Big selection of flavors to choose from and they allow you to sample some flavors before choosing (which is, honestly, a really hard job). The scoops are decently sized, even more so if compared to other ice cream options nearby.There is a big indoor seating area, which is very convenient when traveling to Lisbon during the winter time or when trying to rest your legs after a long day walking around this hilly city. The environment is decorated like the 1950's (nothing fancy or hipster-like, if that's what you're looking for). The workers there are always very nice too, adding to the whole experience. PRICE: 1 scoop (cup or cone) - €3,20 2 scoops (cup or cone) - €4,30 3 scoops (cup or cone) - €5,... SUGGESTIONS: - Hazelnut (Avelã) - Peanut with Salted Caramel (Amendoim e caramelo salgado) - Santini Tarte (Torta Santini) - Almond Torrone (Torrone de amêndoa) - Mango (Manga) read more

Oh goodness. What a treat. This is it folks - if you're in Lisbon, even for a few hours, Santini is where you need to be. This is some of the best gelato I've had. period. Star 1: How was the service and atmosphere? Magnificent. There's honestly no other way to put it. Outside of a quaint yet practical seating arrangement and some cute but not too campy decor, Santini is a step through time. It's seemingly been there for ages, and it's connection to the city is plastered on the walls. Service is fast and friendly, and while it's prone to getting absolutely packed come the weekend or a particularly nice day, the experience is a good one from start to finish. Star Granted. Star 2: How were the portions relative to the cost? Now gelato isn't cheap, and high-visibility places like Santini can get away with charging exorbitant premiums to gullible cruise ship tourists in Tommy Bahama shirts, but Santini keeps it civil. My small cup (two flavors) looked a bit like this - http://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?select=8dwL9tTWexFaMBBV6EFXag&userid=OKX-V5j_qfuOebeHeWGrHg The price? €2,70. Not great, I'll be honestly, but not unreasonable either. Star Granted. Stars 3 and 4: How was the food? Yum. This is gelato at it's finest. America really hasn't quite gotten the hang of dishing up authentic gelato, which, with a significantly higher sugar content at the expense of fat, makes for an entirely different product than ice cream. However, Santini has the recipe down, and the flavor variance on top of the quality of their product is as good as you'll find anywhere in Italy. My chocolate and vanilla combination was perfect. Dual Stars Granted. Star 5: Would you eat here every day if you could? Yes. Santini is exactly what I look for in a local spot. It's clean, it's fast and friendly, and most importantly, there's a tie to the city and a uniqueness that stands out long after you've left the city. Star Granted. read more

Santini Chiado - Small: €2.70 - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

This place is a MUST if you are in Lisbon. They have the best ice cream I have ever had. Definitely make sure to try at least one of the fruit flavors. I tried the mango ice cream and instead of just making a sorbet it tasted like I'm biting into an actual mango but like in a ice cream texture. The chocolate is also heavenly; it is extremely rich and different from what you would get in the states. The cheesecake was also phenomenal. It was a mix of ice cream and some awesome sauce/jam with granola bits. You have the option of getting a small, medium, large. Which basically is the amount of scoops. I got the medium so it was three scoops and I choose different flavors for each scoop. If you really can't decide feel free to ask the workers inside if you can try one or two flavors. :) read more

Santini Chiado - Mango, Chocolate, Cheesecake ice cream - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Tried raspberry, Nutella and chocolate flavors. Very good. If you are in the neighborhood and want a treat- well worth a stop. read more

Santini Chiado - Raspberry Nutella Chocolate - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

My wife and I really enjoyed the ice cream but the workers liked to make fun of our American pronunciations of the flavors (seemed rude). Otherwise I would give this place 5 stars. read more

Santini Chiado - Small cups includes two flavors (around $6.50 Euro) - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Delicious gelato! The hazelnut flavor is perfect. Nutty and just sweet enough. The cones here are possibly the best gelato cones I've ever had. They're wafer thin so they don't fill you up or get in the way of the gelato flavor but are still sturdy enough to hold the gelato. read more

It takes a certain Italian immigrant to bring the best tasting ice cream to Lisbon, Portugal. I was fortunate to come across this ice cream shop while on vacation & I must admit his ice creams are delicious!!! Loved the hazelnut, pistachio & passion fruit the best. I could tell that the ingredients are more of the fruit/ nut than milk or sugar. Just awesome that we went there twice!! read more

See all

Great place for an ice cream Expect crowds of tourists So if you want to eat an ice cream calmly this is not the place. read more

