They’re exceptionally good at gelato in Bologna, with plenty of artisan gelato shops to choose from(Cremeria Santo Stefano is particularly delightful). But, for a truly unique gelato experience, head to the only gelato museum in the world – Carpigiani University, for tastings, workshops and a guided tours. Established in 1946, Carpigiani has since made it their sole mission to spread the Italian gelato culture around the world; in 2003 they established the Carpigiano Gelato University foundation which now runs a University of Bologna accredited course dedicated to artisan gelato, and a museum covering over 10000 square meters, as well as a gelateria on site, where you can sample some of the daily specials and experimentations.

Cremeria Santo Stefano è una tappa fissa per residenti e turisti del centro: in via Santo Stefano 70 troverete infatti un locale dove mangiare gelato artigianale, macaron, torte, cioccolata e marmellata e tanto altro...!. Non da meno la Gelateria Capo Nord in via Murri 39 con gelati artigianali, anche senza glutine, e semifreddi in uno spazio moderno e Stefino Gelato Biologico che propone anche granite e gelati artigianali dagli ingredienti bio, anche per vegani, in piccolo locale con banco a pozzetti, in via Luigi Serra 3. Un altro locale è la Cremeria Vecchia Stalla che ha due sedi, una in in via Santo Stefano e una in via Toscana 90, dove viene realizzato un gelato artigianale di altissima qualità.

Basta affacciarsi nel laboratorio a vista, sempre in attività, per percepire la qualità dell’offerta di questa centralissima gelateria (Tre Coni nella nostra guida). La solida compagine familiare formata da Mattia Cavallari con i genitori Gianni e Marzia è accogliente e si dedica anima e corpo alla ricerca di materie prime genuine, alla base di gusti ad alto tasso di piacevolezza. Guar, carruba, zucchero d’uva, ingredienti unici come la mandorla di Corrado Assenza per granite e gusti di rara intensità, more, salvia e fichi di un podere di Medicina, latte altoatesino per uno speciale fiordilatte, nocciole, mandorle e pistacchi tostati e trasformati artigianalmente.

For gelato, don’t miss Cremeria Santo Stefano my favorite gelato in Bologna for extremely interesting flavors and perfect creaminess/sweet balance, Stefino Bio for fascinating vegan and organic flavors which fool you into contemplating veganism, Gelatauro for classic gelateria vibes and gelato made wholly artisanal with passion and a touch of Southern Italian flavors (the owner from Calabria) and Gallieria 49 if you are obsessed with pistachio and figs like me- they do a pistachio granita that is probably the closest I’ll get to having the real deal in Bronte, Sicily. ALSO, Cremeria Cavour and Sorbetteria Castiglione.

A delightful ice-cream shop, starting with the wooden furnishings reminiscent of a 1930s establishment and the retro floors with large square tiles. Everything is taken care of down to the last detail, starting, of course, with the ice cream. The soft, creamy, richly flavoured creams of various types cannot be missed: the timeless 'Seven Churches' egg cream, or the equally classic lemon peel-scented cream, the citrusy Lebanese cream enriched with almonds and pistachios, and the persuasive 'Zitelle' cream with mascarpone and pine nuts, a real treat for lovers of the genre.

An ice-cream parlour with 1930s aesthetics, located under the portico of the street of the same name, with excellent classic cream flavours, soft and enveloping, as well as interesting original flavours, all made with carefully selected ingredients. A mention must also go to the counter preparations that reveal a great pastry hand: pralines in various flavours, macarons and much more. It is one of the 72 Italian ice-cream parlours awarded the “Three Cones”, the highest accolade given by Gambero Rosso in the “Gelaterie d'Italia 2025” guide.

Gelateria Gianni, Gelato University Carpigiani, and Cremeria Santo Stefano are just a few of the gelato spots that will delight kids and adults alike. These charming establishments not only serve up creamy, decadent gelato but also provide a glimpse into the artistry and craftsmanship behind this beloved Italian dessert. With flavors ranging from classic pistachio to innovative combinations like stracciatella with balsamic vinegar, these gelaterias offer the perfect sweet treat to cool down on a warm day.

