GELATO IS ONE of Italy’s most famous desserts. Silkier and thicker in texture than ice cream, there’s nothing more satisfying on a hot Italian day than slurping on an indulgent scoop of the stuff. Plus, gelato has less cream and sugar than ice cream, so it at least sounds healthier.

You may have a hundred very personal reasons to call Milan a must-visit destination, but there is one that comes to mind for sure. What’s your guess? A small hint – it was made famous by the buy a guy named Buontalenti who tried to impress the Great Duke of Florence. Not helpful at all? Well, to put it another way, Italians count it by scoops and produce more than 6 billion of it each year. Of course, it’s the very famous and delicious gelato which all of us are dying to taste.

Gelato is sure an Italian invention but there’s no clear evidence where it did originate from. The saying goes that in the 17th-century chef Buontalenti spent four months trying to create a dessert just to impress the Great Duke of Florence. Thank God he eventually came up with gelato. Today, it’s not that important in which city or village gelato was made in the first place. We know that gelato is the product of Italy and we all want to taste the original, well-made gelato during our trip.

Milan is one of those cities which has so much to offer that sometimes you just face the paradox of choice. Too many cool shops and coffee places, too many beautiful churches, too many well-dressed fashionistas on the street, and, of course, too many ice-cream shops…In such a big city like Milan, you can easily get lost choosing the best place to eat gelato. Especially, when there are many not-so-Italian ice-cream shops on your way to Duomo di Milano. To help you get the best gelato tasting experience ever, we suggest visiting any of the 5 gelato places listed below. It’s all approved not only by TripAdvisor or Foursquare, but also by locals, so there’s no way you’re gonna regret it. Pick the one that’s closest to your hotel and Buon appetito!

Talking about gelato is like talking about football: two timeless, traditional Italian passions that the world desires. Both gelato and football keep us company through every season all year long. When we talk about football, we feel like we should be the coach, and by the end of the game, we always know best who should have played or which player should have gone out first. We talk about gelato in the same way, feeling as though we are all connoisseurs of ice cream. Each of us thinks that we know the best gelato flavor and the best gelato shop. But beware! There’s always a different answer depending on the person! We are Italian, and we love to contradict each other!

However, gelato has become a delicate subject, especially in Milan, as it’s becoming harder to say which shop has the best artisan gelato. Some have an international clientele, maintain a classic Italian image, combine music and gelato, are renowned for their specialty flavors, offer gelato for vegans and lactose intolerants, and propose traditional tastes from their pastry shop.

It’s difficult to try them all, even for a sweet tooth like me who has loved authentic Italian gelato from childhood through to adulthood.Below, among great classics and new spots, here is our “ranking” of the best artisan gelato shops in Milan.

You are in Milan and it is a good chance to taste home-made ice cream, because Milan is fool of good Gelato shops!

1. Il Massimo del gelato.L’Originale

Located in Via Lodovico Castelvetro street, between Domodossola and Gerusalemme metro stations, Il Massimo del gelato is a top-rated gelateria in the heart of Milan, opened in 2001. Unlike other tourist-friendly ice cream shops, this place doesn’t offer extravagant flavour savors. Instead, they specialize in making the very best original gelato made from high-quality ingredients. For those who enjoy creamier ice-cream, we suggest trying almond or pistachio gelato and for those who are more into fruity tastes – lemon or mango sorbet.

Here, you’ll know what it means to be ”spoiled for choice.” The display counter is a triumph of colors and flavors, from fruity to creamy to the most complex. The chocolate here is one of its strong points and comes in 10 different variations.

2. Gelato Giusto

This little ice-cream shop offers one of the best gelatos in the city. Not only they use fresh and local ingredients, such as Lombard cow’s milk, for their original gelato, but they also update the menu according to the season. You will always find great variations of sorbets made from fresh seasonal fruit and, of course, the classic stracciatella or pistachio. They have vegan-friendly and lactose-free options as well. The cornerstones of Gelato Giusto are gelato made fresh daily, natural ingredients, high-quality milk, fresh seasonal fruit. In short, the excellent quality and an equally authentic atmosphere will make you feel at home.

3. Gusto 17

Further from the city center, in Via Savona street, you will find a lovely gelateria Gusto 17. Their philosophy is to look for flavors that don’t exist but are very familiar to each of us, such as a flavor of our grandmother’s cake. Giusto 17 makes the most delicious chocolate ice-cream made from the highest-quality cocoa. They also follow the seasonal path and use only the fresh fruits that are available during the season. Vegan options found here as well.

4. La Gelateria Della Musica

La Gelateria Della Musica definitely is one of the most popular in Milan. Not only you’ll hear music in the background all day long but also find that they name every flavor after a different song or singer. They have a lot of interesting flavors to offer and they change their menu almost every day, so make sure you come earlier and take a spot on the line – it gets really crowded there, especially during the mid-summer season.

5. Pavé Gelati & Granite

Even though Pavé Gelati & Granite is a less known gelateria in Milan, locals say that this is one of the best places to taste Italian gelato. It has a clean and minimalist interior which immediately catches your attention and invites to come in. The flavors of their gelato are beyond the limits – they make gelato inspired by the recipes of various pastries, such as Tonka, Tea and Biscuits, and much more. Of course, they don’t forget the classics as well. Vanilla, pistachio or hazelnut are among the best in Pavé Gelati & Granite.

The creations at this award-winning pastry shop are delicious. Pavé’s gelato and granitas are inspired by the delightful recipes that made them famous throughout Italy, celebrating the values of quality, craftsmanship, and seasonality with grace

6. La Bottega Del Gelato

It was 1964 when Giunetto Cardelli, a real Tuscan, opened La Bottega del Gelato. Since then, with over 50 years of experience under his belt, it has become an institution in Milan. Here, traditions go hand in hand with bold experimentation.

With a continually evolving selection of over 50 flavors, La Bottega del gelato makes all its ice cream on premises, with menu-adjustments made for seasonal ingredients. Best known for their fruity flavors (including unusual varieties such as dragon fruit, mandarin, and passion fruit ) and sorbetto-filled excavated fruits, La Bottega del gelato is a mainstay among Milanese gelaterias.

7. Gelateria Paganelli

Recognized as one of the best gelato shops in Italy, Gelateria Paganelli is the epitome of quality. Here, classic flavors are accompanied by more unusual ones, like the salted pistachio!

8. Biancolatte

Check this place out for a healthy, tasty gelato made with only the finest selected raw ingredients, fresh milk, and lots of seasonal fruit. Pistachio, dark chocolate, hazelnut, buonbiscotto, stracciatella, and yogurt, together with fruity flavors, are Biancolatte’s specialties.