What’s a trip to Milan without at least a few visits to the city’s irresistible gelato shops? Even if you don’t have a persistent sweet tooth (as I unfortunately do!), visiting some of the top Milanese gelaterias is a bucket list experience you need to have when you’re in town.
With such a wealth of ice cream parlors scattered across the city, you can expect to find spots specializing in classic and unfamiliar flavors that will send your palette into overdrive.
Since the gelato scene is just so good here, I thought it would be a good idea to design a guide featuring my favorite locations for a scoop or two you can add to your Milan food tour!
Photo credit: Gelato Fatto Con Amore
If you’re visiting San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore during your stay, and chances are you will be if you’re a first-time visitor, you have to check out Gelato Fatto Con Amore while you’re in the area.
This gorgeous gelato shop is among the most highly regarded in the city. Its interior features ivory fittings and a selection of old-school portraits across the walls, giving it a quirky edge. Though it’s almost always crowded, the line moves quickly thanks to the efficient staff.
They have a whole lot of incredible flavors, but there’s something in their pistachio recipe that has me hooked. I’m not sure whether it’s the crunchy nut chunks spread throughout each scoop or the deliciously smooth consistency, but I can’t seem to get enough of it!
It still feels like a dessert, yet the earthy taste and slightly woody undertones shine through with each mouthful. I always recommend this option if you’re craving some cooling to cool you down from the Italian sunshine but don’t fancy something too sugary.
Gelato Fatto Con Amore (€€) – Corso Magenta, 30, 20121 Milano MI – Italy – Closed on Monday and open every Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Photo credit: Antica Gelateria Sartori
Conveniently positioned right outside Milan Centrale train station, Antica Gelateria Sartori is one of the longest-standing gelato joints in the city. It’s as popular now as it was when it first opened up in the 1930s, and I’m a sucker for their gelato and Sicily-inspired granita.
Antica Gelateria Sartori is more of a stand than a traditional ice cream shop, making it the perfect spot to grab a scoop and enjoy as you wander around the city. I love the retro red and white color scheme and how the store feels like it’s held onto its modest origins.
A cone filled with their divine hazelnut ice cream and a refreshing cup of lemon granita has become my fail-safe combination, and it gets better every time I visit. The gelato is rich and filling, while the granita serves as a light and thirst-quenching counterpart.
Hazelnut gelato is Antica Gelateria Sartori’s signature product, and the buttery flavors are second to none. They offer their gelato in both cups and cones, but I find the crispy cone works so well with the silkiness of the hazelnut ice cream.
The juiciness of the granita balances out the heaviness of the gelato, which is why I tend to always go for the two. There’s nothing like washing down your ice cream with a zesty sugar and lemon-tinged semi-frozen snack, especially if you’re exploring Milan in the summer.
Antica Gelateria Sartori (€) – Piazza Luigi di Savoia, 20125 Milano MI, Italy – Open every Monday to Thursday, 11:00 am to 12:00 am, Friday and Saturday, 11:00 am to 12:30 am, Sunday, 10:30 am to 12:00 am
Photo credit: LatteNeve
Navigli is one of my best-loved neighborhoods in Milan, and my gelateria of choice, when I’m in the area, is usually LatteNeve. This contemporary dessert spot is tucked just one street back from the canalside, meaning it’s a little more hidden away than some of the other gelato shops nearby.
Although small, LatteNeve has a sizable variety of flavors on display in their white brick-clad store. The interior is modern and refined, yet they’ve kept some of the building’s traditional features, like the wooden-beamed ceilings and stone arches.
LatteNeve may be a vegan option for gelato lovers or those with intolerances, as their dairy-free alternatives are just as tasty as their classically prepared offerings. It’s one of the few places that whip up vegan stracciatella, and boy, it was good when I tried it.
This thick, creamy gelato and the bitter chunks of dark chocolate that ran through it had me foaming from the mouth. Considering the consistency was so dense and smooth, it’s remarkable to think that it was entirely free of dairy products.
LatteNeve (€€) – Via Vigevano, 27, 20144 Milano MI, Italy – Open every Sunday to Thursday, 12:30 pm to 10:30 pm, and Friday to Saturday, 12:30 pm to 11:00 pm
Photo credit: Pavé – Gelati&Granite
I popped into Pavé – Gelati&Granite on one of my first visits to Milan several years ago as I was strolling from the Church of San Pietro
to the Duomo di Milano. They also have a store along Via Cadore, but I’ve been loyal to this location ever since I tried their ricotta gelato.
Unlike many gelato shops in Milan, Pavé has super slick decor, which reflects the store’s innovative take on gelato-making. These guys use high-quality natural ingredients to make their renowned creations, and the staff is always on hand to offer suggestions based on your tastes.
