It’s Gelato Season! While in theory it’s been gelato season for quite a while (and there are some who would argue that it’s always gelato season) it’s actually only gotten sort of hot recently in Rome. By this time of July we’re all usually dealing with heat and humidity, but for some reason this year the gods of weather have been kind. Lots of rain, plus breezy dry days, has meant that we haven’t even turned on the fans yet, much less the nighttime a/c.
So I’m a bit slow to the punch with any sort of gelato update since, well, I haven’t felt the need to jump into a vat of creamy coolness like I usually do.
But since it is July, and since you are probably planning your next cone, here are a few updates.
The biggest news on the Rome gelato scene is the arrival of Carapina, from Florence. Simone Bonini has been considered one of Italy’s best gelatai ever since he opened several years ago in Florence. He has finally launched in Rome, right down the street from Roscioli. Not far from Campo dei Fiori, the modern store brings his much loved flavors to the ancient city.
Meticulous attention to high quality ingredients and seasonality is what defines Carapina. Ice cream is made daily and stored in tubs beneath the counter. They usually have the classics, but done the Carapina way. Neroassoluto is the darkest chocolate you’ll ever taste. His Crema dell’Artusi is his vanilla which takes inspiration from the well known ancient Tuscan cookbook author. He’s always experimenting too, so don’t be surprised to see pecorino or even wine ice cream when the mood hits.
My favorite new obsession: his ice cream sandwiches. Since it’s kind of like a panino, I sometimes convince myself that this can actually be considered lunch. Or breakfast. Or whatever.
Carapina
Via dei Chiavari
I’ve posted a full list of Rome Gelato here, here and here.
Other new arrivals which I haven’t had time to include in my app Eat Italy or on the blog yet, include:
Fattamorgana now has several new outposts:
Via Roma Libera 11 (Piazza San Cosimato in Trastevere)
Via Laurina 10 (Via del Corso / Spanish Steps)
Via Aosta 3 (Re di Roma)
Gelateria del Teatro has moved around the corner to Via dei Coronari as well as at Lungotevere dei Vallati 25
Gracchi has two new outposts:
Viale Regina Margherita 212
Via dei Ripetta 261 (Via del Corso)
Via del ‘ Angeletto (Monti)
Neve di Latte
Via Luigi Poletti 6 (Maxxi)
Otaleg
Viale dei Colli Portuensi 594
V-ice has a new shop at Corso Vittorio Emanuele 96
A gelato sandwich is absolutely a proper breakfast – just a different version of yogurt and toast!
I couldn’t agree more!
What a great post! Thank you for the info. We will be in Rome late August, yes, I know hot, humid, crowded BUT it is in honor of my 60th birthday! We will be starting in Naples, then to Positano, then to Rome before heading back to the States. Your blog, as well as, Gillian’s has been instrumental in my planning of this fabulous trip! A genuine thank you for sharing all the wonderful tidbits of Rome and Italy!
Have a great trip! And Rome should actually be pretty empty that time of year.
I love your blog! I’m going to Ischia. Do you have any suggestions ?
Thank you! I’ve actually never been to Ischia, so sorry to say, no I don’t have any advice. I’ll have to fix that with a research trip I think!
Hi,
We’re coming to Rome on the 29th of this month and my son is both a gelato fan and a coeliac. Which gelatarias do you recommend for gluten free diners?
Fatamorgana is very sensitive to all allergies, most especially gluten. They not only have gluten free cones, but also use different spoons, etc. to avoid cross containation.
Mmmmm Carapina! I happened to be passing by on their first full day of business this past April and met Simone who was kind enough to explain some of the flavors and the sourcing of some of the ingredients. He was amazing and I heartily agree with you that the Neroassoluto is the nearest thing to heaven on earth I have experienced. The ice cream sandwiches weren’t available that say and, alas I was heading back to Los Angeles the next day. But I am definitely heading back there on my next visit!
Will definetrly visit Carapina next April. We will be in Italy for two months and look forward to trying your new recommendations!