Gelateria Dondoli

After sampling over 20 different gelatos in the course of a month in Europe, I can confidently say this is definitely the best gelato we had. The flavors here are unique, and the gelato is rich and creamy. Definitely get the signature saffron flavor! I’ve never tasted any other flavor similar to this. The line is long but it does move pretty quickly and it’s totally worth it!

Avoid the tourist trap nearby and queue for this, as the line moves fast! Just order directly from one of the people behind the counter and pay after that! The Crema di Santa Fina (Saffron and Pine Nuts) was amazing - notes of honey and hay from the saffron and fragrant pine nut. The Michelle (Almonds and Saffron) was epic fragrant. Enjoyed it very much. Pistacchio was not overly salty, but was nutty and fragrant. Rosemary baby and curva fiesole were so tasty and interesting as well!

Really the tastiest and silkiest gelato I ever had. And the ingredients are so good - you rarely find a place where vanilla gelato has an actual vanilla taste, made of an actual vanilla, and not just a milk + sugar taste. I wanted to give 5 stars, but I can’t. The gelato is just too sweet for me. So much so, that I couldn’t finish it. Anyways, totally worth to check it out when in Toscana.

Ah yes it’s the best gelato I have ever had. It’s intense and fresh flavor. Tried 6 flavors, vanilla, strawberry, coconuts, wild berries, Joghurt, and champagne/grapefruits with 3 of us. We were there at 10am-12pm and the line was pretty short. When we tried at 10, there was practically no line. Two flavors in the cup for 4 EUR. It was so good I don’t want to eat another gelato.

It the word’s best ice cream at all, not even Italy’s best ice cream but it is admirable how many interesting flavours they have. I’ve tried the Italian garden and the rosemary baby. Italian garden was good but not terrific and rosemary baby tasted too bitter on its own. The tiramisu ice cream and the vanilla were really good which suggests that the basic flavours are better.

Very unique and famous Gelato place :) If you go to San Gimignano :) We ordered 6 different flavors for two and you must expect to make a long queue up to 10-30 mins :) Worth it!

It was not overly sweet but a bit too liquidity for our likings. The flavour was good but not the texture, probably due to the tins being out so long. 3.50 euro for 2 flavours cone or 1 flavour for the same price. It’s based on the cone size not the amount of flavours Credit card accepted

5 stars even though it wasn’t the type of gelato I was expecting. Good flavour and portions. The place does line up but can go fast as they have staff available to grab you orders

The gelato is indeed very good! One of the best you can find. But the experience of purchasing is horrible. Maybe the fame of this place didn't do it well. You have to get in line, decide the flavour and pay all under the heat, the attendant shouting at you and pressuring to do it quickly. This makes the experience really stressful. Maybe when the gelateria is empty things are different. The gelato is tasty, but the experience not.

Rated best gelato of 2024! Lots of amazing options in Italy and this one had cool flavors. Blueberry ricotta and vanilla was what we got. Line was long but went by quickly because the staff was efficient. Located right in the heart of historic town.

Literally the best gelato in all of Italy! Award winning repeatedly. Definitely stop here if given the opportunity.

Very good gelato! This is a very popular spot. The line was pretty long but it was worth waiting for. It was a little chaotic on the inside because we weren't sure who was next or who was currently being served. You kind of just have to jump in and tell them your order. They have some very tasty and unique flavor options. I went to several Gelaterias during my stay in Italy and this place was the most unique and best tasting gelato that I had.

My friend and I were on a private Tuscany day trip and our driver took us to see San Gimignano. Our driver told us to stop by this gelato shop. I'm so glad he did because to date, this is by far the best gelato I've ever had in my life. It was so good, we went for seconds haha. You cannot go wrong with any flavors - some are so unique and I haven't seen anything like it anywhere else. There are lines even when its cold outside, but the staff is very efficient and lines move quick!

My family was on a day trip with a stop in San Gimignano. Our tour guide recommended the award winning Gelateria Dondoli and specifically the Crema di Santa Fina flavor. It was 95+ degrees outside and I was staggering around the beautiful neighborhood. I saw the line for gelato and got on. Yes, it's a very long line. Yes, the shop itself is chaotic. Yet somehow the professional staff makes it all work. The gelato itself is worthy of the award it won. The Crema di Santa Fina features saffron and pine nuts and if you're in the know, it doesn't get much more decadent than that! Absolutely delicious!

