Best Gelato In Venice - My Italian Family’s 10 Favorite Gelaterie In Venice (2024)

Last updated on June 22nd, 2024

Venice is one of the coolest and most impressive cities in all the world but it can be a bit overwhelming and exhausting to first time travelers. I can guarantee you that nothing helps you more, gets you back on your feet then a little gelato!

Living in Italy for over a decade now has given me countless opportunities to recharge with gelato and after years of traveling to Venice, my family has tasted enough gelato in Venice to create this list of our absolute favorite gelaterias in the city.

In this article, I will tell you:

where to find the best gelato in Venice
which flavors to try in each gelateria
specialties of each gelateria
which type of traveler the gelateria is best for

I will also cover:

the difference between gelato and ice cream
how to find good quality gelato in Venice
the best gelato flavors to try in Venice

If you would like to learn more about about gelato in Italy, be sure to read:
Is Italian Gelato Gluten-Free? A Guide To Eating Gelato For Visitors With Allergies
How To Order Gelato In Italy – Step-by-Step Guide + Tips
Gelato In Italy – The Scoop on Italy’s Favorite Sweet Treat

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The Difference Between Gelato And Ice Cream

view of gelato case with various flavors and small cards on top indicating flavors

There are several differences between Italian gelato and ice cream, even though they may look very similar.

Italian Gelato is:

fattier, about 4-8% compared to 14%
made with milk, not cream
typically made without eggs (unless it’s a custard based flavor)
slow-churned and more dense
is stored at higher temperature and softer

Dig Deeper: To learn more about all Italian frozen treats read The Difference Between Gelato, Ice Cream and Sorbet, Cremolata and Granita- A Comprehensive Guide.

How To Find Quality Gelato In Venice

Metal containers hold gelato at a gelateria in Italy.

Venice is full of tourist traps but it’s easy to find the best gelato in Venice if you stick to my top tips:

Look for dull, muted colors (not bright, neon ones)
Avoid mounds of gelato
Avoid large tubs or containers of gelato
Look for aluminum containers
Flavors should be seasonal (i.e. no strawberry in the middle of winter)
Look for a long line!

Gelato Flavors To Try In Venice

side view of gelato case displaying various flavors with tags indicating flavor in front.

Here is a list of the best flavors to try in Venice. Most of these flavors can be found throughout Italy but the ingredients in these gelati grow well in Veneto:

Crema: cream, a classic Italian favorite, made with eggs.
Cookies: gelato made with locally made cookies
Panettone: gelato made with panettone during the Christmas season
Frittelle: gelato made with frittelle, a local Carnival treat from Venice
Bussolai: made with the famous butter cookies from Burano

For a full list of gelato flavors, read Italian Gelato Flavors – A Complete List of Gelato Flavors You’ll Find in Italy (+ Printable Quick Guide).

Map Of The Best Gelato In Venice

Best Gelato In Venice Quick Guide

Gelateria in Venice	Area of Venice	Best For	Specialty
Gelateria Nico	Zattere	Gluten-free Venice travelers, waterfront gelato in Venice	Gianduiotto
Suso	Rialto Bridge	Vegans	Italian pastry flavors
Gelateria di Natura	All over Venice	Budget travelers	All-natural gelato
Gelateria Il Doge	Dorsoduro	Authentic, hip neighborhood in Venice (off the beaten track)	Crema di Doge (chocolate with candied orange peel)
La Mela Verde	Castello	Gelato on a quiet canal (great location for kids to run up and down as well)	Gelato sandwich
Venchi	Piazza San MarcoRialto BridgeSanta Lucia Train Station	Chocolate lovers or if you are waiting to board your train at the Santa Lucia Train Station	Vegan chocolate sorbetto
Bacaro del Gelato	Cannaregio	Pairing with a stroll in Cannaregio with aperitivo, dinner or coffee along the Rio della Misericordia	Classic Italian flavors (especially the nut flavors)
Gelateria Alaska	Santa Croce (close to Santa Lucia Train Station)	Adventurous foodies	Strange gelato flavors such as celery and ginger, tomato and basil, and artichoke
Gelateria Ca’ D’Oro	Rialto Bridge	Sustainable gelato	Crema di bussolai (custard with butter cookies)
Pasticceria Salva Rosa	Piazza San Marco	Travelers with different cravings in Venice	Pastries and coffee but also makes decent gelato

Gelati Nico

Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 922, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy

Gelateria Nico is located on the beautiful waterfront Fondamenta Zattere ai Gesuati with two separate outdoor seating areas (directly on the water and right outside the doors) plus ample seating indoors.

This gelateria is best known for their gianduiotto gelato flavor, chocolate hazelnut, served in a large, tall glass with a healthy dollop of whipped cream.

