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The Best Gelato In Bologna

Are you craving gelato in Bologna? We’ve compiled a list of the 7 best gelato shops in Bologna plus bonus picks in nearby Modena, Parma and Reggio Emilia.

Gelato at Cremeria Funivia - Best Gelato in Bologna Italy
Image: ©2foodtrippers

Eating gelato in Bologna is a stressful business. First, you have to decide on the size, either piccolo (small) or gigante (large). Then you must choose between a cono (cone) or coppetta (cup).

And that’s before the daunting task of choosing among a dozen or so tempting gelato flavors like pistachio, stracciatella and salted caramel. To make matters worse, the best Bologna gelaterias often have long lines of gelato lovers dealing with the same difficult decisions.

It’s a miracle we made it through over two weeks in Bologna in these conditions. As you can see from our photo, we weren’t happy at all.

Carpigiani Gelato University Students in Bologna Italy
Life is short. Eat gelato. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Now that we have your sympathy, we can admit the truth. We love everything about eating gelato in Bologna. We love the difficult decisions, the long lines and even the occasional surly service. Most of all, we love the taste and texture of creamy, dreamy Bologna gelato.

Though we’ve eaten great Italian gelato in cities all over Italy including Florence, Naples, Matera, Trento, Venice and Verona, we’ve never eaten better gelato than in Bologna (except for Rome). In fact, we rank eating gelato in Bologna as one of the top things to do in Emilia Romagna.

If you’re wondering what to do in Bologna – the answer is always to eat gelato. Seriously, eating gelato is one of the best food experiences in Bologna.

The Best Gelato In Bologna

Cremeria Funivia Portico in Bologna Italy
Gelato is particularly refreshing in the summertime, though it’s always the right time of year to eat gelato under a portico in Bologna. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Give us all the gelato!

Could we find the best gelatos in Bologna in just over two weeks during our recent visit? We answered this challenge with a rallying cry as we traversed the city and sampled top Bologna gelaterias before narrowing them down to a manageable list.

These are our favorite seven (rhymes with heaven) spots to eat gelato in Bologna plus bonus gelaterias in nearby Modena, Parma and Reggio Emilia:

1. Cremeria Santo Stefano

Chocolate Gelato at Cremeria Santo Stefano in Bologna Italy
We ate a lot of chocolate gelato in Bologna, and this cone at Cremeria Santo Stefano was our favorite. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

A tiny jewel box of a gelateria, award-winning Cremeria Santo Stefano stands out among the best Bologna gelaterias for its knock-our-socks-off flavor and stylish decor.

We loved the intensity of gelatos like Budino di Provenza, Speculoos and Pistacchio Salato del Bosforo during our multiple visits to Cremeria Santo Stefano. However, it was the Cioccolato del Santo gelato that truly blew us away with its deep chocolate flavor.

Mattia Cavalleri at Cremeria Santo Stefano in Bologna Italy
Mattia Cavalleri creates world-class gelato at Cremeria Santo Stefano in Bologna. The soft-spoken owner is a master of the gelato arts. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

We also love the shop’s chic style with its displays of dried flowers and herbs adding colorful design elements to an old-fashioned, turn of the century storefront. Don’t be surprised when you visit Cremeria Santo Stefano as sometimes the line winds around the block. Trust us – the line will move quickly and you will be happy you waited.

Pro Tip
Peek inside the gelateria’s laboratory to see where the magic happens.

Cremeria Santo Stefano is located at Via Santo Stefano, 70, 40125 Bologna BO, Italy.

2. Galliera 49

Galliera 49 Owners in Bologna Italy
The four owners of Galliera 49 pack gelato into environmentally sustainable cups with care despite the nonstop lines of hungry gelato eaters. Two of the owners engaged with customers and gave gelato advice during our visit. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Plan to be patient since Galliera 49’s counter is always filled with customers clamoring for the edgy gelateria’s artisanal gelato made with fresh milk and fair trade cane sugar as well as Sicilian-style granitas loaded with fresh fruit. Like the best things in life, this gelato is worth the wait.

Though several locals recommended Galliera 49 to us, we weren’t convinced of its excellence until our second visit when we tried the shop’s Cuba gelato made with dark chocolate and sour cherries. We became fans and repeat customers after one bite of the addictive concoction.

