The Best Pistachio
Gelato in London.

Pistachio is the flavour by which serious gelato people judge a gelateria. Not chocolate, not vanilla — pistachio. The reason is simple: pistachio is one of the most commonly adulterated flavours in commercial gelato. A vivid, acidic green colour and a sweet, vaguely nutty taste are the giveaway signals of industrial paste. Genuine pistachio gelato looks and tastes nothing like this.

Here is what to know — and where to find the best version in London.

What makes pistachio gelato authentic

Genuine pistachio gelato is made from real pistachios, ground into a paste with nothing added — no sweeteners, no flavourings, no colour. The result is a pale, dusty, greenish-grey colour. Not the vivid emerald of industrial product. The flavour is complex: slightly savoury, resinous, with a bitterness that underpins the sweetness rather than being overwhelmed by it. If a pistachio gelato is bright green and tastes uniformly sweet, it is made from paste, not pistachios.

Why Bronte pistachios are different

The Pistacchio Verde di Bronte is a DOP-protected variety grown on the slopes of Mount Etna in eastern Sicily. The volcanic soil of the region produces a pistachio unlike any other: more intensely flavoured, with a higher fat content and a more complex aromatic profile than Iranian or Californian pistachios, which dominate commercial production. Bronte pistachios are expensive — roughly ten times the price of their industrial equivalents — which is why most gelato producers do not use them. At Gelatone, we do. The flavour difference is not subtle.

What to look for when ordering

Before ordering a pistachio gelato anywhere, look at the colour. A pale, natural greenish-grey is a good sign. A vivid, uniform emerald green is not. If possible, ask whether the gelato is made from whole pistachios or from a paste. A confident, specific answer is reassuring. A vague or defensive response is not. Taste a small amount before committing: the flavour should be complex, slightly savoury, and clearly of pistachio rather than of a pistachio-flavoured product.

Where to find the best pistachio gelato in London

In our view, Gelatone at 23 Rose Street in Covent Garden makes the best pistachio gelato in London. We are, of course, not objective on this point — but we are specific: our pistachio is made from Bronte DOP pistachios, ground in-house, with no added colour or flavouring. The colour is a natural, dusty green. The flavour is unmistakably pistachio. We make it fresh each morning and serve it the same day. You are welcome to compare it to anything else in the city.