Marc L.

In New York City, it's not uncommon to find long, winding lines outside of popular eateries. Even a famous cupcake shop in The Big Apple has a "bouncer" and a line five deep on most days. But on the Peninsula, it's rare. So I was surprised when I found a line that snaked outside the tiny Gelato Classico's storefront on Emerson Street. Not on just one occasion, but almost every time I visited: On a Sunday at 5 p.m., on a Wednesday at 10:15 p.m. and even on a Tuesday afternoon. Truly a hole in the wall, Gelato Classico has a cult-like following with fans willing to wait for the hip Italian dessert. There's reason to hold this place in high esteem. Gelato Classico, a chain with locations throughout the nation, has some of the best gelato around. Gelato is an Italian delicacy akin to ice cream. Its recipes generally have more milk and egg yolks, but less cream than ice cream. Gelato has barely any air added, so it's denser and richer than ice cream and must be served at a higher temperature so that it can be scooped. That means it melts fast. It's best to eat it in a cup, unless you can lick it fast enough to prevent dribbling it down your chin. The first Gelato Classico opened in 1976 as a single, family-owned store in San Francisco. Since then, the company has franchised the operation of its stores. You can also find Gelato Classico at some upscale restaurants and coffeehouses. Most recently, pints of the gelato cropped up for sale in boutique and high-end grocery stores. The Palo Alto store, which opened in 1986, reminds me of a neighborhood hideaway you'd find in New York -- so small that no more than six people can fit at a time; so hot inside that even on a cold day gelato sounds good. The hunter-green walls and floor-to-ceiling mirrors are redolent of the '80s. There are a few plastic lawn chairs and old TV dinner trays outside where people congregate, adding to this place's hip factor. Gelato is served in one of three cup sizes ($2.65/small, $3.95/medium, $4.95/large) or one of three cone sizes ($2.65 to $4.95). The creamy iced concoction is scooped with a paddle into cups or cones and pulls like taffy from the barrels. The number of flavors to choose from is mind-boggling. You won't see bubble gum or cookie dough-flavored anything here. Rather, the 40 options cater to an adult palate and tend to be more traditional, with flavors such as hazelnut and tiramisu. Many of the offerings rotate seasonally; in the winter there are eggnog and pumpkin, and in the summer fresh flavors such as pomegranate. Fruit flavors are the way to go. The ginger, a creamy gelato with small bits of real ginger, is intensely tropical and refreshing. The Burgundy cherry is another winner. The magenta ice cream is rife with whole, pitted cherries that are succulent and sweet. The banana walnut tastes just like banana bread. The store also features a line of Italian sorbettos, which are frozen fruit mixed with sugar and lemon juice. Gelato Classico's sorbettos contain 80 to 90 percent fruit imported from all over the world. The most interesting is the blackberry cabernet, sweet and complex like the Spanish fruit-wine drink sangria. The pomegranate is intensely tart and the limone is like fresh squeezed lemonade. If you're in the mood for something more sinful, try one of the more sophisticated choices. Because gelato doesn't have air whipped into it, the flavors are richer. The chocolate is sumptuous -- almost like ganache -- and the nut-inspired flavors, featuring nuts such as pistachio and hazelnut pureed like butter, are smooth. Gelato Classico owners say they use no artificial flavors, but that they use Madagascar vanilla and their own roasted coffee beans. The pistachio with white chocolate chips is chock-full of earthy pistachios and chunks of sweet chips. The Bavarian cream, chocolate ice cream swirled with mint, tastes like a peppermint patty, and the "reverse chocolate chip," milk chocolate with bits of white chocolate, is divine. Other flavors you can't go wrong with are green tea, so fragrant it's like opening a fresh bag of the brew; and vanilla, which contains the finely ground seeds of the vanilla bean. For a unique experience, try mixing flavors on a double-headed cone or in a cup. While this can be a pressure-ridden task when the line is out the door and your mind is spinning computing the possibilities of 40 flavors, it's worth it. I suggest the limone with the ginger or the banana walnut with the reverse chocolate chip or the Burgundy cherry with pistachio or the green tea with blackberry cabernet. Or just wing it. You really can't go wrong.

dylan r.

My daughter and I frequent often. She loves Green Tea and I am a FAN of Peanut butter/dark /chocolate! We see a flick at Stanford Theater sometimes-she thought , "Gone With the Wind," was just a sad Movie and stunned to find out, "WEll, we really did have a Civil War cuz we needed to end that INSANITY!" Her comment, "Did we learn out lesson?" Mouths of Babes! Sometimes on Saturday we stop in then head to Slide Park on Emerson with her 11 year old buddies. A great Sunday outing.

Alexander J.

My dad would take me here all the time while I was growing up. Whenever I go back home to visit, I'll Rollerblade here with my little siblings. I wouldn't say that it's amazing, but it's definitely good. Unfortunately, a lot of the sorbet flavors are a bit too sweet for me, so I can't finish them. It's by far the best gelato/sorbet place in Palo Alto, but I just don't feel like it's consistently good enough to warrant 4 stars.

Sara H.

Gelato Classico is the best in Palo Alto and the best in town in any other town you happen to find one. The crème brulée flavor is fabulous. I have tried a lot of the flavors but always come back to this one. The honey lavender was very interesting and worth half a scoop. Try this - go to Patxi's for pizza then head right next door to Gelato Classico for dessert and if you are feeling up to it head across the street for a flick.

Cindy C.

Yummy!!! This place is definitely my go to gelato place whenever I am in Palo Alto for dinner. Another gelato place opened on University Ave but it's more expensive and not nearly as good.

Tracy O.

Death by gelato - wow, what a way to go, and this would be the place to do it. Not only do they have wonderful flavors (tiramisu, double chocolate, coffee... I MUST try the fruit flavors soon but I keep delaying because, hey, chocolate! Cream!), but they have a great patio up some stairs that you can sit and people watch, or spend some quality time catching up with a friend. They use cute plastic cups which I would like to think are recycled or reused. Also, I've never gotten above a small, because the gelato is so thick and creamy that you won't need more. This is not food that you just eat, this is food that you enjoy.

Ian H.

Great Gelato, great service, great location ... They haven't been in business this long (decades) unless this were all true! Enjoy!

Colin S.

I'm not usually an ice cream/gelato guy, but this place is amazing. The Espresso Chip is the best frozen coffee treat I have ever had. I have tired several other flavors as well and nothing has gone wrong thus far. A warning if you have never been, it's a very small shop. They usually have a few chairs outside on the sidewalk, but you should expect to walk and eat.

Sean E.

Probably the closest you can get to European-tasting ice cream in the Bay Area. At a price that's fair. No real seating but if it's a nice day it's a great accompaniment so walking down University Ave or relaxing in the park.

Alice M.

On a warm spring day, Gelato Classico is a nice cool down. Loved the dark chocolate! Delicious and rich. The strawberry was creamy but less like gelato than I'd like. Tried a taste of the pumpkin and that was ok too. The price for the small is about $3.25 or so, but they give you quite a bit in that little cup. Server (owner?) was really nice too!

Frances W.

Best gelato in the Bay area. Plus.. I'm lactose-intolerant, and yet I didn't get any poo-poo or tummy-ache. Therefore, this joint gets a plus. Cute place, btw. Yummy ice cream. Hadn't had ice cream in a year! I got the green tea, my friend got some weird thing.

David C.

I was deciding whether to have a latte at one of the nearby cafes or indulge in some gelato for dessert. I think I made the right choice by stopping by this place. Gelato was thick and creamy. Spoons provided looked like mini shovels that helped me pace my craving for something sweet and enjoy the gelato nice and slow. -1 star for the petite size of the small cups yet I like the option of choosing two different flavors. Double espresso bean is a flavor you can't pass on...

Jen S.

soooo yummy how can you say no to gelato?! with all the froyo places opening up, it's still not the same as gelato and i still keep coming back! the ladies are nice and patient while i indecisively look at all my options. they even accept credit card. i got a cup of mocha almond crunch and caffe mocha. soooo good. definitely would recommend the MOCHA ALMOND CRUNCH!!

Sarah D.

Excellent gelato! I got hazelnut and coffee (I can't remember the exact name) and I was actually surprised about how good it was. We even went back the next day! There was a line both times we went, but it moved very fast and we didn't have to wait long at all.

C B.

I start drooling about 1/2 a block away when I think of licking the cup and spoon of my blackberry cabernet gelato. [[Insert Homer Simpson drool sounds here]]

Daniel L.

Amazingly good.

Kristin V.

I would give them 5 stars, but anyone behind the counter is never very friendly. The place is a bit on the pricey side but well worth it if you ask me. I haven't tried many Gelato places, but this place is delish. If you like milky and creamy this is the place to be. There is also another location downtown Campbell nearby where i live so I frequently go to the one in Palo Alto where i work and then the one in Campbell if I crave it on the weekends. Taste is consistent which is nice. There really isn't anywhere to sit here so you may have to walk around and eat your gelato. : )

Sarah T.

Deliciously smooth flavors. I love the butter pecan, chocolate hazelnut, espresso (but not the ginger)

H T.

The Gelato Classico brand of gelato is to die for, especially the chocolate hazelnut (take my word you chocolate lovers!). This particular location however is not the best for your gelato fix, my closet is bigger than this store. There's a table or two outside but if it's a hot summer day don't count on getting a spot. Also, cash only so hit the ATM if you plan on coming here. This is still one of the better dessert spots around University Ave. if you're needing a dessert fix after (or before ;) dinner!

Salina T.

The best gelato you'll have within biking distance from Stanford hands down. I always try a new flavor whenever I stop by. My personal favorites are Moca Almond Fudge and Creme Brulee -- I love the creamy texture and crunch of almonds. The mango and lychee sorbetto are also quite refreshing. The portions are average, and the prices are a little high -- but that's expected for University Ave. The only downside is the seating. On a busy night (which is most nights), the line is out the door with only a few chairs for sitting and eating. Now, I would never pass on gelato because of cold weather, but it kind of blows to have to eat standing outside in the cold (and dark).

Penelope B.

5 stars for being so close to home and delicious, although there are some pretty incredible places up in the city it's really nice to hit Gelato Classico up when I'm in down town Palo Alto. Chocolate Hazelnut and Pistachio are my go to favorites + the creme brulee is amazing!!! Yummy!

Alex C.

HOLY MOTHER the gelato is delicious. Okay. I've only been once (today). And I've only had the coconut macadamia nut (with a lil' nibble of the green tea), but wow. Wow. UPDATE: Had the pistachio. Add another wow.

Dale G.

After traveling to Italy and trying to make gelato at home. I've found the perfect place to enjoy the real deal. You may find the customers lined up out the door. It is worth the wait.

Jack S.

Eating at Cafe Fraiche made me feel about Gelato Classico the way I imagine I'd feel if I were enough of a player to cheat on my girlfriend but guilty enough to wish I were back with her the whole time I were having sex with the other girl. And if the girl were less hot than my girlfriend. I swear that sounded like a reasonable metaphor in my head. And it wasn't an incomprehensible run-on either.

Jen C.

Love this place. They have a wide selection of delicious and unique flavors. Who knew honey lavender could be so delicious?

Jennifer C.

I've been to other Gelato Classicos and this place is TINY. You basically order, get your gelato, and stand outside and eat if you're not lucky enough to snag what, the 3 chairs outside? It's a step up from an outhouse and like a small bedroom. I'm one of those beezies that likes to eat gelato in the middle of winter but that doesn't mean I'd like to freeze outside while doing it. Size put aside since apparently many advocate it's not the size of the wave but the motion of the ocean, the gelato here is bomb. Why not a better review, you ask? This place doesn't give you the extra cookie thing with your gelato. They charge extra for it. It's also a teeny more expensive than the other Gelato Classico I usually go to that includes that cookie thing. In addition, I found a piece of sharp green plastic in my gelato when I came here last time which was also my first time. Bit down on it and it hurt. Not to mention, parking is a pain in downtown Palo Alto.

Rochelle D.

I am a fan! Gelato Classico is located just on the end of a row of restaurants on Emerson Street. You can skip your dessert and head straight over to Gelato Classico for a cool and tasty treat. And they serve the best affogatos!

S O.

One word: TIRAMISU. I die. Michael's can't even compare to this place.

Anna V.

I've been in a sorbetto kick lately and decided to get the Raspberry and Blackberry sorbetto. While I know these fruits can be sour, the combination of only having the two was super duper sour and not really that great. I was a bit disappointed cause I had this combo before at another place and it was perfectly fine. Sad. I was pretty disappointed and ended up barely finishing half of my small scoop.

Gregory S.

This is one of two Gelato places in Palo Alto. The other place on University (don't recall the same) doesn't have nearly as good tasting Gelato, though it does have a better atmosphere and more space to sit. Really, the only negative of this place is the lack of seating (there is 1 table out front), but I don't think that's such a big deal. On a hot Summer night, it's nice to take the ice cream to go and either eat it while walking around, or sitting in the public square at University and Emerson.

Suany W.

Why do masses of people line up for this place in the summer? The quality here is less than satisfactory. I don't know about everyone else, but I'd rather not fill up my daily caloric allocation with icy gelato. Michael's is so much better!

Victoria Y.

I'm a fan of the strawberry.. This place is a bit on the pricey side but super close to work. I wish they had AC though.. it's HOT inside!

Anna U.

always great , my new fav taste- brulee :)

Tina A.

This review is based solely on my little cousin's experience. He's one picky eater, but he has given this gelato 5 out of 5 stars. He says, "It's tasty and it's like ice cream, but it's creamier and I really enjoyed it."

Anh T.

Went here on a Saturday night around 1030pm and it was pretty chilled back. Parking was easy to find and the ladies in the back were kind to let us have samples. The Bulgarian Chocolate is to die for and so it everything else. 7$ for two cups (2 scoops?) and no tax! Yeeeeee. Grabbed our cups and walked around. Nice night, fun atmosphere, you can't get any better then this!

Patrick A.

Places like this are built to backdrop love happening between boys and girls. Lycheeee.

Brian B.

