Looking for the perfect sweet treat to cool off during a hot New York City day?
Look no further than gelato!
Gelato is a delicious Italian dessert that is similar to ice cream but with a denser, creamier texture and a lower fat content.
In recent years, New York City has seen an explosion of gelato shops offering a variety of flavors and textures, each with their own unique twist on this classic dessert.
In this article, we’ll explore the 10 best gelato shops in NYC and what makes them stand out.
1. FIGO il Gelato Italiano
- Website
- Address : 178 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
- Phone : (212) 226-6758
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Figo il gelato italiano is a gelato shop that uses only the best natural ingredients to create unique and delicious flavors.
The shop is staffed by the same people who worked with the ice cream shop “Mo Gelato” to preserve its experience and history.
You will love the distinct and fresh flavors and consistently velvety smooth texture of the gelato.
In addition to their gelato, they also offer pastries, coffee, and hot drinks.
Figo il gelato italiano is a must-visit spot in Little Italy for anyone looking for the best gelato in NYC.
2. Bambina Blue
- Website
- Address: 23 Cleveland Pl, New York, NY 10012
- Phone : (646) 692-3452
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Bambina Blue is a gelato shop that serves creative, homemade flavors, pastries, and coffee.
It offers a unique experience where anything goes, and you can stay all day surrounded by stylish decor and a cool vibe.
The gelato flavors are exotic and unique. The service is amazing, and the staff makes you feel comfortable in trying out different flavors.
Although there’s limited seating space, the cafe area is lovely to sit and enjoy your ice cream or coffee.
Bambina Blue is an excellent place for a quick treat and coffee break or a reason to visit for a great gelato experience.
3. Dolce Brooklyn – Artisanal Gelato & Ice Cream
- Website
- Address: 204 Sackett St, Brooklyn, NY 11231
- Phone : (718) 855-0680
Dolce Brooklyn offers hand-crafted gelato and sorbetto made in small batches on premises to ensure freshness.
Their gelato is made with award-winning milk from the Hudson Valley and only the finest ingredients are added to create unique and creative flavors.
The shop offers a rotating selection of flavors, including classic favorites and new and innovative creations.
In addition to gelato and sorbetto, Dolce Brooklyn offers a variety of other treats, such as macarons and custom cakes made with gelato or sorbetto on a cookie crust.
They also offer pint-sized containers of their Serious Chocolate Gelato, which comes with six macarons.
Although the shop is small with limited indoor seating, Dolce Brooklyn offers outdoor seating options.
You can also order ahead from their Brooklyn location for pick-up.
4. Screme Gelato Bar
- Website
- Address: 176 W 94th St, New York, NY 10025
- Phone: (646) 870-7798
Screme Gelato Bar is a popular kosher gelato shop with a mission to bring fresh, natural, and healthy ice cream to a wide range of customers.
With an emphasis on creative and attractive displays, each branch of Screme Gelato Bar provides a fun and exciting shopping experience that attracts discerning customers who are looking for high-quality, natural products.
Their selection of gelato flavors includes unique and exciting options like lemon and whiskey brownie, tiramisu, and sea salt caramel, as well as rotating seasonal flavors.
They also offer hot dishes like crepes, Belgian waffles, and hot cakes, as well as premium chocolate products and other desserts.
I like their gelato with many noting the healthy and not-too-sweet ingredients used.
5. Anita La Mamma del Gelato
Two locations :
- Address: 1141 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
- Address: 1561 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
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Anita La Mamma del Gelato has become an international sensation since its modest beginnings in a small Mediterranean kitchen almost 20 years ago.
It all started with Mama Anita and her youngest son Nir whipping up tasty frozen treats for friends and neighbors.
With Nir preparing the ice cream base and Mama Anita making the addictive jams mixed in, they eventually found success selling their ice cream from a cart at a weekly local market.
This led to the opening of their first store, which was so successful that older brother Adi joined in and helped to expand the business internationally.
Anita’s boutique ice creams are 100% hand-made, and they offer over 150 different kinds of frozen yogurt, sorbets, and organic sugar-free, fat-free, soy-based, and real cream-based ice creams.
If you’re a gelato lover, you won’t be disappointed with their gelato. They have an impressive selection of flavors and unique combinations that you can sample until you find the perfect one.
