Gelato is essentially an Italian variation of ice cream. It has much less fat than ice cream, which results in a deeper, richer flavor. This feature also gives gelato a faster, more satisfying melt-in-your-mouth experience. Traditional gelato comes in a variety of fruit and nut flavors including strawberry, vanilla, mint and pistachio. And while I have seen nontraditional flavors such as Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup gelato, they can’t compare to the more traditional flavors no matter how decadent.

By Karen Zgoda — Photographed by Bobby DiMarzo

Gelato can be found at so many North End area establishments it doesn’t make sense to list them all here, but does give you an excellent excuse to explore the North End. All the restaurants, cafes and pastry shops I contacted for this article for the most part carry their own version of this sweet Italian treat. As you explore the North End, your quest will inevitably lead you to the infamous Hanover St. and the Gigi Gelateria (272 Hanover St.). Among their many, many flavors I highly recommend the pistachio gelato or other traditional flavors, especially if this is your first gelato experience. And luckily for us, if the line is too long at that location, a brand new Gigi Gelateria just opened on the corner of Hanover and Cross Street.

There are a few establishments that have some special non-gelato offerings just for the summer. Slightly veering off of famed Hanover St. will lead you to Polcari’s Coffee (105 Salem St.), which specializes in coffee from around the world. Polcari’s is easy to spot by the local residents who set up lawn chairs out front and spend their days people watching and trading stories about the neighborhood. If you don’t get too caught up listening to their entertaining tales, step inside and cool off with a lemon granita. At only $1.50-2.50, this is by far the cheapest and quickest way to beat the city heat. The world-renowned Mike’s Pastry (300 Hanover St.), as in yes that is really a photo of Bill Clinton visiting above the counter, regularly rotate their desserts and serve a quite delicious chocolate covered S’more year-round. Another bakery that has been a staple in the North End for over 70 years is Modern Pastry (257 Hanover St.). Modern still uses original recipes to make treats such as torrone, fruit tarts and sfogliatelli. If you don’t mind standing in the usually out-the-door line, the pastries are well worth the wait! And if the heat is starting to wear on you and a little pick-me-up is in order, make your way to Boston Common Coffee Co. (97 Salem St.) for a ‘Nor Easter. Traditionally known as a frozen cappuccino, this caffeine packed frozen drink will have you energized and ready to make your way through the North End crowds in no time.

If you are still hankering for summertime treats, I suggest you peruse some of the North End cookbooks available in the neighborhood and try making some of your own. One suggestion is The North End Italian Cookbook by Marguerite Dimino Buonopane. The former restaurant chef-owner includes summertime favorites like granita di limone, zeppole and tartufi cioccolato in her book. For more ideas check out the Phantom Gourmet’s Greatest North End Shops and Stores. Of course, if you have the patience to wait, the annual North End summertime festivals are just around the corner. There is a festival almost every weekend where you can stroll through the crowds and enjoy freshly filled cannolis or sweet lemony Italian ice with the backdrop of a live Opera singer or band. My favorites are the Fisherman’s Feast, beginning on August 13th, and St. Anthony’s Feast, beginning on August 28th. Ah, what a sweet season to walk the streets loading up on summertime goodies!