Barcelona is one of the cities with the highest concentration of artisan gelaterias in Europe. Between the old-school ice cream shops with over a hundred years of history and new-wave projects with signature Italian proposals, the offer is enormous — and not all of it is the same quality.
This guide covers the 20 best ice cream shops in Barcelona in 2026, verified and organised by neighbourhood, with up-to-date information on what makes each one special, whether they have vegan or gluten-free options, and how to get there.
Quick comparison: the 10 best ice cream shops in Barcelona
| Ice cream shop | Neighbourhood | Gluten-free | Vegan | Sugar-free | Price/scoop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gelateria La Palau ⭐ | El Born | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | €3.50 |
| Gocce di Latte | El Born | ✅ | ✅ | — | ~€4 |
| Gelaaati Di Marco | Gothic Quarter | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ~€4 |
| Shanti Gelato | El Born | ✅ | ✅ | — | ~€4 |
| DelaCrem | Eixample | ✅ | ✅ | — | ~€4 |
| Bodevici | Gràcia | ✅ | ✅ | — | ~€4 |
| Selvática | Gràcia | — | ✅ | — | ~€4 |
| Parallelo Gelato | Gràcia | — | ✅ | — | ~€4 |
| El Tío Che | Poblenou | — | — | — | ~€3 |
| Rocambolesc | Las Ramblas | — | — | — | ~€5 |
The Best Ice Cream Shop in El Born: Gelateria La Palau ⭐
Before going neighbourhood by neighbourhood, we start where we think you should start if you are in the city centre: Gelateria La Palau, at Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14, opposite the Palau de la Música Catalana.
La Palau is not just the best-located ice cream shop in El Born — it is one of the few in Barcelona where the gelato is made artisanally by Menodiciotto, an Italian workshop founded in Turin in 1986 by Luca Grassi, Italian maestro gelatiere and founder of Menodiciotto, with no preservatives — cold is the only preservative Menodiciotto uses. The result is over 20 seasonal flavours with a creaminess and depth of flavour that set it apart.
Why is it special?
- Artisan Italian gelato made by Menodiciotto, a Turin workshop founded in 1986 by maestro Luca Grassi
- Almost the entire menu is suitable for coeliacs (gluten-free)
- Wide selection of vegan, lactose-free ice creams and ice lollies
- Sugar-free options for diabetics and people with dietary restrictions
- Also: waffles, freshly squeezed natural juices, milkshakes and valencian horchata in summer
- Family project of the Lázaro-Palau family, with a history stretching back over a hundred years
The customers’ favourite combo: waffle + a scoop of gelato + topping for €4.90. Perfect for a snack before or after visiting the Palau de la Música or strolling through El Born.
📍 Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14 · El Born, Barcelona
⏰ Open every day 12:30 – 23:30
👉 How to get here · See the full menu
Ice Cream Shops in Ciutat Vella and El Born
Gocce di Latte
One of the go-to spots in El Born. Founded in 2012 by an Italian couple from Rome, Gocce di Latte makes its gelato every day with natural ingredients and a range of flavours that spans from the classic to the creative: chocolate with sea salt, dates with cardamom, pear with cinnamon. They also have a second location entirely dedicated to vegan and gluten-free options at Carrer de l’Espaseria, 14 — cones included. Guía Repsol-awarded.
📍 Pla de Palau, 4 · El Born
Gelaaati Di Marco
Authentic artisan Italian gelato under the supervision of maestro gelatiere Marco di Consiglio, from a family of Italian ice cream makers. No colourings or hydrogenated fats. They offer low-sugar, lactose-free, vegan and organic-milk ice creams. One of the highest-rated in the city with over 4.7 stars. Selected by Jordi Roca among the best ice cream shops in the world.
📍 Carrer de la Llibreteria, 7 · Gothic Quarter
Oggi Gelato
Their kitchen is completely visible to customers — total transparency is their philosophy: you can see exactly how every ice cream is made. 100% natural product, no artificial flavours or additives. A proposal rooted in classic Italian tradition, with flavours that change with the season.
📍 Carrer Comtal, 15 · Gothic Quarter
Shanti Gelato
Founded by an Argentinian couple with two locations in El Born. They buy their fruit directly at the Boqueria market to guarantee freshness and quality. 100% artisan, preservative-free ice creams made with seasonal produce. Suitable for coeliacs, with vegan and lactose-intolerant options.