Hands down the best gelato I've ever had in my life. World champion is for real. I've always loved ice cream or gelato with alcohol in it. This place sure how to make them! I tried their Malaga flavor, which is a fortified sweet wine. All I can say is, holy amazing!! Can you say delicioso?! If you are visiting the charming town of San Gimignano, please come try this place. You are missing out if you don't! Seriously!

The line moved really fast and there is a very good reason why they won the Gelato world championship. It really was the best gelato we have eaten during our visit to Rome, Florence, and San Gimignano.

This had to be the best place to get gelato in Italy! It's a long walk to this place but so worth it. Our tour guide recommended this place saying even if there's a long line make sure to wait... it will go fast. We lucked out, no line so our group walked right it. Popular place, lots of awards and celebrity photos on the wall. Tried a few flavors before setting on coffee... yum yum yum. A few places to sit outside but most people walk and enjoy.

I would say the best gelato we had in Italy. We heard that the lines are usually long but it goes by fast cause they work organized as a team. And sure enough before we knew it , it was our turn to order. So many delicious flavors to chose from. I really loved the strawberry gelato, tasted like real strawberries and not just flavoring and color. They use real fruits and quality ingredients. Employees are friendly and work really fast to love the line. We were in that are for three hours so and that line didn't go down for a minute. The whole town of San Gimignano is magical. Grab your gelato and walk around. So pretty. Overall a great decision to try this place out, I highly recommend it.

I agree with some other reviews that this place has more fame than it seems worthy of. They did have a multitude of flavors that make it hard to make a decision. But our group tried a good amount of different ones and none were special enough to deserve the title of Best gelato, in fact, we agreed that gelato we had in Rome and Pompeii from a little stand was better. On top of that, the service was not very friendly and was rushing to push us all through the line and out the door.

This is THE spot to go for gelato if you're in Tuscany. We did a walking tour of Siena and San Gimignano and our guide made sure we had a stop here after lunch. Be sure to check out their featured flavors because they have some very unique ones in additional to the more original favorites like lemon, vanilla, Nutella, chocolate, strawberry, etc. They use organic locally sourced milk and also have some dairy free options. Be prepared to wait in line because this is well known as the best gelato in the area. Also scan the QR code to decide what you'd like before you make it up to the counter because they'll expect you to be ready to order. They offer cup or cone and I highly recommend the cones because they are made fresh and they're delicious.

We were part of a tour group in Tuscany and our guide brought us here and handed us vouchers good for a scoop. The lines were long but moved very fast. She told us they had won numerous awards, even though the gelateria down the street claimed they were better (nice local rivalry). We opted for more exotic flavors like pine nuts and pistachio and were not disappointed. Was it the best gelato we've ever had? Hard to say, but glad we stopped by.

Kind of touristy but good gelato with a large selection. The service was prompt and friendly. My husband really enjoyed the saffron flavor.

All I can say is amazing. To meet the owner who mingles with those in line and shakes hands. The lines move very fast with about 5 workers behind the counter. I went caramel and it was amazing. Don't be fooled by the place across the street that advertises as being # 1 anyone can claim that.

This gelateria makes BY FAR the best gelato I have ever tasted. I got the lemon and mango gelato together in a cone and the price was super reasonable (about 3 euros) and the portion was huge. There was a line out the door when we initially got there was but the line moved pretty quickly and we were to the front within 5-10 minutes. This gelato was so good that the next time I go to Italy I am going to plan around coming back here. The only negative about this place is that no gelato will ever be able to compare to how good this is now. Fun fact: I learned from a tour guide that when the Obama's were in town they hosted a party and had this gelateria provide the gelato and since then it is also Michelle Obama's favorite gelato spot. They even have a gelato flavor named after her!

There was a line when we went but it went by pretty fast. Lots of options and unique flavors so it was great to try different flavors. Highly recommend!

One of the best gelateria with huge mounds of ice cream with flavors spiked with Alcohol, rum and raisin to wine flavored ones. This is opposite to another world famous tagged gelateria but this one is the legit place with huge line outside the door. We happened to land here while on a day trip to Pisa stopping at San Gimignano, cute medieval town with pretty stores and awesome food!

