Cool Down Italian Style This Summer with Gelato

Who wouldn't like to be spending the summer whizzing down the Amalfi Coast complete with a cherry red Vespa and mysterious love interest? All in favor say “I.” But if the pebbled beaches, generous pours of aperol spritz and vibrant scoops of gelato have graced your social media feed rather than your passport, this roundup is for you. For less than ten dollars, you can get a scoop of the legendary Italian summer at these delectable gelato shops around Dallas.

Botolino Gelato Artigianale

2116 Greenville Ave. & 5959 Royal Lane

Blending the techniques of gelato masters and the legacy of the owner’s nonna, Botolino Gelato Artigianale is the cornerstone of Dallas’ gelato scene. The scratch-made gelato is enclosed in traditional stainless steel wells known as “pozzetti," a tell-all that their scoops are the real deal. They offer about 16 flavors, some that rotate seasonally, and all can be sampled generously before ordering. Cup or cone. One or two scoops. Satisfy your sweet tooth like a true Italian with Don Pistachio, gianduia and stracciatella flavors. Or branch out with peanut butter and jelly sandwich, white coffee or Key lime pie.

Il Gelato

8687 N. Central Expressway (inside Eataly Dallas)

Claiming to have some of the best gelato in Dallas inside NorthPark Center is a touch heinous, but Eataly is the city's Italian epicenter filled with authentic recipes, restaurants and imported goods. At Il Gelato, all the gelato is made in-house using milk from Mill-King Creamery based in Central Texas. It is flavored with imported ingredients like pistachios from Sicilia and Venchi Fine Italian Chocolate from Torino. You can order any flavor in a cup or cone, affogato style or coppe style (basically a gelato sundae).

Gelato La Boca

Delivery

Gelato La Boca started delivering in Dallas last year and the Observer's Argentine music and culture editor, Eva Raggio, might not be able to order all of their gelato, but she's giving it her best shot. Basic flavors like cookies and cream and milk chocolate are sold with a characteristic ribbon of dulce de leche woven throughout, alongside other uniquely Latin flavors like passionfruit and sambayon. A $30 splurge gets you a 35-ounce tub of gelato with up to four flavors. The best part is that orders come with little Lionel Messi stickers. Check Gelato La Boca's website for the delivery area.

Palmieri Cafe

920 S. Harwood St. & 307 N. Bishop Ave.

Palmieri Cafe is another authentic gelateria from the southern boot heel of Italy known as Salento. A commitment to crafting Italian favorites without compromise is Palmieri’s trademark. All of the gelato here is made from scratch and highlights classic Italian flavors like nocciola (hazelnut), amarena (black cherry), stracciatella (chocolate chip) and pistachio. If you want to bring your sugar rush to the next level, try the affogato, a single shot of espresso poured over your flavor choice(s) of gelato.

Amorino Gelato

8413 Preston Center Plaza, University Park

This international chain sold its first scoops on the streets of Paris, bringing the finest Italian gelato recipes to the City of Light. Now, Amorino Gelato has brought its carefully sourced ingredients to Big D. The essence of Italy is evident upon walking in, with 36 flavors of gelato to peer at through the glass cases. What separates Amorino from other gelato shops is that the gelato is formed in the shape of a rose; the flower can be formed with a single flavor, or each petal can be a different one. No extra charge and truly Instagram-worthy. Try their staple traditional flavors, award-winning sorbets and limited-edition offerings. Don’t be shocked if one of their gourmet pastries makes its way out the door with you too.

Le Rêve Gelato & Pâtisserie

12817 Preston Road

La Rêve Gelato & Pâtisserie is an unassuming confectionary shop that brings a duo to be reckoned with: authentic French-style pastries and Italian gelato. Twelve flavors line the stainless steel bins. Creme brulee, mascarpone fig, Italian cream and red velvet are highlights, to name a few. Any will pair perfectly with their rare, heirloom coffee to create a rich and creamy affogato. As you order, the glassy pastries to your right can’t help but catch your eye. Go ahead and treat yourself.

Kokopelli Sweets

1718 N. Market St.

Nestled in Dallas’ Historic West End, Kokopelli Sweets has the charm of an old-school candy shop. With eclectic wall art, an entire wall of self-serve candy and enough freshly baked goods for a sugar-induced coma, it offers virtually anything under the dessert category. After being greeted by Abraham Lincoln, a T-Rex, Julius Caesar and Lady Liberty, you can take a trip across the pond through a scoop or two of their gelato. All are crafted the Italian way with freshly pasteurized cream, pure cane sugar, fresh fruit and triple-filtered water.

Fig & Favor

2850 N. Harwood St., No. 110

This European-style grab-and-go market in the Harwood District offers wine, light snacks, souvenirs and gelato, of course. Fig & Favor sits in the Harwood District's cute strip next to Poco Fiasco and Harwood Arms. If you want to Instagram your gelato run, this is the place to do it. With the loyalty program, you earn a stamp with every gelato order and get a free one after eight stamps.

Zero Gradi

2000 Ross Ave.

Zero Gradi, originally from Melbourne, Australia, is the work of Johnny Di Francesco. He's the champion pizzaiolo and founder of 400 Gradi, which is right next door to this downtown location. As is the case at some other spots, the pastries here are also amazing. Get those to go, but while you're there, pair together scoops of the cookie butter and chocolate, or Ferrero Rocher and vanilla. Caramel pecan and eggnog would make good dance partners too. They offer toppings like Nutella and white chocolate, but we're getting into illegal territory here. Some international treaties are certainly being broken at that point.