Just stopped in here tonight, and had a regular cup with a mix of blackberry cabernet, mango, and ginger (OK - I was feeling eclectic!). The service was friendly, and the gelato actually reminded me of what I used to get in Italy: creamy, smooth, and deeply flavored. There was a line stretching out the door, so it's clear that I'm not the only gelato fan in Palo Alto. But after polishing off my cup, I can say that I'm definitely one of the most satisfied. I'll definitely be back again.

Debra C.

The green tea gelato is amazing! it's not one of those fake green tea stuff but it's real green tea favor. It's very creamy and smooth. It's very very small portion for the price but it's just worth it.

Marevie T.

So soft... so sugarrrrrry sweet.... OMG I love cookies and cream! Great for the extra walk all the way to the gelato place after having lunch on the strip.

Donna P.

BEST gelato place in town! So many flavors to choose from, and the prices are great, especially for college students :) The place is kind of small and there is no indoor seating, but there is some outdoor seating.

You could blink and pass this tiny, hole-in-the-wall gelato shop hidden between a string of restaurants and a parking lot. But squeeze your way into the shop that has barely enough room for the overflowing tubs of gelato ice cream and place your order if you can get past all of the locals. The treat is a little pricey but definitely worth it and they happily allow you to ask for multiple flavors per serving allowing you to sample a range of their incredibly rich, creamy Italian style ice cream. A perfect place for dessert as you walk through Palo Alto after dinner.

Jeremy C.

Sure it's a chain and the server is rather brisk, but the selection is diverse and 90% of it looked amazing. Got a small with spumoni and strawberry fresca, with a couple chocolate cookie sticks for texture. Creamy, refreshing, unpretentious gelato, and a nice spot in the shade to eat and gawk at the foot traffic.

Matt P.

I'm a huge fan of Classico's dark chocolate gelato. I mean, huge fan. Like I can't walk by the store without getting some. So you can imagine my excitement when I finally got to go to Italy-- I said to myself, "oh, MAN! If it's this good in frickin' Palo Alto, I bet the stuff in Italy is going to make me CREAM!" ... save yourself the airfare. No happy ending in Italy. I've yet to taste a better dark chocolate gelato. Anywhere.

Chloe M.

After eating way to much at Cheesecake Factory, my friend Anny "REALLLLLLY" wanted to go to get gelato. I said no, I didn't want any. 15 minutes of whining later I said I'd go with her, but I wouldn't get any. Walking down University I told Anny how absolutely INSANE she was to get gelato after the food we just ate. Plus it was gold and grey. It didn't discorage her. I waited outside, because with 5 people inside I was sure no one else could fit. Hah, was I wrong. 5 more people squished inside looking uncomfortable, as I laughed outside. Anyways, Anny came out with Lychee, Pistachio, and Mango. I continued my patronizing "GELATO? Now? How could you?" Anny bent down to tie her shoes, handing me the gelato. I tried some, just a little bit, really fast, you know, so she wouldn't see me. YUMMMMM it was d-e-l-i-ci-o-u-s and creamy and just amaizing Let's just say I sprinted back to get myself some.

Bala L.

Awesome gelato! And a variety of wonderful flavors that we haven't seen or heard of before. It is a really small shop that is easy to miss. I won't make that mistake again.

Claire G.

This is the most heavenly ice cream in the Peninsula: well worth every calorie! My all time favorite ice cream shop. They offer both familiar and unusual flavors, rich and creamy ice cream, fat-free sorbets that are out of this world, and friendly service. One of my favorites is a cup with four flavors: double espresso bean, caffe moca, moca chip and dark chocolate. Yum.

Angela P.

Man, I don't know. I love gelato. Boy do I love gelato. I bought and consumed gelato nearly every day (at least once) for the months I lived in Vienna. But I've just never found the gelato at Gelato Classico to be quite right. I get newly excited each time I come here. My memories of how much I adore gelato clearly outweigh my memories of past disappointments. But each time, the gelato is somewhere between disappointing and adequate. And, of course, expensive.

Matt W.

Excellent! Very good. And the staff member working there was super friendly! She was real nice and let us taste test a couple kinds of gelato. The gelatos were flavorful and delicious. Each of us got a couple different flavors and enjoyed each one a lot. Definitely will be back to this friendly little place!

Kim N.

This place is always rocking out no matter how hot, cold or miserable it is outside. I guess people go to great lengths for their comfort food. Though the flavors are decently tasty, I find the texture here a bit too soft for my tastes. I guess I've been spoiled by many restaurants' made gelati.

Kimberly B.

Where do I even begin? My friends and I have shared the following flavors: - Hazelnut - Strawberry Fresca - Chocolate - Green Tea - Mango - Chocolate Peanut Butter - Nocciola The list goes on and on. I've loved this place since the first time I've stepped into the shop a few years ago and it just seems to get better and better. The owner who works there is very friendly and is patient in letting you try different flavors before making your final decision. Although the line can be rather long during the hot summer days, this place is definitely worth the wait. The small is $2.90 and the medium is $4.45. The smooth and creamy delicacy will surely satisfy your cravings for sweets. Ladies, this is a great way to relieve your PMS!

Christian M.

Does it get any better than this? I don't think so.

Al A.

Tasy gelato. Sometimes has long lines. If the old guy (owner?) is working, then you want him to serve you.

Ginni S.

They carry a somewhat limited number of flavors, compared to the gelato place in downtown Mountain View (per my friend's observations.) The customer service was just so-so because sometimes I thought they were way too absorbed sorting the spoons or doing some work at the back counter. Only one seating area is available, outdoors and if it's occupied by a big group, you're stuck eating the ice cream on the sidewalk.

Keiko S.

I usually vote against ordering dessert at the restaurant so that I can stop by here for a cup of gelato instead. Their lychee, chocolate hazelnut and banana walnut are simply the best. Fresh strawberry (low fat) is very refreshing, too. Unfortunately, there's usually a long line of people protruding out the door (although not as bad as the one in Mountain View on Castro Street), and there's really no place to sit...

Renae H.

I live for the times they have cinnamon or ginger gelato. I love that you can split your little cup of gelato in to two flavors, perfect for indecisive people like me!

Shali N.

The thing that I LOVE about this Gelato Classico is that I can do two flavors in a cup. I usually try to mix it up and come up with something fun. Recently I had the Honey Lavender with Raspberry Cabernet... that was pretty yummy. I try to head over here once every other week or so and try a little something new. I love the atmosphere, the two or three tables on the outside to have my ice cream, and I love how close it is to my office. The chocolate flavors are great, paired with something coffee flavored... yep! This is probably one of my favorite gelato places. The staff is also really friendly and are happy to give away samples.

Aaron M.

Yum. A billion reviews already so: get the lychee or mango.

Catherine H.

Ew, it's so mushy.

Deborah T.

With all the Red Mangos and Fraiches and Pinkberrys around, gelato classico is a nice throwback to actual, real gelato. This is the real thing, people. Granted, they don't have peanut butter in Italy, let alone peanut butter gelato, but this is authentic Italian gelato, just with American flavor options. Buonissimo! Also, this is the cheapest gelato/ice cream/yogurt you'll get in town.

Alain K.

Burgundy Cherry need I say more?

Catherine R.

I think it's a little pricey too but totally worth it! The fruit flavors rock my world...the passion fruit, mango, raspberry...divine!

Rachel L.

This is one of the places I miss most from Palo Alto (as I now live in SF and good as it was, I won't be traveling all the way to Palo Alto just for gelato)! People might claim that some of the other gelato places in the area are better, but they would be wrong. Seriously, I got gelato somewhere in Venice about 2 years ago and I told my friends, "It pains me to say this, but Gelato Classico is better". The place itself is very small, so the line often extends out of the door and there are always people crowded around and in front of it eating. There are a bunch of flavors of gelato, though I almost always got the same thing (my favorites included chocolate peanut butter and cinnamon when they had it, which sadly hasn't been for a while). Pricing is reasonable considering it's both gelato and Palo Alto and there's even a student discount that I never remembered to ask for.

Katherine P.

very good gelato... doesnt get better than this!

Harsh K.

I lived in rome for a year and this place satifies my gelato cravings. On a hot day it's tough to beat a little cup o heaven from this place. nuff said

paul v.

Super-pricey, but damn some of the flavors are incredible. I try to get the small with two flavors, but the regular is a better deal. The Coppa Misto (chocolate, pistachio swirl with nuts and citron), pistachio, and spumoni are among my favorites. Watch them while they are loading the cups, sometimes it seems they leave an air gap on the bottom of the cup between the two flavors. But the stuff tastes so good, you forget about it! One more thing, move inside to order. After you get the stuff GET OUT!!!! The place is tiny and first-timers clog up the line.

Hey La P.

Not that this place needs more good reviews but I just love it so much that I feel compelled to write one. It's a tiny little place with the most delicious gelato I have EVER had. They have a large assortment of flavors and I must admit that I have never had a bad one (although I usually stick to the Caramello Chocolate Crunch). Anytime I am in Palo Alto I stop by this place (or even sometimes I go specifically for the gelato). Yum!

Madeline N.

The perfect end to a day out in Palo Alto. Creamy and delicious in great flavors like creme brulee and tiramisu. A bit pricey, but the price only makes you savor it more. The only downside? Only six seats available outside. Not a place to linger and eat.

Mike S.

Fan-f'in-tastic gelato! I had the green tea once, and it was so smooth and tasty. The guy who was working behind the counter was also really nice, and cool with me bothering him for water every 3 minutes. I haven't had a miss there yet -- a definite stop if you're walking on University.

Digant K.

Delicious gelato! Who can resist?

Elvis H.

Winter time and this place is busy, that tells you a lot. Good ice cream!

Rosalind C.

For a while, I wouldn't get anything from Gelato Classico because it didn't seem... well... authentic enough. Sometimes you go and the gelato is hard as bricks, when it should be creamy. And somehow it just didn't compare to the stuff I got in Italy... but now that I'm about 4 years out from my last trip to Italy, it's starting to get hard to remember how yummy Italian gelato is, and this place is growing on me. Nicciola and caramel goodness... If you have a student ID, they give you a 10% discount.

Elaine S.

For many years I overlooked this place, because I am not a huge gelato fan since it is definitely not one of the healthiest desserts out there. After going to Italy and eating gelato almost every night (and gaining 5 pounds), I thought I would venture back to Gelato Classico to compare it to real Italian Gelato. I was pleasantly surprised with the Gelato, it had a very good creamy texture! The only thing that disappointed me about this place is that the flavors were not authentic (they didn't even have a Nocciola flavor), but oh well this is the United States, not Italy, so this place will have to do for now!

Lauren H.

Great place to stop for dessert in Palo Alto! Gelato Classico is a tiny hole-in-the-wall place, so be prepared to be squished. The gelato is worth it, though. They have a wide variety of flavors...my favorites are mocha, creme brulee, and pomegranate. I have a friend who's especially fond of having half a scoop of honey flavor and half a scoop of lavender. If I'm seeing an indie film at the Aquarius Theater directly across the street, I get some gelato and bring it in with me. Yes, the theater lets you! A great movie snack!

Wade Y.

Simply put, my favorite place to grab a dessert after eating in Palo Alto. This is the best gelato I've had, and I try to stop by here as often as I can. It's true that the line can be a little long at times, but I think of that as a positive (after all, if it's always crowded, it's gotta be pretty good right??). There are also only 4 or 5 seats outside on which to sit on, but I think that's a minor inconvenience. Try the banana walnut or green tea. I also like the mint chocolate chip and tiramisu. Really, you can't go wrong with anything you choose here.

Liza P.

Yummmmmm! I regress completely when it comes to gelato. Granted, Gelateria Naia has stolen my heart and soul forever, but THIS little place is the next best thing. Actually, it IS the best gelato in Palo Alto.

Simone M.

On a hot day, try the pomegranate. On a less hot day, get the pomegranate with some chocolate. I've had better gelato, but not in Palo Alto.

Rachael W.

The line is almost ALWAYS out the door and half way down the sidewalk, the gelato is expensive as hell, and half of the patrons are irritating Stanford students. That being said, the gelato is freaking delicious.

Erica T.

Being a serious gelato aficionado, this place comes pretty close to the gelato in Italy. I popped in last night to surprise my baby with some pistachio gelato and was pleasantly surprised to find they had pre-packed pints! How handy!

Rob C.

2.5 customer service could use improvement. maybe it's heyday was before 2003. now it costs a dollar more for the small size. texture is like melted taffy. tried creme brulee, lychee, coppa mista, tiramisu...flavors not that dramatic. pretty much i get the baskin robbins of gelato feeling here.

Tin S.

expect a gelato. dont expect a great creamy ice cream. you will love it.

Purnima M.

Mmm, mmm! Just that good. On my days off, I would stumble out of my apartment and wander down the street to Gelato Classico. This pretty much ensured that the rest of the day would be perfect. Don't worry about which flavor to choose. They're all delicious, although I have a soft spot for the pistachio and hazelnut.

Andrea G.

4.5 - Yummy gelato! The place is pretty small, so you don't really have room to sit down and eat. Though small, they have a large selection of tasty gelato flavors from classic to new. I like the fact that you can mix and match flavors even for a small order.

I.Like.Toast O.

Gelato from Gelato Classico is a great way to round out a meal out in Palo Alto. During the spring and summers this place always has a line out the door. The manager/owner of this place is such a nice man-- he is gracious and encourages people to try new flavors. Try the fresh ginger and pomegranate mix-- it's light and flavorful. After a heavy meal a dessert like the one above is a great way to enjoy sweets without overdoing things.

Doika P.

Decent selection of gelato. Price seemed high and the portions were fairly small. If you are walking around Palo Alto this would be a good choice for gelato if you are in the mood.

Jeremy S.

So tasty, try mixing flavors. Yum!

Greg V.

Shana S wrote: "...the rich taffy-like texture and intense, vivid flavors.... sorry, I can't recommend you anything better..." I agree whole-heartedly! I have been making the trek to Emerson Street, and across from the Aquarius Theater, for many years and from all corners of the Bay Area to visit my favorite ice cream shop (gelato or otherwise) . And on those hot summer days, their intensely flavored sorbetto are unbeatable -- flavors like passion fruit, limone and blackberry-cabernet. (Perhaps the other Gelato Classico locations are equally good...but why take the risk?? :-) ) Ultimately, I want to someday make the pilgrimage to Gelateria Giolitti to see just how well our best (or at last my favorite) compares with Rome's!

