IMPASTIAMO’s Guide to the Ultimate Italian Gelato

There is an art to Italian summers, and it is best served in a cone. Recently, the IMPASTIAMO team set off on a delicious trip to the Venetian Lagoon. Our destination? One of Northern Italy’s most celebrated sweet spots: L’Arte del Gelato, located in Chioggia, near Venice.

If you are looking for the real Italian gelato, book a flight, grab a spoon and follow our guide.

The History of Italian Gelato (Ice Cream)

Before we dive into our taste test, let’s talk about how this beloved treat came to be. The history of gelato is a fascinating journey. Thousands of years ago, ancient civilizations in Mesopotamia and Egypt consumed crushed ice flavored with fruit juices.

However, the creamy masterpiece we know today was born during the Italian Renaissance. Legendary figures like Bernardo Buontalenti in Florence introduced milk and eggs to the mix, forever changing the idea of gelato.

Today, unlike industrial ice cream, true artisan and italian gelato incorporates less air (known as overrun), resulting in a dense and intensely flavorful. Furthermore, as the gelato emerges from the machine with a cream-like consistency, it is then placed at low temperatures for a few hours. This process allows it to achieve the perfect texture and enhances the flavors to their fullest.

At L’Arte del Gelato, Luca and Alessandra - Mastri gelatai - showed us how this process is treated as a ritual. Their philosophy is simple: fewer ingredients, maximum freshness. You won't find artificial preservatives here.

Every single cream-based flavor is crafted using fresh, high-quality milk as its canvas. No heavy vegetable fats, just pure, wholesome dairy. Their fruit flavors are a revelation of simplicity. They are made strictly with water, sugar, and ripe, seasonal fresh fruit.

The Famous Cremino

During our visit, we had to try their absolute masterpiece: the legendary Cremino.

This flavor is made with hazelnuts and rich chocolate. The contrast between the nutty warmth of the hazelnut gelato and the smooth, flowing rivers of chocolate is nothing short of spectacular. It’s easy to see why locals and travelers alike line up down the street just to get a scoop of this specific creation.

Where to find them

You can find this ice cream shop in the city center of Sottomarina, in Piazzale Italia, 7, 30015 Chioggia VE. We suggest grabing a double scoop of Cremino and then move directly to "Lungomare", making it the ideal starting point for a classic passeggiata (evening stroll) under the stars enjoying both gelato and the cool sea breeze.

If you want to see just how much fun we had, visit our Instagram page and enjoy the video!