Italian “gelato” is an institution. Despite the homonymy, this mouth watering treat has very little in common with other types of “ice cream” known throughout the world. It is richer in natural sugars and contains fewer saturated fats. In fact, the cooling process used to make Italian “gelato” is not only quicker but also contains less air. This not only makes it thicker and more creamy but also enhances it taste, giving it a more genuine flavour. Though eaten year-round, in Italy, the height of the icecream season runs from May to September. You can either eat it while strolling along the street in the “cone” or “cup” version or while sitting comfortably at a table, where you will have the choice of a number of delicious options offered by the menu. Although most restaurants offer “gelato” as a dessert at the end of a meal, the best place to really indulge yourselves is at a classic “gelateria”. Below you can find a list of several Milanese favourites. However, you will soon realize that with so many places to choose from you will be spoiled for choice. Note these names down on your personal map and…enjoy!

GROM—Vanilla ice-cream, the way it “used to taste.” Mouth-watering flavours include pistachio, strawberry and lemon and Sicilian cassata… an almost maniacal choice of all natural ingredients. www.grom.it.
- Via A. da Giussano, 1. T: 02 43511942 Open Mon-Sat 12am-11pm; Sun 11am-11pm. M1 Conciliazione
- Via S. Margherita, 16. T: 02 80581041 Open Sun-Thurs 12am-11pm; Fri-Sat 12am- 12midnight. M1-M3 Duomo
- Corso di Porta Ticinese, 51. T: 02 58107110 Open daily 12am-1am
- Corso Buenos Aires, 13. T: 02 20520104 Open Sun-Thurs 11am-12midnight; Fri-Sat 11am-1am. M1 Lima
- Corso XXII Marzo, 5. T: 02 55199175 Open Sun-Thurs 11am-12midnight; Fri-Sat 11am-1am

IL MASSIMO DEL GELATO—Six different types of chocolate ice-cream (including Aztech made from 100% cocoa with little gold leaves) in the chilli pepper, rum, sour cherry, almond or pear Williams versions.
Open Tues-Sun 12am-12midnight Via Castelvetro, 18. T: 02 3494943

RONCHIMILANO—Quality and elegance paired to create an innovative approach to ice-cream: a new generation concept store. www.ronchimilano.it
Open Mon-Thurs 8am-11pm; Fri-Sat 8am- 12midnight; Sun 9am-11pm Viale Piave, 8. T: 02 76319237. M1 Palestro

CHOCOLAT MILANO—Chocolate in all shapes, sizes, tastes, aromas and colours. www.chocolatmilano.it
Open Mon-Sun 7.30am-1am. Via Boccaccio, 9. T: 02 48100597. M1-M2 Cadorna FN

CIOCCOLATI ITALIANI—Ice-cream as a sophisticated tasting experience featuring unusual combinations and gourmet-style ingredients. www.ciocolatitaliani.it.
Open Mon-Sun 7am-12midnight
- Via E. De Amicis, 25. T: 02 89406651. M2 Sant’Ambrogio
- Via San Raffaele, 6. T: 02 89093820. M1-M3 Duomo

BIANCOLATTE—A place where you can taste the most unusual blends of ice-cream made from milk including biancolatte, strawberry milk, milk and honey, milk and mint, coffee and milk, hazelnut and milk and chocolate milk. www.biancolatte.it
Open Mon 7.30am-7.30pm; Tues-Fri 3.30am- 12midnight; Sat-Sun 8am-12midnight. Via F. Turati, 30. T: 02 62086177. M3 Turati

GELATERIA MARGHERA—Delicious gelato in several flavours. Don’t miss pistacchio, cremino (cream gelato mixed with melted chocolate), and different kinds of chocolate. Mon-Sun 10am-1am. Via Marghera, 33. T: 02 468641. M1 Wagner, M1 De Angeli

CHOCO CULT—A chocolate, ice-cream and coffee shop offering a wide assortment of flavours, including savoury ones such as courgette flower, beetroot and balsamic vinegar.
Open daily 7am-1am. Via M. Buonarroti, 7. T: 02 48027319. M1 Wagner

GELATO ECOLOGICO—Melon, pineapple and soy cinnamon- flavoured ice-cream. Frozen yoghurt made from fresh fruit and kosher ice-cream. www.gelatoecologico.it
Open daily 2pm-12midnight. Via Ravizza, 5. T: 02 48010917. M1 Wagner

AMORINO—A selection of products featuring the best of both International and Italian regional tradition including Bronte pistachio or Sorrento lemons. www.amorino.com/it
Open daily 6pm-10pm. Via Fiori Chiari, 9. T: 02 91532598. M2 Lanza.

GELATERIA PAGANELLI—Established in 1931, it offers a wonderful assortment of gelati, sorbets, ice-lollies and Italy’s famous granita, a frozen dessert made with a water and a syrup base.
Open Mon-Sat 10.30am-9.30pm Via Adda corner of via Fara. T: 02 6702751

WHERE TIP GELATERIA SEMPIONE— For fans of chocolate or fruit.
Open daily 11am-11pm. Corso Sempione, 81 corner of via Filiberto. T: 349 3523508.