Unlike other gelaterias in Venice, Gelateria Nico is a place that also serves food, cocktails, spritz and much more, making it a win for everyone in the family. If one person feels like gelato but the other wants an aperitivo, this is where you want to be!

This gelateria is centrally located and able to cater for gluten-free travelers in Venice. Let them know when you order your gelato that you are coeliac and they will scoop your ice cream from a safe tub at the back of the store rather than using the main cabinet.

Good To Know: Don’t miss Terrazza dei Nobili and OKE Zattere for great pizza on the water.

Suso

Salizada S. Giovanni Grisostomo, 5801, 30121 Venezia VE (Cannaregio)

Sotoportego de la Bissa, 5453, 30124 Venezia VE (Piazza San Marco area)

The gelato at Suso is always reliable, even though it’s a small chain with two locations located in downtown Venice.

Tip: Keep your eyes peeled for places like SEPA for cicchetti and Rosticceria Gilson for great street food and takeout in Venice just close by to gelateria Suso.

Entrance to Gelateria Suso in Venice, Italy. People are ordering in counter and man waiting in doorway looking at his phone.

Suso is my top pick of the best gelato in Venice for travelers who love gelato and pastry. Suso creates unique gelato flavors , combining their passion for Italian pastry with their love for traditional Italian gelato. Think cookies and cream, butter cookies and vanilla, chocolate and tiramisù. It seems that every time I stop in they have a new flavor combination!

Vegan Travelers: If you are vegan, you can count on always finding something for you at Suso!

Gelato di Natura

Hand holds up pink cone in front of entrance to gelateria di Natura in Venice, Italy.

Six gelaterias located throughout Venice.

Gelato di Natura is so good that it has blown up in Venice, boasting six different locations scattered throughout the city center with other locations abroad as well.

The gelaterias have a small, standing room only but with ample, seasonal choices that won’t break the bank. So many gelaterias in Venice are overpriced but not here! €3 gets you a generous two-scoop cone with two flavors of your choice.

Display case with metal bins of gelato in Gelateria di Natura in Venice, Italy.

I found the gelato here to be one of the creamiest in Venice without being overly rich. The gelato is perfectly balanced between sweetness, creaminess and lightness.

Good To Know: Gelateria di Natura have very convenient locations in Venice. It makes for one of the best places for your kids to get gelato in Venice when you sit down for an aperitivo (such as in Campo San Giacomo and Campo Santi Apostoli).

Gelateria Il Doge

People waiting in line outside the doors of Il Doge Gelateria in Venice, Italy.

Sestiere Dorsoduro, 3058/A, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy

Gelateria Il Doge is my top pick for best gelato in Venice in a local, off the beaten path neighborhood. It’s located just off of Piazza Santa Margherita , a great place to spend a whole afternoon or evening in Venice. It’s full of authentic restaurants, bars and cafes, perfect for visiting for kids.

When I came to Gelateria Il Doge, I had to wait in line for 15 minutes and be very firm in holding my place in “line”. The gelateria doesn’t have an indoors but rather, a window on the street where you order and pay.

Hand scoops gelato from metal bins in gelateria Il Doge in Venice, Italy.

Their signature flavor is crema di doge (chocolate with candied orange peel) but they are also famous for all their chocolate flavors. Check out their spicy dark chocolate, or salted chocolate and chocolate hazelnut.

Good To Know: After you get gelato, spend some time sitting at one of the many cafes for coffee, relaxing with an aperitivo or grabbing a pizza.

La Mela Verde

Fondamenta de l’Osmarin, 4977/A, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy

La Mela Verde, meaning “The Green Apple” is another hole in the wall with between 10-15 daily flavors, all of which are made with local, seasonal ingredients.

Unfortunately, I was unable to taste the gelato at La Mela Verde on my last visit because it was closed for vacation.

One of the best things about La Mela Verde is its quiet location right on the Rio di San Provolo Canal. It’s the perfect spot to eat your gelato on a canal without the hustle and bustle of other tourists. The sidewalk is wide, making it a great option for smaller kids as well so that they can run up and down to expel some of their sugar high.

Good To Know: La Mela Verde is not far from Corte Scorta and Al Covo, two of Venice’s best restaurants.

Venchi

Three locations in Venice, including at the Santa Lucia Train Station.

Venchi is an Italian chocolate chain store in Italy but despite this, has amazing chocolate gelato flavors, always in the most convenient locations. In Venice, the three Venchi locations are no exception, located close to Piazza San Marco, The Rialto Bridge and at the Santa Lucia Train Station.

Venchi is my top pick for best gelato in Venice for chocolate-lover travelers looking to bring home other food souvenirs.

Bins of chocolates line window inside Venchi gelato and chocolate shop in Venice, Italy.

Venchi sells amazing chocolates (truffles, bars, Easter chocolates, Christmas specialties), all of top quality.