📍 Carrer dels Carders, 18 · and Carrer de Canvis Vells, 2 · El Born
Planelles i Donat
One of the most traditional pastry shops and ice cream parlours in Barcelona, near Portal de l’Àngel. They have been making artisan ice creams, turrones and horchata for generations. Officially recognised as an emblematic establishment of the city. They also have an online shop.
📍 Avinguda del Portal de l’Àngel, 27 · City Centre
Maximum
Artisan ice creams since 1940. Over 80 years of history on La Rambla combining classic recipes with new proposals. One of the few venues in the area with genuine ice cream history behind the counter.
📍 La Rambla, 78 · Las Ramblas
Rocambolesc
The ice cream shop of Jordi Roca, master pastry chef at El Celler de Can Roca (3 Michelin stars). Their soft serve is made to order by pulling the machine lever from an artisan base — nothing is stored in pozzetti. Uniquely shaped ice lollies, panets (warm brioche filled with ice cream) and proposals you will not find anywhere else. More of an experience than an ice cream shop.
📍 La Rambla, 51-59 · next to the Liceu
Topping Circus
A different concept: 12 artisan ice cream flavours but over 100 toppings to choose from, mixed, blended and integrated with the ice cream on a marble surface at sub-zero temperature. Most are gluten-free, with vegan and lactose-free options. Great if you are looking for something personalised and different in the Gothic Quarter.
📍 Carrer d’Avinyó, 27 · Gothic Quarter
Mannà Gelats
A signature ice cream shop in the Gothic Quarter with their own recipes and 10 years of experience. Made fresh daily with seasonal fruit, Valrhona and Del Rey chocolates, and premium nuts. Their vegan range stands out — bold flavours that surprise even non-vegans. They also do delivery across Barcelona.
📍 Carrer dels Banys Nous, 22 · Gothic Quarter
Ice Cream Shops in the Eixample
DelaCrem
One of the highest-rated in Barcelona, with over 5,900 Google reviews. Founded in 2010 by Italian maestro gelatiere Massimo Pignata, it makes artisan gelato with fresh seasonal ingredients using slow food technique. All flavours are gluten-free; sorbets are 100% vegan. Two locations: the original on Enric Granados and the production kitchen on Passeig de Sant Joan. The regular queues speak for themselves.
📍 Carrer d’Enric Granados, 15 · and Passeig de Sant Joan, 59 · Eixample
Sirvent
Founded in 1920, Sirvent is the most iconic horchata and ice cream establishment in Sant Antoni. Over 100 years of artisan horchata, ice cream, granitas and turrones. Interiors designed by an architect, with an open kitchen. In summer the queues are an unmistakable sign of quality.
📍 Ronda Sant Pau, 67 · Sant Antoni
Cremeria Toscana
Created in 2004 by Andrea Giuntoli, born in Milan with Tuscan roots. Makes sorbets and ice creams daily combining the highest-quality seasonal ingredients. Unmatched creamy texture, flavours balanced between classic and innovative. An Eixample reference for over 20 years.
📍 Carrer de Muntaner, 161 · Eixample
Ice Cream Shops in Gràcia
Bodevici
The only certified organic ice cream shop in Barcelona. Their motto: ecological pleasures. They make ice cream, frozen yoghurt, horchata and granitas with organic, local or fair-trade products. No chemical additives, preservatives or colourings. Pioneers of the eco-ice-cream concept in the city.
📍 Carrer de Torrijos, 21 · Gràcia
Parallelo Gelato
One of the most solid projects in Barcelona’s current ice cream scene. Four Italian friends from San Remo make everything in their Sèneca Street kitchen: no semi-processed ingredients, no processed hazelnut paste — they roast and prepare everything themselves. Seasonal ingredients, many from km 0, with milk and cream from local farms. The display changes daily depending on what is available.
📍 Carrer de Sèneca, 18 · Gràcia
Selvática
Winner of the Guía Repsol Solete Award 2023. Maestro gelatiere Natalia Ramírez, Colombian-born with training at Carpigiani Gelato University and Espai Sucre, applies her knowledge of tropical fruits and spices to Italian technique. The display changes every day. Memorable flavours such as spice with pumpkin jam or saffron with roses and pistachio. Many vegan options.
