Welcome to Milan, Italy, the land of pizza, pasta, and gelato. In this post, I’d like to guide you in navigating Milan for the first time as a lover of ice cream.
If you’re visiting Italy for the first time and you love ice cream (gelato) then you’re in the right place. Of course, it’s hard to come across disgusting ice cream in Italy. But it’s always best to look at reviews or blogs (like mine), to see what are some of the best options available to you.
IF YOU WANT THE CLASSICS
If you like the classic Italian ice cream flavors like pistachio, hazelnut, stracciatella, and coffee, then there’s no better time to try them than when you’re in the motherland of gelato. Try out these places!
1. Avgvsto Premiata Gelateria
This gelateria has won “Migliore Gelateria di Milano” or Best Gelateria in Milan every year since 2018. They have fruity flavors alongside classic Italian flavors and other seasonal flavors. I love Avgsto not only because their gelato is delicious and creamy (but not overly rich), but also because the guy who works there is always nice. Another plus is the fact that you can sit inside the gelateria to take your time and either stay inside to stay away from the heat or cold, depending on what time of year it is.
My suggestion: Illy coffee — if you know and love the original Illy Crema, this is the exact same thing in ice cream form. If you don't know what that is, it’s basically a sweet creamy coffee flavor that’s great. Another great one is the salted caramel with pecans that gives you that crunchy and sweet and salty for a texture and flavor explosion.
2. Casa Infante
If you’re a first-time visitor, you’ll surely go to Duomo, and once you make your way along Via Torino, don’t forget to go to Casa Infante before you continue your journey to the next sightseeing place. Like Avgvto (or pretty much most gelateria in Milan), they have the popular Italian flavors and of course, fruity flavors too. If you love really rich and creamy gelato, this is the place for you. Unfortunately, it’s more of a ‘take your gelato and go’ kind of place, so you have to keep that in mind if you are planning to sit down and have your gelato.
3. Oggi Gelato
Located in the popular and hip Garibaldi/Moscova area, this gelateria offers not only classic flavors but some seasonal flavors. In the summer, their mint gelato with chocolate pieces was amazing! For the fall, they had the pumpkin flavor which was honestly not my favorite, but their other classic flavors like tiramisu and stracciatella are great!
4. Il Massimo del Gelato
If you love chocolate ice cream, don’t miss this gelateria. They have many chocolate ice cream options with various intensities! I personally am not a chocolate ice cream person, but I wouldn’t want you to miss this information if you’re in love with the co-coa!
IF YOU WANT SOMETHING UNIQUE
Most Italian gelaterias sell popular Italian flavors like coffee, pistachio, hazelnut, stracciatella, and others, and they are surely classics for a reason. But if you’re feeling more adventurous and always want to try something new (like me), here are some places you can consider:
1. Nosh Gelato
Unlike most gelaterias which keep the unique flavors to only the seasonal ones, Nosh has various flavors that I love. From ‘typical’ flavors that are a bit difficult to find in Italy like matcha and mint, to flowery flavors including rose and lavender, Nosh has it all and I love them. It’s a particularly small shop with a few seats inside and two long benches in the front of the store, so you can keep that in mind if you want to rest as you have your gelato.
2. Gelateria LAB
Another gelateria that can give you that unique fix, is Gelateria LAB. It’s a pretty new small shop that is more ‘grab and go’, but their flavors will not disappoint. Last summer they had both mint and basil flavors, which are very refreshing and amazing to beat the heat. They also had New York cheesecake, licorice (if you’re about that life), and saffron.
3. Gnomo Gelato
Another banger of gelateria is this small shop with amazing staff. When I visited, they had mint and Puglia ice cream. This Puglia scoop included taralli, which are crunchy, buttery round snacks with a hole. It was the perfect sweet and salty scoop of ice cream, and it’s definitely a crime that I haven’t been back since then!
4. Crema Alta Gelateria
Although a bit more on the pricey side, this gelateria doesn’t disappoint when it comes to interesting flavors. I had the chance to try their gorgonzola ice cream, which was… interesting to say the least. Other than that stand-out option, they had licorice, rice, matcha, and other classic flavors. With this higher price tag, you can also stay in this big cafe, order other drinks, and have a fabulous time.
IF YOU WANT VEGAN GELATO
Unfortunately, being vegan or vegetarian doesn’t go well with living in Italy. Unlike the U.S, which I think has a lot of options for people with various dietary restrictions, you have to do a little bit of research to find some gelaterias that can cater to your needs without having to always opt for the fruity flavors.
1. Gelateria Tradizionale LatteNeve
If you are going around the popular Navigli area, don’t miss this gelateria that has unique selections of vegan ice cream. I tried the black sesame and matcha ice cream that was not super creamy if I have to be honest, but if you are a vegan who is looking for non-fruity options, this shop can work.
2. Out-of-the-box
Out-of-the-box perhaps has some of the best options when it comes to vegan (and also gluten-free) ice cream. Their ‘raw’ selection includes only a few organic, natural ingredients, which gives those people with strict dietary restrictions some great ice cream options. Keep in mind that not all of the ice cream options are completely smooth and creamy like typical Italian gelato, except for the cioccolato fondente pepperoncino (dark chocolate with hot peppers).
After seeing my pictures you might be thinking that I have a bias for mint and other unusual-flavored ice creams, and you’re right! I also gravitate towards coffee, tiramisu, salted caramel, or hazelnut ice creams cause they tend to be safe bets from the classic array of flavors. Generally, I’d avoid pistachio without trying it as it can taste drastically different from one place to another — it can be too sweet, too salty, too rich, or too nutty.
A general rule of thumb is to try before you get a scoop (or two). As most (if not all) gelaterias let you try the flavors before you make your purchase, don’t feel embarrassed and ask for a tester! That way, you won’t have any food regrets!
