Best ice cream shops in Bologna

Creamy, authentic and even celebrated by journalist David Lebovitz of the London Times among the “30 experiences to have at least once in your life”: artisanal gelato in Bologna is a true institution. Between tradition and innovation, the city's gelato parlours offer flavours ranging from the great classics to the most surprising creations. Here is a selection of the best, indicated by the prestigious Italian food and wine publishing house Gambero Rosso.

• Cremeria La Vecchia Stalla

With locations both in the centre - in Via Santo Stefano - and in the suburbs, La Vecchia Stalla is known for its creamy Bolognese-style ice cream. In addition to the excellent classic creams, it is characterised by a series of original flavours such as pistachio with Cervia salt or dark chocolate with sour cherries in syrup, all with a strong and enveloping taste.

➝ Address: via Santo Stefano 14/A

• Maritozzi e Gelato

Located in one of Bologna's movida areas, in Piazza San Francesco, this ice-cream shop stands out for the high quality of its fragrant flavours, including excellent dairy-free ones. Also not to be missed are the maritozzi, homemade, cut in half and freshly filled with delicious whipped cream. It is among the Bolognese ice-cream parlours awarded the Gambero Rosso's “Three Cones” in 2025.

➝ Address: Piazza San Francesco 1b

• Cremeria Santo Stefano

An ice-cream parlour with 1930s aesthetics, located under the portico of the street of the same name, with excellent classic cream flavours, soft and enveloping, as well as interesting original flavours, all made with carefully selected ingredients. A mention must also go to the counter preparations that reveal a great pastry hand: pralines in various flavours, macarons and much more. It is one of the 72 Italian ice-cream parlours awarded the “Three Cones”, the highest accolade given by Gambero Rosso in the “Gelaterie d'Italia 2025” guide.

➝ Address: via Santo Stefano 70c

• Cremeria Scirocco

Located outside the city centre, in via Barelli, Cremeria Scirocco is another one of the Italian ice-cream parlours that have been awarded the “Three Cones” by Gambero Rosso. Those who enter will discover that here they combine the wisdom of classic ice cream with the search for new and unusual savoury combinations, such as chestnuts, pumpkin and... gorgonzola cheese and mortadella ham. Granitas are also excellent.

➝ Address: via Agostino Barelli 1c

• Galliera 49

A regular meeting place for the Bolognese, this small shop - 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 the excellent brioches from the workshop of pastry chef Gino Fabbri. Each visit brings new discoveries: the seasonal flavours last only a few days and change constantly!

➝ Address: via Galliera 49b

• Il Gelatauro

Gelateria in Via San Vitale - with its retro, relaxed atmosphere - was named one of the 25 best ice cream parlours in the world by the Financial Times in 2022. Its ice cream is strongly rooted in the owner's southern roots, which influences the marked fresh and lively flavours, based on citrus, pistachio, orange blossom, ginger and more.

➝ Address: via San Vitale 98b

• L'Emporio del Gelato

Situated in the south-east of the city, the Emporio del Gelato offers two product lines: a more classic one with the ever-popular flavours and one with novelties that are never taken for granted and always excellently executed! In the refrigerated display cabinets, an abundance of frozen delicacies: ice cream cakes, parfaits, iced sticks, single portions and assorted fruit popsicles

➝ Address: via degli Orti 12b

• Sablé Gelato

A small and cosy “emotional” ice-cream parlour in Via Dei Mille, where 12 flavours follow the seasons, especially those based on fruit and flowers. The owner carries out scrupulous research and experimentation with original and exotic raw materials, such as Asian mushrooms, tea or lichens, to create flavours with delicate and highly original flavours. In 2023 it was selected by the Gelato Festival World Masters as one of the 8 best gelato makers in Italy.

➝ Address: via dei Mille 3a

• Schiavon Gelato

Gelateria in Via Murri where customers can personally see the master gelato makers busy creating the product on the spot. The soft creams touch one of the pinnacles of Bolognese style, with a round and enveloping flavour. Customers will also find a wide variety of original waffles and toppings, all in generous portions.

➝ Address: via Augusto Murri 81c

• Sorbetteria Castiglione

Ever since it opened its doors 30 years ago, it has become one of the most popular ice cream parlours in Bologna thanks to its soft and persuasive creams. The tasty sorbets, ice cream cakes and Moretto are also a must-try. It is located in the doorway of the same name.

➝ Address: via Castiglione 44d

• Stefino

Another ice-cream parlour outside the city, in Via Zampieri 4/2 c: Stefino plays on the purity and linearity of style. The flavours are made with a few carefully chosen ingredients and range from the classics to other highly original combinations. It was listed among the best ice-cream parlours in Italy in 2025, winning the prestigious “Three Cones” from Gambero Rosso, the highest accolade awarded by the Gelaterie d'Italia guide.

➝ Address: via Domenico Zampieri 4/2c

• Delizie bolognesi

Under a short stretch of portico in Via Riva di Reno, at Delizie Bolognesi, excellent raw materials and careful processing result in fresh, balanced and intense ice cream. You can find the classic flavours and the original creative proposals such as the very soft Santiago (ricotta cheese, yoghurt, orange and salted crunch) or the tasty Alabama (peanuts and caramel). You shold also try the dairy-free flavours. In 2024 it received the title of "Best Gelato Maker of the Year” awarded by the Italian Gelato Makers Association at SIGEP - the International Exhibition of Gelato, Pastry, Artisan Bakery and Coffee.

➝ Address: via Riva di Reno 76f

• A mouth-watering experience: the Carpigiani Museum

A must for ice cream lovers visiting Bologna is the Carpigiani Gelato Museum. Located outside the city and reachable by car or bus, it is the first museum that tells the story of the evolution of ice cream over time, the development of production technologies, places and consumption methods. It also allows visitors to enjoy a unique experience by making their own ice cream from scratch, thanks to the lessons organised by the Gelato University.

Ice cream is undoubtedly the best ally to face the summer in the city: with many ice-cream parlours offering high quality products and a variety of flavours that will leave you speechless, Bologna confirms itself as one of the Italian ice-cream capitals!