We came here on a day trip to San Gimignano and was not disappointed. While there are many gelato options in this town, this one is the one to go to. If the line is any indicator, I knew this place would be great! The line was long outside the shop and chaotic, but it did move pretty quickly. Many of the gelato shops tout their awards, including this one, but this is the real one. We got our gelato, which was well priced. I think they could charge more given the demand, but I digress. There is no place to sit inside, but have no fear, as it is located on one of the main squares and there are places to sit nearby outside. This could be a problem if it is hot out, which it was the day we were there. The selection of flavors was great and it tasted awesome! Very fresh!

Worth the long line. Go get some gelato and walk around the square. Eat calories, burn calories. Great choice on our visit here.

Best gelato in the world???? YES PLS!!!! Had to go here after hearing all the ravings and seeing the awards! Honest opinion: amazing but not best I've ever had! Still a must go since it has the award if you're in the area! Amazing variety of flavors and very unique! They are really quick so know what you want before you come in or you'll end up like me and with 2 flavors you didn't mean to get haha! Amazing gelato! I would've eaten more of these if I could!

Went to this gelateria with my kids and they loved it. This place won the world championship for gelato in 2006 and 2008. We got the straw berry, caramel, and champagne flavors and they were very tasty. It is located in a nice village, San Gimignano. If you are in Tuscany, this is a must visit.

Gelateria Dondoli advertises itself as having won multiple awards for the best Gelateria in the world which is a very bold statement to make in a Country full of phenomenal gelaterias. The gelateria is easy to find in the main piazza of San Gimignano but don't be tricked by another nearby gelateria with also claims to be the world's best (without showing any backup evidence). When my wife and I visited the line appeared massive but moved quickly. When we got closer to the entrance, we noticed the options including a few creative specialties. I order two of those specialties: the Burro del Chianti and Castagnaccio & Rosmarino Gelatos. The gelato was heavenly creamy. The Burro del Chianti had a magnificent grape flavor mixed with juicy pieces of fruit. The Castagnaccio & Rosmarino was richly chocolaty with a hint of rosemary and soft pine nuts. Overall, the gelato lives up to the hype. If it's not the world's best, it is very close and it is the most creative gelateria I have ever visited.

Italy 2022 trip! Of course I convinced my bf to do one of those walking tours with me and they took us here! Supposedly the best gelato In the world and it was pretty dam good lol. I got pistachio and Nutella! Amazing! Great place to shop too!

More a fame than quality. This place market itself of the world's champion of gelato, the line is always super long. I tried their salty caramel flavor it's way too sweet and not salty at all, also sweetness but less caramel flavor. It's one of the worst caramel I had. Don't waste time and money here I have to say.

This gelateria has won twice the title of gelato world champion and they want you to know it. It's on their shop sign , on signage as you walk in the door and even on complimentary postcards you can mail to your friends . If you're on a tour your guide may even mention it. Unfortunately I would not have thought I was eating world champion gelato just by judging the flavor . There was a line and I was rushed without sampling the flavors I was interested in . All of these elements combined for an average experience.....perhaps the place is overhyped and my expectations were too high. Saffron is big in this area and their winning flavor is saffron. To me this flavor was just okay at Dondoli. Disappointed with Dondoli gelato in hand I stepped into the other gelato shop in the square and sampled their saffron gelato (they were so nice even despite I had the competitor's gelato in hand). This place had a better saffron gelato! And they also had a cheesecake flavor and several other tasty looking flavors Dondoli did not offer . There was also no line! Their sign said "world's best ice cream." Take a look at both and then decide but just don't buy into the hype like me.

OK, I get it. Although the "best in the world" award is a little misleading, considering that it was many years ago, one cannot dispute the authenticity of this place. There was a line about 20 deep when we arrived around 3 PM in the afternoon, but it was moved very quickly. The array of flavors is very unique, and you have to be prepared by the time it is time to order because the workers are very fast- paced and expect you to know what you want. So, if you're waiting in line, I would pop up to the front first to take a peek at the menu (or even snap a photo) and that way you can make your decision while you're in line. The major advantage that this place has is that it is situated in a medieval square with lots of historical appeal. Hilariously, adjacent to this place, is another gelateria which states that they have the best gelato in the world. Kind of like the cheesesteak wars in Philadelphia.