Katherine W.

I love the Green Tea and Tiramisu gelato. The green tea is very fragrant and the tiramisu is like eating tiramisu a la mode.

jenny c.

this is a chain, and they are starting to sell in supermarkets too (some whole foods and safeways). i've loved this place for years, but there isn't one near me so i'm so happy they are selling them at supermarkets (just got a cafe mocha at whole foods in mtn vview). it's also cheaper, but you don't get to choose multiple flavors or get the little cookie on top. i love the green tea flavor, but they are all good!

M O.

Best in the area! Quality is great and plenty of choices. Portions are equal to cost. Haven't had better Gelato outside of Italy!! Service is great in the Palo Alto store. The store on Castro has a grumpy guy working there, but same quality.

Patty L.

WOW! how Delish! yeah its tiny and pricey buuuut its so yummy! better than that Micheals' Place down the street! and soooo worth the wait! highly recommended!

Kathleen B.

It's worth negotiating the line to get into this closet-sized gelato place. They have lots of delicious flavors, and they are happy to let you sample.

Liz L.

I love Gelato Classico - trumps Michael's Gelato any day. The creme brulee here is to die for. I always get half creme brulee and half raspberry sorbetto.... mmmmm..... Also, you get a discount for flashing your Stanford student ID.

Debby C.

This is one of the most popular Gelato shops in Palo Alto and is known for its original menu, boasting such flavors as fresh ginger, bavarian mint, creme brulee and lychee. Be prepared to take your gelato to-go; this teeny-tiny hole-in-the-wall dessert shop only offers a couple of flimsy plastic tables and chairs outside.

Shana S.

This sixty something years old looking well dressed old man was shamelessly licking something from a kid cup and then fingers when he was walking in the middle of the University Avenue in Palo Alto downtown while the rest of the world was gracefully dinning. It's impossible to ignore this sight. Something is going on, I reasoned and traced to his origin, a suprising discovory, a lovely, cozy traditional Italian ice cream presentation... Gelato Classico. muuumm...the rich taffy-like texture and intense, vivid flavors.... sorry, I can't recommend you anything better.

Jessica S.

Student discount and green tea gelato--I miss you!!

Caroline I.

who knew such delicious gelato would come out of a tiny storefront in palo alto. the texture of the gelato reminded me of the texture you get in italy. creamy, a bit chewy but not melted. too many gelato places in the states serve rock hard gelato. i love this stuff. reminds me of strolling around italy eating gelato for breakfast, lunch, dinner.

Ceana K.

I think the is one of the best Gelato Classicos - but they REALLY need to come up with some NEW flavors. Yea - I get it...they're "Classico", but how about becoming more "Variety-o"?? Due to their lack of new flavors, I always end up getting their Caramello Crunch - it's always good. However, you want variety try Michael's (on University Ave.) - they have a KILLER pistachio.

Robert B.

honey lavender gelato! nothing better for this summer heat! nomnomnom

Benjamin M.

Gelato is hard to find in the states: good gelato is even harder to find. This place has a sizeable selection of different gelato's, good staff, and a good location across from a theatre. Every person I mention this place to says, "oh yeah that place!" Whenever I go the line is out the door, and with good reason. The seats are scarce, so grab them if their available: and don't be afraid to share!

E. G.

Definitely one of the best gelato places I've been to (including Italy). There is a great variety of flavors here - my favorite is copa mista. My only complaint would be that lack of seating.

michou t.

Love this place! Ooey gooey gelato in so many flavors. I still harken back to the hazelnut after trying everything else though. White chocolate pistachio is also good.

Lauren W.

Really, really good gelato, with a great flavor selection, but I knocked off a star because the service can be spotty, the lines can get long on weekend nights, and there is practically no place to even stand inside. But, still, grabbing a cup of whatever flavor stikes your fancy (creme brulee, mmm...) and strolling around downtown PA is a nice little passtime on a warm summer night.

Amanda L.

It's in a not so great location. The store is not very easy on the eyes either, but their gelato is amazing. If you're a coconut fan, the coconut macadamia nut is a killer.

Tyler H.

Pints to-go or by the cone, you can't really go wrong here. While your Italian friends may nit-pick, short of getting on a plane, there's really nothing that comes close in the Bay Area. Totally bare-bones decor, but I'm not going for the scene. Some of my favorites include Coconut Macadamia Nut, Carmelo Chocolate Crunch, and Peanut Butter Chocolate. But even plain-old Vanilla or Chocolate are great. Great non-fat sorbets also available when you're in that mood. Other local branches include North Beach SF, Mountain View, and San Anselmo - all equally good.

Stephen H.

Hard to go wrong with Gelato, also hard to really stand out and differentiate yourself as well. This place is good, well worth a try if you are in the mood for whats on the menu.

Rachel B.

It was ok, but tasted more like ice cream than creamy, dense gelato.

HC N.

Cute desert place in downtown Palo Alto to visit. More personality to this place than Haagen Daz or Baskin Robbins. Flavors are more interesting too. Service is consistently good. It's a fairly small footprint business - not much place to sit...but then, most people do not choose to sit to eat their gelato anyway. The line is always long, so be prepared to wait. The owner of the business (used to refer to him as "gelato nazi" - since we were reminded of the Seinfeld show about "soup nazi" when going to this place...step up to counter, name your flavor(s), then move aside!) is rarely seen anymore, which is too bad because it made for a fun/colorful evening to see him.

Dave K.

Hellooo gelato! Besides their phenomenal treats, this location offers other strengths. Minimal outdoor plastic seating, proximity to two large parking lots and an overflowing outdoor trashcan set this Gelato Classico apart. If they don't have the chocolate peanut butter flavor, try coming back another night. They work on some sort of weekly schedule with certain special flavors.

Ahsan M.

Pumpkin gelato in the fall. Mango in the spring/summer. Nuff said. It's a touch expensive but wellll worth it.

K I L O W A T T.

My favorite gelato in the bay area. Vanilla was simply decadent.

michael b.

In a word awesome.. It doesn't matter if you like cherry, hazlenut or chocolate.. they have had half the menu and I am yet to find something that I didn't like. Just be sure to bring cash, as they don't accept card.

Jordan M.

Excellent ice cream and a bad place for a diet.

Kim C.

Mmmm...creme brulee gelato. Great place to stop to grab gelato when you're on University Ave. Unforatunately, its tiny and the only place to sit are the three or four tiny chairs outside the door. But the gelato is sooo gooood. Dairy doesn't always agree with me, but I'll go through the pain and discomfort for the creme brulee gelato! Thinking about it makes me wanna grab the Lactaid and head there after work!

Julie K.

it was my first heavenly perfect Gelato place in US..

Sujata S.

Best gelato in town!! Love all the flavors...great great great!

Kevin S.

Good, but not great. I still miss the nutty brown pistacchio from Vivoli in Florence. But this'll do until spring, eh?

Jean M.

Grab a gelato and go across the street to the Landmark movie theatre buy some pop corn and a cup of tea and kick back and watch a great movie

Wesley W.

Lots of flavors. Will make you want to have 5 scoops to make a dent in the whole list. Good place to go after watching a movie at the aquarius across the street, or whatever else you do in that corner of Palo Alto.

shawn g.

One of the many Gelato Classico Cafe's around the bay area. Decent albeit pricey gelato.

Brigitta D.

Nothing special - would rather pick up a pint of Ciao Bella from Whole Foods.

kate w.

gelato is my favorite type of ice cream and this location has my favorite flavors. Bavarian mint, white chocolate raspberry, and peppermint bark. Yummy!!!!!!! The owner is very nice. I travel to palo alto a lot to go to different resaurants and always end up at gelato for dessert.

Amy D.

Of all the gelato places I've been to, Gelato Classico in Palo Alto is my favorite. A stroll down University Ave. with a friend and gelato at hand is one of the loveliest ways to end an evening.

Seema H.

Yum! I drive up from San Jose just to get this gelato. It's so so tasty! They have the most delicious flavors. My favorites are the white chocolate pistachio, creme brulee and coconut macadamia nut.

Hao L.

Great gelato right across from the Aquarius movie theatre. What's not to love?!

Jane L.

I was already stuffed from Lavanda, but still needed something sweet. Strawberry gelato hit the spot. I was in heaven.

Love K.

coppa mista = love

Daniel S.

This place rocks! I live downtown Palo Alto and during the summer months I was here at least once a week. This gelato is way better than ice cream.

H S.

amazing - the best gelato in town. try the half ginger/half dark choc combo - your taste buds will thank you...

Stacy L.

I can't pass this place without stopping by for a small gelato. One of my biggest weaknesses is half coppa mista, half dark chocolate, but I love to try other flavors.

robert j.

This place was my first experience with gelato. I must say that I am glad that this was my first experience and not others. Very tasty, alot of distintive flavors and not too overpriced. Although I must admit that I thought Haagen Daz was cheaper. Overall a good experience that I enjoy frequently.

Philip M.

At one time my favorite treat.

A B.

Simple, classic place with no frills or pretenses, just amazing gelato. This place was my staple dessert place during college, and it has never failed me once. Highly recommend it. My favorites include hazelnut, bavarian mint (mint + chocolate), lychee, and vanilla bean, but in general everything seriously tastes good, and this place is my favorite gelato place in the area. The other notable place was a crepe place in Menlo Park(?) that served Ciao Bella chocolate gelato with their crepes, and that was just absolutely divine.

David V.

if you want gelato, this place is worth the walk from wherever you happen to be in downtown PA. it's not the greatest ever but it's the best around.

Alexei A.

Nothing spectial

Bennet A.

still the best gelato and sorbetto in this area. very authentic. one star shy of the perfect 5 because they don't stick a biscuit on top. enough flavors to satisfy your taste buds, but wish they have some more flavors. my favorite flavors include pomegranate, green tea and plain frozen yogurt. enjoy!

Frank C.

when i think gelato i think this place. 2/3 chocolate 1/3 vanilla.

S. R.

Any gelato place that offers ginger gelato will automatically be one of my favorites. Other amazing flavors include the white chocolate w/berry, and blackberry cabernet sorbet. The sorbet tasted as though it was packed with fresh fruit and very little sugary fillers. This location is a bit more generous with servings than the Mountain View location. Treat yourself to a decadent night out with Paxti's next door followed by some of this gelato.

tisha d.

the best gelato ive tasted so far!! :) i keep bringing my friends here too...okay, its an excuse for more gelato hahah =p (i love the green tea and the spumoni best)

niki c.

OH MY GOD. SO GOOD. pick a flavor -- can't go wrong. also 10% discount to stanford students if you show student id.

Alvina L.

Came here after dinner with a friend and it was our first time...I'd have to say wow! Where have I been all this time missing out on this place?? They have soo many flavors (15+) and the gelato is just super creamy. I like how the flavors are bold but not too sweet. I definitely stood there sampling 7 different flavors before making my order because everything just sounded so yummy! I ended up getting the regular (with 2 flavors $4.10), and got pistachio and double expresso bean. You get good chunks of real pistachio nut so it was the real deal. The double expresso bean was a good smoky mocha flavor...both to die for. The coffee mocha and cabernet raspberry were pretty good too. Wasn't a big fan of honey lavender though...it's got that flower scent taste I personally don't like. But otherwise...I'd definitely come back again and again until I try all the flavors!

Mike L.

I found this place by "accident", I call it karma for being a good steward and moving my car to another parking lot after my 2hrs was up. Located across from a Purple Lot, just off University, this place is a hole in the wall but oh so good. Ciccolato, delicious - lots of flavor, and perfect texture. Kaffe - one of the better espresso flavors I have had. The combination of them both is even better. Price point isn't bad either. About average for a typical gelataria, $4-5 for a cup. It was good good I'm pretty sure I devoured it before getting to the end of the block.

Emmeline T.

I was hanging out with a friend and we decided to grab some dessert after dinner. I tend to get ice cream instead of gelato but we decided to give this place a try. First off, when we went into the store we were amazed by the amount of flavors they had.. and all of the flavors they had just looked so good! The staff was really friendly and patient with us and let us try all the different flavors we wanted to try. However more people started coming in and a line started forming so me and my friend decided to speed up our flavor decision process haha Since it was so hot outside, I really wanted something lighter and so I ended up getting the blackberry cabernet and honey lavender. Both were delicious! One thing that I noticed was this place has very limited seating so most people would go in, get their gelato, and leave. Most gelato places aren't exactly the cheapest but there have been other places that I've been to that were a little more generous with the amount they give you. With that being said, I'd definitely come back to this place though since the gelato is definitely worth!

Michelle N.

I hate to be a naysayer, but I was not impressed by the gelato the few times I've been here. I did not like the taste nor the texture of the gelato here. Recently, I've tried the vanilla bean, honey lavender, and lemon sorbet flavors. Honey lavender and lemon sorbet were overwhelmingly sweet... Vanilla bean was pretty sweet too, but less so. The texture of their gelato was more like ice cream...I expect gelato to have a more chewy and elastic texture. Still okay for a hot day, but I wouldn't call this good gelato in my book.

Tiffany D.

I'm really an ice cream and custard fan but I have found that lately I'm trying to explore other things and Gelato happens to be one of them. I find gelato to be quite different but in a good way, makes me wish there were more gelato shops around or at least more in my area. This particular day I was on the hunt for ice cream in the downtown Palo Alto area but after seeing a check-in from my Yelp friend here I knew I had to give this place a try. It's a very small gelato shop tucked away on one of the side streets off of University Ave. Walking in it has a very classic and Italian feel to it. The menu was very limited and straight to the point, I did like that with each size you are able to get between 2-3 flavors which is great because you are not being charged by the scoop and you can sample more than one flavor. The flavor selection was wonderful, it took me about 10 minutes and 4 samples to figure out what to get. I finally decided on a small size and the flavors were creme brulee and caramel pecan. Both flavors were great but the creme brulee absolutely blew me away and I savored every spoonful. There was caramel swirls and so many different flavors going on and I was in heaven. I will most definitely be coming back to try out more of the flavors whenever I get that gelato craving. The customer service was great as well, the young lady that was helping me was very patient as I was having a hard time deciding. If you are ever in the area and are craving an "ice cream" treat skip CREAM and come to Gelato Classico.

