Peppino’s Gelato

Peppino's has done a great deal to raise the standard of ice cream in Dubrovnik. The team describes itself as a group of sweet lovers who learned the difference between ice cream and gelato, and that difference shows in the dense, creamy texture and the inventive flavour list. It runs two shops inside the walls: the flagship Peppino's Gelato Factory at Ulica od Puča 9 and the premium Gelato Garden scoop shop on Ulica Svetog Dominika, close to the Dominican Monastery.

Flavours rotate, with a selection of featured flavours each week. Recent examples have included yogurt and pomegranate, tiramisu and carob with fig, the last a nod to two traditional Dalmatian ingredients. Classics such as pistachio and hazelnut are always popular, and reviewers mention combinations such as orange cheesecake and a pistachio marzipan flavour named after Mozart. Lemon sorbet is a lighter option on hot days.

Both shops are designed for takeaway, with gelato served in cups and cones to eat as you wander. The Factory on Od Puča, a busy shopping street parallel to Stradun, is the more convenient for most visitors, while the Garden is handy if you are near the Ploče Gate or the Dominican Monastery. It is a sure hit with children, and the price of a scoop is modest for the Old Town.

According to its website, both shops open every day from 11:00 to 20:00. Queues form in the late afternoon in high summer, so mid-morning or early evening is often quicker. Hours may change outside the main season, so check the website or social media if you are visiting in winter.

Allow 10 to 15 minutes. From the Od Puča shop, it is a short walk to Gundulić Square, the cathedral and the Rector's Palace, so a scoop fits easily between sights. The two shops have slightly different characters, with the Factory on Od Puča better suited to a quick scoop while shopping and the Garden a pleasant stop on the way to or from the Ploče Gate. If you are travelling with a group, each person can pick a different weekly flavour and share tastes. The weekly specials are announced on Peppino's website and social media, so it is worth checking what is new before you go.