Really the best and oldest Ice cream place in Portugal! And basically vegan cause everything is water based = sorbets A family business that started in 1940 in Cascais now has grown in to a big chain company for Ice cream in Portugal and it is definitely the best ice cream in Lisboa so far!!! It is not the cheapest Ice cream but definitely worth your money!!! I payed 7 euros for 4 scoops and hot Belgian waffle!!! It was to die for!!! Interior is a bit too wight for me but when it comes to food they rock it! ;) read more

Santini Chiado - Plain interior but the ice-cream ROCKS!! - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

See all

I should start this review by saying I'm not the greatest ice cream/gelato fan. I mean, sometimes I'll get a craving for it, but that's it. Santini has pretty great gelato and it hits the spot. I'm especially a fan of the fruit flavors but they have a few more interesting flavors. The line gets insane though, and I wouldn't wait that long, I'd rather go someplace else. read more

Santini Chiado - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

I got a small cone, which comes with two flavors. I chose the sweet egg with pine nuts and the strawberry. This was the perfect balance because the strawberry was a sorbet-ish style, and the sweet egg had a rich sweet flavor. The sweet egg was different, but it's definitely a good different. The staff was SO nice and helpful! They were patient and provided good descriptions of the flavors that I wasn't familiar with as an American. Free samples, so feel free to ask for a taste before you commit to something you're not familiar with! read more

Must-be place for me for my every visit at Lisbon. Ordered middle size with three flavors to choose, my choices were chocolate, mango and passion fruit. Fantastic mix of the 3 flavors read more

Santini Chiado - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

See all

Delicious gelato! Sampled strawberry, mango, raspberry, and pistachio (order of what we liked best). The guys behind the counter are super friendly and they also give disposable bibs to kids to keep their clothes clean! read more

I'm one of those people who prefer to try a local, family business over the safety of an established, multinational name. Much that I like Amorino Gelato, I must confess I was frustrated to see them as ubiquitous in Europe. I can't believe that in a city as proud of its cultural heritage as Paris, Berthillon is the only local ice cream giving them a run for their money. Similarly, while there are other popular gelaterias in Lisbon (Artisani, Nannarella), the one name that stands out and which most locals recommend is: Santini. Santini has got tradition and history underscoring its popularity, having been started in 1949 at Tamariz Beach by an Italian immigrant, who later got to count the king and queen of Spain as his customers, and a host of celebrity endorsers including the President of Portugal. They have started adding locations in recent years and now have 3 in Lisbon, in addition to the ones in Cascais and Estoril (no doubt keeping an eye on Amorino's expansion). While they advertise 70 flavors, I believe the shop in Chiado had close to 30 the day I went. I tried 3 flavors in a medium cup (logistically, you need to prepay first): Bolacha Maria (cookies and cream, nothing like the popular American flavor), Canela (cinnamon), and Limao. One can immediately appreciate the all-natural, fresh ingredients, and handmade qualities of the gelato. I was curious to try the pastry offerings as well, and saw a chocolate cake that piqued my curiosity for it looked familiar. But, as I furiously translated the name and description on Google Translate, I realized that it was the overhyped "best chocolate cake in the world" that I had tried (and trashed) at its Upper West Side, Manhattan location during the few months it was in operations there. So, instead I went for, what I was told was homemade, the almond tart (Tarte de Amendoa). I really really liked the tart (easily over and above the gelato) given its excellent crunchy texture from the shortbread crust and the glazed almonds topping it. It's pretty fascinating really: part cookie and part tart. I did ask for a fork to eat it, but after having made several unsuccessful attempts to make a dent, and not wanting to embarrass myself with saliva dripping from the corner of my mouth, I just picked it up and ate it like a cookie. I imagine the almond tart can serve as breakfast as well, not just a treat at tea/coffee time. So, 5 stars for the Tarte de Amendoa and 4 stars for the gelato. But, definitely stop here during your stay in Lisbon for a change in diet. After all, how many custard tarts can a man eat in a trip? (Don't ask...) read more

Santini Chiado - Limao, Canela, Bolacha Maria - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

See all

Very classic gelateria. This place is as good as the places I've been in Italy. There are tons of flavors here, and many employees to help you chose your selections. Wait in line and pay for your size selection first - then take your ticket to the counter to select your flavors. read more

Stumbled upon this on our first night in Lisbon and thought, why not have gelato before dinner! We shared a combo of chocolate, nata (cream flavor), and cooked apple-type flavor. The Apple one was spectacular, the others were good too but it seems like they do fruit flavors really well! Unfortunately, the gelato was not as good as expected from last being in Italy. Nothing can compare to the chocolate gelato in Italy! But for Portugal we were very happy. Also it's a very cute store. read more

