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Top Gelato In The Philadelphia Region

Philadelphia, particularly South Philly, has one of the largest populations of Italian-Americans of any city in the country. It's no wonder then that the City of Brotherly Love loves its gelato. This incredible Italian ice cream has less butterfat and less churning time, so it's creamier, denser and actually healthier than its American cousin. So if you're up for a tasty treat, here's the scoop on where to get the best gelato in Philadelphia.

Capogiro Gelato Artisans
119 S. 13th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
(215) 351-0900
www.capogirogelato.com

For the top-rated handcrafted gelato, not only in Philadelphia but on the planet, head to Capogiro Gelato Artisans. The National Geographic book "Food Journeys of a Lifetime" named our hometown's go-to gelato shop the number one place on the globe to get this delicious frozen dessert. Capogiro's gelato geniuses have been a Philly fixture since 2002 when owners John and Stephanie Reitano set out to find the best local ingredients to create their rotating menu. Check out unique flavors that include Saigon cinnamon, Uva Verde (green grapes), Madagascar bourbon vanilla and Sicilian pistachio.

Related: Philadelphia Home To The Best Place In The World To Eat Ice Cream

Classic Cake
Short Hills Towne Center
480 Evesham Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003
(856) 751-5448
www.classiccake.com

Classic Cake is not just a bakery. Located across the bridge in Cherry Hill, this suburban landmark uses top-quality natural ingredients to serve up some of the best gelato in the area. European-trained Chef Robert Bennett has created a menu full of traditional flavors and seasonal specialties that will titillate your taste buds. Treat yourself to large or small cones and cups, or buy it by the pint.

Tazza Caffe Delizioso
Caesar's Atlantic City
2100 Pacific Ave.
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
(609) 348-4411 Ext. 2098
www.tazzatogo.com

If you need to satisfy your gelato cravings in the middle of the night or in the wee hours of the morning, Tazza, inside the main lobby of Caesar's, is open 24/7. Taste testing is encouraged, but as the shop's name implies, all of the flavors are delizioso. Try a double scoop of creamy excitement with peanut butter and dark chocolate. Stracciatella, hazelnut and pistachio will also send your taste buds into overdrive. For those counting calories, Tazza even offers sugar-free gelato in cups or cones.

Related: Top Cold Treats In Philadelphia

Tutto Gelato
9712 3rd Ave.
Stone Harbor, NJ 08247
(609) 368-1263
www.facebook.com/Tutto-Gelato-Stone-Harbor

Escape the summer heat at the Jersey Shore's favorite gelateria, Tutto Gelato in Stone Harbor. This seasonal shop offers up almost 20 flavors of freshly made gelato daily. The owner Andy – you can't miss the smiling guy in the yellow t-shirt – offers free taste tests of his fabulous flavors, but that will make your selection only more difficult. So get a double scoop cup and try at least two of these smooth, intense favorites: Blood Orange, Honeymoon (a French toasty cinnamon), Happy Almond (coconut with Almond Joy shavings) and watermelon.

Varallo Brothers Bakery
1639 S. 10th St.
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(215) 952-0367
www.varallobrothersbakery.com

The Varallo brothers are Italian immigrants who apprenticed as bakers and ice cream makers in Montella Avellino, Italy, before opening up their own pasticceria here in Philadelphia in 1981. It's no surprise, then, that this spot has been repeatedly awarded "Best of Philly" for its great homemade gelato. The brothers create their sweet treats with fresh ingredients and absolutely no preservatives. Oreo, creme caramel, tiramisu and chocolate/strawberry/banana are just a few of their most delicious decadent flavors.

Susan DeFeo has been a professional writer since 1997. She served as a community events columnist for New Jersey's "Cape May County Herald" for more than a decade. A writer for numerous online publications, Susan has covered health, fitness, beauty and travel, all subjects that are near and dear to her as a married mother of seven children. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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