ROME — Nicole Ann, a tourist from Florida, posted a photograph of her €44 gelato receipt from Don Nino in Rome on June 3. Ann shared the image in a Facebook group dedicated to Rome travel tips.
Ann's social media post received over 900 comments and approximately 1,200 likes. The tourist visited the shop near Piazza Navona and placed an order for two cups of gelato, each with three scoops. She stated that staff added whipped cream, macarons, and pistachio cannoli to her order. The transaction was completed without table service.
Ann stated she did not observe a price list prior to placing her order. "We stopped for gelato and asked for 2 small cups but the server gave us the smallest-sized cup and said we had 3 scoops and then started adding toppings we didn't ask for – like cannoli and macarons, implying it was free." Ann said. She said, "I thought they had said 14 euros." The final charge for the order was €44.
The receipt from the transaction listed two maxi cones at €12 each. It also included additional charges: €4 for whipped cream supplements, €10 for two pistachio cannoli, and €6 for two macarons. Ann stated she had not intended to dispute the payment. The business operates multiple locations in central Rome.
The price list at the Via di Tor Millina location indicates a price of €6 for a small cup or cone with one scoop and €12 for a large cup or cone with three scoops. Standard gelato pricing in Rome typically ranges from €2 to €5.
No independent assessment of Nicole Ann’s claims was available.