My friend and I have this expression "NBD icecream/gelato"; you know, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A BIG OCCASION. Walking by, grab a cone...NBD. Afternoon, feeling like dinner is a far way away and could use a scoop...NBD. Pass by a Santini Gelato...NBD. NBD! Just go for it. Santini is a small chain of gelaterias around Lisbon. It's not the most affordable of the ice-cream spots around the city, but it is very tasty; intensely flavoured and refreshing. Whereas I don't usually gravitate towards the fruit flavours, Santini made me a convert: strawberry, raspberry, passion fruit and peach. Tart in the right way, and extreme versions of the fruit they were representing. Other stand-outs at Santini include the hazelnut and the cinnamon. Even with a (regular) queue, service is fast and efficient. Yelp note: go for the cone; just do it. The ones at Santini are extremely fine-textured wafer cones which are light and crispy but also sufficiently solid and not porous. I bet some serious cone-research went into their development. read more

You will see this gelato parlor all over the city; it is okay but there are definitely better places. They have your typical flavors and the taste is nothing special. Not bad, just not great. The atmosphere at this location was blah and the staff is not overly friendly either just doing their job. I won't be back - too many other great places. read more

Santini Chiado - Chocolate Raspberry in a cone. - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

See all

This was reviewed May, 2011 on my food blog. Lines are intimidating. Raised in a society that emphasizes convenience, long lines are frightening. We want things now not later. Even if we're starving or want what others desire, we're more likely to take the least resistant path. Santini, near Lisbon's center (a short walk from the Restauradores' metro stop), seems such a place. The word "gelati" is delectable, their red and white decor inviting, but the line acted as an UNO reverse card. Coupled with this long line was my previous experiences with Portuguese inefficiency. This could be a 30 minute wait, but the ice cream looked so good. I stayed. The line was moving well, a good sign. Another excellent sign appeared - the sight of additional fortification. Desserts, coffee, and a sign proclaiming "the best chocolate cake in the world". There it lies. A chocolate cake, its world's bestest claim untested. If you make it to Santini, please let me know if it matches expectations. The line was moving remarkably fast and the reasons why were soon apparent. You order first and get a ticket which you'll present at the gelati counter. This was great production flow and similar to another great gelato place in Barcelona. I could nearly savor my future ice cream. Successful customers were walking past with their colorful ice cream. I wanted to take an ice cream troll toll, but I resisted such lowbrow reflexes. Several people (4-6) manned the gelati counter quickly taking orders and swirling them into cups and cones. Right before you get to the counter, there's a display board to the left listing all the varieties. One complaint - you can't see the ice cream before ordering. They are in silver containers and always lidded. Meloa (honeydew) and abacaxi com hortelã(pineapple with mint). This cost €2.50. The meloa was so good and the mint subtly came through the pineapple flavor. I'm a huge fan of honeydew melon and they nailed the flavor. Abacate (avocado) and Doce de ovo com pinhão (egg cream with pine nuts). This also cost €2.50. The avocado was nicely fatty, the doce de ovo struck a good balance. The pine nuts were few but present. I'm glad they didn't overpower. Good to the last drop, I recommend Santini's. The line moves rather quickly, so don't be intimidated as I was two weeks ago. The decor is pleasant and inviting with its red and white colors. They have approximately 20 flavors to try. It's reasonably priced especially considering the ice cream's superb flavor and taste. And the line only took 10 minutes or less - Brava! read more

After having dinner, we were looking for some good gelato. Fortunately, we were just a block away from Santini's. We were happy to see that even at 11:30pm it was still open and business was booming. We had 4 different flavors of gelato and "the world's best chocolate cake". The gelato was good, not quite up to par with my memories of Italian gelato, but good nonetheless. The chocolate cake was good too. More of a chocolate layered mousse that was velvety and smooth. read more

Weird, you have to pay before you find out what flavors they have. Lady at the cash register said 1 you don't need to know. So we left. Every other business in Lisbon was so keep to help so this seemed even ruder. read more

Yummilicious gelato! Flavors are not too sweet and have a natural taste. I ordered mango, honey dew and Greek yogurt. Husbee had hazelnut and chocolate. We will go back while we are in Lisbon. read more

See all

Tip: I think the fruit flavours are better, more refreshing. Cheaper than Amorino, but the ordering process was slightly more overwhelming. You walk towards the middle of the store, towards the cash, place your order & pay, & then approach the glass counter to choose your flavours. I got 3 flavours: Coffee, Walnut, & Papaya ($3.80) and the Papaya tasted the best. The coffee tasted like...their coffee and had grinds in it. :S Btw, the guys who scoop your gelato are quite good looking, so that doesn't hurt! read more

