Best Vegan Gelato in Florence, Italy

Yes, there’s vegan gelato in Florence! And it’s delicious.

When you travel to Italy, you must eat one of the country’s most beloved delicacies: gelato! If you don’t consume dairy products or eggs, don’t fret. You can still enjoy this tasty treat.

Many gelato shops in Italy have fruit sorbettos, which are almost always vegan. Milk isn’t usually used in the fruit gelato. However, the coconut gelato usually has milk in it. It’s best to ask in advance if the gelato is vegan-friendly.

Thankfully, there are lots of places to find vegan gelato in Florence. Here’s a roundup of my favorites.

PERCHE NO!

Via dei Tavolini, 19R,

Open 11:00am – 10:30pm on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday – Friday

12:00pm – 8:00pm on Tuesday

11:00am – 11:30pm on Saturday

Perche No was our favorite gelateria in Florence. It’s one of the oldest gelato shops in Italy, open since 1939. It’s rumored to be the first gelateria to display the gelato in glass cases. Perche No is also rumored to be the first gelato shop to serve vegan gelato made from soy and rice milk.

They have an entire case dedicated to vegan gelato. You’ll find several fruit flavors. It’s generally easier to find fruit gelato, so we both opted for the vegan-friendly varieties of vanilla, chocolate, and hazelnut. Perche No serves a chocolate sorbetto, which was more difficult to find. I recommend that you order a mix of all three flavors as they taste so delicious together.

SHAKE CAFE

Via degli Avelli, 2R

and

Via del Corso, 28/30/32

Hours: 7:00am – 8:00pm

We stumbled upon this cafe by accident. It’s a juice and smoothie shop that also happens to serve gelato. They also have vegan food options, including wraps, sandwiches, and salads. One of their salads is even called “Vegan”, and there’s a wrap called “Vegana”! You can view the whole menu at their website.

They had a few choices of fruit gelato. I got a combination of strawberry and banana. It was smooth, creamy, and delicious. Perfectly refreshing on a hot day!

OTHER NOTABLE MENTIONS

There are many, many other places to find vegan gelato in Florence. We’ll just have to return someday to try them all.

GELATERIA DEI NERI

Via De’ Neri 9/11R

Hours: 10:00am – 12:00am daily

Reported to have two flavors made with soy milk (vanilla and hazelnut), but the flavors rotate. There’s also fruit gelato, too.

 

FESTIVAL DEL GELATO

Via del Corso, 75/r

Hours: 10:30am – 11:00pm daily

There are a few flavors of gelato here that are vegan, mostly fruit varieties.

 

VENCHI CHOCOLATE GELATO

Via Calimaruzza, 18

Angolo Piazza Del Mercato Nuovo 6/7

Hours: 10:30am – 11:00pm daily (open until 12:00am on Friday and Saturday)

There are a few vegan sorbets, including a chocolate sorbet.

#RAW

Via Sant’Agostino 11R

Hours: 11:00am – 4:00pm Tuesday – Sunday, 7:00-10:00pm on Thursday and Friday.

Closed on Monday

This is a raw, vegan restaurant in Florence that offers gelato made with coconut water.

 

EDOARDO IL GELATO BIOLOGICO

Piazza Duomo 45/R

Open: 11:00am – 11:30pm daily

Some flavors of vegan gelato offered here.

GELATERIA DELLA PASSERA

Piazza della Passera 15

Open: 12:00 – 8:30pm, Closed on Monday

Right across the piazza from one of our favorite vegetarian restaurants, 5 e Cinque, you’ll find Gelateria della Passera. They have a wide selection of fruit gelato, and one gelato made using almond milk.

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Have you tried gelato in Florence?