Where to Get the Most Luscious Gelato in Greater Boston
When the hankering hits, here's the local scoop on American ice cream's rich, intensely flavored Italian cousin.
Delini Gelato. / Photo by DY Photography
Sometimes you just want some sweet, spectacular ice cream, prepared any which way—in which case, we’ve got you covered. (See also: Greater Boston’s best soft-serve.) But “traditional” American ice cream’s Italian cousin—made with less butterfat and a higher percentage of milk, and served slightly warmer—is its own special delight, densely textured and intensely flavored. And so, when that hankering hits, here’s the scoop on the best gelati in the area.
This guide was last updated in June 2025; watch for periodic updates.
Amorino
We’re not mad that this Parisian-founded, Italian-inspired chain has set up shops here, because the rose-shaped gelato scoops are simply irresistible, featuring international ingredients like Sri Lankan coconut, Ecuadorian dark chocolate, Mexican coffee, and Sicilian mandarin. And Amorino doesn’t stop with standard scoops: There are gelato cakes, gelato macarons, and gelato-stuffed, chocolate-coated cubes, too.
50 JFK St., Harvard Square, Cambridge; 248 Newbury St., Back Bay, Boston; amorino.com.
Cookies and cream, chocolate, and cappuccino gelato at Caffè Paradiso. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Caffè Paradiso
Unsurprisingly, Boston’s wicked Italian North End abounds with options for gelato—not all of them, though, are wicked good. That said, there’s a reason that family-owned Caffè Paradiso has been kicking around for 60-plus years: glorious house-made gelati (think hazelnut, pistachio, and strawberry flavors) that make for spirited affogato when doused with, say, coffee or chocolate liqueur. (We’re also big fans of the pistachio martini, which comes with a scoop of pistachio gelato.)
255 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 617-742-1768, caffeparadisoboston.com.
Delini Gelato. / Photo by DY Photography
Delini Gelato
Viki Petkova has earned an impressive rep since launching her West Roxbury gelato shop in June 2020—a moment when most businesses were struggling just to stay alive amid early-pandemic shutdowns and other challenges. There’s no way that word wouldn’t get out, though, about the uniquely whistle-wetting flavors crafted here: honey lavender, mango lassi, tropical banana, and (most famously) off-menu offerings of rose oil pistachio baklava inspired by the Bulgarian native’s family recipe. (Note: Delini typically closes for a break each winter; watch social media for updates on closing and reopening dates.)
5 Bellevue St., West Roxbury, Boston, delinigelato.com.
Dragon Pizza
This funky little Davis Square pizzeria—home of some of the best New York-style pizza around, with a rotating array of creative toppings—also makes gelato in-house, because who doesn’t want pizza with a side of gelato? There’s usually vanilla, mint chip, and dark chocolate available, plus “lots of daily specials.” The casual shop also has a full bar, so feel free to accompany your Buffalo chicken pizza and hazelnut chocolate swirl gelato with a house spritz or classic Negroni.
233 Elm St., Davis Square, Somerville, dragonpizzasomerville.com.
Eataly
When the weather is fair and fine, swing by the gelato cart Eataly parks on its Boylston Street patio, scoop up something sweet—cioccolato, maybe?—and get to people watching. Neither rainy days nor winter chill should keep you from a cold treat, though: Il Gelato, one of several counter-service concepts housed inside the sprawling food market, still has your back with exceptional (and exceptionally Italian) gelato and sorbetto made with milk from High Lawn Farm in Western Massachusetts and imported Italian pistachios, hazelnuts, and more—not to mention live entertainment provided by a menagerie of shopper-tourists.
800 Boylston St. (Prudential Center), Back Bay, Boston, 617-807-7300, eataly.com.
Gary’s Pizza sells gelato by the pint. The opening menu includes vanilla bean, cinnamon, pistachio, and chocolate. / Courtesy photo
Gary’s Pizza
Takeout-and-delivery-only pizza and gelato from a restaurant group known for fine-dining? Yep, you’ve got our attention. The team behind Mooo, Mistral, and more opened Gary’s Pizza in 2025, featuring Roman-style pizza that’s quickly earning a fan club. The pizza’s light texture leaves plenty of appetite for dessert, so be sure to order a pint of gelato in classic flavors like pistachio or vanilla bean.
1744 Washington St., South End, Boston, 617-858-0101, garyspizzaboston.com.
Giovanna Gelato e Sorbet
Want to hear a sweet success story? Architect-turned-food-entrepreneur Eduardo Kreindel founded this gelato biz in his basement back in 2008, inspired by the ice cream he grew up eating in his native Buenos Aires (which is home to a sizable community of Italian immigrants). Now the Malden-based maker of modern, seasonal flavors (mint, dulce de leche, pumpkin pie, candy cane…) has become quite an operation, selling pint-sized containers of Kreindel’s superb stuff through indie markets as well as select Whole Foods stores in Boston and the surrounding ‘burbs.
Malden-based but no public-facing storefront, giovannagelato.com.
Red velvet and chocolate gelato from Table Caffé. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal
Table Caffé
She might be best known for the multi-course, communal-style meals served at her restaurant Table—but sportscaster-turned-chef Jen Royle could also be anointed the gelato queen of the North End. She’s been crushing it with the sweet stuff at Table Caffé across the street, selling out of fresh flavors (from classic stracciatella to tangy tangerine) on the daily. Try it in milkshake form, too. Bonus: You can watch her making the gelato on the Italian-made machines through the big sidewalk windows, adding a little entertainment to the experience. Bring cash, and keep an eye on Instagram for scheduling updates as the shop usually closes for part of the winter.
396-400 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 857-250-4286, tableboston.com/table-caffe.
