Gelato is ice cream’s cool, Italian cousin. It’s denser (made with less air) than its creamy counterpart, and in composition contains less cream, more milk, and usually less egg yolks and sugar. An added bonus is that gelato places tend to have a more nuanced and diverse range of flavor profiles than your average ice cream shop.
In many neighborhoods around New York City, it can be remarkably easy to find a worthwhile gelateria these days. Here are 8 places to try (actually, many more, given that some of the gelaterias on this list have multiple locations) next time you’re out and about and in need of a chilled treat.
188 Ludlow St., Manhattan
Essentially the mecca of gelato in NYC, this open-since-2002 gelato “lab” now boasts more than 300 flavors through its wholesale operation. While the flavor list gets trimmed down once you enter their headquarters on the Lower East Side—there are also two locations in suburban New Jersey—il laboratorio will still give you an eye-popping selection filled with bright colors and unique, simple flavors. They use seasonal fruits and vegetables, curating their menu to appeal to the traditional gelato lovers as well as the more ambitious ones.
2. Bambina Blue
23 Cleveland Place, Manhattan
Bambina Blue Gelato Wonder Room is the full name of this eccentric SoHo gelateria, which features 32 flavors ranging from the expected (vanilla straciatella) to the globally influenced (sesame gelato drizzled with pistachio sauce). Plus there are creative tangents such as Movie Night, with salted popcorn gelato mixed with crushed M&Ms. In other words, if you're looking to cool off with a simple gelato, this might not be the place for you, but if you like your cone or cup served with a colorful flair, Bambina Blue has you covered. The shop also offers sorbet, vegan variations, and two gelato sundae treats designed especially for dogs!
267 Lafayette St., Manhattan
The Italian hospitality group from Milan that boasts multiple restaurants across the city is now bringing its Italian roots to the gelato business. You can enjoy your traditional Italian gelato selection in a glamorous yet relaxed cafe setting, while upping your game with the coppe, gelato’s version of an ice cream sundae topped with whipped cream, fruit, or other toppings. This Sant Ambroeus classic allows customers to exit the sweaty streets of New York and pretend they've been whisked right to the Italian coast. The gelateria also offers a wide selection of vegan and sorbetto flavors, as well as many other sweets and coffee options.
253 Wythe Ave., Brooklyn; multiple locations, Manhattan
Gentile, originally founded in Italy in 1880 and known for placing mini-cones atop its gelato, has brought its expertise to four locations across NYC: three in Manhattan and one in Williamsburg. When I visited the Williamsburg shop, the location wasn’t receiving an insane amount of foot traffic, nor was their decor too over-the-top. I had a sneaking suspicion that this all meant the flavors would truly speak for themselves, and boy was I right. My favorite was the dark chocolate, as it was smooth with just the right amount of creaminess while bursting with pure chocolate flavor.
178 Mulberry St., Manhattan; 189 Bleecker St., Manhattan; 2902 23rd Ave, Queens;
I couldn’t have a complete guide to gelato without including a spot in Little Italy! This family-owned gelateria is on the smaller side, but its success has allowed it to expand to other locations in the West Village and Astoria, Queens. Using very traditional Italian flavors, FIGO fits the bill for exactly what one would be looking for on a trip to Little Italy: a down-to-earth gelateria with real-deal gelato that has all the classics.
200 5th Ave. and 101 Liberty St., 3rd floor, Manhattan
Just having the name recognition of Eataly, one of the premier Italian establishments in New York City, makes this particular gelato stand a must-try. Located amongst the other counters at Eataly’s famous Flatiron marketplace—and at the downtown Eataly near the World Trade Center—Il Gelato’s gelatos and sorbettos are made with the freshest ingredients sourced from Italy. Whether you have just finished a meal at one of Eataly’s on-site restaurants or taking a break from shopping for made-in-Italy food and drink products, Il Gelato offers a convenient and delicious diversion.
129 Gates Ave., Brooklyn; summer 2024 pop-up at 22 Orchard St., Manhattan
This is a more unorthodox, but equally tasty spot to get a satisfying cup of gelato. Biddrina Gelato, a concept created by the team at Locanda Vini e Olii, and located right outside of the popular restaurant in Brooklyn’s Clinton Hill, offers a condensed menu with a tantalizing array of flavor profiles. Spices like cardamom and turmeric get blended with traditional Italian flavors of chocolate and pistachio. One popular must-try gelato is a carrot-tumeric mix. Biddrina also has a 2024 summer pop-up outside of Sushi Oku in the Lower East Side, open weekdays (except Tuesday) from 4pm-midnight and weekends from noon to midnight.
204 Sackett St., Brooklyn
This storefront shop started by a Brooklyn couple has become the go-to spot for gelato in Carroll Gardens following a move from nearby Red Hook a few years back. There’s a rotating list of gelato and sorbetto made with fresh local and regional ingredients, including milk and cream from Battenill Vallery Creamery in the Hudson Valley. The walk-up counter also sells in-house macarons, as well as special sundaes and other surprises. Dolce’s gelato is also available on dessert menus at about 40 restaurants, including the acclaimed Red Hook Tavern.
Updated July 2024, removing Evelina pop-up and adding Bambina Blue and details about Biddrina Gelato's 2024 summer pop-up and Figo's second Manhattan location.
