Not-to-be-missed Gelaterie in Milan

If you are a gelato (the Italian word for ice cream) lover, you are lucky, since you happen to find yourself in ‘the’ land of gelato par excellence! Though Milan boasts a profusion of good gelaterie, we’ve picked some of our favourites to help you ease your research of the best options in the city.

If you happen to be in the area around the Stazione Centrale, possibly because you’re either departing or arriving from here, look for an ice cream stall called Antica Gelateria Sartori, overlooking piazza Luigi di Savoia. Instead of psychedelic colours and trendy décor, you’ll find authentic, high-quality ice cream that has been titillating the taste buds of the Milanese and tourists for the past 80 years. Vegan, lactose and gluten-free options are also available.

Another traditional, highly-sought after gelateria in the city is Il Massimo del Gelato, in the Corso Sempione/Arco della Pace district, renowned, above all, for its infinite, and delicious, variations on the theme of chocolate. Highlights include dark chocolate with gold leaves, 99% dark chocolate and chocolate and pepper variations.

An absolute must for those looking to try alternative flavours and unusual pairings is Pavé Gelati e Granite in the V Giornate district. Its dedication to only the freshest, high-quality ingredients has earned it a wide-reaching reputation. Try its coffee and cardamom or almond and Maraschino cherry flavours, or cool off with a mouth watering granita (sorbet).

Located in the Stazione Centrale area, gelateria Terra serves a light gelato with a distinctive flavour, in a welcoming, design-oriented locale that features a window overlooking the artisanal workshop, where you can watch all the stages of the ice cream making process. In addition to the quality of its ingredients (Terra only uses mountain hay milk from South Tyrol, eggs laid by free-range, uncaged hens from a controlled supply chain, and mono-origin cocoa from Madagascar, Peru and the Dominican Republic), the characteristic that makes this gelateria unique is its wide range of sweet and salty flavours. Apart from classic flavours, including its deliciously creamy tiramisu or its Sicilian pistachio gelato, you can sample unusual gastronomic flavours like pea and mint, butter and anchovies or Parmigiano Reggiano.

At this small pop boutique, decorated in shades of pink, you’ll find pastry chef Ilaria Forlani’s frozen creations. Glacé Sweet Concept Store uses premium-quality ingredients and offers customers a product that is 100% natural, created using only fresh milk from her family’s farms in Brescia, plus fresh, seasonal fruit, grape and raw brown sugar and no artificial colours, flavourings, thickeners or hydrogenated fats. In addition to a selection of more classic flavours like crema glacé, Nectar of the gods, yoghurt, hazelnut or pistachio, she also offers several other more creative options including ice stones or sushi gelato, which has already gained cult status and is prepared by hand. Curious? Head to via Archimede in the Cinque Giornate district and try it for yourself.

Dairy and egg-free ice cream? This is now an option and, what’s more, when Domori, a manufacturer of premium-quality chocolate, is involved, you’re in for a treat! This ice cream parlour in the heart of Milan, at the crossroads between via Carducci and corso Magenta, combines the requirements of committed vegans, or those who are lactose intolerant, with people who are passionate about artisanal ice cream. Gelato Libre only uses cocoa and dried fruit, allowing the essence of the raw material to shine through, and the addition of water further enhances this in terms of flavour and creaminess. It could, therefore, be described as ‘water-based ice cream’ – since only spring water is used, and the gelato is creamed on the spot using a special machine. At present, eight flavours are available: Criollo chocolate, chocolate and whisky, Libre cream, tiramisù, caramel, makaron, pistachio and hazelnut, all served in biodegradable cups with a low environmental impact.