RivaReno Gelato: the authentic Italian artisanal gelato maker and its coffee shop in the Latin Quarter

In the heart of the 5th arrondissement, RivaReno Gelato serves up artisanal ice creams churned each morning, blending indulgent Italian specialties, fruit sorbets, and a cozy coffee shop space. A must-visit ice cream shop in the neighborhood!

Discreetly tucked on rue de la Huchette, just steps from the Place Saint-Michel, RivaReno Gelato is a genuine bubble of authenticity that whisks you to the heart of Italy. In a back alley where several more industrial storefronts cluster, this artisanal gelato shop stands out for those who crave ice creams made fresh that very morning. On our visit, two brothers, Enzo and Thomas, welcomed us with a clear passion for their craft.

Here, freshness is abundant, even in the peak of summer heat: the team is at work from 5 a.m. to prepare the entire daily production. From the shop, a glass wall offers a direct view of the laboratory, letting customers watch the artisans at work.

We were also able to watch the strawberry ice cream being made! This total transparency reassures on the 100% homemade character and the quality of the ingredients used by this Bologna-born franchise and its first shop opened in France.

Beyond the ice-cream counter, the spot also welcomes guests on site with its sleek, air-conditioned coffee shop vibe, and a carefully curated decor that highlights the utensils and elements that recall the ice-cream world. In this quiet little street, though passers-by come and go, it is a haven of calm to settle in comfortably.

From 7 a.m., the venue offers a hearty breakfast deal a breakfast with fresh viennoiseries (filled croissants, pain au chocolat, cookies), accompanied by an Italian espresso or a Viennese hot chocolate. It's also the smart option for late-night sweet cravings: while many Parisian ice creameries close their doors at dinnertime, here the tiny evening frozen treat is available until midnight for the entire season!

On the ice cream front, the display case pleases every palate. Lactose-intolerant guests will find happiness with delicious dairy-free options, such as coconut, dark chocolate, mango, or pistachio. We also encounter traditional standbys (vanilla, stracciatella, hazelnut, coffee), plus a fine collection of sorbets bursting with fruity brightness (fig, raspberry, kiwi, melon, apricot, peach, lemon).

The team adapts directly to the market arrivals: depending on the ripeness and quality of the fruit picked up at dawn, some recipes are given pride of place throughout the day to guarantee maximum flavor, as the fruit is stocked in abundant quantities. You’ll also notice that the ice creams are stored between-10 to -12°C, a temperature slightly higher than average, to prevent flavor from slipping away at tasting and to avoid dulling the palate with the cold.

The house also stands out for its emblematic signature creations from Italy, with ingredients often sourced from the boot. Among them: Contessa (a blend of almonds and amaretti biscuits), the San Luca (white chocolate and puffed rice), the Gianduia, the Caramello Salato (salted caramel with caramelized hazelnuts) or the Morena (milk cream infused with Amarena cherries).

But the undisputed star remains the Cremino Rivareno, a decadent creation pairing hazelnut ganache, white chocolate and gianduia. And you can guess we couldn't resist! A true indulgence reminiscent of a spread of exceptional quality, with a texture so creamy and enveloping that you'd never want to finish your jar, in which the scoops are generously served, Italian-style.

During our tasting, we also sampled the pistachio Contessa duo in a cone, featuring a pistachio that is so intense, rich, and perfectly balanced that it sparked an instant crush (and yes, it was the dairy-free pistachio!), paired with a cream that leans heavily into almonds—slightly roasted—and sometimes even kept a few whole to add a touch of crunch to the texture.

The peach sorbet (peach — produced between June and September, with unpeeled fruit) offers, for its part, a remarkable sweetness where the delicate fruit manages to make its mark even beside a Cremino.

On price, expect €4.50 for 1–2 flavors, €6 for 3 and €7 for 4, a budget fairly reasonable given the location—unless you only want a single scoop. For once, indulgence pays off! If ice cream isn’t your thing, you can opt for strawberry granita (€4), a milkshake (€8) or an affogato (€5.50).

Note that the flavors on the menu change daily, so it's a good reason to return and sample something new. A solid spot to savor authentic Italian gelato, a reliable pick in the heart of a very touristy neighborhood where it's not always clear where to head!

This test was conducted as part of a professional invitation. If your experience differs from ours, please let us know.