Welcome to Almare Gelato Italiano
At Almare Gelato Italiano, we bring the authentic taste of Italy to the heart of Berkeley, California. Our passionate maestro gelatiere, Alberto Malvestio, crafts each flavor with time-honored techniques and high-quality ingredients, ensuring every scoop is a delightful experience. From the rich Gianduja gelato, boasting chocolaty goodness with a hint of hazelnut, to the seasonal Pumpkin Pie gelato, laden with creamy pumpkin and crust pieces, our offerings celebrate classic Italian traditions and local freshness. With a quaint atmosphere and a rotating menu of flavors, Almare is the perfect destination for gelato lovers seeking both nostalgia and innovation.
-
2170 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley, CA 94704 Hotline: (510) 649-1888
Welcome to the delightful world of Almare Gelato Italiano, a gem nestled in the heart of Berkeley, California. Located at 2170 Shattuck Ave., this charming gelato shop is an embodiment of authentic Italian craftsmanship, offering a kaleidoscope of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds and transport you straight to Italy.
What sets Almare apart is their commitment to quality and tradition, exemplified by their maestro gelatiere, Alberto Malvestio. Each scoop is a celebration of texture and flavor, skillfully handcrafted to ensure every bite is a moment of indulgence. One of their standout offerings is the Toasted Almond & Caramelized Figs Gelato, a divine creation that combines the rich creaminess of roasted almond with the sweet, slow-cooked figs interspersed with zesty orange peel. This flavor has garnered acclaim as their signature dish and for good reason—it’s comforting, yet innovative, truly capturing the essence of gelato.
- Madagascar Vanilla Gelato: This is not your average vanilla. Made with freshly sliced Madagascar vanilla beans, it's a rich custard that offers pure, unadulterated flavor.
- Pumpkin Pie Gelato: A seasonal favorite that captures the essence of fall with its sweet, spiced profile and delightful crust pieces, creating a pie-like experience in gelato form.
- Espresso Gelato: For coffee lovers, this creamy treat crafted from century-old Italian espresso is a must-try, delivering a robust flavor with a silky texture.
Almare’s menu also proudly features vegan options such as the refreshing Watermelon Sorbet and the delightful Raspberry Sorbet, both made with real fruit, making them a guilt-free indulgence perfect for warm days.
The ambiance inside Almare is cozy and inviting, making it an ideal spot to unwind. Whether you choose indoor seating or opt for the outdoor patio, the atmosphere is enhanced by warm staff who offer friendly service. However, like any popular spot, customer reviews reflect a mix of service experiences—from delightful encounters to a few hit-or-miss sentiments. Yet, the consistent praise for the gelato quality overshadows any service inconsistency.
With a variety of both classic and innovative flavors, Almare provides an experience that encourages exploration. Frequent visitors rave about favorites like the Dark Chocolate Gelato and Pistachio Gelato, which captures the nutty flavor with delightful, crunchy bits. It’s a place that invites you to return and discover new combinations, making each visit an exciting culinary adventure.
If you're ever in Berkeley seeking a delectable treat, Almare Gelato Italiano is not just a stop—it’s a destination. It embodies the Italian spirit of gelato making, where every scoop serves as a reminder of quality, tradition, and pure indulgence. Do yourself a favor and dive into their many offerings; your taste buds will thank you!
I ordered the pistachio ice cream and a bit salty. I did not mind it though kind of reminded me of the balance in salted caramel. I was expecting like a pistachio paste kind of gelato but this was good but not as good as the pistachio paste kind. Service was fine and ambiance was relatively quaint.
every time i go down to SF i go to berkeley and get this ice cream every. single. day. it is so good, the mango sorbet and the dark chocolate are amazing, the lemon's rarely there but it's amazing too. the service is a hit or miss, sometimes it'll be the nicest or sometimes it'll be kinda rude but overall good service.
Sooo good! Some of the creaminess, most delicious sorbet I've ever had! The hot chocolate is also creamy, very hot, and delicious. Non-dairy options available. Super reasonably priced and the baristas are really sweet. What a cute place, I'll have to come back and sample even more. The kids' sized mango sorbet is perfect for an afternoon treat. Indoor and outdoor seating available, good music and vibes.
I stopped by to get a small treat and ordered the orange ricotta, a kids scoop. It's pretty good, creamy, even though I'm normally rather hesitant around citrus dairy flavors. I also sampled the rose again while I was there, and would say the rose is still quite a good flavor as well.
I only had the passion fruit yogurt gelato but honestly that's all I need/want. 10/10, tasted like the yogurt bianco gelato I had in Rome that I was obsessed with, with the added bonus of passion fruit and a cake cone. It's a tiny place with a solid selection of flavors, and some classic Italian jarred goods (marmalade, chocolate spread, etc) for sale. Can't wait to come back.
Stumbled upon this place after having dinner nearby. We thought why not grab some dessert since we were already passing by. The staff was very friendly and were helpful with recommendations. The gelato was delicious and affordable. They had ample seating both inside and outside. I recommend checking them out if you're in the area and looking for a treat.
Omg. The gelato here is absolutely delicious, but I especially love the interior, which is very cozy and warm, especially at night. Almare takes you to a different world from Downtown Berkeley & is perfect for a quick dessert. I really appreciate the variety of flavors here & I want to keep coming back to try all of them! Banana Caramel (5/5): Soooo good with a perfect balance of Banana and caramel without being too sweet. Highly recommend!! Pistachio (4/5): Solid pistachio ice cream with crunchy bits of pistachio folded in. I really liked the subtlety of the flavor and the unique texture. Apple Pie (5/5): Not sure if this flavor is only seasonal for the fall time but it was soo good with hints of apple and spices. Toasted Almond & Fig (4/5): Honestly just kind of tasted like vanilla ice cream but it had a slight nutty flavor from the almonds which was really good Caramel (3/5): My boyfriend and I both thought the caramel flavor was too strong & a bit too sweet, overpowered the other flavors.
Authentic Gelato made the old fashioned way, where quality is evident with each scoop of gelato. While visiting via Bart, it definitely is a spot to visit. You have a good selection to choose from, but know that only 1 sample is allowed. With a small cup you can have 2 flavors, I chose Espresso & Mint Chocolate Chip Espresso Gelato is like a sip of coffee with a creamy component. Like a black & white I added a vanilla mint chocolate chip to balance it out. It was deliciously divine! When in Berkeley or Pleasanton, Almare is a place to stop for a treat!
My partner and I were looking for some dessert after grabbing some ramen for dinner, and luckily we remembered we had passed by this place on the way to the ramen! When we walked in, there were some people seated indoors and outside, but no line to order. We walked right in and tried some samples before deciding on our flavors. The person working the register was very helpful and gave us suggestions on which flavors to pair together. I ended up ordering a small cup, which comes with at most 2 flavors. I got a scoop of pistachio and a scoop of dark chocolate. The pistachio was incredible! It was a little crunchy with bits of pistachio mixed in. It tasted nutty but not too powerful. Really, really good. The dark chocolate was also great. It was dark but not bitter. The flavors blended together perfectly. Almare is right next to the BART and walking distance from the UC Berkeley campus. It's also near lots of restaurants, if you're looking for some food options to accompany your gelato. Overall, I'm very happy to have tried this place and can't wait to go back and try more flavors!