Nicola L.

Excellent pistachio (5 stars)! One of the best I've had, and I almost always try pistachio wherever I go, and I'm picky about my pistachio. Ginger (4 stars) was a unique, enjoyable flavor. Green tea (4.5 stars) was also fantastic. And all for an affordable price - could've gone for the small as the regular was rather filling!

Bruce's A.

My good friend and I along with her best friends came to this place after having a late lunch at Unami Burger (which is awesome by the way) and I enjoyed myself a lot! The place itself isn't all flashy and nice which to be frank doesn't matter to me a whole lot. What does matter is what they serve here, and they have the good stuff here folks! The service was straightforward, yet friendly still. When I got my gelato, the cashier gal was very sweet and friendly. I got a small cup of half creme brule and half peanut butter chocolate and I was VERY pleased! I am not very big on sweets to be frank (LOOK AT MY REVIEWS, NO SWEETS IN SIGHT!) I actually really liked this place. I ate all my gelato and was a happy camper! :D Overall; awesome price, good service, fantastic gelato!

Ziyan C.

Not all their flavors have just that right creamy texture, but the ones that do are pretty great, especially the Hazelnut Chocolate! Here are a few highlight flavors I tried: Hazelnut Chocolate - 4.5 stars Very rich and delicious! Honey Lavender - 3.5 stars Nice light floral taste, but very overshadowed by the hazelnut chocolate. Raspberry - 3.5 stars Great tart sharp flavor, but a little icy on the texture, could be much more smooth like the hazelnut or the honey lavender. Mango - 4 stars Smooth and creamy, good authentic mango flavor! Photo of our combos: yelp.com/biz_photos/gela…

Nicole V.

I'm so happy there is now a new gelato shop in downtown Palo Alto and I don't have to go to this miserable place anymore. The gelato here is good; I live nearby and have enjoyed most flavors but the service here is just plain lousy every single time I go. In fact, I started writing this review like a year ago and left it as a draft b/c I want to like this place and thought maybe it's just me, but it's not! The service here is lousy; the female gelato scoopers, and tonight the male gelato schlepper, or quite possible the owner, are just miserable people. We tried only two flavors total between the three of us, and you would have thought we asked for one of each. We were the only people in there tonight, it's not like it was packed with paying customers supporting their lifestyle or anything. In my original draft I said I will still probably go here because the new gelato store down the street has yet to broaden their flavor offering but the day is coming, and in fact that day is today! I don't have to go here anymore, better options or not, and I am thrilled I don't have to go to this miserable place with these miserable sour people anymore. Ahh. Make a better a choice.

Donna T.

Does anyone ever think they're turning ITALIAN? I mean one day, I'm minding my own business being awesome me and then the next thing I know, my friends drag me into Gelato Classico. Friends: "Let's try some gelato here. It's really good!" Me: "Pfft uh what's a gelato? Is that like...ice cream??" Oh I was so naive. Don't be fooled by the exterior and interior of this gelato shop. They literally have gold and happiness mixed into their gelati. Hold on, do you even know what gelato is? Wikipedia's got you. GELATO [juh-lah-toh]: type of soft ice cream containing a relatively small amount of air. Gelato is made with milk, cream, various sugars, and flavoring such as fresh fruit and nut purees. ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ge… ) There is NO replacement for the happiness that gelati provides especially at Gelato Classico. If I am in Palo Alto, I must have their gelato. It's like Walter White's blue crystal "products" made its way into Gelato Classico and I just cannot. have. enough. I like my usual Green Tea and Bavarian Mint. I've tried other flavors too but I always go back to my usuals. As the creamy, fluffy texture of gelato melts in my mouth, I find my wooden nose elongated while a yellow hat with a red feather appears on top of my head. My clothes magically transform into a yellow shirt with a blue bow and red overall. Wait a minute, I morphed into Italian Pinnochio!? ( disneyclips.com/imagesne… ) Yeah I would be lying if I said I didn't love gelato and Gelato Classico with all my heart! Jiminy Cricket!

Julie C.

FINALLY A GELATO PLACE THAT ACTUALLY SERVES GELATOS. They have a great selection of flavors but I don't find the flavors as mind-blowing as the ones I've had up in Berkeley. However, this is the best place I've found so far that's within a reasonable driving distance from my house. The owners of the restaurant are also really nice. They let you try out multiple samples before you decide and they don't rush you while you are being indecisive. haha. I also love that this place is in walking distance between some of my favorite restaurants. So I don't have to scramble for parking just to get the gelato, but I can go get some really amazing food and then stroll by here to get some dessert. It makes my fooding adventures end on a good note. :].

Tyler K.

I love gelato and everything related to ice cream so of course this place was a must try. However, I was slightly disappointed in that I felt it was just okay. I ordered the cookies & cream in a waffle cone and was no blown away. The serving was on the smaller side too. Not too great for $4.

Aly A.

I've had Gelato here for many years and have tasted all the flavors. All flavors are good though I have my favorites. It's a tiny place. Don't miss it when you walk by. It's the best Gelato in Palo Alto.

Richard G.

After having a wonderful spicy Chinese dinner I made a sojourn back to 'gelato Classico' in downtown Palo Alto off of Emerson. Parking was a bit of a challenge, but worth the trip. I discovered this place soon after I moved here and have fond memories of attending classic movies at the restored Stanford theater around the corner. I am very pleased to report the quality of their gelato and service have remained above par over the countless years. Highly recommend you get at lease the small two flavor cup. The only problem is to look over the wonderful choices in all the freezer bins and make up your mind. They will give you samples on small spoons to help you with your final decision. A very close person to my heart would order Vanilla Bean, and out of nostalgia I ordered it too and retreated back to my car to walk down memory lane with smoke in my eyes.

Vanessa P.

First time coming into your store and I loved it. Can't wait to come back and try lots of flavors you guys have. They all sound so good. Will be back again soon.

Roopa S.

Really is the best gelato in the Bay! I've been coming to this location as well as the Palo Alto Emerson Street location since I was 4 or 5. 15 years of this gelato, and I'm still not over it. Bavarian mint-- always my go-to flavor. My dad always goes for the ginger and pumpkin flavors, which are both EXCELLENT as well. Feel free to indulge in a tasting while you're there-- ask for samples of different flavors before choosing. I promise there will be more than 3 or 4 you will want to order. I have a special place in my heart for this spot. I would 100% recommend checking it out. The lines get really long during peak hours, but I would even say that it's worth the wait.

Thy C.

The gelato is fantastic but why is the service so lacking? I've tasted this brand of gelato at other places before so I knew it would be good. I'm a huge fan of Coppa Mista and Tiramisu. This place would've easily been 5 stars if it wasn't for their darn customer service. 2 people behind the counter. Didn't greet. Not very friendly. Seems like other reviewers would agree with me on the two Scrooges behind the counter. Will go elsewhere next time.

Erick A.

Gelato is on point, can't complain, they can lower the freezers temp however the gelato was too melty but that's besides the fact that the customer service was not pleasant at all I expect better service from a place like that especially in the Silicon Valley with all the competition... But what do I know!! I understand that I arrived a little bit before 10:30pm (closing time) but why not make a customer happy? Why not make the extra $16.35?? Your doors were open for business. And one thing I learned about working behind the register, always give the customers change back! No matter how much it is. Or else we both look stupid staring at each other about a couple of quarters.

Cassandra M.

Two flavors that I've had here are the best gelato in the entire universe! First, Andes chocolate mint is de-lish! Truly creamy, minty & chocolate heaven. A little bit goes a long way-just fantastic. Second, and perhaps the very best flavor ever, is the ginger gelato. They don't always have it, but my goodness it is the most delectable flavor created. This lovely lil' shop is clean, easy to get to and fairly priced. Yummity-doo-dah!

Kevonna B.

As far as taste goes, this is some of the best gelato I've had! Everything is so fresh & I was able to sample a few flavors to see what I liked best. But my experience here was lacking, which is why I gave just 3 stars.. When I walked in, neither of the people behind the counter acknowledged me. I find this to be one of the most annoying things when I'm out somewhere. Just a simple "hello" would've been nice. Then as I was browsing the flavors, the cashier starts hovering & asking if I'm ready. Although there was nobody else in line, it felt like I was being rushed. Complete turn off! But the gelato is awesome & the location is very convenient! So despite the lacking customer service I'll be back.

Farah L.

Omg SO GOOD. GO HERE. Also the owner (rizza) is suuperr duper nice and has no problem giving samples and spending time talking to you about the wonderful gelato they serve. I love this place never getting gelato anywhere else!

Rene P.

Being my first experience with gelato about fifteen years ago, Gelato Classico has really set the mark against which all other gelato places must compete. And generally those places just get cut in the preliminaries. Not having been to Italy, I have no idea how "authentic" Gelato Classico is, but as far as my unrefined palate is concerned, it's just exquisite. It is truly one of the things I miss the most about no longer living in the Bay Area. The texture is really the core reason why the ice cream is so good. To wit, the gelato is somewhat gelatinous; if you slightly tip a spoonful, it slowly stretches out. But the flavors are also amazing with some truly creative offerings. My personal favorites are the burgundy cherry and the coconut macadamia nut, which together form a truly excellent combination. Summary: This is gelato done classico.

Lesley C.

Super yummy gelato place! I had the hazelnut and Rocky Road, and was very pleased with both tastes. I tasted the mango and thought that was delicious as well. My least favorite was the raspberry, though when combined with the mango, was actually a good combination. Overall, definitely worth trying if you're in the area! The only thing is that it's pretty pricey.

Hurnan V.

Came here for dessert after a heavy dinner on University Avenue and had my sweets cravings immediately fixed. What a hidden gem! I was so overwhelmed with the wide variety of flavors -- good thing they were very nice about their samples! :) In the end, my friend and I chose the tiramisu and the cookies and cream to share. We got a small size -- which was perfect for after a full dinner, but enough to satisfy that sweet tooth. The parlor is a bit small and on the dinkier side with limited seating, but there are plenty of benches down University Ave for you to enjoy your treat. Tip: they only accept cash!

Harsh M.

All of University avenue has a certain charm about it, and this gelato place IS really classic. You can spend the day here or even just go for dinner and wrap up your night with gelato and it just completes your night in a perfect way.

Tian Q.

Gelato: -Good variety of interesting flavors that gave me eyegasm -All flavors were standard or decent at best, nothing really stood out that much -Decent honey lavender; pumpkin and green tea tasted a little off; cookies n' cream was too sweet on the cream; creme brulee tasted like, nothing Service: -Apparently you only to taste 5 samples, I got 10 by sneaking over to the counter girl on the other side after I was done with really-anal-about-the-5-samples-counter-girl-­number-1 (let's call her Felicia) Felicia: -Got my two-flavor order wrong immediately after I told her what I wanted -Stared at me and this rando dude next to me for a good 15 seconds when we told her that we were paying separately. I don't know what's so hard to get about the fact that most strangers don't pay for each other's gelato. -Looked like a mean stoner the entire time and made me question whether I was at a gelato shop or a sweatshop

Umesh N.

If you like Gelato, you want to he here! Loved their blackberry Cabernet! Try with dark chocolate .. Highly recommended! I found their gelato to be better than what I had in Italy!

Daniel H.

This gelato place was pretty small but there were a lot of flavors. I got a small cup of Double Espresso Bean. A small was $3.65 and up to two flavors. It tasted pretty good to me. My friend got Green Tea and Mango. I tried both flavors and the Green Tea was good but I didn't like the mango flavor. There were two tables outside and the one table we sat at was under a tree. Since it was windy, the leaves kept falling on us and occasionally missing our gelato. It would be a good idea to sit at the table closest to the building to avoid leaves from falling in the gelato. lol This was a nice dessert after my friend and I had lunch even though it was windy. Good stuff!

Kelly G.

Woohoo, indeed! This gelato place is on point. Tons of flavors, all delicious. I had to make the server choose for me because I just couldn't make a decision. I got stracciatella and carmello chocolate crunch. Mmmmm, I want to eat it all over again :)

Katie S.

Came in close to closing time the week of Christmas (late post the holidays were hectic!) And couldn't have been happier! The young lady working wasn't mad we came in so close to closing she still let us taste and was very helpful! The chocolate gelato was delicious along with the mint!! Yummmo!

Caroline H.

Location: on Emerson St in Palo Alto, with Lytton and University Ave intersecting it on either side. It's across the street from The Patio sports bar. Parking: parking can be tricky in Palto Alto, as it's always so busy and crawling with local workers or visitors. But there are many public parking garages and open-air lots in addition to street parking. There's basically a parking lot on each block near University Ave. And this gelato shop happens to have one on its block, about 25 feet away. Ambiance: Small, quiet galley shop. Not much of decor, it's just simple and straight forward. You enter and have walking space in front of you for maybe 15 feet, with a display showcasing their gelato to the right. Service: Staff were friendly. There were 1 or 2 girls in back of the gelato display at all times. Samples were fine to ask for. None of the staff were overtly welcoming, just quiet (not really a bad thing). They were able to answer my basic questions, like, "what's in this flavor?" Food: The gelato here is just plain good, definitely feels like a treat to have some. There are normal flavors available like caramel pecan (which I tried, and was delicious... like an upgraded butter pecan) and more extravegant or unique flavors like lavender and stracciatella (which seemed to have a lot going on). Pricing: Not horribly expensive, but definitely on the pricier side for the portions they serve. Feel like the gelato here is more of an occasional splurge, and I wouldn't get it all the time. Return factor: Yes, but not very frequently.

Vincent L.

Fairly creamy and rich gelato that's a nice treat if downtown Palo Alto is your destination on a night out, although, like the Mountain View outlet, none of the flavors are exactly mind-blowing. Just averagely pleasant. The servers are obliging, though, with tastings, and there are a couple of chairs and tables outside (although the sidewalk is rather narrow and things can get rather intimate with passersby).

