Whether your wanderings take you to Monti, the Via del Corso or Trastevere, you are bound to stumble across one of the half-a-dozen branches of Fatamorgana scattered across town. What sets Maria Egnese Spagnuolo’s gelato apart is her creative flavour combinations. Depending on the season, she may team hazelnuts with butter and sage flower or with spicy dukkah, combine lime with magnolia flowers or pair Kentucky chocolate and tobacco leaves. Even locals consider this gelateria as one of the best in town. gelateriafatamorgana.com

For Günther Rohregger, the mastermind behind Gunther Gelato Italiano, a good gelato is all about choosing the right ingredients, which is why he publishes the recipes for some of his best-loved flavours, such as mountain pine or eggnog, on his website. He even imports water from his home province of Alto Adige, while sourcing organic milk from local famers for the gelateria. Vegan and gluten-free options are available; head to Piazza Sant’Eustachio or Via Due Macelli near the Trevi Fountain to try some of the best gelato in Rome for yourself. gunthergelatoitaliano.com

Sitting on Via dei Coronari, one of Rome’s loveliest streets, Gelateria del Teatro makes its gelato fresh daily, and creativity abounds. The flavours of the gelato are strictly seasonal, apart from the strawberry – the owner promised local school children he would keep it on the menu all year round, using greenhouse berries in winter. Look for intriguing options such as sage and raspberry or lavender and white peach. Gelateria del Teatro is also known for having some of Rome’s tastiest cones and the best gelato. gelateriadelteatro.it

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. For the past 30 years this Trastevere gelateria has taken a pared-back approach. Instead of being piled high in swirling mounds, the gelato at Fiordiluna is stored safely in metal containers, and recipes are kept as simple as possible, some featuring only two ingredients. Their fruit flavours in particular are superb: try the mirtillo (blueberry) when it’s in season. Two other reasons Fiordiluna is ranked as one of the best: it stays open late, so you can stop in after dinner, and as well as cups and cones, it serves its gelato in a brioche, Sicilian-style. fiordiluna.com

If you haven’t yet made it to the hip Prati neighbourhood it’s about time you went, and Gelateria dei Gracchi is one of the best reasons. There are plenty of boutiques, bars and restaurants to discover along the main strip of Cola di Rienzo and its side streets, but you can always spot this tiny outlet by the queue outside. Steering clear of colourings and preservatives, this gelateria specialises both in classic gelato flavours (try the pistachio) and unusual combinations such as rice and honey. gelateriadeigracchi.it

Heads-up if you happen to be gluten-free: Fiocco di Neve is the gelateria of your dreams. Every single gelato flavour here is gluten-free and there are plenty to choose from, from classics like coffee and fruit of the forest to tiramisu. But wait, there is more: the cones and waffles here are also gluten-free, so you can indulge without hesitation. It’s easily the best gluten-free option in Rome. The location near the Pantheon makes it super-easy to find. instagram.com/fioccodineveroma

Cacio e pepe gelato: yes or no? For some, the idea of creating a gelato based on Rome’s favourite cheese-and-pepper pasta is pure brilliance. Others will shudder and reach for a scoop of something safe, like hazelnut, instead. The good news is at Otaleg in Trastevere, Marco Radicioni offers both. If you lean towards the old school, his chocolate and fruit gelatos are wonderful. Perhaps his signature flavour is a rich eggnog, made with heady Marsala wine. The creative gelato flavours are some of the best and most unique in Rome. instagram.com/otaleg.radicioni