Summer is synonymous with sun, vacations, and delicious ice cream to cool off. At this time of year, any city is best visited with a cone or a tub, which, in addition to being an ally in beating the hottest days, also delivers sweet and fragrant flavors. But not all ice cream is created equal, and travel magazine Taste Atlas, analyzing online comments and reviews from users and experts, has compiled its own ranking: what's making the news? Italian ice cream parlors dominate much of this list, occupying the top 44 out of 100 spots.
Italian Gelato is The Best in The World
The online guide to international food briefly discussed gelato and its origins. While it is considered a uniquely Italian creation, it is now primarily associated with Sicily, despite the belief that "the inventor of the first true gelato was the alchemist Cosimo Ruggieri, who resided in Florence during the reign of Catherine de' Medici." However, the popularity of this refreshing delicacy is due to Francesco Procopio Cutò, who brought the tradition, as well as the culture, of gelato to Paris, selling it to the middle class and making it a must-have.
"Even today, this delicacy remains one of Italy's most famous culinary inventions," concludes Taste Atlas, showing its ranking of the 100 best ice cream shops in the world. The gold medal goes to Gelateria Fatamorgana in Rome, with an excellent score of 69 points. This shop's strengths lie, as you can see, in its generous portions, the friendliness of its staff, and the opportunity to sample several flavors before making a final decision.
But Italy's great victory isn't measured only by its podium finish, but above all by the fact that the top half of the ranking is almost entirely occupied by Italian gelato shops, demonstrating that the Bel Paese is a true benchmark for the preparation of this exquisite dessert. Completing the podium are Gelateria dei Gracchi (Rome) and Gelateria Vivoli in Florence. These two provincial capitals are the most prominent at the top of the list, while Venice, with Suso Gelatoteca, comes in tenth. Other cities also made their mark, such as Bologna with La Sorbetteria Castiglione, in twelfth place, and Milan with Il Massimo del Gelato, in seventeenth place.
Who Else is There, Besides Italy?
Italian ice cream parlors monopolized the top half of the ranking, taking the top 44 spots out of 100. The first non-Italian ice cream parlor to appear on the list is Dan Tana in West Hollywood, United States, whose "charming establishment and tuxedoed waiters, as well as classic, timeless dishes," are striking. After another brief Italian solo run, at number 55 we find Giapo, a New Zealand ice cream parlor described as "The best in New Zealand." Open since 2008, it is located in the heart of Auckland and still managed to rank ahead of other famous Italian ice cream parlors.
A Ranking That Sparked Discussion
The method used to compile the ranking, however, leaves more than a few users scratching their heads . Indeed, when looking at the list, only three cities compete for the top ten spots among the best gelato shops in the world. And since Taste Atlas is based on recommendations from users and experts gathered online, it goes without saying that the cities with the highest number of tourists will be reviewed. Italian industry guides, such as Gambero Rosso's Gelaterie d'Italia, draw a much more varied map, which doesn't just focus on the cities favored by tourists.
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