Very good gelato. Lots of Interesting flavors including the Michelle Obama flavor- I did not get that- did not sound very good to me! I had chocolate chip - delicious and tiramisu - also very good. This is a famous place so expect to wait. There is another gelato close by and I loved it just as much. - see review on their page.

On a tour to San Gimignano our guide let us in on a "secret" that we could try the world's best gelato in the small medieval town of all places. Gelateria Dondoli has won the world championship title twice for their "saffron" flavor gelato. Of course, this meant we had to go try it for ourselves. It doesn't take too long at all to walk to the shop and you'll know you've arrived when you notice the line coming out the door. They offer a ton of different yummy looking flavors to try but unfortunately due to the long lines, I felt really rushed and unable to sample flavors to figure out what I wanted. You have to move quickly here or else risk the wrath of fellow gelato patron and annoyed looking staff (I learned the hard way). While my gelato was yummy it just wasn't worth the hype to me. To this day, I still dream about a lemon gelato I had in Venice in 2013. The main thing I'll remember about Gelateria Dondoli? The line and cute complimentary postcard you can grab on your way in.

Very interesting gelato at San Gimignano. This world champion of gelato. It must be good. In this old town, I cannot believe they have great gelato here. Very refreshing. The flavor is what you can imagine. I was having a chance to try two flavors. The blackberry lavender and the passion fruit are one of the best. The twist of the flavor within flavor is sophisticated. Love it. Try it. Love it again. The art of making by Mr. Dondoli is unique and interesting. It is not difficult to spot the store. When enter the ancient city, you will see a long line for the ice cream. You found the store.

In the historic hilltop town of San Gimignano you'll find this shop in the main town square. There was a short line upon my arrival but it moved quickly. It's a popular place but they have an adequate staff to handle the crowd. I had already gone beyond my maximum daily requirement of gelato so just got a single scoop of espresso in a cup. Thick, creamy and bold in flavor, this gelato was nothing short of spectacular. YUM!

While on our Sienna (Tuscany) day trip, we had free time to walk around and had gelato at a cafe. As we walked around the corner, we saw long lines at this "world champ gelateria". We immediately got in line! The ladies there were working hard and dealt with clueless customer with a smile. I however knew exactly what I wanted! The pistachio is hands down the best we had in our lives (All over Europe). The creaminess is just Devine!

Warning: do not pick an unusual flavor and fall in love with it, expecting to find it at another Gelateria in Italy!!! It's not going to happen!! They have a ton of wonderful and delicious unique flavors that you will ONLY find here!!! Actually, don't even come here, bc no other gelato will even compare to it's wonderfulness. You won't be able to look at gelato the same way after coming to this amazing place!! Initially: I was hesitant to even come here, assuming it was a tourist trap. They have won awards, the tour guide encourages you to go, and there is almost always a super long line out the door. Not only that, it is the only gelato place in that town (they do have an ice cream place). When we walked by the first time the line was crazy long, so I decided we were not going. Then we walked by a second time and the line was dramatically shorter. Of course my curiosity got the best of me and I jumped in line. Boy am I glad I did!! Once inside, there are so many flavors it's overwhelming. Especially, when there are so many people trying to get their gelato all at the same time. I felt quite anxious trying to pick my flavor. The employees are great and have you in and out fast. I could not have been happier with my gelato selection! I was also surprised by the prices. Usually, when places get super popular they jack up the prices. My small cone with 2 flavors was no more than €2-2.50 (this is the going price for that size). I should have gone back for more bc it was worth every penny!! The GELATO: I got the "Biske Rata". The flavor was so good and really unexplainable. It had honey, citrus, almond flavor, and biscuit cookies in it. I also got the dark chocolate which was good too, but the Biske Rata consumed my gelato thoughts for the rest of my trip!! The velvety texture was the softest and smoothest I had ever had. This gelato is unlike any other in Italy. Trust me, I tried really hard to find something somewhat comparable and was unsuccessful!!!

