Gelato is as dense with history as it is, flavor: Bernardo Buontalenti is said to have invented the sweet treat in Renaissance Florence. Today, if you ask Florentines which spot in the city scoops the best, you’ll get 10 different answers. Some shops specialize in certain flavors—crunchy stracciatella, or tangy Amalfi lemon—while some serve it in caramel-colored cones, and others stick to the standard paper bowls. There's no shortage of options, but it's easy to be fooled by impostors: brightly (and artificially) colored mountains of gelato are piled high to draw in tourists. So long as you keep this list on hand—our picks for the best gelato shops in Florence—you won't have to worry about that.

1. La Strega Nocciola

 A large space with crisp whites and creams and a wall of exposed brick, La Strega Nocciola has a fun, shabby-chic vibe and a laissez-faire style. Just across from the Ponte Vecchio, this shop is centrally located; it's also open until 10:30 p.m., making it a great pit-stop at nearly all hours. Lavender and hazelnut are two of the signature flavors, but if you're looking for something more unusual, try the Azteca—white chocolate and cinnamon—the rosemary, or the blood orange.

2. Gelateria Perchè No

Far from fancy, Gelateria Perchè No, one of the oldest gelato establishments in Florence, is a family-run shop with an ice cream counter dominating the space; "Perchè No" is written in cursive neon lights, which helps passersby identify it from the street. Founded in 1939, back when proper refrigeration was in short supply, Gelateria Perchè No started experimenting with egg-white spumoni and other cool-but-not-cold whipped sweet treats. Today, those creations live on in the form of signature semifreddo offerings.

3. Il Procopio

At Il Procopio, a family-owned shop, the gelato is extra creamy because the signature recipe leans more heavily on cream than milk. Flavors are a league above; for instance, La Follia ("madness," in Italian) mixes toasted almond, fig, orange peel, and homemade pistachio paste. Other nontraditional favorites include lemon with basil; bread pudding; Black Forest cake; and Sacher torte, a riff on the Viennese chocolate cake. There's also a wide range of fresh-fruit sorbets.

4. Gelateria La Carraia

Owned by a husband and wife, Gelateria La Carraia—named for its neighbor Ponte Alla Carraia, the city's second-oldest bridge—opened in 1990 and now has two locations in Florence. There's often a line leading into the simple, bright shop; locals and tourists alike love this place for its flavors, which range from classics like stracciatella and chocolate to more inventive varieties like After Eight mint and ricotta and pear. There are also three house specialties: white chocolate with pistachio sauce; cream with orange sauce and dark chocolate; and cream with waffle and chocolate.

5. My Sugar

Much of what My Sugar makes comes from ingredients sourced directly from San Lorenzo, the famous market nearby. The menu at this shop, which is owned by a young couple, is creative, and the gelato is made daily onsite. Favorites include melacotta (ricotta, apple, cinnamon, and honey) and Malaga (sweet marsala wine and raisins in a cream base). There are Asian-inspired flavors, too, including black sesame and adzuki bean. Dairy-free vegan options include orange-and-ginger sorbet and almond-milk ice.

6. Carapina

Opened in 2008, Carapina, on the Piazza Guglielmo Oberdan, has a younger, fresher feel than many of Florence's older gelato establishments. There are even TV screens showcasing the gelato-making process and an area where artisanal products, including jams and cookies, are sold. Seasonal fruit, high-quality cacao, and rich nuts form the basis of this shop's preservative-, thickener-, and excess sugar-free gelatos. Flavors change with the calendar—at Christmas, for instance, there's panettone—though some flavors stay put year round, including olive oil and crema del artusi, an egg-based vanilla custard (both are wins).

7. Gelateria Pasticceria Badiani

Opened in 1932, Badiani is at the high end of Florence gelaterias. The large shop is perfectly designed, with a curved wooden counter presiding over a kaleidoscope of flavors and colors. The design is simple—light, white, and yet beautifully presented with care and consideration. All the better to let the sweets—gelatos, cakes, pastries, and freshly baked croissants—shine. The gelato is made fresh daily, and the menu's flavors are extensive; try Buontalenti, one of the signature flavors, which mixes egg cream and chocolate.

8. Gelateria de' Medici

With its dark wood walls and classic chandelier, Gelateria de' Medici feels distinctly Italian, with a kind of glamour you might only find in Florence. Also distinctly Italian: the extensive wooden gelato counter, home to more than 40 flavors. Among the choices are traditional standards (chocolate, hazelnut, cherry) as well as more unique options like Cunese, an intense chocolate liqueur, and rose-scented chocolate. The shop also sells delectable cakes and pastries, as well as Crema de’ Medici, a magical cream-and-chocolate house specialty. Keep in mind that the shop is a little bit outside of central Florence, so you'll need to plan your trip; you're not just going to stumble on it.

9. I Gelati del Bondi

I Gelati del Bondi isn't fancy, but its gelato is fresh, its interior is vibrant (a painted mural runs across the back wall), and, unlike other Florentine gelaterias, there are actual places to sit, both inside and out. There's also a full menu serving coffees, pizzas, and sandwiches. This shop is located near the Firenze Santa Maria Novella train station and attracts an international crowd, but don't let that deter you from the salted caramel gelato, which always gets top marks. Other favorites include cheesecake, chai latte, and Oreo.

10. Gelateria dei Neri

Well positioned near the Uffizi gallery, the more than 30-year-old Gelateria dei Neri has high ceilings and a large gelato counter with a wide array of flavors, as well as another case for granita and semifreddo. Gelato comes in big portions and the flavor selection is wide-ranging and creative, from salted caramel to ricotta with fig. The shop is one of the only places we've seen that does an on-trend matcha; additionally, its pistachio ricotta cremino—essentially pistachio nutella—is devilishly good. Its prime location means there's usually a line, though the staff remains friendly and knowledgable.

11. Vivoli

Vivoli, which dates back to 1929, is Florence’s oldest gelateria. The shop is delightfully old-fashioned, with wood and tiled walls and handmade—well, everything. There are no cones here—only cups—and the only ingredients that are purchased externally are pistachios and hazelnuts. Otherwise, everything else is grown by the family that owns the shop. The gelato, meanwhile, is made from natural ingredients, without any additives, preservatives, emulsifiers, or dyes. There are also cookies, tarts, and rice puddings, as well as a number of traditional Florentine frozen desserts, including marengo, made with puff pastry, sponge cake, and house-made meringues.