Emily Y.

After passing CREAM and seeing a line out the door, I thought, "Hey, what an excellent idea!" Though there was NO way I was spending 30mins in a line. Yelp to the rescue! I searched the near vicinity for well-reviewed ice cream joints and found this little gem. I was blown away: the GELATO was SO tasty. I ordered two scoops atop a small waffle cone (1 strawberry and 1 coconut macadamia) and I kid you not, I was in absolute HEAVEN. I can't imagine a more DREAMY combination. I didn't want it to end! I can't even take credit for my selection since I asked the lady behind the counter to decide FOR me. If you're having ANY difficulty narrowing down the selection - do it. Ask them to surprise you. I mean, have you ever eaten an ice cream you didn't love?!

Kristy R.

For Gelato found in the states this place is good! After going to Italy and tasting the real stuff it has made me picky about it. While it's not like in Italy it is still delicious. My fav is the creme brule. I gave them 3 stars only because their service sucks. Not once have I been in there and had the staff be friendly...always seems like they hate their job. Just put a smile on your face people!

Allen C.

They always have these lovely flavors. Ginger and lavender are exotic. Bavarian mint is decadent and so many more... We like to grab gelato and then take a stroll on University. Also because there really isn't room to hang at the shop and it's not the safest for kids with the parking lot entrance right there. The line is usually long when we are there. But all good things are worth waiting for, right?

Sarah T.

the ice cream was nice there are a lot of selection to choose from but still not as delicious as tinpot or scoop (well it is gelato but the richness of flavor is nowhere compared to the other two) the service is horrible though only if the person would appear to be enthusiastic about selling stuff

Jessica X.

Always stop by this place for dessert after I go out to eat in downtown PA. Even though there can be a medium-long wait, it's totally worth it. Get the pistachio. So good!

Pranthik S.

This place has ok gelato, nothing super special. Price is fair. I got the pistachio and the peanut butter chocolate, half and half. It was good, but I've had way better at places in vegas and around If you're looking for a quick & small dessert on University this is an ok place to go.

Priscilla O.

I love their pistachio gelato. It actually tastes...like freshly crushed pistachios enrobed with creamy goodness. It's a squishy environment...so just get your scoop and take a stroll around downtown palo alto. (:

Calvin K.

Arguably the best gelato place in town. Easily the best customer service! My best friend and I were trying samples and the man behind the counter wouldn't stop suggesting new things to try! He gave us enough gelato in sample form for us to be satisfied, but obviously we couldn't walk away with some of our favorites. Wish I knew his name to give him a proper

Vladimir P.

Great gelato, if I would review solely on the gelato, I would give it 5 stars. However, apparently the owner of the place is a direct blood relative of Scrooge McDuck and he thinks that everyone will taste everything they offer and then walks off without paying. Result is 5 samples maximum - I have not yet heard of such a ridiculous policy. In all the gelato places I have reviewed, I have never seen such nonsense. So, when we left my friend left them 1 dollar tip so that they are not so cheap with their samples.

Lexie M.

Small and narrow inside but gelatto is best to take on walk. Located off University Ave this location is a quiet, hidden spot on Emerson. 2-3 small tables outside. It's always the same guy there - Guessing he must be the owner. Very friendly and he jokes around with me every time I come in. Yesterday he carded me because I wanted to try Blackberry Cabernet ;-) Which was delicious by the way! I also got Chocolate Hazelnut. Mmm... I like that there is no minimum size for mixing flavors. One of my favorite gelatto spots and I love the weather in this area. Prime for gelatto! Reasonably priced and great quality. They have a delicious banana walnut flavor right now - What the heck! They're all good.

Dianna D.

Wow, this place is majorly delish. Ever since I came back from Italy and tried Scoops in LA, which I was disappointed in, I thought I would never find good gelato in the US, ever. I have only tried half of the flavors, but I would already say that this place is a winner. The pistachio is not green, but brown - this shows how natural their ingredients are. They are really nice about giving you samples of the flavors before buying, although I have yet to try a bad flavor. My favorites so far are honey lavendar and cafe mocha. I've also tried mocha almond crunch (not as good as cafe mocha, imo), coconut macadamia nut, white chocolate raspberry, strawberry fresca, and double espresso. I would like to try the ginger, lychee, and green tea, since I'm still in love with my Asian flavors, although I would also like to try the nocciole, pistachio, and stracciatella, because they are traditional flavors that I would be able to really compare with the Italian gelato. I've also yet to try the sorbetto. Prices are very reasonable; on par with the 3-euro-for-small gelato I got in Italy. I'm going to have to exhibit some self-control at this place because I work so damn close to the shop. They'll definitely be making more money from this gal :)

Ric S.

I tend to value the quality of food much higher than the quality of service: I am willing to forgive a lot for and oustanding meal. However, I draw the line at Gelato Classico. Yes, the ice cream is good. But the service is consistently depressing. It's not only about the service being unenthusiastic... Trying a taste before you decide on it? Forget about it. Even asking about the ingredients seems to be a serious faux pas: it's written on the board, after all! The other time we went here with friends who have a toddler who was (obviously) interested ice cream, the comment we got was "don't put it (sic!) on the counter!" Choosing the taste of your ice cream can a magical experience, and the service at Gelato Classico is really good at ruining it.

Diliny C.

I ordered two flavors of gelato and was disappointed that both had a very sticky gooey texture. Normally gelato in my opinion is light and smooth.

Jean B.

I am never ever disappointed when I come here! I've stolen little scoops here and there from others and have managed to actually deviate from my usual vanilla and strawberry on more than one occasion!

cristina s.

only one worth trying is the SPONDONI flavor or something like that, has chocolate , mocha and another light brown gelatto. Gelatto is not creamy, lacks any unique STAND OUT FLAVOR, and waters down WAAY TO FAST! almost as soon as you get it! so you gotta scarf it down in 2 minutes or else you'll have a watery mess! Honestly if your visiting Palo Alto and you live closer to another gelatto place id suggest you go there. Service is a dissapointment too! the young women there has a face like she doesnt want to be there and is not open to give you samples! berly dips the little spoon into the gellato! its like really!?? am not being a cheap ass trying to load on free icecream! i just have a VERY SPECIAL taste buds, tis' all

Katherine S.

I decided to ruin my dinner as I was waiting for my friend to meet me at our dinner spot on night. Hey, I had some time to kill and I wandered past a gelato place...I couldn't resist. They have Bavarian Mint! So delicious and creamy! Ask for a sample to decide what you want. Yum! I'll be back. There's only 2 tables outside, so you'll probably have to grab and go if they're taken.

Annie S.

CASH ONLY. My friend lovesssss this place, so I finally came here after hearing her talk about it for years. I tried six different flavors (I felt bad for trying so many but yolo), and the only flavor that stood out to me was the tiramisu. The tiramisu flavor has little chunks of ladyfingers which I liked. My friend really likes the honey lavender, but I personally didn't like it. I got to the counter to pay and realized this place accepts cash only, but I just happened to have enough coins to pay for my small cup of tiramisu gelato phew. We managed to get a table to sit inside this small shop packed with people in line, but we quickly left because of mosquitos and flies...

Rich P.

I was a little surprised by the absence of seasonal berry flavors in the height of summer - WTF no fragola in an Italian gelato shop? But the vanilla and creme brûlée were both good as everyone says. I was also hoping for more amiable serving experience. So only 3 stars I'm afraid.

Tram N.

This is a chain however, it still satisfied my sweet tooth. I wanted to treat Vi because she drove to Palo Alto! My car was down which wasn't a problem since I planned to take Cal Train to my lipotropic appt. and then to eat at Crepevine (hold on for my next review because we ate at Patxi's first, walked over here for gelato, and then to Crepevine). I got a small (you can pick up to 2 flavors: Caramello Chocolate Crunch / Peanut Butter Chocolate... texture was smooth and creamy, not overly rich at all. There are 2 tables outside (no seatings inside).. Thank you, Gelato Classico for allowing Vi and I to chitchat for about an hour before our next caloric-consumption adventure!

Jason W.

Last weekend was the end of spring and the start of summer, so me and the missus kicked things off with a beautiful, warm evening in downtown Palo Alto. We started off with a great dinner and then looked for some place to get a nice sweet desert. Since it was really warm outside, every place that could possibly serve yogurt or ice cream was super crowded. We tried to go in Fraiche and it was like a nightclub with not an inch to move in any direction! Gelato Classico is a tiny place across from the Aquarius movie theater. When you go in, there's barely room for the counter, freezer, and some place to stand and place your order. They have an amazing variety of Gelato flavors! I got hazelnut and pistachio in a small cup which put me back about $4. Both flavors were awesome and the pistachio had tons of little pieces of pistachio nut in it which gave it a great texture! The girls behind the counter are super nice and keep the line moving quickly. The place is very clean and every flavor I've tried has been completely delightful. Be prepared to stand in a bit of a line outside on warm evenings, but at least you don't have to deal with a crush of people once you get inside!

Desmond T.

I freaking love their pistachio gelato. Smooth and creamy. Fresh crushed chunks of pistachios. 1 scoopful is a very generous amount. Small place. Just order your gelato and bounce.

Wilhelm Y.

I dropped in on Sunday afternoon after volunteering at the Cantor Arts Center because some of us San Francisco city boys just aren't well adjusted to hot summer-like temperatures. The Haagen Dazs ice cream shop around the corner from here was extremely crowded, and I wanted cool relief ASAP so I ended up at Gelato Classico since they had fewer customers. When it comes to gelato I almost always prefer sour or tart fruit flavors over sweet flavors. The tart fruit flavors here are kind of limited so even though they suggest three flavors for a regular sized cup I settled on just two flavors choosing the Lemon Sorbetto and the Raspberry. I didn't realize it until I left the store that I had chosen flavors with colors matching the Stanford Cardinal ( yelp.com/biz_photos/Ty8Z… ). The Lemon Sorbetto was definitely better in flavor, but the Raspberry was much smoother and a lot less icy than the Lemon Sorbetto. It was a delicious treat though, and it worked wonders to cool me down until I could escape to a cooler air-conditioned climate.

Kim R.

What happen?...This must not be the same as Gelato Classico Italian Ice Cream location in san jose... I tried the pistachio and it was watery- it wasn't the usual thick custardy consistency I expected. I think i'll just stick to the one in san jose. And it's CASH ONLY~!? what the heck I thought only asian places do that..

Asha S.

We tried 5 flavors today: * CREME BRULEE - (3/5) * COOKIES N CREME - (3/5) * LEMON SORBET - (4/5) * LYCHEE - (2/5) * CARAMELLO CHOCOLATE CRUNCH - (4/5) Service was questionable.. the man serving the gelato behaved as though we were inconveniencing him when we asked about 3 of the curiosity-inspiring flavors.. and when I asked for a sample of one while trying to decide between which to order. Mind you, we were the only ones there. My friend finally decided on the Caramello Chocolate Crunch and Cookies and Cream, though she was looking forward to the Caramello Chocolate Crunch one more. I asked for a small cup of the Lemon Sorbet and Lychee, mentioning twice how the Lemon was the one I wanted all along, but was slightly curious about the Lychee. It was disappointing when he served us an uneven distribution of flavors - he gave us +/-75% of the kind we didn't really want, and +/-25% of the kind we did want. It was even more disappointing when I found that the Lychee was not really all that good.. Also, after paying with my credit card, he handed me my receipt but not my card. We stayed in there for a bit after paying (at least 5 minutes) to rummage through our purses for cash to drop in the tip cup since the slip didn't have an option to include a tip, look at the other flavors, take a few pictures, try each other's gelato flavors, and pick up napkins.. It wasn't until we left Palo Alto that I realized I didn't have my credit card. That really was epic display of carelessness on my part.. but I was even more disappointed when the first time my friend called on my behalf (my cellphone battery was dead) to ask about my credit card, she was hung up on after being asked to hold for a minute. Anyhow, not dismissing the obvious lack of "service," the rating is based on the gelato flavors - not the overall experience, which would've been a 1.5 star at best.

Jessica T.

Located by downtown palo alto by that one osushi house place like on the side or something and this gelato place is small so there's no inside seating! I usually get vanilla bean, but wanted to try something new this time so I got the double bean espresso in a small cup ($3.80 after tax). I don't remember if gelato is suppose to be super duper soft, but that's how the gelato was when I tried it. Ginger flavor sounded really weird for me, but idk. I'm not a fan of anything ginger flavored. Was it worth the the 20min trip from sunnyvale? Not really, but once in a while is ok since they do open late compared to other gelato places. Since it is near downtown palo alto, it's nice to walk around with a gelato in hand. I'll try tiramisu the next time I come!!

Catherine L.

Ordered a small and asked for 1/2 mango sorbet and 1/2 chocolate (w/o sugar). The mango sorbet was definitely my favorite but the chocolate w/o sugar was surprisingly delicious and hit the spot. There is always a line but it's worth waiting for! If you want to try a flavor, ask for a sample :).

David S.

Yum and just near the office too. Oh dear! I've only had the pistachio. Twice.

Eric F.

Tried a few flavors. The Honey Lavender is as delicious as many others have noted and the Fresh Ginger is just as awesome with huge chunks of ginger strewn through it. Gelato win.

Joanna M.

Gelato Classico is a teensy lil shop. Just big enough for me and my expanding bottom after indulging in their delicious gelato. There were so many flavors to choose from recently when I went on a blustery evening. Why do I always crave frozen treats in the cold? Riddle me that. I chose the ginger and strawberry, and both had powerful and concentrated flavors. The texture of the gelato I found a bit odd as it was almost like shaved ice. Maybe it just crystallized in the frigid Palo Alto winds, but I was expecting something creamier. Totes didn't care, though. There were chunks of ginger and strawberry that popped with flavor. Hoping I can fit inside for seconds sometime.

Annie J.

I looooove Gelato Classico. Sure, there are plenty of places in Palo Alto to get yourself an icy sweet treat. But take it from me, five years from now, when the yogurt craze is over and Pinkberry et. ot. have closed their doors for good, Gelato Classico will still be standing. I always go in thinking I'm going to try something new, but I usually fall back on my favorite: green tea. Unlike most green tea ice creams, the GC green tea is not sickeningly sweet. The creme brulee is also excellent. Basically, you can't go wrong here!! As other reviewers have noted, around dinnertime there is often a line, but it moves pretty quickly.

