Gelateria Caruso is considered the finest artisan gelateria in Basilicata — a family enterprise rooted in nearly 70 years of tradition, now run by Pina Caruso, one of Italy’s most accomplished maestre gelatiere.
The Family Story
The origins go back to 1956, when Rosa — Pina’s mother — opened an artisanal gelato laboratory in Acerenza, becoming a pioneer in Lucanian gelato. After completing her studies, Pina joined her mother in the lab.
In 2013 Pina launched the first Gelateria Caruso shop in Potenza — a concept she described as an “antologia del gusto” (flavours anthology). In 2019 she opened the Castelmezzano location in the heart of the Dolomiti Lucane.
The Gelato
Caruso gelato is “100% Lucanian” — fresh cream and Alta Qualità milk from the Vulture volcanic area, seasonal fruit from Lucanian farms.
The Acheruntino
The signature flavour: Acheruntino — a cream of milk (crema di latte) with vin cotto (cooked wine reduction), toasted almonds, and toasted Pane di Matera (and see Il Forno di Gennaro below to learn how to make Matera bread!). It won 1st place at the Gelato Festival World Masters 2022–2025.
On our tour
You visit Gelateria Caruso in Castelmezzano on Day 3 of the tour, after exploring the Lucanian Dolomites and walking the medieval alleys and Norman Steps.