They also make excellent hot chocolate to enjoy in the winter and made-to-order crepes filled with their own chocolate hazelnut spread (choose from milk for dark chocolate), which you can also bring home with you.

Tip: If you can’t make it to Venchi in Venice, don’t worry. It’s one of my top picks for best gelato in Florence and they have locations in Rome as well!

Bacaro del Gelato

Hand holds up large cup of gelato in front of a canal in Venice, Italy.

Fondamenta de la Misericordia, 2499, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy

Bacaro del Gelato is where you will find the best gelato in Venice in Cannaregio. Located just next to Sullaluna Libreria & Bistro along the Rio della Misericordia (great location for aperitivo and coffee as well), Bacaro del Gelato is run by local Venetians dedicated to scooping piles of artisan-made gelato all day long.

Hand holds up large cup of gelato in front of Bacaro del Gelato in Venice, Italy.

Bacaro del Gelato’s flavors are usually pretty classic such as hazelnut, pistachio, dark chocolate and cream but you will also find daily specials that reflect the season such as raspberry, peach and lemon.

Two jars of pistachio cream with a price sign on a counter in a gelateria in Venice, Italy.

Don’t miss their artisan sweet nut spreads to bring home, the pistachio cream being their best seller.

Tip: Be careful about what size you order at Bacaro del Gelato. I asked for a small cup and it was enormous!

Gelateria Alaska

Blue and white striped awning over the entrance to Alaska gelateria in Venice, Italy. Small shop with large plastic cone sculpture outside and a couple of chairs.

Calle Larga dei Bari, 1159, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy

By its name and the looks of it, Gelateria Alaska seems quite cheap and touristy but it’s actually worth your time, especially after a long train ride (located close to Santa Lucia Train Station in the Santa Croce neighborhood).

Gelateria Alaska specializes in odd-flavors. You can always find the usual flavors as well such as chocolate and crema but keep your eye peeled for unique, seasonal flavors such as artichoke, ginger and tomato!

Tip: If you want to sit down, don’t miss the bar/cafè next door, perfect to sit down for a coffee, spritz or other drink and rest your legs.

Gelateria Ca’ D’Oro

Entrance to Ca d'Oro gelateria in Venice, Italy. Glass door and windows. Empty inside.

Strada Nova, 4273/b, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy

Gelateria Ca’ D’oro has some of the best gelato in Venice, particularly in regards to local, seasonal flavors. This artisan gelateria develops their daily flavors based on what is seasonal, underlining their dedication to sourcing ingredients locally.

Located on the main drag of Strada Nova, gelateria Ca’ D’Oro is perfect for an on-the-go snack as you travel through Venice on foot.

Don’t miss their crema con bussolai, a gelato flavor that embodies that dedication to local tradition and Venetian sweets.

Scoops in metal bins of gelato in Venice, Italy.

Good To Know: Vini da Gigio and Cà D’oro alla Vedova, some of my favorite restaurants in Venice are just around the corner from Gelateria Ca’ D’Oro.

BONUS: Pasticceria Rosa Salva

Entrance to Rosa Salva gelateria in Venice, Italy. Marble bulding with large glass windows.

Sestiere di S. Marco, 950, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Pasticceria Rosa Salva is actually one of my top places to have breakfast in Venice, but it’s good to know that they also make gelato, which is conveniently located just off of St. Mark’s square.

I wouldn’t consider this gelato the best in Venice but it’s decent, making it a great choice if you are traveling with others who are in the mood for coffee or pastries instead of gelato. Everyone can get what they want here!

Good To Know: Pasticceria Salva Rosa is particularly famous for the Carnival treats as well which can be found in January and February.

Best Gelato In Venice – Helpful Vocabulary

Hand holds up large cup of gelato in front of small bridge over a canal in Venice, Italy.

Italian	Pronunciation	English Translation
Vorrei…	Vohr-reh	I would like…
in un cono	een oon coh-noh	in a cone
in una coppa	een oonah cohp-peh-tah	in a cup
un gusto	oon goo-stoh	one flavor
due/tre/quattro gusti, tre gusti	doo-eh/treh/qwaht-troh goo-stee	two/three/four flavors
Posso assaggiare il cioccolato per favore?	poh-soh ahs-sahj-jah-reh eel chohk-koh-lah-toh pehr fah-voh-reh	May I please try the chocolate?
assaggiare	ahs-sahj-jah-reh	try
Dove posso pagare?	doh-veh poh-soh pah-gah-reh	Where do I pay?
Quanto costa?	qwahn-toh coh-stah	How much does it cost?
grazie	grah-zee-eh	thank you
per favore	per-fah-voh-reh	please
vegano	veh-gah-noh	vegan
senza lattosio	sen-zah laht-toh-seeoh	lactose-free