Make sure you check out the first part of this two-part ‘Eating My Way Through Florence‘ series to see all of the meals that I ate when I was in Florence!
Vivaldi
My former co-worker suggested that I visit Gelateria Vivaldi, a local favorite located in the Oltrarno area. It is rumored that Queen Elizabeth used to get her gelato shipped from here, which I think is pretty amazing!
I tried the pistachio with double cream flavors. Although it was not my favorite gelato in the world, I would definitely give it a second try but the next time I would try a fruit flavor.
Gelateria Vivaldi | Via de’Renai 15r | Prices starting at €2.
Grom
Gelato at Grom
Grom is a gelateria chain that is quite well-known around Italy with shops in over 30 cities. My former co-worker mentioned Grom briefly as she told me about how much she loved Vivaldi. I was interested in comparing the two, so I headed to Grom to try it out.
Unlike the more locally-known Vivaldi, Grom was packed with both tourists and Italians alike waiting in line to sample some of the famed gelato. I thought it was pretty comparable to Grom flavor-wise (please don’t hate me Italian nonni’s).
Cost: A piccolo (small) costs €2,50.
Il Gelato di Beduschi (at Mercado Centrale)
Strawberry gelato at Il Gelato di Beduschi in Mercado Centrale
To think I almost missed visiting Mercado Centrale when I was in Florence makes me very sad. Luckily I met a Couchsurfer who suggested we visit after having apertivo at Grand Hotel Minerva and I loved the market (and we all know I love a good market!)
I ordered a raspberry [lampone] scoop and a vanilla [vaniglia] scoop. I found the gelato to be decent.
La Carraia
Lemon and cookies gelato at La Carraia …. heaven in a cup. Literally.
I saved the best for last.
The gelato at La Carraia was the gelato that topped all other gelatos. I had to stop myself from ordering a second one before eating lunch. It was just that good. (And yes, I ate a lot of gelato before actual meals in Italy…)
After being recommended to me numerous times by locals, I decided to extend my stay in Florence by a few hours just so I could experience this gelato, and it was worth every single second.
I cannot properly put it into words without drooling all over my computer, so I am going to just tell you to go. If you are in Florence, stop reading this and go RIGHT NOW.
Yummm! I haven’t been to Florence and no immediate plans to visit but I LOVE food and especially gelato! These all look amazing! Will bookmark for my eventual trip to Italy 🙂
Both the food and the gelato were some of my favorite things in Italy! Happy Travels Leah!