La Gelatessa
£
Key
- (£) budget friendly
- (££) mid-range
- (£££) high-end eateries
– Vegan friendly.
What’s it all about?
Authentic Italian gelato with seasonal flavour combinations and local ingredients.
Taste the Place - don’t miss:
The Salted Pistachio and Cinnamon Brown Butter flavours have established themselves as firm regular classics, but don’t miss the honey mango when it’s in season! For local Southsiders, if you know, you know. The hot chocolate menu is also a must in the cold months.
What's the inspiration behind La Gelatessa?
Most of us took up new hobbies or tried learning something new during lockdown. For La Gelatessa founder Chiara, she started experimenting with a small, gifted ice-cream maker.
With a deep-rooted love of Tuscany, where her family is from, and a growing passion for gelato, Chiara dreamt of the idea of owning her own ice-cream shop. Keen to turn her dream into a reality, she enrolled on a course with the Carpigiani Gelato University in Italy – a world-renowned institution for learning the art of making gelato.
Along with her husband David, the pair took over the lease of a small shopfront and opened the doors of La Gelatessa in March 2023. On the first weekend, they sold out of 100kg worth of gelato, long before closing time.
With innovative, regularly changing flavours, including coconut rice pudding, Nonna’s trifle and Tiramisu, it’s no wonder some claim La Gelatessa sells “the best gelato they’ve had outside of Italy.”
What role does La Gelatessa play in creating a sense of community and belonging?
La Gelatessa works in partnership with other small Glasgow based businesses, creating shared experiences, and supporting each other’s activities in ways that celebrate the city’s unique character. One such business is Taste the Place participants, Parveen’s. Catering to Parveen’s vegan menu, Chiara swapped dairy milk with pistachio nuts for a creamy and delicious alternative.
Fun fact – did you know?
La Gelatessa is a made-up word that combines the two Italian words, “Gelataio” (ice cream maker – masculine) and “Essa” (feminine nouns).
Where to find them:
38 Nithsdale Road, Glasgow G41 2AN