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 yearround, in Italy, the height of the ice-cream 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

CHOCOLATMILANO

Chocolate in all shapes, sizes, tastes, aromas and colours. www.chocolatmilano.it Open daily 7.30am-1am Via Boccaccio, 9. T: 02 48105597 M1-M2 Cadorna FN

CIOCCOLATI ITALIANI

Ice-cream as a sophisticated tasting experience featuring unusual combinations and gourmet-style ingredients.. www.ciocolatitaliani.it Open daily 7am-12midnight Via E. De Amicis, 25. T: 02 89406651 M2 Sant’Ambrogio

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

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 MIRTILLA

In addition to superlative ghiaccioli, other fab flavours include camomile, pineapple and cloves, wild fennel, strawberries with wine or rhurbarb and polenta. Open Mon-Fri and Sun 1pm-8pm. Closed on Sat. Largo O. Murani. T: 02 7385587

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