Toscanini's Ice Cream - Kendall
Ice Cream · Kendall Square · Since 2018
Chef-owner: Gus Rancatore · Opened 2018
Opened January 2018 at 159 First Street — originally as a temporary pop-up while the 1981 Central Square flagship was under renovation, but the location stuck. Owner Gus Rancatore founded Toscanini's in 1981 with partners Kurt Jaenicke and others; the Burnt Caramel and B3 (brown butter / brown sugar / brownie) are the two flavors the shop is best known for.
$15–$30 per person
The East Cambridge outpost of the ice cream shop the New York Times called 'the best in the world.' Same Burnt Caramel and B3 as the Central Square flagship, usually with less of a line.
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Contact Details
159 First St, Cambridge, MA 02141
Daily: 11:30AM-10PM
2 min walk from Kendall/MIT
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Toscanini's Ice Cream
The New York Times called it 'the best ice cream in the world.' People Magazine named their vanilla the best in America. I've known the Rancatore family my entire life - I worked for Mimi (Gus's sister) in high school, scooping ice cream and learning what it means to be obsessive about quality. Gus was my daughter's first babysitter. This isn't just a recommendation; Toscanini's is family. They still make everything from scratch, still source the best ingredients, still refuse to cut corners. The Burnt Caramel is legendary. The B3 (brown butter, brown sugar, brownie) is my order. Cambridge institution since 1981.
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Further Reading
Best Restaurants in Kendall Square
BlogWelcome to Guide to Cambridge: What We're Building and Why
BlogEvery T Station in Cambridge: A Complete Transit Guide
BlogCambridge's Coffee Culture: Why This City Runs on Independent Roasters
Walking TourMIT Innovation & Campus Tour
Walking Tour24 Hours in Cambridge