Tiffany S.

This place is super small, but the gelato is totally worth waiting in line for. I'm usually not a big fan of sweets; I hardly crave sweets, but man this gelato made me crave for more even after I've finished the last drop. I haven't tried all the flavors, but my favorite flavors so far are the honey lavender and the pistachio. The honey lavender is refreshing and not so over powering where you'd get sick of it. Don't even get me started with the pistachio... the creamy goodness with the sweet nutty flavor is so goooood. I don't even care about calories anymore!! so delicious. I. WANT. IT. NOW. Damn, I've got it bad for that pistachio gelato.

Agustinus T.

Coconut and Lychee flavors shouldn't go together but they do. And quite a nice combination they are! In general, they are on the sweeter side for me though..

Austin W.

I absolutely love gelato, and gelato stores even more, cause the owners are usually super nice. I wasn't too excited when I walked into this store though. Though the flavors were good, particularly the spumoni and the macadamia coconut gelato, the owner didn't even attempt to show us a smile, let us know about the store, attempt to make small talk, etc.

Sandy L.

Tiny little place but their gelato is so good! Came here a little before 11pm right before they closed! They were a little busy with about 7 customers and preparing to close up at the same time. I tried the ginger flavor for kicks, but it was too ginger-y; had huge chunks of ginger in it! Too much for me. I went with the honey lavender after trying it, because it was so delicious and I just had to have it! One scoop was really big, that should be enough for you! I will come back here if I'm ever in te area! Too bad it's sodas from where I live!

Denise C.

Eh... there's something about a place that will try and smash as much gelato as flat as possible into a tiny, tiny cup that makes me really sad. Especially when that gelato is pretty expensive ($3.80 for the small I think?). At the very least, they let you taste a bunch before you buy... :/ The smallest cup lets you get two flavors, the regular gets you three... and I don't remember what the largest size gets you. You can also get cones and the like if you'd want. This place is actually kind of tiny. There's only standing room on the inside; there are two outdoor tables, but when it's cold out, you don't really to sit out there (metal chairs and tables). The person manning the counter was patient at least when we asked to try a bunch of flavors, but definitely didn't look too happy to be there. Had the green tea and the strawberry fresca. I think this gelato place is a chain (one of the sister shops is in Mountain View I think on Castro Street) because all the signage is similar to the other store I was at. The gelato is actually pretty good (depending on the flavor you get). The strawberry one is one of my go to flavors because it's got strawberries in it. The tiramisu was pretty good too. I tried the raspberry but it was a bit too sweet and overpowering. By itself it might have been better, but with two flavors, it was a bit too much. I like the place in Mountain View better because the staff is friendlier (they still are a bit stingy with the servings, but a smile makes things so much better). Plus the fact that the Mountain View one has actual seating makes it much nicer to relax and enjoy your gelato. Wouldn't come here again... I'd much rather go to the 4 or 5 yogurt places along University Avenue instead.

Patti I.

Good gelato but not the greatest I've had. Small cup with two flavors was $3.60. I chose chocolate hazlenut (gianduia) and pistachio. Both were a bit icy, not creamy, and I couldn't really taste the hazelnut in the gianduia. Service was brusque. Cash only.

Erica S.

I've had gelato at this chain before, but not this exact location. I wasn't super impressed by the flavor selection at this particular location and didn't feel like the flavors were anything to write home about. However, I am a gelato enthusiast, so I might be a tough critic.. If you're craving gelato and are in the area, it is a good spot. But if you are looking to have some mind-blowing gelato, I wouldn't recommend this place.

Mabel F.

after 7 years this is still my goto place for gelato whenever I'm craving dessert after dinner in palo alto. I always make sure to get there just before 10pm when they close. so good!! and the only place I allow myself to get a cone instead of just a cup. it's that good!!

Angela C.

I went to the Mountain View location in the same weekend, so I'm reposting what I wrote there, but a few minor differences - this location is smaller and has no real outdoor seating so its better to grab and go rather than hangout here: This place is delicious with lots of unique flavors! The owners were so patient with us as we sampled flavor after flavor. They let you get two flavors, even if you order a small cup. I got the pistachio and I loved every bite. There were chunks and chunks of pistachio infused in the pistachio ice cream. It tasted so fresh, but it melts pretty quickly. I sampled some other flavors and most of them had lots of texture to it from the fresh ingredients they use. Like the cherry flavor had chunks of cherry, you could really taste the shreds of coconut in the coconut flavor, and the chocolate flavors were so decadent and rich. I don't think you can go wrong with anything you order here.

Linnea W.

Omg, the cookies and cream is the most delicious thing ever. Have it with the Bavarian mint or any other chocolatey thing. Seriously, though, there is no better cookies and cream in the world.

Bryant C.

This place is always busy, and it's no wonder why. The gelato is cheap and there are a lot of flavor options. I recommend the coffee flavor. It only takes cash though, which is a negative.

Doug R.

If you're been to the Gelato Classico in Mountain View, this is basically the same thing. They have about 20 flavors of gelato and they are delicious. If you get a small cone you get 1 flavor, but if you order a small cup they will do half one flavor and half another flavor.

Guy B.

AMAZING GELATO! Ghastly service. This place would do so much better with an attendant that made people feel welcome, smiled, and wasn't rude. My wife was afraid to ask for another sample because of the "death-look" she would get from the hispanic behind the counter. He also parks his junker in the prime spot right in front of the shop. Anyways, we both ordered larges which were barely filled. The Gelato was amazing, though, which is the only redeeming quality of this place. I may go again, but I will look out for the beaten down red honda in front of the shop to make sure I'm not served by the same guy again.

Sophie Y.

The creme brulee flavor is delicious! The texture of their gelato is really good too, creamy and soft but not too melt-y. Make sure you sample your flavors first though, because they aren't always what the sound like. I liked the creme brulee a lot better than I thought I would, but the mocha almond fudge was more chocolate-y than I expected. My two complaints about this place are: 1. The guy working there actually told my friend that he wasn't allowed to sample any more flavors after he had tried 3. I thought it was pretty obvious that we were going to get something, but that we were just slightly indecisive! :( 2. No indoor seating. They only have a table or two outside which means that if you're craving gelato on a cold night like we were, you're going to have to eat it outside in the cold. Oh well, good thing it's good gelato! Note that they DO accept credit cards now, I guess this is a recent change :)

Cindy T.

The green tea gelato is amazing. It's how green tea should taste in a dessert form. Oh, so good!!! I haven't found any other ice cream place that serves such dense, creamy and just plain delicious green tea gelato. It's light, refreshing with just the right amount of sweetness. I usually like to mix it with double espresso bean! After inhaling the gelato here, I don't feel like I need to wash it down with water as I do feel after I eat normal ice cream. The quality is just that good. This location is smaller than the one in Campbell and there aren't any seats to sit inside, but there are two small tables right outside.

Erica S.

This place is soooo small that there's nowhere to sit inside and barely outside. Booooo!! When we went for dessert, there was a line out the door and there was one person working. It wasn't till 5 minutes later that a 2nd employee came out to help. They didn't have a whole lot of choices in flavors and they didn't have my favorite triangle biscuits. They only had the cigarette cookies, which they charged for. I had the Coppa Mista and Double Espresso Bean, but it wasn't as good as I remembered as the gelato was way too soft. It was melting too quickly. I miss the Fremont one!

Eugene L.

I rolled here after the YEE with Debbie,Chase and Diane for some Gelato. I ended up with Tiramisu and Cookies and Cream Gelato. Pretty damn yummy.

Ryan B.

Good! I may have had better gelato/ice cream on occasion, and the store is a bit small, but it was still way better than most ice cream offerings. Caramel, honey lavender, mocha, and chocolate almond....all were yummy.

Elaine W.

May be a chain, but it sure is delicious! Skip dessert at any of the downtown Palo Alto restaurants and get your sugar fix at Gelato Classico instead. There's a wide variety of flavors and all the ones I've tried have been smooth, creamy, and flavorful. The only downside is that it does get a bit crowded at time.s

Connie C.

I've been searching all over the South Bay for good gelato, and this is probably the best I've found so far. I'm a fan of the bavarian mint. They should have more tables and seats outside, since there's no seating area indoors, but property in Palo Alto is pretty expensive so it makes sense that it's a tiny gelato store. Go here to buy delicious gelato! Bring your family, your friends, your lovers!

Joyce H.

Always a treat! My favorites are honey lavender (sweet and light) bavarian mint (tastes like an Andes chocolat/mint in gelato form) lychee (fruity and natural) creme brulee (actually tastes like creme brulee...eggy with the sugary aftertaste of the caramel) Long lines around mealtimes but totally worth it. *You get a discount if you show your Stanford student ID at the palo alto location, but not mountain view!

Enza P.

I don't have too much experience with gelato, but so far, this is my favorite place! When it's warm expect a 20 minute wait. The line is generally out the door but my boyfriend and I feel that it's completely worth it. They have unique flavors that you won't find at other gelato shops. The quality is definitely there too! My boyfriend's favorite is the Honey Lavender. I pretty much always pick Cookies N Cream. Cash only! We'll definitely be back a lot this summer!

Stephanie L.

My favorite flavors are honey lavender, green tea, and vanilla bean! Mmm gelato!

Vivian A.

Great place to walk to after you've had your filling at some delicious restaurant somewhere on University. Walk towards Stanford on Uni, make a right on Emerson and go all the way down. It's the last store on the right before the parking lot, although you won't miss it 'cuz there's usually a line, no matter what the weather is like outside. Small place, line up to go in on your left, then circle round to pick your flavors on your right. You can sample all sort of flavors until you decide which one you want to commit to. The staff is real friendly and will make recommendations if you're indecisive (or try to sample all of them.. What? I don't see a sign that says 'Limit on samples!' =P). The Canadian chose Chocolate Peanut Butter. It was so decadent and rich, and perfect if you're a peanut butter lover 'cuz he was enjoying it so much, he almost forgot to ask me if I wanted to try it! I choose the Cookies and Crème halved with Macadamia Nut. Not too icey, not too creamy, just a perfect blend of everything in your mouth. This place freakin' rocks! A little pricey but... you can taste the quality in the ingredients, so it all evens out. A permanent stop if we're ever in the neighborhood. If you're in PA, walk off your meal and go there. Plus, there's always room for dessert: it's a different compartment! lol

Will C.

I was chatting with a few friends when I spotted this joint across the street. When I walked over there a simple 8.5x11 flyer advertising several flavors including fresh ginger and creme brulee. The line was short as there was two nice women manning the gelato counter. I had the creme brulee and sputini flavors, both are off the hook! Gelato needs to be a little melted, creamy, and non-grainy. Classico had all three. When I used to have the ladies over for gelato in college, I would roll servings on two spoons until they were the right texture, temperature, and a tempting size for serving. Classico does not quite have the same finesse -- two flavors are packed (shoved in like fitting a size 8 into a size 0) into a small logo-ed, paper cup for $3.50. Delicious nonetheless.

Mona W.

I found it really hard to resist getting a scoop of their gelato every time I am at downtown Palo Alto. Their ginger gelato is my favorite. I have yet to find another place that serves ginger gelato with the same consistency. It is always very smooth, thick and extremely flavorful.

Kathy L.

Yum! Their honey lavender is just as good as the famous Bi-Rite Creamery. Okay, maybe not just as good, but pretty darn close! I had that with the caramel pecan in a size small and could barely eat half, it was so rich and satisfying. At just over $3, it could definitely be enough for 2 to share. Actual store is a little small so if there are more than 3 people, and if you aren't together, it can be a little crowded and cramped but service is courteous and efficient, so not a big deal.

Katie Anne N.

Yum. Delish. Fresh. Fast. Friendly. Spamoni. Bam!

Diane A.

I really like Gelato Classico - I usually buy the gelato then find a place outside to enjoy the creamy yumminess. There's only 2 tables out on the sidewalk. Classico is actually a brand of gelato that you can get at other places like Powell's Sweet Shoppe - I like that the flavors are consistent at the different locations. They have a ton of flavors from super sweet (Chocolate Caramello Crunch) to tart (sorbettos) to unique (Honey Lavender and Fresh Ginger. I really like the flavors with different textures (Spumoni, Coppa Mista - chocolate, vanilla and pistachios). They also have a 93% fat free Banana Walnut flavor that is pretty good. We usually get small cups for $3.95. A rolled wafer straw completes the gelato for additional 20 cents. The girl serving us was really nice & let me try a few before buying. I have had a grumpy guy serve us before but I don't mind since I won't be eating in there. My son has a moderate peanut allergy and hasn't had a problem with the nut flavors (they don't have actual peanuts, just walnuts or pistachios). He had a reaction to the pistachio flavor at Michaels on University, so that's why we like Classico. He really likes the Bavarian Mint!

Ashley F.

The first time I ever tried gelato was years ago at Gelato Classico and since then I've been hooked. Whenever I go to dinner in downtown PA or if I have a random craving for something sweet I go to Gelato Classico. The gelato there is amazing! My favorite is the creme brulee flavor. It's a popular place and sometimes they get really crowded and the line is out the door. The employees are pretty fast so even with long lines you don't have to wait that long. My favorite is when it's cold outside and I go get gelato and then go eat in the car with the heater on! LOL. That's love! Speaking of parking, it kinda sucks so it can be a hassle even though the shop is located next door to and across the street from two parking lots! The prices are so-so, not too expensive but not super cheap. For some reason I want to say they raised their prices over the past year but I could be wrong. I like that they have student discounts (which is why I still keep my college student ID in my wallet even though I graduated 3 years go!!).

Magda G.

Small cup that fits two flavors and costs $3.80. The gelato is very sweet and personally I think too soft but it tastes very good, I had chocolate hazelnut and pistachio. They have tons of flavors well not tons but I think over 20. No American Express card. :(

Tiffany N.

