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Cream of the crop: The best ice-cream on Lake Garda

Nothing beats cold ice-cream on a warm day, and no one does ice-cream like the Italians – or should we say gelato, which was invented by an Italian chef in the 1600s and is made with more milk and is churned slower than ice-cream, so it’s richer and creamier.

If you’re heading on holiday to Lake Garda, we’ve got the scoop on the best places to try this cool treat.

GELATERIA FLORA, RIVA

A modern spot close to the lakeshore, Gelateria Flora is popular with locals and visitors alike – and you’ll soon realise why when you see the vast range of flavours on offer. Take your time choosing from classics like chocolate, pistachio and lemon, or Italian specialities like biscotti and stracciatella (milk gelato with chocolate flakes).

Get a cone to take away and stroll a couple of minutes to Sabbioni beach, one of the nicest lake beaches in Europe, to sit on the grass and watch swimmers and windsurfers out on the water. Or grab a table just outside and dig into a sundae piled high with berries, nuts, sweets and whipped cream. It stays open late too, so you could even head there after dinner to round off your day with gelato and cocktails.


GELATERIA CENTO PER CENTO, MALCESINE

This little parlour’s easy to miss, but once you know it’s there you might find yourself coming back again and again. It’s near the entrance to the hilltop Scaligeri castle – one of the top places to visit in Malcesine – so you can stop for a sweet treat after making the climb. And the scoops come in pretty much every flavour you can think of, from fruits like mango, blueberry and melon, to chocolatey favourites Nutella® and Kinder™, and even desserts like cheesecake. Make yours extra special by getting a cone dipped in chocolate and sprinkles.
View from Scaligeri castle in Malcesine, Lake Garda
View from Scaligeri castle in Malcesine

GELATERIA CRISTALLO, BARDOLINO

Cristallo has been serving up delicious gelato since 1969. It’s right on the lakeside promenade, so you can sit out on the terrace and soak up the views as you tuck into an over-the-top sundae. Get yours topped with strawberries and sparkling wine, or those Italian favourites, amaretto liqueur and amaretti biscuits. Or if you’re feeling really adventurous, why not try the mix of mint, lemon and liquorice?

You could even make a meal of it, with creations based around breakfast (think yoghurt gelato with muesli and honey) and dinner, including a Spaghetti Carbonara sundae with vanilla gelato instead of pasta, dried fruit to look like pancetta and a sauce made of egg-flavoured liqueur.


GELATERIA ETA BETA, RIVA

Forget all the fancy toppings – for simple scoops packed with flavour, this is the place to go. The menu includes unusual picks like dark chocolate and orange, ricotta, honey and walnut, and Cremino (which is an Italian sweet made with coffee or hazelnut paste sandwiched between layers of chocolate). Or for something fresher, try sorbet flavoured with wild berries or mint and ginger.

Whatever you choose, enjoy it as you wander around the cobbled streets and piazzas in the centre of Riva, or head down to the harbour and watch the boats bob on the water.
Riva harbour, Lake Garda
Riva

LA CREMERIA DI LAZISE, LAZISE

The contemporary look of this shop matches the modern menu. The staff are always inventing new flavours, made with natural, in-season ingredients. And you can watch it being made in the open kitchen before tasting a scoop fresh from the churner.

Must-trys include fruity flavours like apricot and watermelon, as well as their speciality Lazise Cream made with vanilla bourbon gelato mixed with wild strawberries. Enjoy yours with a coffee or cocktail, or eat it as you stroll around the nearby harbour and along the promenade – a must-do while you’re in Lazise.


CREMERIA BULIAN, SIRMIONE

Look out for this quirky little shop tucked away through an archway in the old town. It’s a great option if you want to try something different, including tastes like macadamia, black sesame, ricotta and fig, and ginger and lime. Or you can try one of their homemade ice lollies or ice-cream bars decorated with chocolate and sweets.

Once you’ve picked, head down to a nearby beach and savour it as you look out over the sparkling water – an experience that’ll surely live up the shop’s motto, ‘You can’t buy happiness but you can buy ice-cream, and that’s kind of the same thing.’
Aerial view of Sirmione, Lake Garda

LA GELATERIA HOMEMADE, PESCHIERA

You’ll be truly spoilt for choice at this popular gelateria. It’s got all the classic flavours, as well as limited edition ones like papaya and lime or chocolate and rum. Get yours in a simple cup, a freshly made waffle cone or even in a brioche roll as a sweet spin on a sandwich. If gelato’s not your thing, how about frozen yoghurt, sorbet, dairy-free ice-cream or a cocktail-flavoured ice lolly?

The shop’s just steps from the port and piazza, so you’re in a prime spot for people-watching as you devour your chosen treat.

 

Looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, or are you all about savoury flavours? See some more of the best things to eat on a holiday to Italy. Or find out all about Lake Garda with our ultimate guide.

Head to our Lakes & Mountains homepage to discover more about our favourite holidays.

Author: Courtney Sparham

Last updated: 08.07.2021

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