Gelaterias In Town

There’s nothing like a delicious ice cream to cool you down on those hot summer days. To save you the trouble of seeking out the best gelaterias in town, I've listed eighteen of my favourite ice cream emporiums, just for you. Buon appetito.

Nanimale got me hooked last year with their vegan creations, (and glacé cocktails). A lot has happened since then and they are now, (since the 10th of June) permanently at home at 180 Stauffacherstrasse. And they are also available at other locations. Will my favourite Matcha be back this year?

The Eisladen makes my cold heart beat faster with sweet creations like its caramelised banana brownie glacé with homemade brownies or its refreshing vegan raspberry sorbet. The shop is on Birmensdorferstrasse but they also have a cute truck which is on Gertrudstrasse.

Hardplatz is still adorned with a gelateria. At Hohllstrasse 221, the focus is not on fancy flavours, but on tried-and-tested classics. And that's not all: the friendly shop offers pastries and delicacies from all over Italy. So even those who prefer a salty snack are catered for.

A visit to Ama in Albisirieden feels like a short holiday in Italy. For those that don’t speak Italian, here’s what you need. «Gelati per favore. Eco. Eco. Grazie. Molto bene.» You’re welcome.

At Gelateria Oro near Löwenplatz, the friendly founding couple serve popular Italian gelato varieties such as After Eight and Amarena. The taste transports you directly to the south of Italy.

The Bernese really know how to make ice cream. The ice cream from Gelateria di Berna is so popular that you can now find it four locations in the city: Twice as fixed locations at Brubpacherplatz and Frau Gerold's garden and twice as a cart at Utoquai and in Binz. Nevertheless, on a hot evening or weekend, you still stand in line for up to 45 minutes. No wonder, given the heavenly taste and the fair price.

7. Gelati im Tellhof
When it's sunny, you can also get the fine ice cream from Tellhof from the gelati van in Platzspitz Park or from the Gelati am See. 

8. Rosso Arancio
Rosso Arancio at Stauffacher is now a firm member of the Zurich gelato family. The Pistacchio variety is so addictive it should be a controlled substance.

9. Hasta Ice Cream
For 15 years, Hasta Ice Cream has been making the whole of Valais happy with ice cream. Fortunately, Zurich's Niederdorf has also been enjoying varieties like Basler Läckerli and Melone for a few years now.

10. Sorbetto
The fine and refreshing sorbets by Sorbetto are not only sold in many shops, but also in Café Neptun at Neptunerstrasse 49. This is the place to go if you like it really fruity (I recommend sour cherry or raspberry) or are looking for something vegan. But don't worry: classics like chocolate, fior di latte or stracciatella are also on offer.

11. Vegelateria
Why should vegans don't miss out when it comes to ice cream: Sacred on Müllerstrasse has a great assortment of vegan ice cream creations.

12. Idalia
Right on Idaplatz, Piazza offers a changing range of ice creams with classic and unusual flavours all summer long. Ideal for licking your lips and people-watching.

13. Eisvogel
In the beginning, «Eisvogel», Tine Giacobbo produced her ice cream only for her own needs. But because it was so well received, she serves different varieties every day at Zentrale für Gutes.

14. Caredda
The pastry shop Caredda on Josefstrasse is an important address throughout the year when I have a craving for Italian dolci. But the homemade glacé varieties and sumptuously decorated cups simply taste the best in my opinion. No wonder, because as a native Iskitani, (from Ischia near Naples,) Paolo Caredda knows a thing or two about Italian gelato. 

15. Kalte Lust
The slogan still take some getting used to, but the gelato opens up a new universe. It stands out especially with its creativity - from popcorn to tirggel to Züri-Mule, everything is there.

16. Gelateria Leonardo
Ever since a Ron Orp reader drew my attention to Leonardo's gelatos, I can't get enough of them. But for the ultimate calorie bomb, you have to try the gelatos wrapped in a wafer - unbeatable. Luckily, Leonardo is represented twice in the city, once in Sihlcity and once with a stand in front of the Globus at Bellevue.

17. Restaurant Stoller
The gelato at Restaurant Stoller on Albisriederplatz has one thing over the others: it has been here much longer. After all, founder Walter Stoller returned to Zurich in 1938 after a few years in Italy with original gelato recipes - and opened the Hotel Stoller in 1945, which is still in business today. Including the same glacé varieties as in the early days.

18. Nomads Glacé
The prize for the craziest glacé varieties definitely goes to Nomads Glacé, which made a guest appearance at the Stazione Paradiso near Letten last summer. Example: Have you ever had Zopfglacé with your favourite topping on it? They are currently looking for a new location, so if you know anything, write to them. And then let me know.