YAAAAYY!!! Got pistachio & tiramisu in a 2-flavor small cup. The gelato is on the icier side instead of milky so you don't feel guilty eating it! My family of four totaled up to be $14, which was pretty cheap! This is a great place to stop by if you're waiting for a seat at Patxi's Chicago Pizza next door or just strolling downtown and want a small treat!

Matt V.

Gelato is a nice little treat, especially at the end of a long night. And, honestly, Gelato Classico probably makes the best gelato I've had. Just fantastic. This place is usually quite crowded, and you may have to wait in line for a bit before getting to place your order. Service very often seems rushed, trying to get to the next customer in line, and doesn't necessarily have time for pleasantries with you. The store itself doesn't look too dissimilar from any other ice cream store, but the flavors are quite different. That said, the gelato itself is really very different from American-style ice creams; gelatto has a certain smoothness that American ice cream lacks. A couple of my favorite flavors are the chocolate hazelnut and the honey lavender. The chocolate hazelnut is a wonderful fusion of chocolate and nuts, while the honey lavender has a mild sweetness all the way through. All in all, the flavors are wonderful. Remember that you have the option of taking more than one flavor, regardless of what size you order (and can have even more flavors depending on how large a size you order), so don't limit yourself to just one option; make sure to grab at least a couple so that you can try more flavors, and see how different flavors may complement each other (or even offer totally different, but both wonderful, experiences). Definitely a place worth visiting if you're in the area and are looking for dessert after a nice meal!

Cath M.

Seeing Eugene L's review... I remembered that I've been here as well (before the iPhone so I couldn't keep track ~ those "check-ins" really help!) Anyway, bro and I went here right after our dinner at Patxi's ... yah we alway manage to leave enough room for dessert... I was overwhelmed with the flavors so I opted to try/taste the spumoni... sold! Bro and I both got the spumoni (single scoop) all for $7. Will probably come back for more!

M. L.

I come here about twice a week now because of the summer weather. The gelato is creamy and has a great texture to it. Parking around here is about 2hrs so remember to move your car if you're going around too. I think the price is kind of high. For a small its 3.65 but it is Palo Alto and you do get two flavors too.

Kimberly C.

I LOVE THIS PLACE! I am so glad that they have one here and also in Mountain View. I was on a gelato craving, so I dragged my hubby to find this place. We first got lost. We ended up at this other gelato place and my hubby had already walked 2 blocks and was tired and said to just get it here, but NO WAYS! Gelato classico wasn't voted the best for nothing and they have SO many flavors to choose from. After walking all around University, we finally found it. As soon as I walked in, I heard the choirs sing. I was in gelato heaven! The folks there are so nice. They let you try lots of samples, but it can get busy, so sometimes, you can only get 1. I love their tiramisu, ginger, hazelnut, triple chocolate, cherry, and the pistachio. What's nice is that you can get up to 3 flavors in the small. So creamy, so tasy, and SO good! I can't wait to go back!

Winifred X.

One of the best gelato places I have ever been to, I go there quite often... about once every few months.. their gelato is creamy and thick, you can use the little spoon and make a twirl! I had a). honey and lavender -- always one of my fav. here b) double espresso -- very nice coffee taste c) spumoni -- one of the store's most popular one definitely worth the $5 for a regular cup here!

Christina G.

After one of the worst (and most expensive) dinners I've ever had at Evvia across the street, you really saved the day. We were even lucky enough to find outdoor seating and enjoy our ice cream whilst people watching along Emerson! I highly recommend the hazelnut and pumpkin gelatos.

Jessica C.

I LOVE THE GELATO HERE, BUT CAN ONE OF THE EMPLOYEES GET A BRAIN? I come in with my mom, she orders a SMALL in a cup. He does that one properly. Probably because filling up a small cup requires no mental action. I then order a REGULAR size in a LARGE WAFFLE CONE. Apparently the shape of a cone and the fact that ice cream does not fit smoothly into it, causes confusion in his mind. He gets the tiny 2 ounce ice cream scoop, LITERALLY SCOOPS TWO TINY PING-PONG-BALL-SIZED SCOOPS INTO THE LARGE WAFFLE CONE, AND GIVES IT TO ME. Imagine a large waffle cone, with two ping pong sized gelato scoops in it. The gelato didn't even reach halfway up the cone. I couldn't even see it. And how the fuck would I even eat that without a spoon? The point of getting a cone is so you can eat your ice cream without a spoon. And HELLO I ORDERED A REGULAR SIZE, AND WHAT YOU GAVE ME WAS THE EQUIVALENT OF HALF OF A SMALL. Oh and another thing, I got the Creme Brulee flavor, and he purposely scooped AROUND all the chocolate parts so I only got the cream part, thanks a lot! Anyway it took 5 minutes of me telling him, "I ordered a regular size and you gave me a lot less gelato than what's in a small, can you put more in there." while he kept asking me "then how many scoops you want?" THINK ABOUT IT JUST MAKE THE SCOOPS BIGGER OR GIVE ME MORE SCOOPS SO I CAN GET A REGULAR SIZE GELATO IN A CONE, is it that complicated?? He ended up giving me two more tiny scoops but CHARGED ME EXTRA for each tiny extra scoop. At this point I was like Fuck it and just paid and left. What are these people doing? And for the record, it was the heavy Hispanic guy. And YES, I really don't like people fucking up my gelato experience.

Cindy C.

I was surprised at how good Gelato Classico was. Generally I find the gelato places in South Bay to be a little disappointing in compairson to the city. But I thought all the flavors I tried were rich and creamy and the right texture for gelato. I loved the honey lavender and the lychee (their flavor of the day). Their honey lavender tasted very much like the honey lavender from Penguin Froyo in San Jose, so I wonder if both places get their gelato from the same place. Btw, don't confuse this with the Gelato Classico in Mountain View (I'm not sure whether this gelataria is a chain or if the name is just popular) In any case, when I tried the Mountain View location in the summer, I really disliked it...so be sure to check out Gelato Classico in Palo Alto!

Izam H.

Green tea and caramel pecan is so good!

Amanda J.

This place has great flavors, and I love that you can get two kinds in one cup. However, it's super small and I felt like I was annoying the woman by asking for a sample -- and we were the only ones in there! The flavors we got were delicious (pistachio and tiramisu), but the gelato wasn't cold enough and as soon as we got it, it was melting everywhere. It made it really difficult to eat with those teeny square spoons.

robert k.

Stopped here for some great gelato after Patxi's (it's right next door). I love that they let you do 2 flavors in a small cup. I also like that they let you sample (like any good ice cream/gelato place should). That being said, the gelato wasn't super fantastic or amazing.. But it was indeed pretty good. To be honest I even forget which flavors I had - Chocolate malt milk ball, which was unique and decent, and something else that was pretty good. A nice change from the usual ice cream, but nothing super special. However I like the outdoor seating and the location..

Adrienne M.

Can't believe I haven't reviewed this yet - this is my favorite brand of gelato I've had in the bay area for sure, and probably some of the best I've ever had in the US. As others have said, however, the store is small & can be quite crowded and its a bit pricey ($3.50 or so for a small - other places, such as Printers Cafe on Cal Ave sell it for less). Nonetheless, this is considerably better than other gelato stands in the area and is a great place to stop after a meal downtown.

Irene G.

My family and I very much enjoy the variety of gelato. Everything tastes sooo yummy. I like that I'm able to try anything I want and I always try to get something different. Last time it was ginger....delicious!!!

Afshan K.

The gelato itself was really good, I got the creme brulee and I loved that it wasn't too sweet. So I have no complaints on that end. But their customer service was absolutely HORRIBLE, to a point where we were afraid to ask for samples because the girls behind the counter just had really bad attitudes. They didn't smile once, nor were they polite when they spoke. They merely just mumbled and we could barely hear them. I went on a Friday with a group of friends, mostly couples; we weren't being loud or obnoxious by any means, so I'm not sure if it was just an off night or something for them. Not sure if I would return, just because of the customer service.

Sonya J.

Their gelato is much creamier and richer than that of Michael's - great for chocolate-y flavours and the like. Service is not as friendly - they don't seem to smile often - yet it is also cheaper. No seating and cash only. I only come here when I crave heavy gelato. I generally like michael's more because it has seating, nice atmosphere and better service.

Fannie S.

Flavors = plentiful. Typical gelato flavors and some sorbetto flavors. This fine (Saturday) afternoon I tried the honey lavender and creme brulee gelatos. It was refreshingly icy, the honey lavender was only slightly sweet and subtle hints of lavender, and creme brulee made me crave for the burnt sugar bits. Portion = typical portion, but given the quality, I cannot complain. Seating = limited. Service = friendly, polite but quite curt. Judging from the walls....this place has been around a very long time, and has won many awards.

Elaine N.

The Gelato here has a perfect texture. Very creamy and not too icy. They also have a variety of flavors that a Gelato enthusiast would enjoy. Sweet, fruity, and nutty so I recommend you mix things up that way you can taste all of their wonderful flavors. The only negative think I have to say is the price. A bit pricey for Gelato, but considering the quality and its location it is not a deal breaker. Definitely worth the experience.

Jen K.

Walk on by the fancy gelato places on University Avenue. When I lived in the Peninsula, I used to get gelato here after catching an indie movie at the Aquarius Theatre across the street. Just stopped by recently after a great dinner downtown and the Coppa Mista is wonderful, but I wasn't as thrilled with the Peanut Butter di Cioccolata. Next time more taste testing will be in order. But I was still walking the streets of Palo Alto in pure bliss. There is no seating and it is a pretty bare bones store front, but they serve a superior product.

Miranda S.

I was excited to try this place (it was my birthday, when calories don't count). My past experience of gelato was that it is exceptionally rich, creamy, and dense, with intense flavor. Well, the Palo Alto shop had plenty of great-looking flavors (tho, alas, they were out of the creme brulee when I was there). I tried the chocolate hazelnut and the white- chocolate raspberry. But this stuff is no better than garden-variety soft serve. In fact, the flavors weren't very rich and it just didn't have that gelato texture I expected. The search goes on.

Julia C.

Closest thing to actual Italian gelato I've found in the U.S. since coming back from studying abroad in Italy. I've loved this place since I was a kid, and will keep going here as long as I can. I always get a small cup with two flavors. Usually carmello chocolate crunch and creme brulee or bavarian mint. The honey lavender and ginger are good too. You can also try a ton of flavors. It's cash only, and I think it was $3.65 for a small.

Selina S.

Came here after having an early dinner at Patxi's. They have a lot of flavors but it's no Humphrey Slocomb or Bi Rite Creamery. We sampled a couple flavors and went with pistachio and some carmello flavor. Both were tasty but I'm not sure if I'd go back just because I don't normally hit up ice cream places.

Arnold W.

Similar review to my Mountain View location. This location is smaller and super cramped up inside. I went with the strawberry with a cone this time. I like the strawberry more.

Jetta R.

@Chocolate Chip Yo dawg, you're creamy but chunky where it counts. Madd luv. @Bavarian Mint D00d, even if you are half-mint, I don't hold that against you. You're one of the good ones. @Creme Brulee Sometimes j00 are too fancy for me but I still luv ya li

Max M.

One of the best around. A bit pricy but worth the treat. Pistachio flavor is the best I have had anywhere.

Vicky L.

I found a place where I want to roll around in glee and bathe in the gelato-y goodness!! LOOOOOVE the chocolate mixed in with a bit of strawberry... or when they have an almond chocolate one. Yum yum yum!! I think this place is definitely a notch better than Michael's down the street....

Jenn C.

I love that you could get up to two flavors with the small size, and that they accept debit/credit cards. Separately, cappuccino and green tea sounded great in my head, but I took a gamble in getting the two together in the same cup. Luckily, it was effing delicious. And normally, I'm not a huge fan of gelato. There's just something about the slimy looking texture that reminds me of freezer burned ice cream. But it was good! I liked it.

Ruth C.

Down with froyo and up with gelato! Froyo will never be the delicious creamy indulgence that is pure gelato goodness. I really love Gelato Classico, but this location is super tiny! Located across from the Indie theater Aquarius, this location gets a lot of customers (much like all the other locations... but considering the square footage). They do have a small area for outside seating, but it kinda sucks. In that sentiment, I really prefer the stores in downtown Mountain View and downtown Campbell to this one since they're bigger and the quality of the gelato isn't as melty. But that being said, I still love gelato! Like all the other locations, you can get 2 flavors in one cup and you can try as many flavors as your heart desires. I found the creme brulee here isn't so caramel-y as I would have liked. It honestly didn't taste much different than regular vanilla gelato. My favorite flavor will always be caffe mocha.

Mikey U.

--10000 years ago...-- After dinner & drinks around the corner, then a movie at the Aquarius across the street, a girl and I stopped in here for a little bit of sweet. She ordered the pistachio. I had the tiramisu. We stood outside the tiny shop, conversa

Janet M.

We liked this place so much we went back three times in three consecutive days. The good: the gelato. I tried the cafe mocha (my fave), coconut macadamia nut, banana walnut, mint chip and caramel pecan. They were all delish! The 'bad:' some of the gelato seemed a little icy but maybe that's because it's authentic compared to others'. They were not generous with the portion sizes, but a regular was still enough for my boyfriend and me to share. Also there's not much seating here, so if you're here when it's busy, be prepared to eat -n- stand or take it on the road.

Liz F.

I don't get it. I've been here twice and the gelato was icy, not creamy and happy. I give up. :-(

Isaac W.

I've been here twice and have yet to try a flavor I didn't like...everything is amazing, especially the espresso gelato. White chocolate raspberry is also pretty incredible as well as the standard Stracciatella. They're pretty generous with their scoops here, so I feel like one is plenty...plus they let you put two flavors together if you want. I got two scoops the first time I came which was delicious, but a little bit too much gelato. This place is really small inside with limited outdoor seating, but their gelato totally makes up for it. Skip dessert at whatever restaurant you're eating at, and come here instead.

Susyn D.

OMG. the best.

Victor H.

Great gelatos! Many flavors to choose from! I had the blackberry cherry and pistachio. I'm not sure if this is a good price for the small portions they serve though.

Noah K.

