Today is exactly three weeks until I leave Florence and I can't believe it. Since I've gotten here I can say with absolute certainty that I have eaten gelato 3 to 4 times a week since I've been here.
I guess this could kind of be my suggestions list for people who are coming to Florence in the future as well as a personal reflection.
IMPORTANT POINT: when you arrive there will be shops that have gelato stacked up super high in the display case. Beware, it's not good. Fresh and quality gelato is much meltier than you're average ice cream and could never stand that tall without melting. Trust me!
1. La Carraia
there is a place right across the bridge from where I live and it's called La Carrai and it's my go-to at all times based on three very important facts: 1) it's literally 2 minutes from my front door, 2) it is DELICIOUS, and 3) its 1 EURO PER CUP (which is a STEAL). Best flavors here: mixed berry tart (my absolute favorite), coconut, pistachio, or if you're feeling daring, passion fruit.
2. Gelateria de Neri
This place is on the same street at the famous (and completely overrated) All'antico Vinaio, you'll see the line out the door but don't be fooled, it's nothing special.
BACK TO THE GELATO, this place is SUBERB. It's a little more expensive than La Carrai but in my opinion, it tastes better. Best Flavors here: Rice (it sounds weird but it's INCREDIBLE and if you love rice pudding you'll be in heaven, Stracciatella (a classic, it has a great chocolate chip to gelato ratio), Nutella/Hazelnut (that's not the real name but its hazelnut gelato with a THICK layer of Nutella over the top- insane).
3. Eduardo's
Oftentimes, you should stay away from the touristy areas for the best gelato (and food, in general) but this place is amazing even though it is right next to the Duomo. They are always adding limited edition flavors and they've got some that you don't see in every shop.
For example, white wine sorbet. Best flavors: PISTACHIO (it's the best in Florence I swear,) cinnamon (it tastes like a snickerdoodle), Mint/Strawberry/Chocolate: I haven't personally tried it but every single person I've talked to that has tried it says its the best flavor they've ever tried.
There's my top three. I frequent these places every single week and I'm not ashamed of it at all.
Before I came here I was wondering how I would ever make it 4 months without a pint of Ben and Jerry's half-baked but now I am really dreading the thought of not having gelato for dessert every single night!
Let's be honest though, this just means I have to go hard these last 3 weeks to make up for the fact that I won't have it for a while after this experience ends.
