Whether you’re visiting Florence in the heat of summer or the coolness of winter, a daily break (or two or three!) for gelato is a must do. But don’t just head to the nearest gelato place. Last year, I gave some advice on the topic:

Gelato: Avoid places where you can see the gelato from the store front window. Especially if the gelato is molded into a mountain-like form. Although eye-appealing, it’s usually old. Go to a place where you have to step inside to see the gelato. My favorite flavor? I love frutti di bosco (literally “fruit of the forest”)—it’s mixed berry.

Speaking of flavors: Yes, frutti di bosco (mixed berry) is my favorite, but I also like to mix and match the following:

• cioccolato fondente = dark chocolate
• bacio = chocolate hazelnut
• amarena = black cherry
• pistacchio = pistachio
• limone = lemon
• fragola = strawberry
• ricotta e pera = ricotta cheese & pear

Depending on the size of the cone or cup, you can usually pick 2-3 flavors.

So where should you go? Hands-down my favorite place for gelato in Florence is La Carraia. There are two locations: one in Oltrarno on the Arno (Piazza Nazario Sauro, 25/r) and one near Santa Croce (Via de’ Benci, 24/r). There’s often a line–even at 10pm–but it moves fast.

Otherwise, I also like La Strega Nocciola, Perche No?, and Gelateria dei Neri.

Check out the pic below…now THIS is a perfect Florence evening. Happy eating!

La Carraia gelato, Florence