Met a Stanford tour guide and they "dragged" me over here. Fresh smells and welcome service, but way too many good flavors to decide. I settled on honey lavender, which was just the right mix of sweet and refreshing. Tiramisu on the other hand was awesome - would love to just go at a container of that stuff. Little chunks and all. A 4 seems deserving, but it was slightly pricy at ~$4 for a small size (2 flavors). Bring someone special and split the medium (3 flavors). Your mouth will thank you.

Colleen M.

Yay icecream! Unbelievably delicious and just right on a hot night. I had the rasberry and paired it with the peanut butter chocolate one. Pure bliss! Definitely a good spot to go to after dinner or lunch on University. There is no seating inside, but there are a couple of tables out in front. It is worth the wait in line should there be a line. =)

H T.

same great flavors as the mtn view location, but the service here is MUCH faster.

Roxy G.

It was one of those perfect little sunny SF days after a long roam around ikea (twice in one day) and I was suddenly in the mood for a sundae. Something with chocolate, whipped cream, a little hersheys syrup - bringing me back into the 80s. Well my roomate has a fancy tongue, and an obsession with Yelp, so I found myself here in the spirit of trying new things. The place was really quaint, and the guy at the counter didn't seem to excited to answer my questions about the flavors (very counter the ambiance). I ordered the Caramello Chocolate Crunch and Cookies & Cream. The Cookies & Cream was pretty much flavorless but the Caramello Chocolate Crunch was good and worth trying. I would suggest specifying which flavor you want more of when you order, the guy was working on a 75/25 split - and he chose the worst one for the 75, for both me and my friend's servings. It almost felt like he was trying to move the bad product off the shelves.

Rishi N.

Gelato Classico is definitely one of the best dessert spots in the area. I don't understand why people get froyo from Pinkberry and Red Mango when they have such amazing *gelato* right at their fingertips / nearby. I've been coming here for 5+ years for my occasional gelato fix - they have a variety of flavors, all of which are high quality with the right texture for gelato. Over the years I've determined that my favorite flavors are the coffee, tiramisu, mint chocolate chip, and double chocolate options, though I don't think I've ever gone to Gelato Classico with anyone who's been disappointed with whatever they've got. Definitely worth trying if you're in the area and/or looking for your dessert fix. Note that the store itself is very small with pretty much no seating - plan to grab your gelato on the go.

Louisa L.

only been here once. I've tried the lychee and pistachio flavor gelato~ i like them both~ they have some lychee meat in the lychee gelato and crushed pistachio in the pistachio gelato~ will definitely come back to try out more flavors~

Raymond M.

Eat a great dessert after a big meal. It makes a day full of fun complete. Gelato can't be beat. The small cup is plenty for one person. Or order a bigger cup and share with another person. Expect a long line during busy times including the weekend. The downside is the prices are higher than other gelato places I ate.

P O.

Gelato Classico was really disappointing. I love gelato and am always surprised at how hard it is to find gelato shops that make it well. From the favorable yelp reviews I thought I had finally found a place on the Peninsula that sells good Gelato. That wasn't the case. The four different flavors my family tried were all bland and not very flavorful. I greatly prefer the Talenti packaged gelato that I can buy at Whole Foods. Every flavor they make has been excellent.

R G.

Excellent gelato! Surly server though.

April B.

Very good but a little cramped inside. The staff is always nice.

Chris O.

Fairly small place and not really the best way to experience Gelato if you haven't had it before. It was ok for a fix I suppose. They could use higher quality ingredients and it would be much better, plus more inventive flavors would be nice. The people working were not very friendly either which didn't help.

Raheleh K.

YUM! I get the smallest one half bavarian mint half green tea. It is seriously divine! I want one right now...

Jim W.

I'm mostly a frozen yogurt guy these days, but every once in a while, I like to give in to temptation. The one standout characteristic of gelato is that it is incredibly smooth, unlike the heavy, thicker American-style ice cream. -- which you can get at Haagen-Dazs at the corner of the same street... by why would you? Among my favorites are any of the coffee or espresso-flavored gelatos, as well as their ginger gelato. They also have a great no-sugar-added chocolate. Be sure to ask for a sample -- I usually get a spoonful of something I've never tried before ordering a small with two of my go-to flavors.

Hogan W.

It was 2:30pm today and I decided to fore-go lunch and go straight for dessert. After running some errands, I walked to Classico Gelato to grab some gooey happiness. Upon entering their compact location, it was cool and airy situated off University Ave but close by. First thing I looked for was their pricing; small for $3.75 w/2 flavors and regular for $4.50 w/3 flavors. I told the young lady I want the regular and proceeded to pick my flavors. I saw a total of 20 various flavors and chose Green Tea, Black Cherry, and Pistachio. She used the flat spatula like the ones at Cold Stone and proceeded to pack the cup. I paid the $4.50 and was on my way. Taste: The pistachio had chunks of ground pistachio and it looked like barf spooning out, but tasted rich in flavor going down the hatch. Black cherry was exactly like the ice cream counterpart, but creamier. I wasn't too impressed with the black cherry as I was with the pistachio. And green tea was decent because the lady didn't put enough in my cup to get a good read off it. Texture: Sweet like ice cream but a lot softer and icy. It was a runny defrosted ice cream. For gelato, I was expecting more of a creamy, dreamy, and decadent texture. From this standpoint, it was icier. Value: Now that I have a good comparison between two gelato shops in the University Ave area, It's a good value overall. At $4.50 compared to Michael's, this one takes the cake in quantity, but not quality. If I had a suggestion, Michael's should compete with CG's pricing to see how much better they can attract more customers as a winter special. But I can wish right?

Vivian H.

Underwhelming selection of flavors, okay tastes, melts rapidly. But I HAVE been spoiled by the godliness of Capogiro in Philly. This place is much cheaper though at $3.50 for a small (2 flavors).

Matthew C.

My favorite place to come after dinner for a scoop of something sweet... right off of University Ave, stop by here after dinner for a cup of gelato and enjoy a stroll in downtown Palo Alto!

Bebe W.

On a warm hot day, gelato classico really hits the spot! Apparently, I wasn't the only one with the idea as there was a line out the door that spilled down the block. I love the honey lavender here. I got a small cup with honey lavender and pistachio. The pistachio has real nuts mixed in - very authentic. There is another gelato place down the street, but for some reason, I like gelato classico better (even though it's a chain) - the gelato just tastes better to me.

Patrick G.

I am ashamed to say I only found out about this place last month. Since then, I have been trying to make up for lost time. Tucked into an unassuming, Manhattan-sized little store front next to a public lot, I had driven by too many times to count. Here is my advice: stop, park, and get some. The flavors of the gelato are pure and strong, and do remind me of my favorite treat while wandering through Italy. I have to recommend an old standby as my favorite: mint chip. What's not to like? Even better, the people here are nice, patient, and will let you try a lot of flavors before starting to give you that "hey, are you trying to get a whole cup on these little spoons I am giving you" look. My family swears by the strawberry lemonade, the strawberry, and a few of the chocolate flavors as well. I hope to make my way through each of the flavors (let's hope over the next few years...) so I can try some of the more unusual flavors, like lavender. Love it. Totally recommended.

Keith K.

Their Tiramisu sucks compared to the place we go to in Mountain View. Beware, they're riding on their good reviews and possibly watering-down the Gelato. Ours was very grainy and melted super quickly. Given it was a very hot day, however, I know Gelato and the quality was not evident. On top of that the service just wasn't that great either - one of the servers was free and didn't offer to help us taste - she turned her back and let the guy deal with us. Funny enough, we had forgotten that we went here before and didn't like it - so this time I left a review.

Karin R.

Gelato is my latest fave. I probably have it at least once a week. I love hazelnut and pistachio and espresso here. Although I love tasting the different flavors, I'd love to have my own. Next time I want to get my own pint for about $7. Each small scoop is like $3.50!

Michele C.

You know this place is good when it's like low 50's maybe even high 40's outside and you can't help but stuff your face with this stuff. And total props to them for their lychee gelato, soooo delishhh!. I'm really glad that I got to stop by this place while visiting a friend in Palo Alto. And even though my hands were literally shaking as I held my gelato, I couldn't stop eating it. It was like a force drawing me towards it. Although I must say that I found it sort of unsanitary when I accidentally dropped my spoon into the gelato while trying to throw it away in their trash cup and the girl just picked up the spoon and scooped out the gelato where my spoon supposedly touched. And let me say, what she scooped out wasn't exactly where my spoon had fallen. :/ Despite this, this place is definitely a must for all those gelato lovers out there, its even for people who don't eat it religiously.

Catherine N.

I love gelato and am so glad that there is a gelato shop in Palo Alto! My favorite flavors are cherry and white raspberry cheesecake! They also take credit! What's not to love?

Sparkely K.

I've had Gelato three times in my entire life. As for the first two tastings, I hated it, as it had nice 'ice cream' but also contained fruitcake-like-fruit-ickiness that I just couldn't tolerate. Last night while strolling around downtown Palo Alto we wanted something light after dinner and Gelato was suggested. I put up a momentary fight based on my two previous experiences, but gave in. HOLY GELATO! I have seen the light and it is good! I ordered the Coconut Almond Fudge (sublime!!!) and the Crème Brûlée. I got a regular size and ate every scrumpdillicious bite; heck, I practically licked the cup!

Grace K.

Ding Ding! Sometimes, gelato is too complicated. I am personally a fan of a place that offers higher quality over Baskin-Robbins style variety, but Gelato Classico does both very, very well. I like getting the creme brulee and the lavender flavors. My boyfriend thinks it tastes like soap, but I suppose that is how it goes with lavender tasting things. One star less for the lack of seating outdoors. It would be nice to just have a few places to sit down and enjoy!

Anjelica C.

Yea, their gelato was fine but the service was not and that just makes this place not going to. Came in with my parents and while we looked at the different flavors the worker asked us (almost impatiently) if we know what we want. My dad asked if they have any rocky road and without answering she just walked into the backroom. We all assumed she was going to check so we waited for her to come back. When she finally came back she just asked us again if we're ready yet. So I asked again 'so do you guys have rocky road?' And she seriously goes 'no, haagen dazs is down the street.' Rude much? Ugh, even if she does get an attitude adjustment, I wouldn't come back to pay $4 for the smallest cup of gelato ever. Not worth it!

Sean W.

I love their cafe mocha. But i love their cafe mocha gelato cake even more. edit: sad to say they don't have gelato cakes anymore =[[[

Te R.

this was my staple source of ice cream when i went to stanford. i tried almost every flavor there was. (i don't think they rotate or introduce new flavors... not that i could notice at least...) it was very good ice cream. there's no seating though. sometimes it got cold outside or rained, but you had to eat outside because there's no space in the store. if you need some icecream for your party, you can order icecream in larger units. and it's much cheaper than getting a bunch of small cups.

Katelyn M.

Stop in a GC and take your dessert to go! Absolutely delicious, dense gelato. I can't pass up chocolate and fruit is always excellent -- so today I went for the caramel chocolate crunch and strawberry. The combination was money. Try it!! (split a large with a friend -- or lover -- you get your money's worth!)

bruce k.

Love this place. I have been going here for years ... since the 80's when they located on Alma St. before they moved to the present location. The ice cream is simply the best, real ingredients, real sophisticated flavors, and none of the toxic or fluorscent colors of B&R31. The people behind the counter do their best to move fast and are always helpful and courteous. It used to be that Gelato Classico was expensive ice cream, but ever since they came into existence, everyone else has hiked their prices, but everyone else is not as good ... so relatively speaking it is not that expensive, but it is much better ice cream. The Palo Alto store is the best. I don't like the Mountain View store, the owner there is kind of grouchy and cheap.

Wes T.

It's a gelato joint. Italian ice cream. The flavours they offer are plentiful, and the prices are very reasonable (much more so than Michael's up University). The space is shoe box-esque, which makes ordering your gelato and getting back outside (as there is no indoor seating whatsoever) somewhat of a chore when it's hot outside and 7 high school girls out of school for summer descend upon this place the same time as you. All in all, a great place to get a desert while you stroll around PA after dinner.

Nicole B.

Definitely the only place I'll go for gelato within 20 miles of Menlo Park. Small place, usually with a line out the door (which usually means about 4-5 people) and everyone leaves with a smile on their face. My usual order is half Coppa Mista and half Cookies and Cream, it's a great flavor combination with just the amount of sweetness. Recently, I tried the honey-lavender and it's superb, tastes like it came straight out of the garden. The prices seem high for the size, but you're definitely getting what you pay for, worth every penny. Pints are only 7.50 too, which make a great treat for birthdays or any celebration. On a side note, the shovel shaped spoons are adorable and hold just the right amount for a bite that tastes great and won't freeze your teeth.

Lynn W.

As I have noted here before, I have a child with a sweet tooth. She loves her sweets and she always wants dessert. After we had dinner at Paxti's, we went next door for some gelato. Ahh, gelato.....sweet, creamy goodness in a cup. YUM! I am not as much of a sweets eater as my daughter however, I love ice cream, gelato, and frozen yogurt!! This is a small store so it's definetly a "to go" place. And since it's in Palo Alto, that's a great idea.....get your cup or cone and go for a walk around downtown. Or grab a seat at one of the two tables outside. It was a little chilly outside this evening but we sat for a few minutes and ate our gelato. My daughter had a combination of mint chip and chocolate chip. I had carmel pecan. MMMMMM mmmmmm yummy!!! There was only one woman working behind the counter but she was fast and efficient. Once the decisions were made, we were out in 2 minutes flat. Pizza and gelato.....what more could you want!?

s p.

The creme de la creme of sweet treats in the area. Beats any frozen yogurt or ice cream. When you want to splurge and are ready to turn a blind eye to the number of calories, which likely mirrors the federal deficit. The Copa Mista is the best mint treat - better than the mint chip. The Coconut Macadamia Nut is delicious! The Stratella is a cookie and cream lover's Holy Grail. Also, way better than any Starbucks concoction...the affagato with java chip. (If bringing a round back to the office beware - the cup holder doesn't hold the odd-shaped cups well. The place itself is tiny, a few little tables out front. More of a take-it-to-go kind of place.