Best ice cream shops in Bologna

Also listed by the London Times as one of the top 30 must-try before you die, Bologna's artisanal gelato excels in quality and variety of flavours.

So what are the best ice-cream shops in Bologna?

Let's find out together the finest ice cream shops according to Gambero Rosso, many of which offer flavours made only with vegetable ingredients or suitable for lactose or gluten intolerant gourmets.

Cremeria La Vecchia Stalla

With shops both in the centre - in Via Santo Stefano - and in the suburbs, La Vecchia Stalla is known for its creamy Bolognese-style ice cream. Besides the excellent classic creams, it boasts a series of original flavours such as pistachio with Cervia salt or dark chocolate with sour cherries in syrup.

Maritozzi e Gelato

Located in one of Bologna's nightlife areas, this ice-cream spotsstands out for the high quality of its flavours, especially the dairy-free ones. Make sure not to miss the maritozzi, homemade, cut in half and freshly filled with delicious whipped cream.

Cremeria Santo Stefano

An ice-cream shop with 1930s aesthetics, with excellent classic cream flavours, soft and enveloping, as well as interesting original varieties. Also worth mentioning are the counter preparations that reveal a great pastry touch: pralines in various flavours, macarons and much more.

Cremeria Scirocco

Located outside the city centre, in Via Barelli, Cremeria Scirocco is one of the best in Italy, combining the wisdom of classic ice cream with the quest for new and unusual pairings, such as gorgonzola, pumpkin or chestnut.

Galliera 49

A historic haunt for the Bolognese, this small bottega - located right on via Galliera 49 - offers ice cream made from carefully selected raw materials and in a wide variety of flavours, which can be combined with excellent brioche from the workshop of pastry chef Gino Fabbri.

Il Gelatauro

This ice-cream spot on Via San Vitale was named one of the 25 best gelaterias in the world by the Financial Times in 2022. Its ice cream is closely linked to the owner's southern roots, which shape its pronounced fresh and lively flavours.

L'Emporio del Gelato

Conveniently located in the south-east of the city, the Emporio del Gelato offers two product lines: a more classic one with the ubiquitous flavours, and a second one with never predictable and always excellently executed novelties!

Sablé Gelato

A small, cosy ice-cream shop in Via Dei Mille, where 12 flavours revolve around the seasons, especially those based on fruit and flowers. The owner, who carries out scrupulous research into raw materials, was selected by the Gelato Festival World Masters as one of the 8 best gelato makers in Italy.

Schiavon Gelato

This ice-cream shop on Via Murri integrates the artisan workshop with the proper counter, allowing customers to witness the master ice-cream makers busy creating the product on the spot. The soft creams touch one of the pinnacles of Bolognese style, with a smooth and enveloping flavour.

Sorbetteria Castiglione

Ever since its opening 30 years ago, it has become one of the most popular ice-cream shop in Bologna thanks to its soft and mellow creams. The tasty sorbets, ice cream cakes and Moretto, ice cream on a stick, are also a must-try. The shop is located right next to one of the city's gates. 

Stefino

Another ice-cream parlour outside the city, in Via Zampieri 4/2 c, Stefino emphasises purity and straightforwardness of style: its flavours are prepared with a few carefully chosen ingredients, standing out clearly on the palate, and ranging from the classics to other highly original combinations.

Carpigiani Museum

Another must-visit for ice cream connoisseurs visiting Bologna is the Carpigiani Gelato Museum. Located just outside the city and reachable by car or bus, it is the first museum to tell the story of the evolution of ice cream over time, the development of production technology, places and ways of consumption. In addition, you can enjoy a unique experience by making your own gelato from scratch, thanks to Gelato University.

No doubt Bologna can claim the title of world gelato capital thanks to the many great ice-cream shops that impress with the quality of their products and variety of flavours!