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, and Altar of the Fatherland (or Vittoriano) at dawn. It’s crazy how few people go sightseeing this early (mmm, wonder why?)! You can hit all the major attractions in 30-45 minutes in a quick 5k.  

Giolitti Information

Address: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, Rome, Italy 

Website: https://www.giolitti.it/ 

Operating Hours:  7:30am – midnight 

Average Cost Per Person: € 5 – 10