LIST: Must-Try Gelato Shops in Manila for Dessert Lovers

Gelato is an Italian dessert staple usually mistaken as ordinary cold-served ice cream. But don’t get it confused with ice cream because authentic gelato uses more milk and less on the cream, which makes it creamier than ice cream.

We made a list of some of our best gelatos picks for you! Know where you can get these frozen dairy desserts after a hearty meal or sudden afternoon cravings!

Casa Italia

For a mouth-watering gelato experience, try out Casa Italia’s array of flavorful artisanal gelato. Located in Bonifacio Global City, Casa Italia is Singapore’s largest Italian café chain specializing mostly in Italian dishes such as pizza, pasta, and pastries.

What makes their gelato special is its natural ingredients that keeps it almost equal to gelatos served in Italy. They have over 40 flavors including their best-selling Triple Chocolate, Pistachio, and Strawberry gelatos.

A single scoop of Strawberry and Triple Chocolate gelato (Php 130)

Their gelatos are available for Php 130 for a single scoop, Php 195 for a double scoop, and Php 260 for a triple scoop.

Also read: Casa Italia in BGC offers classic Italian favorites

Branch: Burgos Park, BGC, Taguig
Website: www.casaitalia.com.ph
Facebook: Casa Italia Philippines

Bono Artisanal Gelato

Just like how authentic Italian gelatos are made, Bono Artisanal Gelato only serves the finest gelato you could ever taste. The name BONO came from the Italian word “Buono,” which means good or great, while the Latin word “Gelatus” means frozen.

This Filipino-grown brand’s gelatos are made from all-natural ingredients sourced from different parts of the world. Plus, they make these creamy ice creams the traditional way.

 IMAGE BONO Gelato

They were one of the first to recreate handcrafted gelatos and introduce unique flavors here in the country such as Mango Ube Symphony, Low-Sugar Cappuccino, and Taho. Their premium flavors are worth Php 130 for one scoop and Php 200 for two scoops, while their signature flavors are available at Php 150 for one scoop and Php 250 for two scoops.

Taho gelato made from soy milk, sago, and coco syrup /IMAGE BONO Gelato

Also read: Bono Artisanal Gelato

Branches: SM Aura Premier, SM Megamall
Website: www.gelatobono.com/gelateria.php
Facebook: BONO Gelato

Caffe Ti-Amo

Who knew that coffee and gelato can be a match made in dessert heaven? Caffe Ti-Amo is an international café chain that offers first-rate coffee and authentic Italian gelato desserts.

Waffle Gelato (Php 379, Grande)

One of their well-loved desserts is the Waffle Gelato (Php 379, Grande) made from Italian gelato topped with golden waffle and fresh fruits. Their Affogato (Php 175, Grande), an espresso drink infused with vanilla or tiramisu gelato is a must for coffee lovers.

Affogato (Php 175, Grande)

Also read: Caffe Ti-Amo: Coffee and Gelato to Fall For

Branch: Greenbelt 5, Ayala Center, Makati
Facebook: Caffe Ti-Amo

Aperitif

If you have been on Instagram, you may have seen Aperitif’s appetizing boxes of food in your feed.

Aperitif is a pioneer in the food grazing concept known as the graze boxes. But apparently, they are also famous for their gelato. One of the most popular desserts available is the Gelato Fleur (Php 220), a handcrafted gelato artistically scooped to resemble a flower on a cone!

Gelato Fleur (Php 220)

Also read: Apéritif in BGC Offers Desserts That Are Outside the (Graze) Box

Branch: SM Aura Premier
Website: www.aperitifph.com/
Facebook: Aperitif.ph
Instagram: aperitif_ph

Manila Creamery

If you want to try something out of the ordinary, try Manila Creamery’s unique gelato creations. What makes them different from other ice cream shops is their artisanal gelatos made from a mix of local and imported ingredients.

That’s not all, they also curated a wide range of flavors that will surely make your gelato cravings satisfied. Not to mention their gelato flavors inspired from famous Filipino delicacies such as the Mangga’t Suman, a fusion of Mango and Suman flavors; Tinutong na Kanin; and Biko flavored gelatos.

Regular gelatos are worth Php 100 for a single scoop and Php 180 for a double scoop; Premium gelatos start from Php 120 for a single scoop and Php 220 for a double scoop.

Also read: Manila Creamery

Branches: UP Town Center, Vertis North, SM Megamall, ATC Corporate Center
Facebook: Manila Creamery
Instagram: mnlcreamery

Cara Mia Cakes & Gelato

For an unconventional twist in gelato dessert, try out Cara Mia’s famous Gelato Cakes. This gelato cake craze started when Fr. Gianluigi Colombo established Amici di Don Bosco in Makati serving Italian gelatos.

The Cara Mia brand then branched out from Amici which made them the first shop to serve premium gelato cakes in the country.

Cara Mia’s Rouge gelato cake (Php 1,320 whole, Php 190 per slice) /IMAGE Cara Mia Cakes & Gelato

Their best sellers are Rouge (Php 1,320 whole, Php 190 per slice), a fruit-based gelato cake made from blueberry, strawberry, and vanilla gelato with crushed graham; and Mango Passion (Php 1,120 whole, Php 185 per slice) made from mango chunks mixed with layers of gelato and shortbread crust pie.

Mango Passion (Php 1,120 whole, Php 185 per slice) /IMAGE Cara Mia Cakes & Gelato

Also read: Caramia

Branches: Uptown Center, BGC; Eastwood, QC; Don Bosco, Makati; Ayala Triangle Gardens; Makati; SM Megamall; Alabang Town Center
Facebook: Cara Mia Cakes & Gelato
Instagram: caramia.ph

Craving for gelato yet? 

---

Written by Deneca Ordinanza