This was seriously good gelato, possibly the best I had during the ten days I spent in Italy. The place was busy, but we didn't have to wait too long, and it was good to take time to peruse the menu with tons of interesting flavors to choose from. Saffron comes up a lot, and I would highly recommend trying at least one flavor with it. I loved the saffron, almond, honey, and orange peel flavor that I ended up choosing. What stood out was the quality of the ingredients and the creative combinations you could get. The owner is a character and the surroundings are lovely as well.

We arrived in San Gimignano late in the day after touring Tuscany's Pisa, Siena and Siena Area Chianti first. We arrived at the foot of the location with just a sliver of daylight left but it was enough to highlight how beautiful the hill town overlooking Tuscany is. We were forewarned by our guide that it's a 10-15 trek uphill to reach the town palazzo area but was encouraged to do so because the reward is San Gimignano's famous Gelateria Dondoli--the world's best gelato. Indeed after huffing and puffing the steady incline, we finally reached Dondoli's facade and the best part was there isn't the usual long queue from tourists. We immediately went for the Gelato World Champion Gelateria Dondoli's winning ice cream, the "Crema Di Santa Fina" or simply Saffron Cream with Pine Nuts! The flavour was immersive, unbelievably creamy and unlike any we've ever had both in Italy or anywhere else in the world. The second taste was for a Butternut Squash Gelato, uniquely flavoured and a tad sugary with a hint of sweet potato goodness but still incomparable to Dondoli's winning concoction. Inside the ice cream shop, the walls are lined with photos and autographs from celebrities and famous personalities that have made the trip and on the entry way, it's all business with various and unique flavoured gelatos on full display. And as tempting as it is to try everything, we chose to just select and concentrate on two for maximum enjoyment of the taste. Dondoli is worth the visit, if not for the delicious ice cream, indulge yourself to San Gimignano's charm and scenery. And oh yes, the place is lined with cheese and meat shops that offer Tuscany's Pecorino sheep milk cheese and Wild Boar Salame and Prosciutto, but that's for another review!

Our tour guide recommended this place and I'm glad that we listened to her! The line was long but it moved quickly and was definitely worth it. It was the best gelato that we had in Italy. I got the ricotta and blueberries (so good), and asked the server what she recommended for my second flavor. She gave me Saffron and pine nuts, which is something I never would have ordered but it was delicious! Definitely recommend this place if you're in San Gimignano, and trying some of the flavors you wouldn't normally try.

Wow. Just had some World champion gelato. Who knew this was in the hills of San Gimignano, Italy, about an hour from Florence. Was it really that good? I might have to say Hell Yeah! I wanted to have every flavor but in order to make an accurate comparison, I decided to go with my usual favorite that I get pretty much everywhere else--the nocciolone or Hazelnut chocolate (aka Ferrero Rocher in gelato form). From the first bite to the last, it was amazing. Was it GOAT? Maybe. It was certainly the greatest I've had in Italy. The flavor was perfectly creamy, crunchy with real whole hazelnuts in it, and just at the perfect temperature. I really enjoyed every bite! The kids loved theirs: chocolate for one and 2 scoops--mango and passion fruit for the other one. PROS: prices are reasonable. Lots of choices. Fresh, local and organic ingredients. CONS: an hour drive from Florence. But worth it! BOTTOM LINE: I want to go back already!

Domineering ice cream at this hidden gem! I love all of the different flavors that are offered. The flavors that I chosed were mango, eggnog, and a purple (raspberry). The textures of the ice cream melted right into your mouth, and although I had a different blend of each flavor, they were all rich, creamy and the vibrant. If you ever go to Italy, check out San Gi

Award winning gelato in the heart of Tuscany. Coffee crisp was probably the best decision in made here. Great coffee flavor, little crispy things that were a nice bonus. The hazelnut or nocciola was fantastic. Just one of the many gelaterias in Italy that does things well.

Gelateria Dondoli has won multiple gelato world champion awards, and it is easy to see why after tasting it! The chocolate and stracciatella were both very creamy and flavorful. The gelato had an awesome consistency and was a little bit "stretchy". Dondoli is located in the middle of a square so it is surrounded by other local shops and restaurants. The staff did a great job of taking orders and were very polite. The line tends to be very long, but it takes a short amount of time to get to the front and make your order. The inside of the shop is small, but there is a lot of space outside to eat your gelato.

