The country’s fresh pasta and mortadella bastion Bologna mightn’t be famous for its gelato the way Florence is (check out our guide here to the best gelato in Florence), but it is considered by some connosieurs possibily the best city in Italy for gelato. This guide will give a case for Bologna’s gelato scene and where to find the best gelato in Bologna.
You may be wondering why the mention of Florence, and it’s because the Renaissance capital is said to have been the birthplace for the frozen sweet during a banquet held by Caterina' de’ Medici and a mysterious icy fruit treat conjured up from her chicken farmer.
While Florence deserves its flowers as a gelato destination given its historical importance, its worth noting that there are also a lot of gelato traps. Perhaps in response to the large amount of visitors easy to trick into getting subpar scoops. But not you, not readers who do their research:)
The reason we can enjoy gelato with relative ease is thanks to the machinery, mostly produced by Carpigiani. In addition to Bologna being home to gelato machines, you can also become a gelato maestro via its Gelato University (you read right). That said, as Bologna grows in popularity as a secondary hotspot city, not all gelaterie in Bologna are necessarily worth the sugar rush or "artigianale" (100% homemade) regardless of what they claim!
So we couldn't resist putting together a list of our favorite addresses and arguably the best gelato in Bologna! And if you start feeling guilty after putting all of them on your travel itinerary, here’s a little incentive: Gelato contains on average half the calories of regular ice cream. It's also more concentrated in base ingredients like fruit, chocolate or nuts vs high % of cream and sugar in standard ice cream.
So maybe help yourself to a third scoop just to be sure our recommendations really are legit?
Photo credit: Cremeria Santo Stefano
Cremeria Santo Stefano
A classic family-run gelateria that whips up Italian standards like pistachio and “cioccolato fondente” (dark chocolate) using the best imported ingredients like Turkish pistachios and Venezuelan chocolate. Mentioned in the 2019 Gambero Rosso good food guide, Cremeria Santo Stefano also excel with less than expected flavors like Williams pear and celery, milk and hay, and a dairy-free version of gelato made with yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit.
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday from 11am to 11pm
Address: Via Santo Stefano, 70/c
Website: https://www.facebook.com/CremeriaSantoStefano/
Stefino Bio
This all-organic gelateria uses natural kuzu, a Japanese root, and baobob, an African fruit, to thicken its award-winning gelato. It’s definitely a different mouthfeel to your traditional gelato, but the absence of dairy does help the flavors shine. All their gelatos (and cones!) are vegan, gluten-free, locally-sourced, ethical and organic and the crowd favorites include "Cuba" (dark chocolate with sour cherries) and "Curcuma" (turmeric with cinnamon and black pepper). Expect to pay a little more than the standard city gelato price though.
Opening hours: every day 12pm to 2am
Address: Via S. Vitale, 37
Website: http://www.stefino.it/web
There’s affogato then there’s Gelatauro’s affogato with panna fresha
Gelatauro
One of Bologna’s most reliable yet exciting gelaterias founded in 1998 by Calabrian-born Giovanni Figliomeni takes its name from the mythical ‘tori’ or bulls of ancient Greek and Roman myths, a nod both to the fact that ice cream is made from cow’s milk and wafer cones are shaped like their horns.
But Gelatauro is so much more than a creative name. The gelateria was named best in Europe by Focus magazine, got a coveted mention on famed David Lebovitz’s blog and even made it on the London Time’s list of 30 things to eat before you die.
While it’s location is 100% Northern Italy, its flavours aren’t, drawing inspiration from the distinct aromas of Southern Italy in gelatos like the “Principe di Calabria” (bergamot and jasmine) and “Regno delle Due Sicilie” (almond and Bronte pistachio). In keeping with its southern influences, the gelateria also makes a selection of Sicilian cakes and desserts as well as chocolates and truffles scented with candied fruits, nuts and spices like saffron and ginger. Don’t sleep on their affogato for a true pick me up (trust that pistachio is a great pick).
