Gelato Series: Portugal

There’s something about Portugal that makes the Gelato here SO GOOD. These are some of the places to which we always return. Lisbon is where I fell passionately in love with Gelato (yes I know everyone is in love with Gelato) ((I hope)).

Gelataria Nannarella: Lampone (red raspberry) sorbet; Caramello Salato gelato; Whipped cream

Nannarella is an extremely popular gelato spot in Lisbon. Its located close to Palácio de São Bentom, and is right next to a little park where you can eat your ice cream (thats what we did). It was really good. Majority of their ingredients are sourced from Portugal, and they place a huge emphasis on the intersection of human collaboration and the essence of Italy in the making of their ice cream.

I had raspberry sorbet (“Framboesa” in Portuguese) with raspberries grown in Portugal. It was perfect. I’m more of a nociolla and pistacchio gelato girl, so I tried to be adventurous and have the salted caramel which was nice because it tasted natural and like it should.

BUT. The whipped cream was very much on the verge of becoming butter, this was my only gripe and it definitely influenced our experience of the ice cream because cream that is overwhipped and almost turning is not better than no cream at all.

Nannarella opened in 2013 and all their gelato is made on site! They also have an ice cream cart which you may see around lisbon.

Definitely have a gelato here.

Address: R. Nova da Piedade 64A, 1200-299 Lisboa, Portugal

Gelataria Romana: Fragola; Caramel; Stracciatella

This is one of my dad’s favourite gelato shops in Lisbon, the flavours are interesting, the quality is high and the gelato is extremely smooth and creamy. In my opinion it was almost too smooth and rich, however it definitely is delicious.

La Romana was founded in 1947, they now have over 75 franchises globally and opened in Lisbon in 2022. They also serve crepes and pastries (items that aren’t Gelato).

They use hazelnuts from Piedmont and Avola almonds, aswell as organic milk. Their gelato is made onsite and in small quantities to ensure that it doesn’t sit around for longer than a few hours - all reasons why this is good gelato.

So the reason I wouldn’t put this gelateria in my top 3 in Lisbon is because it is a franchise, not family owned, not a portuguese owned brand nor founded in lisbon (and the others on this list are).

That being said, its definitely one of the best gelato places in the Old Town - so go.

Address: Rua de São Nicolau 44, ângulo Rua dos Correiros

Gelato Davvero: Hazelnut; Mango; Strawberry

Please excuse the very random flavour combination.

Gelato Davvero was the first Gelato we tried in Lisbon, and it was a bit of a walk away from the main shopping area. It was so good.

Maybe I just have a soft spot for this place, but the gelato is really yummy and stored in the correct way with natural flavours and good ingredients.

They now have a lot more stores open compared to when we first started going. Interestingly, the founder of Gelato Davvero was also one of the founders of Nannarella who left to start his own gelato shop.

Its a chilled place with a somewhat contemporary fun vibe and delicious gelato.

There are lots of locations(including one at the Time Out Market), here is one: Av. Dom Carlos I 39, 1200-646 Lisboa, Portugal

Santini: Hazelnut; Pistachio; Strawberry (!); Vanilla

If you go here, make sure its for the strawberry ice cream/sorbet. Its just strawberries and sugar.

Technically this isn’t a gelateria, and rather an “artisanal ice cream shop”, but its an institution in Lisbon & has to be mentioned.

I’m not the biggest fan of their hazelnut and pistachio, but I’m obsessed with their strawberry. Santini has been using the same unchanged (and secret) recipe for the past 70 years!

Santini was opened in Cascais in 1949. Founded by Attilio Santini, who was the great-grandson of the man who opened one of the first ice cream shops in Vienna.

Its stored in those deliciously frosty containers below the surface and smooshed onto the cone like it should be with that pallet magic wand.

There are now around 10 Santini stores.

Where to find it if you’re in lisbon and have just spent hours in the Zara changing room: R. do Carmo 88, 1100-581 Lisboa, Portugal

Gelataria Portuense: Pistachio; Hazelnut

This one is in Porto, and during my 2 night stay I came here twice. The gelato pictured above unfortunately fell off my cone seconds after this picture was taken, but like a mother catching her falling child, my reflexes kicked in and I caught it in my other hand. Phew.

This gelato shop was opened in 1927, by Ana Ferreira who became a gelatiere in Italy and then returned to Portugal to start Gelataria Portuense.

Quality ingredients are used, the perfect temperatures maintained and using a gelato machine known as The Effe. This is delicious & smooth gelato.

Address: Rua do Bonjardim, 136 Porto