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| Liz Clayman/Caffe Panna
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There’s something about the silky richness and the colorful display cases that whet an appetite for gelato, the Italian cousin to ice cream that’s made its mark among New Yorkers.
Gelato is denser and has less fat than ice cream, which contributes to a more intense flavor and a smoother texture. But the contrast between ice cream and gelato is cultural as well: Fewer cookie dough-style flavors, more options like coffee, hazelnut, berry flavors, or pistachio. Here’s a handful of places to enjoy the simple pleasures of a scoop of gelato and gelato-inspired treats.
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Founded in Tel Aviv in 2002, the Anita presence here now extends to four New York locations. This is a destination for novelty flavors like pistachio crumble, white chocolate pretzel, nougat wafer, and banana split. Many gluten-free flavors available, and there are outdoor tables for people watching.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73369879/P1020039.0.jpeg "The Best Gelato in New York (3)")
A 140-year-old Turin-based sweets shop sells coffee, crepes, and gelato, in flavors like pistachio, hazelnut, and dark chocolate. Get the waffle cone dipped in chocolate, or indeed anything that involves chocolate. The interior flaunts its northern Italian elegance.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72328543/P1540005.0.jpeg "The Best Gelato in New York (4)")
Founded by Sicilian-born Francesco Realmuto, L’Arte del Gelato appeared in the Chelsea Market in 2005, and its main branch remains as a counter at the western end of the complex. Its gelati are particularly creamy, and the berry flavors are the most admired. It can also be found in cart form seasonally on the nearby High Line, in the Oculus, and in Lincoln Center.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72328544/GelatoLArte.0.jpg "The Best Gelato in New York (5)")
This gelateria originated in the Apulian capital of Bari in 1880, and the flavor of the gelato has antique quality that is totally pleasing. Coffee is at hand in case you want an affogato. This may be the best gelato in town. Look for locations in Nolita, University Place, and Williamsburg.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72328545/GelatoGentile.0.jpg "The Best Gelato in New York (6)")
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Hallie Meyer’s — daughter of Danny Meyer — ice cream parlor is modeled after the casual all-day cafes of Rome gelaterias, with flavors like coffee stracciatella, almond latte, mint junior, and buttered baguette. Flavors that start with Italian-imported cream change weekly. There’s a new location in Greenpoint.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72328546/gelato.0.jpg "The Best Gelato in New York (8)")
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The gelato shop serves flavors like lemon, stracciatella, cantelope, and strawberry in a charming, maximalist-designed space. Baked goods are also available. It comes from the team behind next-door who also run Alice and Osteria 57.
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This historic East Village pasticceria and gelateria was founded in 1894 as a pool hall, and gradually grew into the institution it is today. In addition to all the usual flavors of gelato and sorbetto — which you may enjoy in the ornate dining room next to the pastry showroom — there is spumoni, tartufo, and other ice cream novelties.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72328549/VenSpumoni.0.jpg "The Best Gelato in New York (10)")
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As at its smaller previous location, the new Superiority Burger offers two flavors of gelato or sorbetto per day, via Brooks Headley, who never lets your forget he was once pastry chef at Del Posto. It is not uncommon to find fennel, coconut, labneh — or even more savory flavors.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72328550/Screen_Shot_2018_10_22_at_10.02.26_AM.0.png "The Best Gelato in New York (13)")
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/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60526661/Eater_DimSumPalace_015.57.jpg "The Best Gelato in New York (14)")
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In 2021, Sant Ambroeus opened a coffee bar and gelateria in Soho with nearly 20 flavors and options like an affogato and pastries. Bestsellers are chocolate, vanilla, stracciatella, and pistachio. There’s also the Sant Ambroeus flavor, which tastes like a vanilla sponge cake with a hint of raspberry.