Opening hours: Tuesday- Thursday 8:30am to 10:30pm, Friday and Saturday 8:30am to 11:30pm and Sunday 9am to 8:30pm
Address: Via S. Vitale, 98/b
Website: https://gelatauro.com
credit: Gallieria 49
Gallieria 49
Four foodie friends brought together by a shared love of gelato produce a scoop of something they’re calling “easily digestible” and “dynamic”. It’s also gluten free as Gallieria 49 joins the list of Bolognese ice creameries that use the Japanese root, kuzu, to thicken their gelato. Their flavors are pretty standard, but they do offer a fantastic selection of organic sorbets (the chocolate of the day is always fun), traditional Sicilian granitas and brioche burgers stuffed with your choice of gelato and whipped cream. If you had to pick just one flavor, don’t skip their speciality, pistachio anything sorbets, granite or gelati.
Opening hours: Everyday 12pm to 2am
Address: Via Galliera, 49/b
Website: http://www.galliera49.it/en/home-en
Photo credit: La Sorbetteria Castiglione
La Sorbetteria Castiglione
A Bologna institution that’s been slinging scoops since the 1990s, La Sorbetteria Castiglione makes arguably the city’s best “gianduia” (chocolate mixed with hazelnuts) and actually have a handful of trademarked gelatos named after their children and grandchildren, including the Ludivico (caramelised hazelnuts, chocolate and hazelnut cream), the Emma (ricotta, eggs and caramelised figs) and Edoardo (caramelised pine nuts, mascarpone and liqueur). Aside from all that caramelisation, you can also get a Moretti, which is the “first chocolate-dipped gelato popsicle ever invented”.
Opening hours: every day 12pm to 2am
Address: Via Castiglione, 44 d/e
Website: https://www.lasorbetteria.it/
Gelateria Gianni
One of Bologna’s more creative gelaterias, Gelateria Gianni has some very fun names for their icy treats. Like the The Lord of the Rings (cream, hazelnuts and white chocolate biscuits) and The Lawyer (hazelnut, gianduia and chocolate rice crispies), which will, they promise, “take your to court” flavor-wise. The place is also really decently priced, scooping up giant portions of 3 flavors for just €5.
Opening hours: every day midday to 10pm
Address: Via Monte Grappa, 11/A
Website: http://www.gelateriagianni.com/?lang=en
Photo credit: Cremeria Funivia
Cremeria Funivia
This artisan gelateria is the Bolognesi’s top pick for best gelateria even if it is located well outside the city center. It’s worth the walk though, if only for the signature flavors Alice (mascarpone and chocolate) or Amalfi (puff pastry and Amalfi lemons). Expect a line whenever you visit, regardless of time or day, and consider skipping the cone and ordering the gelato-stuffed focaccia instead!
Opening hours: Tuesday - Sunday midday to 11:30pm
Address: Via Porrettana, 158
Website: https://www.cremeriafunivia.com/
Maritozzi e Gelato di Barbara e Renato
An organic and artisan gelateria with beautifully paired and seasonal combinations like pumpkin, wine grapes, chestnuts and salted pistachios. They also serve decadent maritozzi buns slathered with fresh whipped cream. It consistently tops Italy’s leading food journals like Gambero Rosso lists of best artisan gelaterias in Bologna. Winning added praise for its gelato lab, which is on the premises and open for all to see, if you’re curious to watch the magic happen! Keep an eye out for the flavor of the week, which never disappoints.
Opening hours: Monday 3:30pm to 1am, Tuesday- Saturday midday to 1am and Sunday 11am to 1am
Gelateria Costa 39
Gelateria Costa 39 is a must as an encore to our Bologna food tour (which ends with exceptional gelato from this list). This charming gelateria crafts creamy, flavorful gelato using high-quality local ingredients. Standouts include a boldly nutty Bronte Pistachio, a subtle milky Fior di Latte, and a luscious dark chocolate with sea salt. Seasonal fruit sorbets are refreshingly intense in the best way. For locals and travelers alike, Costa 39 is often hailed as some of the best gelato in Bologna—definitely worth the stop.
Address: Via Andrea Costa 39d
Gelateria Ugo
Open since 1942, Gelateria Ugo is one of Bologna’s oldest ice cream shops and their dedication to using artisan methods and high-quality raw materials hasn’t wavered over the decades. Pooh poohing the latest gelato fads and trends, Gelateria Ugo sticks to the classics and their vanilla custard and hazelnut are the locals’ favorites. They also make a mean gelato focaccia with whipped cream, single-portion zabaione and old school coffee desserts.
Address: Via S. Felice, 24
Opening hours: Wednesday- Saturday 1:30pm to 8:30pm and Sunday 11:30am to 8:30pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gelateria-Ugo/
