Gelato vs Ice Cream: What’s the Difference & Why It Matters?

Whether it’s a summer afternoon in Milan or a weekend treat in Manchester, nothing captures the joy of indulgence quite like a scoop of something cold and sweet. But when it comes to choosing between gelato and ice cream, many are left wondering – what’s the real difference? At San Carlo, where passion for Italian cuisine runs deep, we believe that understanding the craft behind your dessert makes it all the more delightful. So let’s break down the key differences between gelato and ice cream – and why you’ll always find us reaching for the Italian classic.

What is gelato?

Gelato is Italy’s answer to ice cream – but it’s more than just a translation. Made with a higher proportion of milk to cream, gelato contains less fat than traditional ice cream. It’s also churned at a slower speed, which incorporates less air, resulting in a texture that’s denser, silkier and far more intense in flavour.

At San Carlo, we serve artisan gelato that reflects the traditions of the Italian gelatieri – smooth, rich and created with ingredients sourced for their authenticity and taste.

What is ice cream?

Ice cream, as we know it in the UK and US, typically contains a higher butterfat content – sometimes up to 20%. It’s churned faster, which means more air is whipped into the mixture. This results in a lighter texture but often dulls the intensity of flavour.

It’s cold and creamy, yes, but after you’ve experienced gelato, it can feel a touch heavy and overly sweet.

Gelato vs Ice Cream: 5 Key Differences

When it comes to gelato vs ice cream, here are the 5 standout differences:

4. Flavour Intensity

• Gelato: Richer and more pronounced flavours, as the lower fat content doesn’t mask the ingredients.
• Ice Cream: Creamier but often milder in taste due to the higher fat content.

FAQs: Gelato vs Ice Cream

Is gelato healthier than ice cream?

In many ways, yes. Gelato typically contains less fat than ice cream, as it’s made with more milk and less cream. It also uses fewer egg yolks – sometimes none at all – depending on the recipe. Because it’s churned more slowly and served slightly warmer, it has a denser texture and richer flavour, which often means you feel satisfied with less. That said, both are indulgent treats – best enjoyed in moderation and with pleasure.

Why isn’t gelato sold in most stores?

True artisan gelato is best served fresh and that’s part of its charm. It has a shorter shelf life than ice cream and is typically made in small batches. Because gelato is stored at warmer temperatures, it doesn’t travel well in the deep freeze aisles of supermarkets. That’s why you’ll rarely find authentic gelato on the shelves – it’s meant to be savoured in gelaterias or authentic Italian restaurants, where it’s served at its best.

Do Italians eat ice cream or gelato?

Italians are firmly in the gelato camp. While ice cream is more common in other countries, in Italy, gelato is a part of everyday life – whether it’s a mid-afternoon treat, a post-dinner ritual or a stroll-through-the-piazza indulgence. It’s not just dessert – it’s tradition. And at San Carlo, we’re proud to bring that tradition to the UK with every scoop.

Book a table at one of our San Carlo locations and you’ll find handcrafted gelato that’s as authentic as it is irresistible. From classic flavours to seasonal sundae specials, each scoop tells a story of Italian artistry and passion.

Because when it comes to dessert, nothing compares to the real Italian experience.

A hidden gem, if you haven’t experienced San Carlo’s Gran Cafe on lower ground floor at Selfridges, Exchange Square in Manchester, now you have two more reasons to visit.

Just named Cafe of the Year 2016 in the prestigious Les Routiers Awards, an award presented to honour establishments which consistently achieve outstanding standards,  Gran Cafe has is also receiving rave reviews for its all new afternoon tea.

Offering elegant, European style cafe dining in a fresh, chic setting, Gran Cafe serves a delicious range of all day brunch dishes, seasonal superfood salads, soups, smoothies, fabulous patisserie and gelato creations alongside a range of cocktails, wines, champagne, speciality teas and coffees.

Now, the award winning venue introduces the Gran Cafe Afternoon Tea – a spectacular, indulgent treat with a delightful Italian twist. Elegantly presented alongside a selection of high grade speciality teas including white, rosebud, green and jasmine options, diners can choose to have theirs with or without champagne. The afternoon tea features a range of hand crafted sweet and savoury treats, including smoked salmon and marscapone with red apple, cucumber, lime and dill and a mini melanzane parmigiana (layers of baked aubergine, mozzarella and Parmesan) the sweet selection includes a mini fresh fruit panna cotta, a scone with clotted cream and jam and a slice of Italian style mille-feuille. At £15.95 per person or £25.95 with champagne, the Gran Cafe afternoon tea experience offers the perfect treat for a special occasion or a wonderfully indulgent break whilst shopping!

