Alessandro said, in his perfect English, “Let me guess, you’re going to move here and start a blog, and talk about, like, the best gelato in Rome.” I said I’d never be that cheesy. My blog was going to be funny and irreverent and unpredictable!
But I’m pretty sure I’d fail at blogging about Rome if I do not shout the praises of Gelateria del Teatro. I think it’s because some English friends were in town a few weeks ago and said they had been disappointed with the food here in general, and gelato specifically. It’s true, lots of gelaterie on the tourist circuit in Rome, which is naturally where most of us find ourselves when here, are made from powder! You can read all about the decline in authentic Italian gelaterie and Roman tourist traps on plenty of blogs.
A Roman friend of mine, Andrea, took me to Gelateria del Teatro a few days ago and all you need to do is look at the flavors on offer:
Read the flavor names; Ignore the dust.
HAVE MERCY!!!* I’m not a I’m a chocolate and nuts girl, not a fruity girl, but I had to try this funky herbal goodness. I had a cone with a scoop of Lavender and Peach, and a scoop of Rosemary, Honey, and Lemon. Look, I’m not a poet. It was freaking delicious and not too expensive, the dude behind the counter was nice, and the atmosphere was way atmospheric.
You can find it here:
You had me at Lavender & White Peach
I wish I had thought to take a picture of the postcard-esque courtyard outside where we sat at a little table. I just couldn’t see my camera, what with my eyes rolling back in my head and all. You can see more pictures on their TripAdvisor page (I will not use other people’s photographs without permission. I took Copyright in law school)! They do not appear to have a website.
Recommended: Go here between lunch and dinner, or after dinner. It’s not on the road to anywhere but it’s within walking distance to the Vatican and Piazza Navona. Eschew the brightly lit gelateria by your hotel!!
*Video no longer funny after about 12 seconds.
Touristy food in Rome probably will not live up to expectations of fabulous Italian food. The same holds true for ice cream. As you have discovered, to get the best, you have to go to the places which gave Italy a reputation for ice cream. You’ve found one, but I am sure there are plenty more.
The best thing to do, I feel, is to do some research before you go – to Rome, or anywhere else, for that matter. There are some great iPhone/iPad/Android apps or books such as Italy for the Gourmet Traveler by one Fred Plotkin which really can help the Italy experience lives up to expectations.
All the best from Milan,
Alex
Hi Alex,
The best ice cream I’ve had, in my life, was in Orvieto. I should be going in the next few months and I will make sure it’s still true. I can’t say I “discovered” it, unfortunately, because I went there specifically based on the reputation that preceded it, and it did not disappoint. Where’s the best gelato in Milan?
For the record, Oreo ice cream in the States is pretty awesome.
Your site and twitter feed was today’s discovery for me.
Liz
We can learn lots of useful info from others, Liz.
Some would say the best gelato in Milan is Il Massimo del Gelato – which is not far from where I live. But there are lots of good gelato shops near me – around 5 or so. I particularly like Rivareno. Others rave about Grom.
Hope you are finding the site and twitter stream interesting.
Cheers,
Alex
We have a Rivareno in Sant’ambrosio in Florence, one of my faves! Everyone goes crazy from Grom here too, but the most famous is Badiani by the stadium where i live. Yum! It’s so hard to say no.
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Pisa – La Bottega del Gelato
Thank you for telling me! I may make it to Pisa when some family visits this spring…
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