Ciuri Ciuri is an ideal stop after (or during) a day of touring. In the hip Monti neighborhood, this new Sicilian delicacy shop offers some of the best pastry in town. From marzipan cookies to Modica chocolate and ice cream, Ciuri Ciuri satisfies even the sweetest tooth. The Sicilian chef works in the back of the shop; from noon to 2pm, he bakes delicious arancini (fried rice balls with various savory sauces).

Beside the Pantheon, this small, family-run gelateria has won awards for its homemade (artigianale) ice creams. The rich fig and pistachio flavors stand out, as does the chocolate sorbet. Don't let the crowds scare you away; this place is definitely worth the wait.

Gelateria Della Palma's interior decor somewhat mimics a 1950s American Soda Shop, but the Italian flair is still abundant. This café has the largest and most colourful (though that is not necessarily a good thing) selection of gelato in town. There are 20 different types of chocolate alone. With so many flavors you can't begin to try them all!

Gelateria Giolitti is one of Rome's most famous cafés for gelato. It originally opened in 1900 and since that time has been a gathering place for artists, families, workers, politicians (just down the street from Montecitorio, the Italian parliament) and tourists. This is a great place to get your hands on that famous Italian treat, and while you're at it why not try the coppia olimpica filled with zabaione (made with eggs and Marsala fortified wine), hazelnut and chocolate flavours!

Arguably Rome's best ice cream (and definitely among the top five), San Crispino's gelato has no preservatives. Paper cups rule here (cones contaminate the taste, according to the founders, the Alongi brothers). Their signature flavor is a basic Italian crema made with wild Sardinian honey. Other blends include cinnamon and ginger, and a range of pure fruit sorbets. Consume your treasured coppa in front of the nearby Trevi Fountain, crowds permitting.