This unassuming gelateria might just be the best gelato shop in all of Italy – and hence, the world. Located just up the street from the famous Santo Stefano church complex, the first thing you see as you head to this shop is the winding line of people through the porticos as they anxiously await their gelato. The gelato at Cremeria Santo Stefano is made fresh every day, using the highest quality ingredients that result in a rich, creamy texture and intense, natural flavors.

Considered by many as the best gelato shop in Bologna, Cremeria Santo Stefano (Via Santo Stefano, 70c) delights all its customers with original and creative flavors. Apart from the delicious taste, their gelato has a creamy texture that stands out. Among its creative regular and seasonal flavors are matcha tea, c rema di caffè e mandorle (coffee and almond), zafferano ( saffron), limone e mandorla (lemon and almond), and cioccolato speciale (special chocolate).

Here's a truth bomb: Not every city in Italy is known for its gelato. But given that close attention for primary ingredients and overall food quality are so important in Bologna, it's no surprise that the city has some top spots for all-natural, artisanal gelato. Loyal followers of Cremeria Santo Stefano trek to this slightly hidden, jewel box of a shop for freshly made gelato using seasonal fruits, house-roasted nuts, and premium chocolate.

Cremeria Santo Stefano is considered by many to serve the best Bologna ice cream around, and as such, I had to try it the first time I visited the city. Admittedly, the assortment of artisan chocolates and homemade macarons distracted me when I walked in, but that was until I spotted the selection of classic gelato flavors!. I made it to the top of the lunchtime queue in minutes, and by then, I knew the stracciatella was the one for me.

Walking along the cobblestone streets of Bologna, you can’t miss Cremeria Santo Stefano. Even as the renowned gelato shop sits unassumingly, tucked away inside a portico, you’ll recognize a weaving line of people waiting patiently for their turn to pop inside. Their Crema la Limone (cream of lemon) flavour was Luke’s favourite gelato of the whole trip, and we both ended up fighting over who got the last bite of pistachio.

Cremeria Santo Stefano is a relatively recent addition to Bologna’s gelato scene, but it’s fast becoming one of the best. Run by a dynamic mother-father-son trio, the gelato here is artisanal, with no nasty additives or surprises. Compared with its reputation, the shop floor is small, with a couple of stalls and enough room for just a couple of people – but it still packs in at least a dozen different flavours.

The two most famous creameries (and for good reason) are Cremeria Cavour (try the amaretti biscuit gelato here as it’s a classic in the region of Emilia Romagna) and Cremeria Santo Stefano which sits on an unassuming street just outside of the city centre. If you’re feeling particularly indulgent at the latter, follow your gelato with a dense hot chocolate topped with cream – an equally thrilling indulgence.

Cremeria Santo Stefano was awarded the coveted “Tre Coni” or “Three Cones” award from the Italian culinary guide, Gambero Rosso. Owner and master gelato maker, Mattia Cavalleri, considers Cremeria Santo Stefano a sort of laboratory of flavor, using high quality seasonal ingredients to create unique flavor combinations. My favorite was the Crema Libanese, a floral flavor with bitter orange and pistachio.

Set on the outskirts of the old town center, Cremeria Santo Stefano has an almost cult-like following and is most people’s first recommendation for gelato in Bologna. Artisan gelato with typical flavors, as well as flavors of the month, including ricotta e visciole, or ricotta cheese and sour cherry. They also offer fresh fruit-flavored gelatin candies, or gelatine, as well as freshly baked pastries.

While Florence and Rome receive the most of the attention for Italian gelato, Bologna deserves to be recognized as well, albeit with a limited number of quality scoops to pick from. After all, just outside of Bologna is a gelato university run by Carpigiani, the country’s top gelato machine producer. Cremeria Santo Stefano is the epitome of a true handcrafted, old-school Italian gelateria.

Imagine a small French patisserie where you can have the best gelato in Bologna and maybe in Italy. This place is really tiny and charming: if you're lucky, you could sit and taste the Crema 7 Chiese custard or Cioccolato del Baraccano chocolate or try the homemade ghiaccioli (ice sticks). They also have a lab next door where they produce brioche, focaccia and panettone.

Cremeria is widely known and talked about, and for good reason. It is definitely one of our favorites in town, but will be for lots of other folks in Bologna as well; make sure to either go during an off time or expect a wait!. Located about a 15 minute walk southwest of Piazza Maggiore, it’s a fun diversion that you can walk under a portico almost the entire trip.