One of my friends had put this on their list of places to eat in Lisbon so we decided to give it a try. The servers spoke english which made things really easy. We asked for a Toasted Almond which they were out of so we ended up getting Pistachio and Hazelnut. The Pistachio was one of the best we've ever had in both the states and various places we went in Europe. The Hazelnut and Passion Fruit were also good but I would say the Pistachio is the way to go. The Passion Fruit doesn't have a creamy texture and is more like a sorbet however the hazelnut is a creamy style one. read more

This place is good, but Amorino is almost right next door and is better, but I walked by and thought that I should try something new. I think this place is way overpriced. If I remember correctly, it's even more expensive than Amorino. The texture is yummy and they have more unique flavors. My favorite was the milk caramel. However, because they had so many flavors, I wanted to try them all! They only allow a maximum of 2 samples. I was super disappointed because they don't tell you upfront. What's stupid is because they make you pay first, so obviously I am going to get something - I'm just trying to figure out which flavors to get! It was a good change, but I'd recommend Amorino over this, which is just around the corner. read more

Stayed in the Chiado area recently and visited Santini late-night after dinner. Excellent quality and bright, clean environment. Remember to go to the register first to pay for what you would like and then take your receipt to the rear counter to get your order. Counter staff also happy to provide tastes of any gelato. Perfect for a leisurely stroll around Lisbon after dinner! Muito Bem! read more

Vibrant fruit flavors. Lemon was so refreshing, just the right amount of tart. Location in Timeout market was very easy and not crowded after dinner. read more

Fantastic gelato. It's amazing how perfect the flavours are. You pay by number of scoops before ordering and then choose your flavours. We tried about 10 flavours between us including the weekly special and all were amazing. read more

Santini Chiado - Quindim , Santini Tarte, Pistachio and Honeydew Melon! The flavours are unbelievable. - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Meh. Just another gelato place. Sorbet seemed overly sweet. Location was great and there was plenty of seating. Location was very clean. Just couldn't get over how much unneeded sugar was in the sorbet. read more

There was a giant line outside this place so figured it must be good. I was a bit disappointed. Had way better gelato in Italy. I got the rasberry gelato which was excellent and the cookies and cream which was just average. I'd recommend sticking with the fruit gelatos if you come here. read more

The first time I went here there was a line but the second time I decided to go in the morning and there were few people in line, the gelato is delicious and the staff is friendly!!! read more

This place is unreal. Some of the best gelato I've ever had, beaten only by a small sorbetteria in Bologna. Right after I finished my cup I went right back up to the counter and ordered a second. Judge me, but this stuff is damn delicious. Standouts: Cinnamon, White Grape, Vanilla, Strawberry. Don't be intimidated by the metal canisters and the prepayment system. It's a standard of high quality gelato shops that focus on preserving quality over showing off color, since they rightfully know they don't need to entice customers with visuals. read more

Best best best gelato I have ever had. The fruit flavor especially. I love their passion fruit, mango and raspberry flavors! Coconut was also great. Wish I could try their tangerine but it was sold out the night when I went. All the gelato I tried was not overly sweet. It felt like I was eating fruit smoothie. You have to visit this place whenever u visit Lisbon. There usually is a line but moves through really fast. The staff there are also super friendly and are happy to let you try as many flavors as possible. Really wish they could open one in San Francisco!! read more

They serve the best gelato in town! The scoops are not that expensive for Euro standard. Although do be aware that it's always always crowded inside because it's just way too popular. Yet, it is definitely worthy of waiting some bites of Santini gelato under the Lisbon sun. read more

Santini Chiado - It might be the best ice cream/gelato I've tried in Lisbon so far. I like their fruity ones! - Desserts Near Me - Lisbon, 11

Good ice cream but way too hot inside! Air conditioning would be more then welcome Be careful of the queue! Not convenient with a push chair read more

it doesn't matter how much i walked in lisbon...i still managed to gain 10 pounds at the end of the trip. thank goodness, we discovered santini just 1 day before our departure from the city...otherwise, the number could've been 20!!! read more

This gelato is pretty darn good. The passion fruit is very refreshing, and I usually don't like fruity gelatos, but this one is goooood. The cinnamon was great as well. Good thing I don't live by here or I'd get it too much. read more

The guys serving us that gelato were even more delicious than the gelato itself!! Would definitely go back, yum, yum, yum!

Truly as good as it gets! Just great ice cream conveniently located and priced fairly. Highly recommended!

This place was a cool, it has a clean but old timey vibe. It also has AMAZING strawberry gelato. I have never tasted strawberry that was so close to the actual taste of a strawberry! read more