Pro Tip
Ask for whipped cream on top of your gelato, sorbet or granita. Servers provide the tasty topping on a complimentary basis at Galliera 49.

Galliera 49 is located at Via Galliera, 49/b, 40121 Bologna BO, Italy.

3. La Sorbetteria Castiglione

La Sorbetteria Castiglione in Bologna Italy
Small cones of gelato come with two flavors at La Sorbtteria Castiglione, which means you don’t have to pick just one. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Our memory of eating gelato at La Sorbetteria Castiglione became legendary in our minds.

We ate there during our initial Bologna visit in 2010 and memories can be a tricky thing. We feared disappointment during our return visit to the stalwart Bologna gelateria, but we’re pleased to report that the gelato quality has not deteriorated over the years – the gelato is just as pure and creamy as we remembered.

The Dolce Michelangelo with cream of almond and caramelized almond is the shop’s most popular flavor, though the Dolce Emma with fresh ricotta, eggs and caramelized figs is our favorite so far. We’ve since returned multiple times to be sure, always eating our cones under an ancient portico as one does in Bologna.

Pro Tip
Don’t be afraid to order gelato if you have special dietary requirements. La Sorbetteria Castiglione has Gluten-Free gelato as well as options for vegans and guests with allergies.

La Sorbetteria Castiglione is located at Via Castiglione, 44 d/e, 40124 Bologna BO, Italy.

4. Stefino Gelato Biologico

Brioche con Gelato Stefino Gelato Biologico in Bologna Italy
This brioche con gelato with a scoop of Cuba gelato and a scoop of Pistacchio di Sicilia gelato at Stefino Gelato Biologio may be the tastiest sandwich we ate in Bologna. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Gluten and Free aren’t words that usually attract us to desserts, but we gave the gelato at Stefino Gelato Biologio a try during our Bologna pasta making class. Stefino delivers fresh gelato to local customers in 35 minutes or less for those who don’t want to wait in line.

We later visited the gelateria and ate a treat called brioche con gelato – two scoops inside a house-made brioche roll. Since the certified organic gelateria’s gelato is low in both sugar and fat, we like to think the calories evened out. We’re sticking to this story.

Pro Tip
Stefino Gelato Biologico has vegan gelato options for our readers who follow that culinary lifestyle.

Stefino Gelato Biologico is located at Via S. Vitale, 37, 40125 Bologna BO, Italy.

5. Gelateria Carpigiani

Espresso at Gelateria Carpigiani in Bologna Italy
Gelateria Carpigiani continues to push the envelope with new flavors and products like the espresso pictured here. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Did we mention that we’re now trained gelato experts? Though that claim is a bit of a stretch, we are smarter about making gelato after taking a Discovering Gelato class at Carpigiani Gelato University just outside of Bologna.

Designed for gelato enthusiasts, this light-hearted class celebrates Italian ice cream in all of its creamy, dreamy glory. The university also teaches more extensive classes for global students who journey to Bologna to learn how to make the best gelato in the world for business purposes.

During our class, Maéva Noël guided us through the history of gelato through the centuries before teaching us how to make artisanal Carpigiani gelato from scratch. As fun and informative as the class was, the best part was eating the resulting gelato and sampling other flavors in Caprigiani’s gelateria.

Watch our YouTube video to see what it’s like to learn how to make gelato at Carpigiani’s Discovering Gelato class.

Schedule your own Carpigiani Gelato University experience.

Gelateria Carpigiani is located at Via Emilia, 45/B, 40011 Anzola dell’Emilia BO, Italy.

6. Il Gelatauro

Il Gelatauro in Bologna Italy
The gelato at Il Gelatauro was so fresh that the flavors like ginger and pistachio popped in our mouths. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

A favorite of noted food author and blogger David Lebovitz, Il Gelatauro is a bit off the tourist trail. We almost skipped this gelateria since it was a long walk from our Bologna apartment, but we’re glad we made the extra effort with two days to spare.

