3 weeks ago
Why Cold, Windy Edinburgh Has Become a Gelato Destination
Gelato is a frozen dessert from Italy that is similar to ice cream, but it is made with more milk and less cream.
Edinburgh is a city in Scotland that is often cold and windy.
Even though it is cold, gelato has become very popular there.
Ten years ago, the city had only one or two gelato shops, and now it has about a dozen.
A famous gelato company called Amorino just opened a shop near the Royal Mile.
Many tourists visit Edinburgh, and more than half of the customers in many gelato shops are visitors.
One shop called Oscar's Gelato won a big prize for having the best gelato in the whole country.
Scotland has great milk and berries because of its rainy, sunny summers, which makes the gelato taste extra good.
Experts say people now want natural, handmade food instead of mass-produced treats, and that is exactly what gelato offers.
Edinburgh's gelato scene has grown from one or two parlors a decade ago to about a dozen today.
Global gelato chain Amorino opened its first Edinburgh shop in mid-July, ahead of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, with three more shops planned.
Edinburgh drew 5 million overnight visitors in 2024 — twice as many as Glasgow — and tourists make up more than half of customers at many gelaterias.
Oscar's Gelato in the Portobello neighborhood was named the 2026 national champion at the Golden Scoop Awards.
Scotland's love of frozen desserts dates back to Italian immigrants at the turn of the 20th century, when Glasgow's ice cream shops grew to about 330.
- Who
- Local gelato makers such as Rebecca Fuller of Ciccetta's, Mary Hillard of Mary's Milk Bar, and Monika Oziablo of Oscar's Gelato, alongside global brand Amorino.
- What
- Edinburgh has become a booming gelato destination, with the Italian-style dessert now a staple in the Scottish capital.
- Where
- Edinburgh, Scotland — including the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Bruntsfield, and Portobello.
- When
- Currently, with Amorino opening in mid-July and Oscar's Gelato winning its national title earlier this year.
- Why
- The region's rainfall and long summer daylight produce lush pastures and rich dairy and fruit, while a tourism boom and demand for artisanal food have fueled gelato's popularity.
Key facts
- Gelato parlors in Edinburgh
- About a dozen today, up from one or two a decade ago
- Amorino's arrival
- Mid-July, with three more shops planned; first shop located off the Royal Mile
- Edinburgh visitors (2024)
- 5 million overnight visitors, twice as many as Glasgow, per VisitScotland
- Average cone price
- £5 ($6.70)
- Oscar's Gelato award
- Top prize at the Golden Scoop Awards; named 2026 national champion
- Ciccetta's sales
- About 1,000 scoops per day, doubling on sunny days
- TikTok effect
- Videos of Mary's Milk Bar flavors built a dedicated fan base
- Joelato partnership
- Partnered with the Balmoral Hotel this summer; also has a shop in St James Quarter
Quotes
Leandro Crolla
Co‑owner of the Vittoria Group, which operates Amorino
““The company chose Edinburgh because of its high number of international visitors and the growing ‘foodie locals’ community.””
livemint.com
““You can almost tell the cows are happier here.””
livemint.com