Gran Cafe is open 10am – 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am – 8pm on Saturdays and from 11am – 530pm on Sundays.

If you’re looking for a super chic Valentines treat then head over to San Carlo Gran Café on the lower ground floor of Selfridges in Exchange Square, their limited edition Valentines macarons are good enough to swoon over.

Inspired by retro heart sweets, the boxes of four macarons are hand iced with cute,  loving messages such as ’Be Mine’ and ‘Kiss Me.’ In three delicate shades of pink they come in two romantic flavours, rose and raspberry and strawberries and champagne. In a clear hand bag style box hand tied with Gran Café ribbons, at £8.50 they make the perfect Valentines treat.

Find San Carlo Gran Café on the lower ground floor of Selfridges Exchange Square, Manchester

Open every day for breakfast, brunch, lunch and afternoon tea.  Monday – Friday 10am – 8pm; Saturdays 9am – 8pm; Sundays 11.00am-5.30pm

Start your day with breakfast and it’s proven you’ll not only snack less through the day but you’re brain and body will benefit too!

That’s why we’re calling on you to get involved in this year’s National Breakfast Week (24th January – 30th January). Enjoy a morning visit to one of our restaurants in London and Manchester that are open before noon for breakfast and brunch.

Fresh Pastries, Smooth Italian Coffee, Granola, Pancakes, Eggs Benedict, Breakfast Sandwiches, Omelettes and our renowned ‘Great Cicchetti Breakfast’ – a ‘Full English’ with a San Carlo Group twist – are all on the menu to tempt you through the door.

For just £7.95 ‘The Great Cicchetti Breakfast’ includes eggs of your choice: two fried, poached or scrambled; with smoked bacon and baked beans, two Lancashire Farm pork and leek sausages, sauteed mushrooms with onions, hash brown, tomato and Bury black pudding. Served with toast and tea or coffee.

Cicchetti in Piccadilly and Covent Garden, London and Cicchetti in Manchester are all ready to serve from 8am on weekdays and 9am at weekends.

Bottega and Gran Cafe restaurants in Selfridges, Manchester are also open early offering savoury and sweet Italian dishes alongside the Breakfast Belini and, of course, ‘The Great Bottega Breakfast’!

For full details and opening hours visit our website www.sancarlo.co.uk
For more details on Breakfast Week visit www.shakeupyourwakeup.com/breakfast-week

Our elegant Gran Cafe in Selfridges, Manchester has won ‘Cafe of the Year’ in the prestigious 2016 UK and Ireland Les Routiers Awards.

The cafe, bar and patisserie on the lower ground Floor of the designer department store was recognised for consistently meeting and exceeding the Les Routiers’ membership standards and highlighted for its overall outstanding performance, as well as excellent customer feedback and reviews.

Tina Griffiths, Customer Service Executive at Les Routiers UK and Ireland, said: “Les Routiers acknowledges establishments which share a sense of individuality that sets them apart from global chains. Our annual awards are an opportunity to champion venues, such as Gran Cafe, that are well-managed, offer exceptional food and immpecable service.”

San Carlo Group Chairman Carlo Distefano added: “Gran Cafe only launched in August 2015 so we are understandably delighted to be achieving awards so soon after opening.”

Les Routiers brand is recognised worldwide and recommends quality independent restaurants and hotels across the UK and Ireland.

Fumo Birmingham also received recognition with a nomination for ‘Restaurant of the Year’ 2016, an award which the bar, restaurant and late lounge won in 2015.

Afternoon Tea is often seen as a decedent treat, an enjoyable and relaxed experience reserved for special celebrations … but sometimes it’s nice to do something indulgent just because!

Our Italian take on this British tradition is ideal for all occasions – a family gathering, a birthday surprise – or just a break from shopping.

Choose from a simple ‘Cream Tea’ of Fruit Scones with Jam and Clotted Cream served with your Choice of Teas or go extravagant with our ‘Champagne Tea’  with Assorted Finger Sandwiches, Fruit Scones, Savoury and Sweet Pastries,  Choice of Teas and Glass of Veuve Cliquot Brut.

Afternoon Tea is served at Gran Cafe at Selfridges, Manchester and our Cicchetti restaurants in Manchester, Covent Garden and Piccadilly, London.  Days and times of availability vary so please contact the venue to enquire and make a booking.

Other freshly made Italian cakes, pastries and our Gran Cafe macarons are available to eat in or take home.