FataMorgana Gelato, Rome Is Your Savior On A Hot Day

Stopping by FataMorgana Gelato in Rome is one of the most popular ways to beat the oppressive heat of the Roman summer and this review was from my recent visit.

When you are visiting Rome in the summer months, it can get pretty hot. Luckily for all of us, Gelato, which is Italian ice cream, can be found on almost every corner in Rome. The gelato shop, known as a gelateria, can vary in quality, reputation and style so I wanted to review some of the most popular and some of my favorites.

If you are looking for the best gelato in Rome, I would recommend not focusing on “The Best” but rather avoiding some of the more obvious signs of lower quality and try all of the rest. Gelato is amazing and shouldn’t be avoided in an attempt to find the best gelato in Rome.

What Is FataMorgana Gelato, Rome?

FataMorgana is a popular gelateria with multiple locations around Rome. If you spend any time on social media, you will find many people extolling the virtues of their gelato. Their stated mission is (slightly edited for clarity):

We propose a new way to understand and appreciate gelato and let everyone know it’s real quality. We train craftsmen able to make the best Italian Gelato, contributing to the enhancement of the best local products.

FataMorgana is the brainchild of Maria Agnese and offers are very wide range of gelato that includes:

• Coffee and Chocolate

• Flowers, Roots and Aromatics

• Honey and Spirits

• Nuts and Dried Fruit

• And more

Where Is FataMorgana Gelato, Rome?

In Rome, you can find FataMorgana all around the city. Neighborhoods that have one of these gelaterias include: Monti, Trastevere, the historical center and a few others. The sites close by are the Colosseum, Spanish Steps and the Roman Ghetto.

There are a couple locations in the US, like: Studio City and Beverly Hills in LA. Franchising opportunities are also available if you are interested in opening your own FataMorgana gelateria.

What Is The Difference Between Gelato And Ice Cream?

There are differences in the ingredients used in Gelato and Ice Cream. For example, in the US, more cream is used and in Italy milk is used to reach a lower fat content. The gelato in Italy also uses more sugar, which may be the first time I ever considered an Italian food having more sugar than almost anything in the US. Also, in the US, egg whites can be included, but aren’t part of a typical gelato recipe.

To put some actual numbers to it, gelato typically contains 4-8% fat as compared to the 14-16% found in ice cream in the US. Gelato also contains less air than most ice cream and is therefore more dense and richer in flavor. Scoop for scoop, you get more gelato than you would ice cream.

Why Does Gelato Not Freeze?

Gelato is not made to be frozen solid because it usually isn’t stored, but eaten immediately after ordering it. It CAN freeze, which I can personally attest to after having ordered some gelato to be delivered, but then putting some in the freezer to store overnight. It froze solid, which is different from how it is served in a gelateria. It is just below freezing, very soft and doesn’t last long.

Is Gelato An Italian Thing?

You bet it is. Gelato is similar to the many types of ice cream across Europe and the US, but it is unique in its own ways. Gelato contains less air, is creamier, sweeter and comes with an amazing range of flavors, like fresh fruit, nuts like Pistachio and many different types of chocolate. There are some gelaterias that go even further than tradition usually allows, but my tastes for delicious gelato lean more traditional.

How Much Does Gelato Cost In Rome Italy?

Gelato is very affordable, especially when you are walking around the city experiencing the oppressive Roman heat. Of course, there are exceptions for fancy, high-end gelaterias and restaurants, but generally you can get a small cone for €2-3 up to a larger cone (or cup) for €6-7. It is common to choose multiple flavors for a single cone, and a popular addition is to add whipped cream (panna) on top. I usually skip the panna, but it is a popular addition for many folks.

How To Spot Good Gelato In Rome?

When you are looking for gelato, you should definitely try any place that looks good, but are there some signs of lower quality gelaterias that you should skip? Yes, these are a couple of pointers that you should pay attention to:

• Color – the super bright and glowing colors are unnatural and should be avoided. Dull colors are more authentic, like banana gelato that isn’t bright yellow and pistachio flavored that is a very dull gray/green color. These are signs of quality.

• Container – plastic bins are a dead giveaway that the quality is low. Only stainless steel bins should be used. In addition, the gelato should NOT be overflowing the container. This is a sure sign that too much air has been whipped into the gelato and is lower in quality.

• Taste – Most importantly, you can usually ask for a small taste to make sure you are choosing something you will enjoy. I heard about a gelateria that uses some strange flavors, like Cacio e Pepe gelato, but doesn’t allow for a taste. I would skip a place like this.

Is FataMorgana Gelato In Rome The Best?

FataMorgana is definitely a quality gelateria in Rome and one that you should definitely try. For me, it wasn’t the best, but I would definitely return at my next opportunity. My criticism of FataMorgana was based on two different visits:

• During the first try, I encountered a version of a chocolate chip gelato that had very unsatisfying shards or small chips of chocolate that were more annoying to eat than enjoyable. It wasn’t a mistake, but I didn’t like it.

• On my second, and recent visit, the milk chocolate gelato was filled with what seemed to be ice chips mixed in. This was not intentional, but more of a sign of bad storage. I was disappointed because I would expect milk chocolate to be a popular flavor with a high level of turnover, but ice chips were off-putting.

Again, I didn’t enjoy my experiences here, but I would still make more attempts to try other flavors. They aren’t just going through the motions and because of this, I can allow for more opportunities for them to gain my loyalty.

More Delicious Italian Food And Drinks To Consider

If you enjoyed this review of FataMorgana Gelato, Rome and you want to learn about more delicious Italian foods and drinks, here are some additional posts that you might find interesting:

• Come il Latte Might Just Be The Best Gelato In Rome.
• Torcè Gelato In Rome Is A Great Way To Beat The Heat.
• La Romana Gelato Is A Refreshing Stop Near The Pantheon.
• My Gelateria Fassi In Rome Review Shows Why You Need Some.
• Giolitti Gelato, Rome Is A Favorite Place For Some Dessert.
• An Italian Panna Cotta Recipe For Your Dinner Tonight.
• Try These 9 Great Italian Desserts.
• Check Out The Best Dinner Restaurants In Rome.