Just because you’re eating gelato in Italy doesn’t automatically mean it’s authentic—or even any good. Unfortunately, many gelato shops continue to pass off subpar, factory-made junk as the real deal. That said, Italy still abounds with artisans who serve up fresh, handmade, all-natural gelato daily. Here, we’ve picked the places where you’ll find the best gelato in Italy, from Rome to Milan to Florence (where gelato was created). This gallery was originally published in 2014. It has been updated with new information

1. Gelato San Lorenzo, Rome

Though it’s just a few months old, Gelato San Lorenzo has already established itself as one of Rome’s best gelaterie, and it’s no wonder: Chef Stefano Ferrara uses only the highest quality milk, organic eggs, and strictly seasonal ingredients (lemons from Amalfi, hazelnuts from Piedmont) for intense and authentic flavors. Try the sinfully rich zabaione, a creamy, almost eggnog-like flavor that’s sweetened with marsala wine

2. Emilia Cremeria, Parma

You have to use your imagination at Emilia Cremeria: Instead of the typical mountains of gelato on display at most touristy gelaterias, theirs is packed tightly into covered silver containers—and you won’t even see it until you’ve ordered. But don’t panic: This safekeeping—the true mark of authentic gelato—ensures you’ll sink your fangs into the freshest, coldest gelato possible. It’s a perfect contrast to the warm, gooey, melted chocolate that they pour into your cone before heaping it with generous scoops of gelato.

3. Casa Infante, Naples

Conveniently located on buzzy Via Toledo, Casa Infante is renowned in Naples for its insanely thick, creamy gelato made from (you know the drill by now) seasonal ingredients and organic cream and eggs. But what makes Casa Infante really special is its menu of dreamy flavors like apricot cake (made with ripe apricots from nearby Vesuvius) and white fig and ricotta (buffalo ricotta mixed with caramelized figs from Cilento). As if the flavors alone weren’t enough, you can even get your gelato served to you inside a brioche.

4. La Carraia, Florence

Florence is the birthplace of gelato, so it’s no surprise that two of the country’s best gelaterias are here. Many locals swear that La Carraia, located slightly off the beaten path on the Oltrarno side of Ponte alla Carraia, is home to the best gelato anywhere, period. It's almost supernaturally creamy and the flavors are intense; you’ll be hard pressed to find dark chocolate gelato this dense or decadent anywhere else (except perhaps at Milan’s Il Massimo). Portions are generous, and prices are low: You can score a small cone for just €1 ($1.20).

5. Gelateria I Caruso, Rome

I Caruso may no longer be a local secret, but brave the long lines and go anyway. You can’t get gelato much fresher than this: It’s made on-site as you watch through a glass window. Flavors are a mixture of traditional and seasonal—melon, mandarin orange, and pineapple gelato steal the show in the summer—and they’ll top your gelato with fresh whipped cream, as well. 

6. La Sorbetteria Castiglione, Bologna

It's no wonder that this gelateria has expanded to two other locations—its stunning quality and innovative flavors have locals and now tourists flocking steadily in droves. The standout flavor here is the Dolce Emma, honey-caramelized figs and lemon tucked into silky ricotta gelato, closely followed by the Dolce Contagio, crisp candied walnuts in an earthy pine nut gelato. If you're looking for a lighter option, the seasonal fruit sorbettos are magnificent.

7. Alberto Marchetti, Turin

Locals swear that the gelato at Alberto Marchetti is the freshest-tasting in town, and they’re probably right: All Marchetti's gelato is served within 24 hours of it being made in-house. Marchetti takes pride in using seasonal ingredients of the highest quality, so much so that he even publishes the ingredient list for every flavor on his website. His gelato is surprisingly cheap, too—only €2 ($2.35) for a small cone with up to two flavors. We recommend the terrific fior di latte (mozzarella made from cow's milk) and farina bona, a surprisingly pleasant flour flavor, reminiscent of toasted corn.

8. Come il Latte, Rome

Though it’s located in a fairly tourist-congested area—about ten minutes’ walk from Termini station—Come il Latte still, unlike I Caruso, has that under-the-radar feel. The gelato here is no joke: sinfully rich and almost buttery, with transcendent flavors like mascarpone with biscotti, salted caramel, and whiskey cream. Like Emilia Cremeria, they’ll also fill your cone with chocolate before your scoop—and will top the finished product with chocolate as well, if you like.

9. Gelateria Alaska, Venice

This tiny gelato temple might be tucked away from the crowds in Santa Croce, but it’s well worth the trek. The quality is superb, the flavors are daring—think turmeric, rosewater, celery, and artichoke—and the owner, Carlo Pistacchi, is unfailingly hilarious and charming. The consistency of Alaska’s gelato is noticeably lighter and less dense than others on this list—but certainly without compromise to the fullness of its flavor.

10. Gelateria Crispini, Spoleto

You’d probably never guess that this small neighborhood gelateria in the Umbrian countryside would take home the prize for the world’s best gelato, but a single bite of its pistachio flavor might just turn you into a believer. A mix of three different Sicilian pistachio varieties, slow-roasted for 24 hours before being combined with sugar and vanilla, the gelato recently beat out thousands of other flavors to take home the gold at the 2017 Gelato World Tour. Not a fan of pistachio? Crispini also makes other Italian classics like fior di latte, chocolate fondente, and nocciola.

11. Il Massimo Del Gelato, Milan

Though Il Massimo has two locations, we recommend the original shopfront on Via Lodovico Castelvetro—it’s bigger and offers more flavors (around 40), made fresh daily. On any given day, eight of those flavors are dedicated purely to chocolate, with variations like 100 percent, 75 percent, chocolate almond, chocolate rum, chocolate cherry, chocolate with cinnamon and chilies…you get it. Not a chocoholic? Their fruit-based flavors are just as delicious.

12. Festival del Gelato, Florence

The atmosphere at Florence’s Festival del Gelato is as fun as its name suggests: candy-colored signs, neon lights, cheery staff. Thankfully, its gelato is just as delightful, with crowd-pleasing flavors like Nutella, stracciatella (Italy’s answer to chocolate-chip), and frutti di bosco (mixed berries). There’s also a wide variety of vegan options, too, and not just your typical fruit sorbets—the cappuccino, chocolate, and nocciola flavors, all made of rice milk, are to die for.

13. Latte Neve, Milan

Opened in 2014, LatteNeve is a newcomer compared to many of its fellow Milanese gelaterias, but it’s one of the city’s best, according to the Italian gastronomy bible, Gambero Rosso. Here, you’ll find all-organic ice cream in bold, creative flavors like cardamom-coffee, salted peanut with black sesame, and cinnamon chocolate peperoncino (cinnamon and chocolate with red peppers). Added bonus: They top every scoop of gelato with a dollop of delicious homemade whipped cream.

14. Vivoli, Florence

Having opened in 1929, Vivoli is said to be the oldest gelateria in Florence and is arguably the most famous. If you can get past the smaller portions, heftier prices, and fact that they don’t offer cones, you’ll delight in the deep flavors—millefoglie (the Italian take on a Napoleon pastry) and cassata (containing dried nuts and/or fruit) are exceptional—and super smooth, velvety texture.