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In 2002 Jon Snyder opened Laboratorio as a small window on Orchard Street, but in a few years moved into the current gleaming facility, looking much like a laboratory, on Houston Street across from Katz’s. Dozens of flavors are available daily, many unusual, like beet, cheddar cheese, and Thai chile chocolate.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72328551/IMG_20180729_203907.0.jpg "The Best Gelato in New York (18)")
Open since 1892, Ferrara is a go-to when it comes to Little Italy pastries. While you’re here splitting a lobster tail, consider a scoop of salt and caramel or pistachio gelato. There’s also granita, which Ferrara touts as the family recipe.
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This ancient Sicilian bakery in Bensonhurst is famous for its marzipan cakes, butter cookies, classic French and Neapolitan pastries, and gelatos and sorbetti. Flavors include biscotti, pistachio, and caramel, as well as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/72328552/P1040093.0.jpeg "The Best Gelato in New York (20)")
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Founded in Tel Aviv in 2002, the Anita presence here now extends to four New York locations. This is a destination for novelty flavors like pistachio crumble, white chocolate pretzel, nougat wafer, and banana split. Many gluten-free flavors available, and there are outdoor tables for people watching.
A 140-year-old Turin-based sweets shop sells coffee, crepes, and gelato, in flavors like pistachio, hazelnut, and dark chocolate. Get the waffle cone dipped in chocolate, or indeed anything that involves chocolate. The interior flaunts its northern Italian elegance.
Founded by Sicilian-born Francesco Realmuto, L’Arte del Gelato appeared in the Chelsea Market in 2005, and its main branch remains as a counter at the western end of the complex. Its gelati are particularly creamy, and the berry flavors are the most admired. It can also be found in cart form seasonally on the nearby High Line, in the Oculus, and in Lincoln Center.
This gelateria originated in the Apulian capital of Bari in 1880, and the flavor of the gelato has antique quality that is totally pleasing. Coffee is at hand in case you want an affogato. This may be the best gelato in town. Look for locations in Nolita, University Place, and Williamsburg.
Hallie Meyer’s — daughter of Danny Meyer — ice cream parlor is modeled after the casual all-day cafes of Rome gelaterias, with flavors like coffee stracciatella, almond latte, mint junior, and buttered baguette. Flavors that start with Italian-imported cream change weekly. There’s a new location in Greenpoint.
The gelato shop serves flavors like lemon, stracciatella, cantelope, and strawberry in a charming, maximalist-designed space. Baked goods are also available. It comes from the team behind next-door who also run Alice and Osteria 57.
This historic East Village pasticceria and gelateria was founded in 1894 as a pool hall, and gradually grew into the institution it is today. In addition to all the usual flavors of gelato and sorbetto — which you may enjoy in the ornate dining room next to the pastry showroom — there is spumoni, tartufo, and other ice cream novelties.
As at its smaller previous location, the new Superiority Burger offers two flavors of gelato or sorbetto per day, via Brooks Headley, who never lets your forget he was once pastry chef at Del Posto. It is not uncommon to find fennel, coconut, labneh — or even more savory flavors.
In 2021, Sant Ambroeus opened a coffee bar and gelateria in Soho with nearly 20 flavors and options like an affogato and pastries. Bestsellers are chocolate, vanilla, stracciatella, and pistachio. There’s also the Sant Ambroeus flavor, which tastes like a vanilla sponge cake with a hint of raspberry.
In 2002 Jon Snyder opened Laboratorio as a small window on Orchard Street, but in a few years moved into the current gleaming facility, looking much like a laboratory, on Houston Street across from Katz’s. Dozens of flavors are available daily, many unusual, like beet, cheddar cheese, and Thai chile chocolate.
Open since 1892, Ferrara is a go-to when it comes to Little Italy pastries. While you’re here splitting a lobster tail, consider a scoop of salt and caramel or pistachio gelato. There’s also granita, which Ferrara touts as the family recipe.
This ancient Sicilian bakery in Bensonhurst is famous for its marzipan cakes, butter cookies, classic French and Neapolitan pastries, and gelatos and sorbetti. Flavors include biscotti, pistachio, and caramel, as well as vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry.
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