Imagine a world where you can enjoy some of the best artisan gelato outside of Italy, all while exploring a spectacular shopping mall designed by an iconic Italian architect. Sounds like a dream, right?
Introducing Gio Gelati – a phenomenal gelato gem located in City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon, California. Originally only found in San Francisco, Gio Gelati opened its second location in 2018, introducing its stellar gelato to even more gelato enthusiasts.
Gio Gelati’s San Ramon location can be found just by the Starbucks in the shopping center, so it’s incredibly easy to find. Despite its relatively small storefront, this gelato hotspot has a highly engaged and passionate staff, which ultimately delivers exceptional service.
Let’s dive deeper into the world of Gio Gelati and discover everything this fantastic gelato place has to offer.
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A Natural, Artisan Gelato Experience
At Gio Gelati, natural ingredients take center stage. With all their gelato made in-house, you’ll find some of the most vibrant flavors and colors you could imagine. Their gelato selection includes time-honored classics like espresso, vanilla, raspberry, and coconut, but also showcases innovative flavors like fig and sweet cream that cater to the Bay Area’s penchant for whimsy.
One of the most notable aspects of Gio Gelati’s offerings is the exquisite taste and quality of their fruit flavors. Light, airy, and bursting with flavor, fruits like passion fruit, strawberry, and plum are a must-try for anyone visiting this gelato haven. For dairy lovers, hazelnut and pistachio flavors are absolutely divine.
Inclusion for the Lactose Intolerant and Dairy-Free Crowds
For those with dietary restrictions or preferences, Gio Gelati does not disappoint. All of their fruit flavors, for the most part, are completely dairy-free, offering a refreshing treat for lactose intolerant visitors. If you’re craving something creamier without the dairy, their coconut flavor is the perfect choice, made with luscious coconut milk.
Innovative Flavors and Daily Specials
Of course, Gio Gelati is constantly experimenting with new and enticing flavors, so expect a different experience on every visit. Their charming gelato board highlights daily flavors, giving visitors a clear and delightful overview of what’s available. From waffle cones to imported Italian cups and spoons, Gio Gelati truly prioritizes an authentic gelato experience.
A Flavor for Every Taste Bud
Gio Gelati undoubtedly offers a flavor for every palate, showcased in everything from their hazelnut chocolate flavor to their picture-perfect pistachio gelato. With its attention to detail, focus on fresh ingredients, and commitment to outstanding service, Gio Gelati is a must-try stop in San Ramon.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through the area, do not miss the opportunity to treat yourself to one of the top gelato places in the Bay Area. And if you’re in San Francisco, be sure to check out Gio Gelati’s original location – with two venues, there’s no excuse not to indulge in one of Italy’s best exports.
Key Takeaways
- Gio Gelati is a chain of artisan gelato shops in San Francisco and San Ramon.
- Their San Ramon location is in City Center Bishop Ranch, a shopping mall designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano.
- The gelato is homemade and uses natural ingredients.
- They offer both classic flavors and more innovative flavors.
- Fruit flavors are dairy-free, and the coconut flavor is creamy and dairy-free.
- Their cups and spoons are imported from Italy.
- Prices are on the higher end, but the quality is excellent.
Video Transcript
Im Tom from Bay Area Adventures, and this is a look at Gio Gelati in San Ramon. This is the second location of Gio Gelati—an incredible artisan gelato chain, originally located in San Francisco. At the beginning of October 2019, they opened their second location in City Center Bishop Ranch in San Ramon.
City Center is a new, cool shopping mall in San Ramon designed by the Italian architect Renzo Piano, who did the Pompidou Center in Paris. It feels appropriate to have an excellent Italian gelato place in a brand new shopping center designed by an excellent Italian architect.
Gio Gelati has only been open for a couple of months now. People line up to come in and get their gelato. The front is small and there is not much sitting space inside, as customers are there just to get their gelato. The staff are engaged and the owners and family members are participating in the day-to-day operations, making for great service.
Front and center is the gelato—made with all kinds of different natural ingredients and homemade. They have the classics like raspberry, passion fruit, coconut, espresso, and vanilla, and also some more innovative flavors like fig and sweet cream—a nice tie into the Bay Area’s food culture.
My favorites of the flavors are the fruit flavors—light, airy, and well done. The strawberry and passion fruit are especially great. Plus, the non-dairy fruit flavors have no dairy milk in them, so those who are lactose intolerant or who are avoiding dairy can still enjoy the gelato. For something creamy, there is the coconut flavor, made with coconut milk.
They always have a board displaying the daily flavors, and they import the cups and spoons from Italy, adding to the authentic experience. Prices are reasonable, and the quality is excellent.
If you’re in the San Ramon area or the San Francisco area, I would really encourage you to check out Gio Gelati. It is one of my top three gelato places in the Bay Area. If you found this helpful in any way, please subscribe to my channel. It really helps.