Despite its traditional atmosphere, the team at Il Gelatauro uses organic ingredients like Australian ginger and Bronte pistachios. Wherever possible, this Bologna gelateria sources ingredients at local markets for maximum freshness. The end result is some of the best gelato in Italy.

Pro Tip
Looking for Bologna food souvenirs to enjoy now or later? In addition to gelato, Gelatauro also sells homemade cookies and chocolates.

Il Gelatauro is located at Via San Vitale, 98 / b, 40125 Bologna BO, Italy.

7. Cremeria Funivia

Chocolate Sauce at Cremeria Funivia in Bologna Italy
We practically drooled while watching the chocolate drizzle into this cone at Cremeria Funivia. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Named after a cable car station next to its original location, Cremeria Funivia puts the fun into gelato by adding chocolate sauce to the bottom of some of its cones. The artisan gelateria also creates gorgeous cakes for those looking for more than ice cream.

We loved their Alice cone with mascarpone gelato and melted dark chocolate. This flavor alone warrants a special trip.

Pro Tip
Cremeria Funivia is closed on Mondays.

Cremeria Funivia is located at Via Porrettana, 158, 40135 Bologna BO, Italy.

Additional Bologna Gelaterias

If seven gelaterias aren’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, check out the following spots for more gelato love:

Warning
These additional Bologna gelaterias are chains with multiple locations serving gelato throughout Italy.

Further Afield Gelaterias

Since Bologna is a transportation hub, it’s super easy to take day trips to cities like Modena, Parma and Reggio Emilia. We recommend the following gelaterias during these day trips:

The Best Gelato In Modena

Gelateria Bloom in Modena Italy
Just a short train ride from Bologna, Modena’s Gelateria Bloom serves excellent peach gelato. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

“[There was] an American guy walking in Vignola thinking about Milan.” Actually, we’d like to know the story here since that was the name of a gelato flavor (peanut butter, Vignola sour cherries and bitters) we ate at Gelateria Bloom in Modena.

Despite its unique flavors combinations and intriguing gelato names, Gelateria Bloom excels with simple flavors like pesca (peach) made with pure ingredients and without additives. As an extra bonus, the gelateria has a delightful bleach-white decor that’s ideal for taking Instagram photos.

Pro Tip
Add Bloom to your Master of None tour of Modena. This gelateria was one of several locations featured in the Netflix cult hit TV show’s second season.

Gelateria Bloom is located at Via Luigi Carlo Farini, 23, 41121 Modena MO, Italy.

The Best Gelato In Parma

Eating Gelato at Ciacco Lab Parma in Parma
Another short train ride from Bologna will take you to Parma where you can easily eat your weight in cheese, meat and gelato. We ate this gelato at Parma’s Ciacco Lab. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

It’s difficult to miss Ciacco Lab – the artisan gelateria is located directly across from the historic Teatro Regio. However, gelato lovers will say that Parma’s opera house is located directly across from Ciacco Lab.

Ciacco Lab’s owner, Stefano Guzzetti, takes gelato seriously by using the best available local and seasonal ingredients. His reward is a ‘three cones’ designation from Gambero Rosso. For food travelers, the reward is gelato worthy of a special trip.

Pro Tip
Ciacco Lab has tempting dairy-free options for those who follow a lactose-free or vegan diet.

Ciacco Lab is located at Str. G. Garibaldi, 11, 43121 Parma PR, Italy.

The Best Gelato In Reggio Emilia

Gelato at Cremeria Capolinea in Reggio Emilia
Well worth a short train ride from Bologna, Reggio Emilia’s Cremeria Capolinea has won multiple awards for its creative gelato creations. | Image: ©2foodtrippers

Eating at Cremeria Capolinea poses a challenge – narrowing down the choices from 24 seasonal flavors created in the gelateria’s upstairs laboratory. These flavors represent the best of Emilia Romagna, with most ingredients directly sourced from local farms using a ‘zero kilometer’ approach.

Owner and former computer scientist Simone De Feo makes gelato magic without using any artificial ingredients or emulsifiers. During our visit, we sampled a range of his sweet and savory flavors before ordering a cone topped with scoops of Robiola Cheese Pear and Prune gelato. Bliss on a cone!

