The Abbondanza! 2010 Guide to the Best Gelato Shops in the United States

The Delicious Gelato Display at Via Vanti! in Mount Kisco, New York

The votes are in, and due to the heat wave plaguing much of the country, we feel it is our duty to share this critical information with our readers right now. Read it and then run out and cool down at your closest location.

Three quick notes:

1) If you don’t see your favorite gelateria on this list, please join our new Facebook page so that you can either nominate a new candidate or vote for one that did not make the final list.

2) If you’d like to receive our upcoming guide which lists nearly 150 of the best gelaterias in the world, visit and join or “Like” our Facebook page to be able to download it on July 15th 2010.

3) Be advised that we are only listing the top contenders in the United States (together they account for nearly 75% of all national votes received). The remaining winners will be published on July 15th 2010.

And now, without further ado, we present the Abbondanza! 2010 Guide to the Best Gelato Shops in the United States.


Arizona

That’s Amore Gelato

Sisters Christina and Paola Marrazzo came to the United States from Milano with a boat-load of Gelato making experience and a dream to bring this experience to the American public. Jump forward several years later, and now you can see that they are proof of the American dream. That’s Amore offers great Italian sandwiches, great coffee, and most important for this particular survey… outstanding gelato in two authentic Italian locations. 

7605 E. Pinnacle Peak Road, Scottsdale, AZ. 85255
Phone: (480) 419-6280
Website: http://www.thatsamoregelato.com

California

Gelateria Naia

Loads of flavors in this North Beach favorite keep the crowds quite steady during the warmest of months. Patrons say that the flavors are quite reminiscent of those enjoyed throughout Italy, we say they better be if they want to compete in North End.

520 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco, CA
Phone: (415) 677-9280
Website: http://gelaterianaia.com/

Florida

Sonny’s Gelato

A true gelato bar atmosphere in the midst of Boca Raton. What more can you ask for, great gelati and great caffe. How about a decadent chocolate, a hazelnut habanero, spumone, or cannoli flavors? Sonny’s also offers a great Italian food menu which has also received incredible reviews.

2151 North Federal Highway, Boca Raton, FL
Phone: (561) 362-0447
Website: www.realgelato.com

Illinois

Caffe Gelato

Sicilian born Gelatiere and owner Dominick Geraci came to the United States with a passion for creating creamy gelato. A passion no doubt adopted from his Nonna’s gelato bar in Sicily. Well, according to his fans, the passion is evident in his frutti di bosco, Sicilian pistachio, tiramisu & stracciatella that keeps his patrons coming back over and over again.

2034 W Division St, Chicago, IL
Phone: (773) 227-7333
Website: http://www.caffegelatochicago.com/

Kansas

Paciugo Gelato

Paciugo is an ever expanding empire that has a reputation for quality and consistency. Traditional stand-bys and homespun blends like sweet corn thorntree honey, mascarpone chocolate & rum, crème brulée and tiramisù keep the patrons smiling.

5260 W. 116th Place, Leawood, KS
Phone: (913) 602-8767
Website: http://www.paciugo.com

Maine

The Gelato Fiasco

The Gelato Fiasco flagship store has taken the Maine area by storm and if rumors are correct, they’re thinking about casting a much wider net. Every day they offer 30 flavors of delightfully cold concoctions from a “vault of 400” closely guarded recipes. Fans praise both the gelati and the sorbettos offered.

74 Maine Street, Brunswick, ME
Phone: (207) 607-4002
Website: http://www.gelatofiasco.com/

Massachusets

Napoli Pastry Shop

As with all things that involve Boston, the voters for the best gelateria were very passionate when casting their faves. At Napoli Pastry Shop, the house specialty is Italian desserts and biscotti, but the dozen or so gelato flavors are always outstanding. We’ve also recently come to learn that all the locals and old-timers frequent Napoli Pastry Shop for both their cannoli and gelati.

