A US tourist has issued a warning to visitors in Rome after being charged €44 (£38) for two ice creams at a popular gelateria. Nicole Ann, from Florida, took to a Facebook travel group to share her experience at Don Nino, an ice cream parlour located off Piazza Navona.
According to Nicole Ann, she ordered two small cups of gelato but was instead served two large cones topped with extras she did not request, including macarons, cannoli, and panna (whipped cream). The receipt, dated 3 June, itemised the charges: two maxi cones at €12 each, €4 for dollops of panna, two pistachio cannoli for €10, and two macarons totalling €6, bringing the total to €44.
Nicole Ann claimed she did not realise the bill was so high until later, as she thought the server had said €14. She described the ice cream as the "worst" she had during her 10-day stay in Rome, adding that it "wasn't even good." Her post received over 900 comments, with one Italian writing, "As an Italian living in Italy, I'm ashamed."
Don Nino has multiple branches in central Rome, including one opposite the Spanish Steps. The company, which markets its products as "the authentic taste of quality," declined to comment when approached by the Guardian.
Some commenters questioned whether Nicole Ann had checked the prices beforehand. She responded that she did not see any prices and assumed the cost would be similar to other gelato she had tried. A visit to the Don Nino shop near Piazza Navona revealed a clearly visible price list, with one scoop in a small cup or cone costing €6 and three scoops in a large cup or cone costing €12. Typical ice cream prices in Rome range from €2 to €5, depending on size and location.