Molto nota anche Cremeria Santo Stefano, una micro-gelateria in stile shabby chic nella centralissima via Santo Stefano. I gusti di gelato e granita cambiano a seconda della stagione ma i classici rimangono: su tutti Budino di Provenza con mandorle e nocciole, Crema libanese con fiori d’arancio, mandorle e pistacchi, Crema delle Zitelle con mascarpone e pinoli.

Open since 2006, the main feature of this gelateria is the search for superior quality ingredients and long-lost flavours. The milk and cream base of the gelato defines the name “Cremeria,” resulting in a creamy gelato. Creative yet somehow traditional at the same time, at Cremeria Santo Stefano you can also find other treats like cakes, cookies, and chocolates.

The small and unassuming old-world shopfront of Cremeria Santo Stefano is tucked away under one of Bologna’s many iconic porticos. You’d probably walk past it were it not for the queue winding around the corner. The interior is a delightful throwback to the parlors of yesteryear with checkerboard tiles, old-world fonts, and a rustic interior.

Mouthwatering, creamy gelatos to die for and a tiny, adorable little gelato shop in Bologna with a French look and tasteful windows and décor, plus the option to look at the process at the adjacent lab. Cremeria are great with milk and egg based creams, but also manage to make soft and tasty sorbets. In Bologna, this ice cream is a must try.

Ask any local where their favourite gelateria is, and inevitably Santo Stefano will come up. No doubt, this is one of the most popular gelaterias in the city, and for good reason: it has all the cuteness and daintiness of a French patisserie but with unique and inventive flavours. You can’t go wrong with testing out the flavour of the month.

Opened on April 28 – 2006, Cremeria Santo Stefano has been one of the top gelaterias in the whole of Italy, not only in Bologna. Though small, it offers great ice-cream flavors including creamy vanilla (Crema di Zitella) and salty roasted pistachio, among others. The Gelateria is located in Bologna, Via Santo Stefano, 72 (Via Remorsella).

Cremeria Santo Stefano is a classic for gelato, while I visit Caffè Terzi and Aroma serve a mean espresso. Allegra is ace for sweet and savory pastry, coffee, and natural wines. Old school Gamberini is cute for aperitivo for bolognesi of a certain age and be sure to pop into Mercato delle Erbe across the street.

As a matter fact, despite the Southern origin of this gods’ food (I love gelato: can you tell?), here in Bologna there’s an array of amazing shops selling even more surprising ice cream: Cremeria Santo Stefano, Galliera 49, Vecchia Stalla, Scirocco, Sorbetteria Castiglione to name just a few.

In our opinion, the world’s second best gelateria, Cremeria Santo Stefano is located just down the street from Vagh in Ufezzi. And yes, that means we think the best two gelaterias in the world are located in this city, less than a kilometre apart. I challenge you to prove us otherwise.

Una specie di micro paradiso dei golosi, una tentazione per i curiosi, una sfida per i palati esigenti. Alla Cremeria Santo Stefano Gianni, Marzia e Mattia Cavallari continuano a inventare e stupire i bolognesi che amano il gelato con accostamenti originali e sorprendenti.

The New York Timesrecently pronounced this the best in Bologna. It’s a tall claim, but one that’s difficult to dispute. Opened in 2013, the shop’s new location is just off of one of my favorite piazzas in the city and crammed with all kinds of confections.

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, don’t miss Cremeria Santo Stefano. They’re known for having the best gelato in Bologna, but they also have a wide selection of other desserts, chocolates, and pastries, some of which are imported.

Add Galliera 49, Cremeria Santo Stefano, Cremeria Scirocco, Gelatauro, and Cremeria San Francesco to your list of checkpoints. While at it, try drizzling your gelato with a bit of balsamic vinegar, and thank us later.

And if you’d like to treat yourself to some divine gelato, head over to Cremeria Santo Stefano (Via Santo Stefano 70) or Cremeria Funivia at Piazza Cavour, two of my favourite gelaterias in Bologna!

Try Cremeria Cavour or Cremeria Santo Stefano on Via Santo Stefano. Generally, though, if they’re not trying to get you inside with those over-decorated vats of the stuff, it’s probably good.