10 Best Gelato Spots Near the Pantheon in Rome (2026 Ranking)
I remember the first time I wandered out of the Pantheon's shadowed portico, that massive dome still echoing in my head like a whisper from ancient gods. It was a sweltering July afternoon in 2014, my shirt clinging like a bad decision, and all I craved was something cold to cut through the Roman heat. Gelato, obviously. Not some neon-slush tourist trap, but the real deal—dense, creamy, made with milk that tasted like it came straight from Lazio's pastures. That day, I stumbled into Giolitti, and it ruined ice cream for me forever. Fast forward to my latest pilgrimage in late 2025, scouting for this updated ranking, and the neighborhood hasn't lost its magic. The Pantheon area—Piazza della Rotonda and its web of alleys—remains a gelato mecca, packed with artisans who treat frozen dessert like high art. If you're plotting your 2026 trip, these are my top picks for gelato near the Pantheon in Rome, all within a lazy stroll. I've eaten my way through hundreds of cones here over a decade, factoring in flavor depth, texture, crowds, and that elusive "wow" factor. No chains masquerading as local heroes; these are the spots that deserve your euros.
Let's start close to home, because after gaping at Raphael's tomb, you don't want to hike far.
10. Cremeria Monteforte
Location: Corso del Rinascimento, 44, 00186 Roma RM (200m from Pantheon)
Hours: Daily 10:00 AM to midnight (peak season; winter 11:00 AM–10:00 PM)
This family-run gem has been slinging gelato since 1929, right in the heart of the action. I ducked in last spring after a 40-minute Pantheon queue under the sun—reward? Their nocciola (hazelnut), so silky it coated my tongue like velvet from Piedmont's finest nuts. They roast 'em in-house, delivering deep, toasty notes with zero gritty afterbite. Portions are generous—two flavors in a cone for €3.50—and seasonal twists like ricotta-fig scream summer. It's touristy with lines by noon (I once waited 15 minutes behind Americans ordering "chocolate chip"—it's ciocco fondente here), but unbeatable for closest best gelato to Pantheon vicinity. Grab a bench by the fountain, watch the splash, and let the emerald pistacchio melt slow. Brioche sandwiches get soggy fast, but at this price, it's therapy after history overload.
9. Grom
Location: Via di Pietra, 56, 00186 Roma RM
Hours: 11:00 AM–10:00 PM (to 11:00 PM summer)
Tucked in a quieter alley between baroque facades, this Turin-born outpost feels artisanal. I hit it during a rain-lashed October 2022 trip—their crema di grom (vanilla-citrus dream) was the hug I needed. Made with Amedei chocolate and Bronte pistachios, flavors like gianduja deliver nutty euphoria, thick enough to stand a spoon in. €4 for two scoops, with consistency that shines even on siesta days. Locals elbow tourists for the last stracciatella—it's a must-try walking distance from the Pantheon. Polished perfection lacks gritty charm, but pair sorbets (Amalfi lemon zings fresh) with post-Pantheon espresso at their tiny tables or Piazza Capranica.
8. Gelateria La Romana
Location: Via di San Lorenzo in Damaso, 15, 00186 Roma RM (400m)
Hours: 10:30 AM–11:00 PM daily
Born from an Emilia-Romagna dairy farm, the milk tastes alive. My 2019 jet-lagged wander post-Pantheon led here—their bacio (hazelnut-chocolate kiss) revived me with Ecuadorian dark chocolate and creamy gianduja. Slow-churned density defies scoops; €3.80 for two in crisp cones. Vegan sorbets from heirloom fruits (wild strawberry bursts tart-sweet) innovate without fuss. I once dropped my cone chasing a pigeon—free replacement, no drama. Crowds thin evenings; perfect for authentic gelato spots near Pantheon Rome. Rotate flavors like boozy amarena; takeaway to Pantheon steps.