📍 Carrer de Martínez de la Rosa, 65 · Gràcia
Kakigori
A completely different experience: Japanese kakigori is ultra-fine shaved ice bathed in natural syrups, with a texture unlike anything Western. Japanese-atmosphere venue on Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia. All syrups are vegan. They also serve mochis and onigiris. For the curious who want to step completely outside of Italian gelato.
📍 Plaça de la Vila de Gràcia, 12 · Gràcia
Ice Cream Shops in Sant Martí and Poblenou
El Tío Che
A Barcelona institution since 1912. Five generations of the same family have been making artisan horchata and homemade ice cream in Poblenou for over a hundred years. The horchata — made with Denomination of Origin tiger nuts from Alboraya — is considered by many to be the best in the city. Also granitas, merengada milk, turrones in winter and vermouth at weekends. An essential stop if you are in Poblenou.
📍 Rambla del Poblenou, 44 · Poblenou
Ice Cream Shops in Sarrià and Uptown
Gelateria Da Gallo
The most personal project of Sicilian chef Nuncio Cona, returning to his roots with a proposal of artisan ice creams inspired by Sicily. Highly rated on Google (4.7 stars) and very well positioned in updated 2025–2026 rankings. Horchata available in summer.
📍 Uptown Barcelona
Tomo II
With several locations across the city, Tomo offers their own-made ice creams, completely natural, without preservatives or colourings. An endless variety of flavours with a more accessible, family-friendly proposal. A good option for the uptown area.
📍 Carrer de Marià Cubí, 156 · Sarrià-Sant Gervasi
Which ice cream shop do we recommend if you are in the city centre?
If you are visiting El Born, the Gothic Quarter, the Palau de la Música or Las Ramblas, the answer is clear: Gelateria La Palau, right opposite the Palau de la Música at Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14.
Artisan Italian gelato made fresh every day. No preservatives. Suitable for coeliacs, vegans and the lactose-intolerant. With sugar-free options. And if you are not in the mood for ice cream: waffles, fresh natural juices and valencian horchata in summer.
Open every day 12:30 – 23:30. No excuses.
👉 How to get to La Palau · See our menu
Frequently asked questions about ice cream in Barcelona
What is the best ice cream shop in Barcelona?
The best ice cream shop in Barcelona in 2026 is Gelateria La Palau, located at Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14, right opposite the Palau de la Música Catalana in El Born. They make artisan Italian gelato every day with 100% natural ingredients and no preservatives.
Which ice cream shops in Barcelona are gluten-free?
Gelateria La Palau has almost its entire menu suitable for coeliacs. DelaCrem makes all its flavours gluten-free. Gocce di Latte even offers gluten-free cones. Fruit sorbets at most artisan gelaterias are also naturally gluten-free.
What are the best vegan ice cream shops in Barcelona?
Gelateria La Palau offers a wide selection of vegan, dairy-free ice creams. Mannà Gelats stands out for its vegan range with bold flavours. Bodevici in Gràcia is the only certified organic gelateria in the city, with 100% plant-based options.
How much does ice cream cost in Barcelona?
At artisan gelaterias in Barcelona, one scoop costs between €3 and €4, and two scoops between €4.50 and €5.50. At Gelateria La Palau prices range from €3.50 (one scoop) to €5.50 (three scoops), with a waffle + gelato + topping combo at €4.90.
Are ice cream shops open all year in Barcelona?
Yes. Gelateria La Palau is open every day of the year from 12:30 to 23:30. Most artisan gelaterias in Barcelona are also open in winter, though with reduced hours. El Tío Che in Poblenou and DelaCrem in Eixample are other options open year-round.
What is the difference between gelato and ice cream?
Artisan gelato has less fat and less air than industrial ice cream, giving it a denser texture and more intense flavour. It is served between -8 and -11°C (compared to -18°C for conventional ice cream), contains no preservatives, and is made in small batches with fresh ingredients.
What is the best ice cream shop in El Born?
The best ice cream shop in El Born is Gelateria La Palau, at Carrer de Sant Pere Més Alt, 14, right opposite the Palau de la Música. Also in the neighbourhood you will find Gocce di Latte (Pla de Palau, 4) and Shanti Gelato (Carrer dels Carders, 18).
Are there sugar-free ice cream options in Barcelona?
Yes. Gelateria La Palau has sugar-free options suitable for people with diabetes or sugar restrictions. Fruit sorbets at most artisan gelaterias are also naturally low in sugar.