As summer descends on Rome, the city readies itself for an onslaught of tourists that will saturate its cobble-stoned streets for several hot, sticky months. For a refreshing and satisfying respite from the heat — though not necessarily the crowds — visitors and locals alike pass the masses near the Trevi Fountain and make their way up to a small, tucked away side street for the best gelato Rome has to offer: il gelato di San Crispino. Like many delectable finds, this one is not undiscovered. But after one smooth spoonful all the lines and crowds no longer matter.

The space in the gelateria is narrow, simple, and soft, but the flavors are inspired, changing each day based on the seasons and what’s fresh and local that morning. Still, there are some notable varieties such as ginger and cinnamon, fresh walnut and fig, ricotta, or San Crispino’s signature flavor with wild strawberry-tree honey from Sardinia.

The sorbets, too, are delectable in their fruitiness and intensity. Favorites include blackberry and Seville orange, but the range of tastes is enough to satisfy any palette. Whatever you go for, just don’t expect a cone, whipped cream, or any other topping.

The owners behind il gelato di San Crispino believe that such additions only serve to spoil the pureness of the gelato itself. One sample of this gelato’s clean taste and rich creaminess and you’ll understand why they’re so adamant about preserving its purity.

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