Pro Tip
Don’t hesitate to order a sweet treat to go with your gelato. You can choose from options like panettone, muffins and cookies.

Cremeria Capolinea is located at Viale Ettore Simonazzi, 14, 42121 Reggio Emilia RE, Italy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between gelato and ice cream?

Gelato has more milk and less cream compared to ice cream. It’s also delicious.

Is gelato good in Bologna?

Most gelato in Bologna is good. The gelato at our recommended gelato shops is great.

What is the best gelato in Bologna?

While Cremeria Santo Stefano is our favorite Bologna gelato shop, the best way to answer this question is to taste them all yourself.

Where did Anthony Bourdain eat gelato in Bologna?

Anthony Bourdain didn’t include any Bologna gelato shops when he filmed the Emilia-Romagna episode for the ninth season of No Reservations

Where did Stanley Tucci eat gelato in Bologna?

Stanley Tucci skipped eating gelato shops in Bologna when he filmed the first season of Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy. You’ll have to rely on our recommendations instead.

Is gelato expensive in Bologna?

No. In fact, most Bologna gelato shops are highly affordable.

Is tipping necessary in Bologna?

No. Tipping is optional in Italy.

What’s the best time to eat gelato in Bologna.

It’s always a good time to eat gelato in Bologna.

Bologna Planning Checklist

Check out our guide to eating in Italy as well as our picks for the best Italian foods and the best Italian desserts before your trip so that you don’t miss a delicious bite.

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About The Authors

About The Authors

Daryl & Mindi Hirsch

Saveur Magazine’s BEST TRAVEL BLOG award winners Daryl and Mindi Hirsch share their culinary travel experiences and recipes on the 2foodtrippers website. Since launching the site in 2012, they’ve traveled to over 40 countries in their quest to bring readers their unique taste of the world.

Disclosures

Article Updates
We update our articles regularly. Some updates are major while others are minor link changes and spelling corrections. Let us know if you see anything that needs to be updated in this article.

Funding
We purchased and ate the gelato featured in this article.

Sponsorship
We thank Emilia Romagna Tourism for hosting us during our participation in the Blogville project in collaboration with iAmbassodor. We also thank Bologna Welcome for inviting us to join their Bologna Between the Porticoes and Gelato tour.

Original Publication Date: October 26, 2017
Republish Date: December 15, 2019

Cath

Saturday 9th of March 2019

Loved your comments. Cremeria Funivia isn't near Piazza Cavour though - your ice-creams would have melted by the time you got there! I think you're getting mixed up with Cremeria Cavour.

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Thursday 11th of April 2019

Thanks for your comment. We have updated the guide to avoid any confusion.

Donna Meyer

Sunday 29th of October 2017

I'm drooling. I trust you guys for any food recommendatlions anywhere, but... GELATO!! I'm bookmarking this post for future reference. Some of those flavors sound amazing. I'd travel just for speculoos gelato. And that dark chocolate with sour cherries. And... and... and..... Well done!

Christina

Saturday 28th of October 2017

Ahh we had gelato in Bologna, but I cannot remember what the shop was called! This is a brilliant idea, I wish we had two weeks to enjoy this much gelato in Bologna like y'all did!

Andi

Saturday 28th of October 2017

But which was your #1 favorite?? I love gelato and think that this was a very tough assignment. Last summer I read a book on ice cream history that kind of bashed gelato makers and using artificial and industrial ingredients, I was worried, but now I see that if you pick and choose correctly you can still find masterful gelato made artisanally - great news!

Daryl and Mindi Hirsch

Saturday 28th of October 2017

We've been finding great gelato all over the world but none better than in Bologna. It's out there if you seek it! As for our favorite from this article, every gelateria was great for different reasons. But for pure gelato yumminess, we'll have to go with the chocolate cone from Cremeria Santo Stefino.

Eva

Saturday 28th of October 2017

I have a very bad sin to confess. As someone who was brought up with gelato, having grown up in Italy, I completely lack the will to explore it. Even when I visit a new gelateria, Ialways stick with the flavours I like, and nearly never go on and try new flavours. Same with pizza, really. I will rarely sample a different type than the 2-3 favourites of mine. Dang, I realize visitors enjoy our food on a different level than us locals :D

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