Milan - the vibrant center of Italy’s Lombardy region for fashion, design, and art. It’s also a heaven for foodies, particularly those with a taste for gelato!
Gelato, the Italian word for ice cream, is a specific kind of frozen treat among the many delicious foods found in Italy.
As in many parts of Italy, locating the ideal scoop of gelato in Milan is a delectable journey. Let’s look at five gelaterias centrally located near the Duomo that we particularly enjoyed on our last trip. Andiamo!
What Makes Gelato Different?
Before we take our first bite, let’s quickly discuss how gelato differs from American-style ice cream. Although confusing gelato with American ice cream is easy to do, authentic gelato has a deeper, more powerful texture and flavors. Understanding the distinctions between Italy’s iconic frozen dessert and traditional ice cream can help you appreciate this sweet treat even more.
To begin with, gelato has less air content than ice cream. Gelato is churned slowly, whereas American-style ice cream is churned quickly, thus producing more air and a lighter texture. The consistency made possible by the gelato method is denser and smoother, which allows the flavors to shine.
An additional difference is the temperature at which gelato is served. Gelato is typically served at a slightly warmer temperature than ice cream, around 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit higher. At this temperature, the texture stays smooth and silky, while the flavors are more concentrated.
Gelato is also distinguished by its ingredients. Unlike ice cream, which is typically made with a larger percentage of cream and, therefore, more fat, gelato uses a higher percentage of milk and often without eggs, which helps to give it a smoother texture without sacrificing flavor. Artisanal gelato, or Gelato Artisanale in Italian, avoids artificial flavors and preservatives, making it a fresher, more natural choice.
The Art of Gelato in Milan
While gelato is found throughout Italy, Milan is home to some of the nation's top gelaterias. Milan is a city that appreciates handicrafts, and its gelato artisans are no different. These artisans take great pride in using premium ingredients and traditional methods.
In Milan, artisanal gelaterias frequently select seasonal ingredients, making fresh batches each day and changing the flavors to what's in season. Everyone can find something they enjoy in Milan's gelato scene, ranging from traditional flavors like pistachio and stracciatella (vanilla with fine chocolate slivers) to more creative pairings such as ricotta cheese and blueberries; licorice; and black fig.
Gelato is so importance in Milan that an entire week is dedicated to this amazing dessert treat: Milan Gelato Week. In 2024, 1,565 kilograms of gelato were eaten at this event alone. Additionally, Gambero Rosso, a long-standing Italian food and wine magazine, grants awards to outstanding gelaterias throughout Italy called Tre Coni, Three Cones. Gelaterias earning the coveted Tre Coni proudly display their award in their shops and on their websites. Be sure to look for these in Milan.
According to several Italian friends, the more traditional gelaterias do not display their gelato in heaped, huge mounds as this indicates that the gelato has either been over-churned or has an excessive amount of stabilizers in it. Rather, the gelato should be kept flat, usually in metal containers in a well-designed gelato display. Authentic gelato should also have a natural-looking hue. Overly vibrant colors indicate that the gelato could be artificially colored. For instance, real pistachio gelato is a muted green, not neon.
Gelato is usually offered in cup or cone, and in the sizes of piccolo (small), regolare (regular/medium) and grande (large). Gelaterias typically display the cone/cup sizes along with how many flavored scoops are included with each size. You won’t miss the prominent display boards listing the flavors available. Another tip is to be mindful of the ordering process. One typically will order the size of cup or cone and pay, then select the flavors at which time your gelato will be assembled.
Now that we know the fundamentals, let's sample some gelato!
Venchi Cioccolato e Gelato - Via Giuseppe Mengoni 1, Milan Park Hyatt
Located a stone’s throw from the majestic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II and majestic Duomo, on the outside perimeter of the Milan Park Hyatt is Venchi. Some may already be familiar with this luxurious brand as its chocolates are featured in many Eataly stores. If so, you know how decadent their products are. That rich quality extends to their gelato. Blending the two, this particular shop sells its chocolates and gelato.
Be forewarned that while this gelateria is elegant, it is tiny. With its popularity, lines easily stretch out onto the sidewalk. Service is personalized and charming with gelateria attendants offering liquid chocolate to fill the bottom tip of your choice of cone or a cup.
When I visited, I had the stracciatella and passionfruit/mango in a hazelnut-encrusted cone with liquid chocolate in its base. I still drool thinking about this cone.
Vanilla Gelati Italiani – Via Pattari 2 Corner Corso Vittorio Emanuele II
Vanilla Gelati Italiani is yet another superb gelateria located in the orbit of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. This gelateria was suggested to me by a sales associate at a fashionable purse store in the Galleria. Not only did I come away from the interaction with a beautiful purse, but a fabulous gelateria recommended by a local to try and share with you.
Vanilla Gelati Italiani is known for its artisanal gelato, vegan options, and delicious fruit-focused gelato flavors. When I visited, I was especially impressed with the kind service and unique flavors offered. I partook of their passionfruit and coconut fig; both were extremely flavorful!
Artico Gelateria Tradizionale – Via Dogana 1
An artisanal gelateria using high-quality ingredients, Artico Gelateria does not disappoint. The gelateria group, Grupp Artico, has four gelaterias, with one located a few blocks south of the Duomo next to the Duomo M1 M3 tram stop.
When tasting the gelato, you can really sense the craftsmanship behind the texture and flavors. Ingredients are high quality and natural. In fact, the ingredients used are “free of colorants, hydrogenated fats …(and) synthetic flavorings.”
In addition to gelato, the company offers courses to create gelato and to open a gelateria, and consulting.
When I visited, I ordered the Amarena cherry and mascarpone with pistachio pesto.
Casa Infante -Via Torino 48
Just a quick eight-minute walk from the Duomo on the popular and ever-busy Via Torino is Casa Infante. This gelateria’s location is perfect for those shopping at the many stores on this street or commuting on one of its trams. Casa Infante offers not only gelato but coffees and sweet pastry treats.
Casa Infante has fourteen stores in Italy, with many in Naples where the gelateria business was founded, and one in Amsterdam.
On my visit, I enjoyed a piccolo cone of stracciatella and Amarena cherry.
Ciacco – Via Spadari 13
Ciacco is well known and loved in Milan by tourists and locals alike. Ciacco is so loved that every time I walked past, a line extended out the door and well onto the sidewalk. Even before the gelateria’s opening time, hungry customers line up with anticipation.
Ciacco offers a variety of unique and flavorful gelatos “without any natural or artificial additives (and) with the shortest possible list of ingredients.” The quality of the ingredients can make one feel this gelato is almost healthy.
My 15-minute wait in line was worth it to experience Ciacco’s gelato. I didn’t know it was possible to experience such gelato-euphoria until I met Milan’s beloved Ciacco.
On this visit, I happily enjoyed stracciatella and Crema della Bretagne (Breton salted butter flavored with vanilla bourbon).
In Milan, gelato is an experience as much as a delight. With a handful of amazing gelaterias near the must-see Duomo, you can easily try gelato while in the center of activity. These gelaterias offer the ideal blend of artisanship and creativity, whether you're craving traditional flavors or daring combinations. The next time you're in this vibrant city, don't forget to stop for a scoop of gelato and taste the flavors of Italy, one creamy scoop at a time.
Remember: If you are not able to travel to Milan at this time, you can recreate a slice of Italy at home with imported Italian goods from RudiGourmand. If you are an importer/exporter of Italian food and beverage, use PriorNotify to automate the US FDA prior notice process for streamlined sales and shipping.