Italian gelato is lighter than ice cream because it’s made with milk rather than cream. It’s churned slower and stored at a warmer temperature than ice cream as well. This delicious treat is perfect for summer afternoons walking in Central Park or for taking a break while shopping in Soho. Whatever your preferred flavor of gelato, there’s a shop in Manhattan that does it just as well as they do in Italy.

There’s no need to break the bank on a European getaway when you can have an authentic taste of Italia in NYC. These are the 10 best gelato shops to cool down with on a summer’s day in Manhattan.

10 Anita La Mamma del Gelato

Anita La Mamma del Gelato serves over 150 flavors and has become one of the highest-rated gelato shops in Manhattan. The store has a long history, with Mama Anita starting her famous gelato business 20 years ago in a Mediterranean kitchen. Anita’s son, Nir, began selling the ice cream from a cart locally, and when it became popular enough, they opened the first store.

All of the flavors at Anita La Mamma del Gelato are 100% handmade. With so many to choose from, there truly is something for everyone.

9 Bambina Blue

Bambina Blue claims to have the wildest gelato in NYC and serves gelato in a cone, cup, or as a milkshake. From Matcha Man to Peanut Bambina & Jelly, it’s impossible to get bored of their 32 totally original flavors.

Bambina Blue has an offbeat vibe that guarantees a crazy time when you enter their shop. They want customers to embrace the quirkiness of the store and immerse themselves in the experience; it’s a great chance to step out of your comfort zone and try a wacky new flavor.

Related: Here Are America's Most Popular Ice Cream Flavors (And Number One Is Surprising)

8 Mo Gelato

Mo Gelato offers gelato made fresh daily in the heart of Manhattan. This popular gelato shop has over 20 flavors, including some classic favorites like Bacio and innovative new ones like Monella (dark cherry and amarena).

In addition to their gelato flavors, Mo Gelato also serves some refreshing fruity sorbettos, including Fragola, Mango, and Limone. During the winter season, the shop remains open and serves up other Italian treats like tiramisu, cakes, and hot chocolate.

7 Amorino

Amorino has earned its popularity in Manhattan through a diverse selection of gelato classics and rich chocolate treats. They serve gelato by the cup, in a waffle cone, or in a chocolate waffle cone. In addition to single-serving sizes for a hot summer's day, Amorino sells “to-go” gelato tubs to enjoy at home and their special gelato macarons.

Customers visiting the shop can also sit down with a Moccacino, which is a blend of chocolate and classic Italian espresso. Beat the heat with their specialty gelato drinks like the espresso frappé (espresso, coffee, and vanilla gelato) or the fruit sorbet drink.

6 Il Laboratorio Del Gelato

Il laboratorio del gelato was founded by Jon Snyder and is the result of his lifelong passion of serving quality ice cream in New York. Operating locally since 2002, this gelato shop is a custom lab where visitors can try unique gelato flavors that are top quality.

The shop offers a wide variety of flavors, broken into these categories: cheese/savory, chocolate, fruit, grain/cereal, nut, spice, spirits/liqueur/beer, sweet, tangy, and vegetal/herbal. Anyone looking to try a flavor they’ve never heard of before should make visiting il laboratorio del gelato a priority when they’re in Manhattan. Caramel corn, bourbon pecan, oatmeal, fuji apple, and brown butter are just a few of the standouts on the menu.

5 Julietta Gelato Cafè

Julietta Gelato Cafè advertises itself as “simple Italian indulgences” and is the perfect stop on a hot day in the concrete jungle. The company was started by 3 Italians, and they view every guest like family.

The shop is only open Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays but is worth penciling into your weekend plans. They offer authentic Italian gelato in popular flavors from fruity-fresh strawberry to rich chocolate.

4 L’arte Del Gelato

L’arte Del Gelato is a must-try spot for gelato connoisseurs in Manhattan. The shop has its origins in Sicily, where the company’s founder Francesco Realmuto spent his childhood. L’arte Del Gelato has a shorter flavor list than many gelaterias in NYC, but that’s because all of its flavors are rooted in Sicilian tradition.

Some of their classic gelatos include Amarena Variegato, Cannella, Vaniglia, and Stracciatella.

3 Venchi

Venchi is a gelato shop in Manhattan with a rich history, dating back to 1878 when Silviano Venchi with chocolate making in Turin. Today, the company boasts 350 chocolate recipes, over 140 years in the business, and more than 90 flavors of gelato.

The gelato flavors are made fresh daily in Venchi’s boutique shop using all-natural ingredients. Besides walking in for a scoop, customers can order gelato in NYC for delivery through services like UberEats, Postmates, and GrubHub.

Related: New York, Sardinia, And Every Other Major City With The Best Ice Cream (According To Stars)

2 CONES Artisanal Ice Cream Since 1998

CONES Artisanal Ice Cream is a highly-rated gelato shop in Manhattan. It sells gelato, sorbet, and ice creams that are all handmade with fresh ingredients. This store is famous for its Argentinian artisanal recipe, which is a combination between classic gelato and ice cream.

Their large waffle cones have become a staple on New Yorkers’ Instagram feeds during the summer months. Generous scoops of two, three, and four different gelato flavors make for mouthwatering photos and are a great way to try all the incredible options this shop offers.

From Dulche de Leche to Mascarpone, they have all the classics of Italy right here in NYC.

1 Screme Gelato Bar

Screme is a Kosher gelato bar in Manhattan, serving up delicious flavors to rave customer reviews. All of their gelatos is manufactured under strict supervision for Kosher guidelines and the facility is closed on Shabbat.

Their gelato is also 100% vegan and all-natural. They don’t have a set menu of flavors and their Instagram bio states their selection changes daily. They have the classics like Stracciatella and Tiramisu, along with some more innovative choices like Cap’n crunch and Chips Ahoy.