This place has the longest line... which seems to move fairly quickly. Be ready with your order though, because it's a bit of a frantic frenzy once you are inside. With unique and traditional flavors, this is a spot to check out. I decided to go with one of each - one scoop of Gorgonzola and one scoop of chocolate. I was glad that I ordered in away which put the chocolate on the bottom... my plan was to scrape off the Gorgonzola if it was too weird. It wasn't... I loved it! Both scoops were smooth, creamy and full of flavor.

Delicious Gelato in an amazing place. First off, go to San Gimignano if you have the chance, it is such an amazing medieval town. This is the World Cup winning Gelato and it definitely tastes like it. Very smooth and tasty flavors! Highly recommend.

This gelato shop has won "Gelato World Champion 2006/2007-2008-2009". Through recommendation from our tour guide, we decided to try the blueberry ricotta, saffron, and there was one that was mixed with hazelnut, creme and chocolate (I forgot the name). The saffron is fragrant, but not overly fragrant. I enjoyed it. However, the blueberry ricotta was a bit weird to me. I didn't think the two flavors mixed really well and the cheesiness of the ricotta was overpowering. It is worth the try though if you are in the Siena area. They have over 40 flavors of gelato, so you will definitely find something for you!

I LOVED the medieval city of San Gimignano and it's completely worth a day trip from Florence, but this allegedly world champion gelato place is very mediocre. Flavors were way too weak. I think they won the world championship for saffron gelato, so maybe I should have tried that or one of their other more unique flavors. But if you want the basics like chocolate, caramel, coffee, etc., this is not the right place.

World champion ice cream in world Worth the drive and very memorable location to visit. Situated inside the castle (amazing view) and had to park away outside. Drove to this place after visiting 5terre, Pisa and on our way back to Florence. Is a very busy place since they are so popular. There was a second famous gelateria next to the place on the square. A lots of flavor to choose that cause us to delay in ordering. Tried the "saffron" that winner BUT came out not my favorite. Pistachio is still our favorite gelato in Italy

The Gelato was absolutely delicious! Definitely among the best we've had while in Italy.

World champions of gelato! Yes, we got to try this famous gelateria thanks to our tour guide who mentioned it on our stop in San Gigmignano. She warned us about another gelato shop that also claims to have the best gelato, but don't be fooled. Gelateria Dondoli is on the left when you walk into the square. There is a long line but it moves quickly and it's worth the wait. I tried the blackberry lavender and passionfruit flavors, and my husband had the mango and the grapefruit champagne flavors. All of them were very delicious and refreshing. I thought the blackberry lavender was very unique and interesting, I enjoyed it very much!

Wow, Dondoli's gelato truly was extraordinary! Mi sono innamorato di questa gelateria :) This dessert place is so famous that there is always a very long line of customers. Before we got there, we had already been mentally prepared to stand on our feet for an unknown amount of time for some tasty frozen treats. As luck would have it, the line moved fairly quickly that day. One cool thing while waiting was that we got to interact with the owner, il Signor Dondoli, himself. He was such a character! Your stereotypical charming Italian guy that everybody wants to hang out with. He would come out and personally greet everyone. I heard him converse with customers in all kinds of foreign languages; and he was always ready to smile and strike a pose for pictures. His gregarious mannerism was infectious. We were all smiling and the queue didn't seem that long after all. The best part of all this, it was finally our turn. Yet, we were completely inundated with the various flavors of gelato. There were more choices than I could count. So glad the workers were patient and we got to sample quite a few of them. It was very difficult to narrow down to a favorite. To name some, the banana was absolutely amazing! In fact, I have to say, that was the best banana gelato I have ever had. An O-M-G moment indeed. And next, who would have thought that saffron and pine nuts would go together but it really does work and the taste was marvelous. Even their chocolate gelato was excellent. That rich and creamy texture was hard to forget. Gelateria Dondoli, you had me sweetened up at first bite.

The gelato is very savory and creamy here but the expectations are higher given they are world champions. It is like the New Year's Eve effect when you expect something amazing and it just doesn't happen. I would still highly recommend this place just for the scenery on the way to San Gimignano.