When Sammontana Gelato popped up in New York City, my heart went boom. I grew up in Marina di Carrara, where my great-grandfather founded a beach club, and my very first ‘job’ at eight years old (LOL) was serving Sammontana gelati behind the counter… standing on a stool to reach the freezer, and definitely eating more gelato than I served.
For me, Sammontana is Tuscany, family, and the taste of summer. And now, you can find it right here in NYC, at Eataly Flatiron.
Sammontana Gelato at Eataly Flatiron
This summer, Sammontana made its American debut at Eataly Flatiron with a gelato kiosk right in the heart of Manhattan, and you can order scoops of Sammontana’s most iconic flavors!
Creamy, bold, and unmistakably Italian, here you’ll find the gelato I grew up with: Pistachio, Chocolate, Hazelnut…
Inside Eataly, you can also buy pints of Sammontana Gelato (in Italy, we called them Barattolini). And YOU HAVE TO TRY the Croccantino flavor… absolutely my favorite!
A Note on Gelato: Artisanal vs. Commercial
In Italy, gelato comes in two forms, and both are part of daily life.
- Artisanal: made fresh each day by a gelatiere in small neighborhood gelaterie. Seasonal, crafted in small batches, often with unique local flavors.
- Commercial: produced at scale and sold in supermarkets, cafés, and kiosks. This is the gelato you’ll always find at beach clubs, bars, and kiosks.
Sammontana belongs to this second category. It’s not about imitating a small artisanal shop, it’s about being the Italian brand that generations grew up with. For me, it’s comfort, nostalgia, and the taste of home.
The Story of Sammontana
Sammontana was born in 1946 in Empoli, Tuscany, just a short drive from my hometown of Marina di Carrara. What started as a small family dairy soon became Italy’s most beloved gelato brand. After World War II, the very first industrial machines Sammontana used actually came from the U.S. Army in Genoa… such a cool Italy–America connection!!!
Over the decades, Sammontana became Italy’s #1 gelato brand, a true symbol of summer for generations.
In the 1970s, the company turned to none other than Milton Glaser, the designer of the iconic “I ❤️ NY” logo, to create its smiling gelato cone. That little smile has been part of every Italian childhood ever since, mine included 🥰
And now, in 2025, it feels like everything has come full circle. The smile that once inspired Sammontana in Tuscany has made its way back to New York City, right in the heart of Flatiron!!!
Why Croccantino Is My Forever Favorite
If there’s one Sammontana flavor that will always have my heart, it’s Croccantino: creamy gelato swirled with crunchy almond brittle, a touch of caramel, and that perfect balance of sweet and nutty. It’s indulgent, it’s nostalgic, and honestly… it’s impossible to stop at just one scoop.
You can now find Croccantino pints at Eataly Flatiron – trust me, once you try it, you’ll be obsessed too 🫣
Where to Find Sammontana in New York City
If you’re ready to taste Sammontana Gelato, head to Eataly Flatiron.
📍 200 Fifth Avenue, at 23rd Street.
- At the kiosk: order scoops of Sammontana’s most iconic flavors (Pistachio, Chocolate, Hazelnut, and more).
- Inside Eataly: pick up pints of Sammontana Gelato (Barattolini, as we called them in Italy), including my absolute favorite, Croccantino.
And this is just the beginning! You’ll also find it at Eataly Downtown and in some of New York’s most beloved neighborhood spots like Di Palo’s (Little Italy), Mulberry Market (SoHo), West Side Market (Upper West Side), Lincoln Market (Chelsea + Harlem)… just to name a few 🍦
Sammontana is also rolling out at all Eataly stores across the U.S., from NYC Downtown to Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Silicon Valley, Miami’s Aventura Mall, and King of Prussia Mall near Philadelphia.
Please let me know if you try Sammontana… and especially if you grab Croccantino!!! ENJOY!!!