7. Otaleg
Location: Via di Ripetta, 28/29, 00187 Roma RM (700m)
Hours: 11:00 AM–10:30 PM (midnight Fri/Sat peak 2026)
Gelato backward—owner Claudio Torcè's quirk. A lab of weird-wonderful: riso (rice pudding with cinnamon) floored me post-2021 Pantheon lunch. Crunchy biscotti stracciatella, liquid salted caramel cores; €4.20 for two. Hidden gem near Pantheon Rome as tourists skip for flashier spots. Spicy chocolate cleared my winter cold better than meds. Flavors sell out early—hit before 2 PM. Vegan matcha-basil warps worldviews; sunset Tiber walk seals it. Rising fast in Rome Pantheon gelato recommendations 2026.
6. Gelateria del Teatro
Location: Via dei Coronari, 65, 00186 Roma RM (500m)
Hours: 11:00 AM–11:00 PM (shorter winter)
Sculptor-turned-gelataia Patrizia Diiano crafts art on cones. 2017 post-Pantheon: fondente extra dark (72% cocoa) bitter-sweet sin with velvety crema—no air whipped in. €4 for two, hand-piped designs. Damascus pistachio shimmers; I split a sundae arguing "best" flavor with a friend. Lines rotate fast; coconut-lemongrass sorbetto transports. Cozy for rain, outdoor summer. Detour into Coronari's charm for top rated gelato places in Pantheon neighborhood.
5. Pascucci Caffè Gelateria
Location: Via di Ripetta, 4, 00186 Roma RM (800m)
Hours: 7:00 AM–2:00 AM
Lifesaver for late-night Pantheon prowls—a social scene. Post-2024 opera: caffe noir (espresso arabica) buzzed me home, bitter edge cutting cream. €3.50 massive scoops; tiramisù rivals nonna's. Overheard a proposal mid-cone—gelato seals deals. Packed weekends, vegan blood orange puckers. Pastries pair; night owls' gold for must-try gelato walking distance Pantheon.
4. Fatamorgana
Location: Vicolo delle Grotte (Pantheon proximal), 00186 Roma RM (500m core spots)
Hours: 12:00 PM–10:00 PM
Gluten-free, organic queens in tiny shops. My 2023 binge: petali di rosa (rose petal) floral fantasy, no soapiness—rosewater whispers with basil-mint freshness. €4.50 small batches pack intensity; vegan everything. Eternal lines worth it; locals whisper as a hidden gem. Dropped a scoop once—heartbreak, but post-Pantheon palate cleanser par excellence. Sensory overload in organic bursts; pairs with nearby ruins strolls for gelato near Pantheon best picks updated.
3. Barnum Café
Location: Via del Seminario, 97, 00186 Roma RM (150m)
Hours: 8:00 AM–8:00 PM
Literary nook steals hearts super close. Amarena cherry bomb—boozy, jammy perfection in a cozy read-while-scooping vibe. €3.80; I lingered 2024 with a book, flavors like salted caramel toffee melting slow. Intellectual crowd thins chaos; vegan sorbets shine. Post-Pantheon breather: split pistachio with friends, debating ancient history amid creamy bliss. Top Pantheon Rome ice cream shops ranking 2026 contender for its charm.
2. Vice Café
Location: Via del Monte della Farina, 25, 00186 Roma RM (600m)
Hours: 10:00 AM–11:00 PM
Experimental wild child: gorgonzola-walnut savory-sweet shock revived my 2025 tired tastebuds post-Pantheon. Owner's mad science—blue cheese melts creamy with nutty crunch, €4.20 bold scoops. Basil-peach, olive oil gelato twist minds. Crowds buzz for rarities; I queued 20 mins for truffle-hazelnut, worth every second. Vegan experiments abound; tiny space, explosive flavors. Underrated for top gelato shops around Pantheon area—daredevils only.
1. Giolitti
Location: Via degli Uffici del Vicario, 40, 00186 Roma RM (300m)
Hours: 7:00 AM–1:00 AM
Crown jewel since 1900, papal favorite—my lifelong love. Zabaione boozy custard cloud; €4.50 legendary. Epic lines (granita shaves wait), but every celeb's hit it. 2014 first cone ruined ice cream forever; 2025 encore confirmed. Dense riso, pistacchio purity; family legacy shines. For best gelato near Pantheon Rome 2026, undisputed—Pantheon exit ritual.
Final Thoughts
These spots weave the Pantheon's magic into sweet memory. Rome evolves, but gelato endures. Hit 'em in 2026—you'll thank me mid-melt. Buon appetito!