120 Salem St, Boston, MA
Phone: (617) 742-0809
Website: www.napolipastry.com

New Jersey

Caffe’ Gelateria Sotto Zero

Giorgio Klinar is the Gelatiere in this domain, and art he learned in Rome, as a youngster. To be more specific, Giorgio learned the ins and outs of Gelateria operations while working at his fathers shop. Over the years he built on that experience while working at other locations, including some in New Jersey. It’s no wonder Sotto Zero won state favorite by a landslide. Giorgio offers something for everyone, with at least 16 fantastic flavors of each gelati, ice cream and Italian ices.

89 Ridge Road, North Arlington, NJ
Phone: (551) 580-7829
Website: http://www.sottozerousa.com/

New York

Via Vanti!

This impeccably decorated restaurant/gelateria is a long time dream of owner Carla Gambescia. The interior design pays homage to her love for Venice and all things Italian. Not only does she serve great food, but she tops it off with simply delicious gelati than run the gamut from the traditional to contemporary flavors. The only thing that stands in Carla’s way for future franchise success is finding a Gelatiere and staff that are as equally professional as those she currently employs.

2 Kirby Plaza, Mount Kisco, NY
Phone: (914) 666-6400
Website: www.viavanti.com
Bonus: Our Via Vanti! Photo Gallery

Honorable Mention:

Piattini Ristorante in Brooklyn, NY is the lair of Gino Cammarata, the undisputed Yoda of all Gelatiere in the United States. Listening to him wax poetic on the proper way to make hand crafted artisan gelato can make a foodie faint. Unfortunately, this time around he only serves limited flavors of gelato as dessert at Piattini. Foodies may remember him as being featured back in April on the Food Network Show, “The Best Thing I Ever Ate”. And although the “best thing” that was highlighted on the show was his Brioche con Gelato, we are still partial to his Gelato Affogato. In fact, we dream about this stuff!

9824 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn, NY
Phone: (718) 759-0009
No Website Available

Ohio

La Gelateria

Valerio Iorio, the Gelatiere of this fine establishment, hails from Florence, Italy. He and his wife Stella bring to Cleveland a no nonsense approach to delicious and authentic gelati. The flavors cranked out of the Carpigiani gelato machines are intense yet surprisingly smooth and very well balanced. Favorites pointed out by fans include fior di latte, pistachio and tiramisu.

12421 Cedar Rd, Cleveland, OH
Phone: (216) 229-2636
Website: http://lagelateriacleveland.com/

Pennsylvania

Capogiro Gelateria

Husband and wife team Stephanie and John Reitano have been crafting some of the best gelato in the country for a few years now. 27 fresh flavors are prepared daily with ingredients that are 100% locally sourced.

117 South 20th St, Philadelphia, PA
Phone: (215) 636-9250
Website: http://www.capogirogelato.com/main.html

Texas

Paciugo

How can you go wrong with hand crafted gelato made by passionate Paciugo Mastro Gelataio, Cristiana Ginatta? The votes that poured in mentioned toasted coconut, red apple cinnamon, rice, and pumpkin pie as patron favorites. 

5600 W Lovers Lane # 110, Dallas, TX
Phone: (214) 956-7979
Website: http://www.paciugo.com/

Utah

Dolcetti Gelato

Dolcetti, located in Salt Lake City, is Utah’s only authentic artisan gelato. Elizabeth & Mark England, are the husband and wife team behind the magic. They were introduced to gelato during their travels abroad, then decided to learn the craft so that they may bring it back home to Utah. Dolcetti’s decadently dense pistachio and unique combinations consistently delight the palates of their patrons.

1751 South 1100 East, Salt Lake City, UT
Phone: (801) 485-3254
Website: http://www.dolcettigelato.com

Washington

Bottega Italiana

Located in Pike Place Market, Bottega Italiana was first brought to our attention by the local Italian heritage club. At Bottega Italiana a professional and courteous staff serves up perfect espresso, darn near perfect cornettos and luscious gelati that includes a rich but light fior d’latte.

1425 1st Ave, Seattle, WA
Phone: (206) 343-0200
Website: http://www.bottegaitaliana.com