Artisan gelato, seasonal fruit, granitas and island flavours: the gelato shops to look for in town or on the seafront, from Portoferraio to Marciana Marina.
4
towns with a recommended gelato shop
2
gelato shops in the Gambero Rosso guide
8
gelato shops on the portal
Bars and Gelato
Gelato on Elba, and how to spot the good stuff
On the island, gelato is as much a part of the day as the sea: you have one after the beach, strolling along the seafront, or in the evening in town after dinner. The artisan gelato shops we recommend make their gelato in their own workshop, often in full view, with fresh fruit prepared by hand and local ingredients where possible. Alongside the classic creams (pistachio, hazelnut, chocolate, the creamy cremino) you'll find seasonal fruit sorbets, granitas and flavours inspired by the island's desserts and herbs.
Artisan gelato is easy to recognise: natural colours (real pistachio is dark green, almost brownish), covered tubs or gelato kept level instead of piled into mountains, fruit flavours that change with the seasons. Many gelato shops have gluten-free or lactose-free cones and flavours: always ask at the counter, because safety also depends on how it's served. In July and August, in the evening, a queue at the counter is normal, and often a good sign.
Ask for a taste: in artisan gelato shops you can usually try a flavour on a little spoon before choosing. It's also the quickest way to tell whether the fruit is real.
Where and when
Where to find them
The gelato shops we recommend are in the liveliest towns on the coast. In Marina di Campo, on the south coast, in the centre and near the seafront; in Portoferraio in the old town and the streets near the harbour; in Capoliveri in the hilltop old town; in Marciana Marina, a few steps from the beach and the harbour. Some are branches of the same Elban artisan gelato maker, sharing workshop and recipes.
Marina di Campo
The town for an evening gelato: gelato shops and bars between the centre and the seafront, open until late in summer.
Portoferraio
In the Medici old town and the streets near the harbour: gelato goes with the stroll around the Darsena.
Capoliveri and Marciana Marina
The hilltop village with its little squares and the seafront of Marciana Marina: small gelato shops with flavours rooted in the area.
Gluten-free or lactose-free? Several gelato shops on the island already mark it on the flavour display. If you are coeliac, say so before ordering, so they serve you with a dedicated scoop and containers.
On the portal
The selected gelato shops
Artisan gelato makers on the island: on the category page you'll also find them by town.
There's no official flavour: many gelato shops offer flavours inspired by the island's produce, from seasonal fruit to local desserts and the herbs of the maquis. Ask at the counter what's local that day.
Are gelato shops open in the evening?
In summer, yes, almost always until late, especially in Marina di Campo and Portoferraio. Off-season hours are shorter and some close in winter: it's worth checking.
Can you find gluten-free flavours?
Yes, several gelato shops on the island have gluten-free flavours and cones and lactose-free options. If you are coeliac, tell them at the counter before ordering.
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