By now, I’ve made my way through countless flavors here, but none have impressed me quite as much as their ricotta gelato. It’s even more enjoyable when wedged inside a fresh brioche roll, which is just as delicious as it sounds!
The ice cream’s flavors are mild and delicate, which is why it pairs so well with the sweet and airy brioche bread. It might look relatively small in size, but these ice cream sandwiches are rather filling, so I’d advise you to arrive hungry if you plan to indulge in one of these confections.
Pavé – Gelati&Granite (€€) – Via Cesare Battisti, 21, 20122 Milano MI, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday, 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Saturday and Sunday, 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Photo credit: Ciacco
Ciacco is situated in the heart of the city center and is mere seconds from both the Duomo and Piazza dei Mercanti. Due to its location, it came as no surprise to me that Ciacco can get pretty busy at any hour, which initially put me off even sampling the goods here.
I’d never seen this place without a queue, but my curiosity got the better of me, so I recently decided to see what the fuss was about. The line moved along steadily, and after around 10 minutes, I stepped inside and was greeted by glossy pink counters, bright white tiles, and dark wood.
Their menu felt never-ending, and the staff informed me that they alternate their flavors regularly. Though I didn’t intend to go for sorbet, the unique pairing of strawberry and kimchi sounded weird, but it was also tempting at the same time.
This sorbet had an unusual but almost addictive taste, unlike anything I’d tasted before. Somehow, the spicy and salty kick from the kimchi complemented the sweetness of the strawberry. Had the line been a little shorter, I’d have considered queuing up for a second helping!
Ciacco (€€) – Via Spadari, 13, 20123 Milano MI, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm, Saturday, 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm, and Sunday, 2:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Photo credit: Chocolat Milano
It took me numerous visits to the area around Sforzesco Castle to uncover Chocolat Milano. More than your run-of-the-mill gelateria, Chocolat Milano has a plethora of specialties, including chocolate fondants, bonbons, and some of the best gelato Milan has to offer.
This spot is a little larger than your typical Milanese gelato shop, I usually choose to come here when I want to enjoy my ice cream in comfort. The interior is made up of steel gray walls, sleek wooden tables, and warm light features hanging from the ceilings.
Their coffee at Chocolat Milano is right up there with the desserts, so I generally pair my salted caramel gelato with a piping hot espresso. My go-to order tends to change every few months, but these are my current favorites.
The reason I’m such a fan of these two together is how diverse yet harmonious the flavors are. With the espresso, I get bitter, nutty tastes that work remarkably well with the honey-like ice cream. The gelato showcases some subtle savory notes because of the hint of sea salt.
Chocolat Milano (€€) – Via Giovanni Boccaccio, 9, 20123 Milano MI, Italy – Open every Monday to Friday, 7:30 am to 12:00 am, Saturday, 8:00 am to 12:00 am, and Sunday, 10:00 am to 12:00 am
Photo credit: Artico Gelateria Tradizionale
Lying between the Piazza del Duomo and the Piazza Armando Diaz is a lively gelato shop called Artico Gelateria Tradizionale. This spot has won awards for its culinary delights in the past, which means I couldn’t put together this list of Milan’s top gelaterias and not include it.
Artico Gelateria Tradizionale is actually a chain of ice cream shops with several locations dotted around the city. Though this branch gets its fair share of customers, its cozy atmosphere and friendly staff have kept me coming back to this particular store.
Gelato-stuffed brioche, milkshakes, cannoli, and a dizzying lineup of gelato flavors are available here. After far too many visits, I can confirm that all of the above are top-notch. However, there’s one menu item that always stands out to me, and that’s their mascarpone ice cream.
It’s unsurprisingly tempting when teamed with brioche, but lately, I’ve been more inclined to opt for a double scoop in a cone if I’m here. A bit tangy and super decadent with a luxurious texture, this mascarpone variety is a little taste of heaven.
I don’t usually take much notice of the cones when the gelato is this wonderful, but these waffle cones actually elevate the flavor of the gelato. They add a touch of sugar to make each bite sweeter, and the crumbling consistency adds some depth to the texture.
Artico Gelateria Tradizionale (€€) – Via Dogana, 1, 20123 Milano MI, Italy (Floor G – Galleria Iginio Massari Milano) – Closed every Monday, and open every Tuesday to Sunday, 11:30 am to 7:00 pm
Gelato is considered native to Florence, but in my experience, this cherished dessert is just as widespread and delectable in Italy’s fashion capital.
My list of contenders for the best gelato in Milan grows each time I visit the city, yet the gelaterias above have been proving incredibly difficult to beat.If you don’t believe me, try them yourself -you won’t be disappointed!
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