6. Venchi
- Website
- Address: 861 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
- Address: 1796 Broadway, New York, NY 10019
- Address: 233 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
- Address: 198 Columbus Ave, New York, NY 10023
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Venchi is a chocogelateria that offers a wide selection of chocolates and gelato, bringing the Italian lifestyle to the world.
With more than 140 years of history, Venchi now operates in over 70 countries with 150+ boutiques.
The chocolates are made with natural ingredients such as Piedmont Hazelnuts, Green Pistachio from Bronte, and Sicilian Almonds, while the gelato is freshly made daily and now has vegan options.
Venchi also has a seating area with cascading chocolate walls, creating a truly immersive experience.
You will love the quality of the ice cream and gelato, with all flavors living up to the hype.
The store’s wide selection of chocolates and cute holiday gift options also make it a popular destination.
7. Gelateria Gentile
Gelateria Gentile is a little shop from South Italy that has been offering homemade gelato since 1880.
The Gentile family’s passion for quality raw materials and old traditional recipes has made them stand out.
The art of making genuine gelato has been passed down from generation to generation, offering a true Italian experience even overseas.
Today, Gelateria Gentile has expanded to New York, where it has become a new reference point for gelato lovers.
You will be impressed with the quality of the gelato, which is fresh, not too sweet, and comes in a variety of flavors that change daily.
In addition to gelato, the shop offers crepes, which are also delicious.
With four locations in Brooklyn, West Village, University Place, and Nolita, Gelateria Gentile has become a must-visit for those looking for authentic Italian gelato in New York.
8. il laboratorio del gelato
- Website
- Address: 188 Ludlow St, New York, NY 10002
- Phone: (212) 343-9922
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Il Laboratorio del Gelato is a chic corner gelato counter and cafe in Manhattan offering a rotating selection of gourmet flavors made on-site.
The founder, Jon, has a deep-rooted passion for ice cream that started when he was just nine years old working at his grandparents’ ice cream shop.
After discovering gelato in Greenwich Village and during a trip to Italy, he decided to bring the unique Italian method to Manhattan and started his own business, the Ciao Bella Gelato Company.
He eventually sold it to take it to the national stage.
At Il Laboratorio del Gelato, there are so many gelato flavors to choose from, and they strive to create new and unique flavors in their lab.
I would recommend the Ginger and Cucumber flavor, which is refreshing and has a beautiful creamy texture.
The quality of the gelato is superb, and they also offer milkshakes, affogatos, and drinks as well.
It’s not too sweet and comes in a cute little rectangular tub.
It’s no wonder that people consider it the best gelato in NYC, with sorbets that are perfect for cooling off on hot summer days.
9. L’Arte del Gelato
- Website
- Address: 75 9th Ave, New York, NY 10011
- Phone: (212) 366-0570
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L’Arte del Gelato is a New York-based chain that specializes in crafting both traditional and innovative flavors of gelato and sorbetto.
Founded in 2005 by Francesco Realmuto, a Sicilian native with a passion for authentic Italian food, the company is committed to producing an artisanal gelato made from all-natural ingredients of the highest quality.
The gelato chain has selected some of the most glamorous locations in NYC for its retail shops, including Chelsea Market, the Oculus at the World Trade Center, the Lincoln Center, and the High Line.
Additionally, L’Arte del Gelato carts can be found inside some of the most famous museums in the city, such as the Metropolitan Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Guggenheim Museum.
There is a wide variety of gelato and sorbetto flavors available in L’Arte del Gelato.
Apart from the gelato, you should definitely try their waffle cones.
10. Cones Artisanal Ice Cream Since 1998
- Website
- Address: 272 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
- Phone: (212) 414-1795
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Cones Artisanal Ice Cream has been serving fresh, delicious, and affordable ice cream in the West Village since 1998.
This small ice cream shop offers both classic and unique flavors, with over 30 different options to choose from.
Whether you’re in the mood for traditional ice cream or something more exotic, Cones has got you covered.
And with generous portion sizes and low prices, you’ll definitely get your money’s worth.
One standout flavor is the Cinnamon Honey, which boasts a perfect balance of cinnamon and honey flavors.
Another unique option is the Sweet Corn, which features chunks of sweet corn in a smooth and creamy ice cream.
The gelato at this place is amazing! They offer over 30 flavors, including 5-6 vegan ones, and the prices are low ($8 for 4 decent-size scoops).
The small and colorful interior of the shop is the perfect spot to escape the city and indulge in some artisanal ice cream.