On an unusually warm February afternoon, as the bright sun and warmth of summer sit right around the corner, downtown Los Gatos is as busy as ever — and nowhere is it busier than Dolce Spazio.
Opened in 1980, the three-generation family business sets itself apart from other local cafes with its wide selection of cakes, cookies, coffee, milkshakes and of course, its renowned gelato and sorbetto selections that were lauded as “The Best Ice Cream” by Los Gatos Weekly, METRO Reader’s Choice and The WAVE Magazine.
Dolce Spazio means sweet space in Italian, and it is certainly not an understatement. As I enjoyed the excellent gelato and the cafe’s warm, genial atmosphere, I watched staff greet regulars by name, striking up casual conversations — I could sense the tight-knit community that animates the store.
After the devastating Loma Prieta Earthquake in October 1989 extensively damaged the store, it was moved from Main St. to Santa Cruz Avenue, where it currently stands. Their gelato production equipment was also moved to a larger location in Campbell to keep up with demand.
Dolce Spazio has an 8-flavor standard gelato menu that includes fan favorites like “Chocolate Liqueur” and “Oreogasmic,” as well as 40 gelato and 10 sorbet flavors that are rotated throughout the year — during the winter, the menu changes about once every week, but over the summer, as demand skyrockets, the menu can change as frequently as every other day, with new flavors replacing those that run out.
The store offers three cup sizes — uno, due and tres, which cost $6.25, $7.25, and $8.25 respectively. They also offer cones, with the small size costing $7.25 and the large size costing $9.25, as well as a complimentary biscuit garnish and optional sprinkles.
While visiting the store, my family tried a number of the different flavors offered. My favorite is the Chocolate Liqueur, which was a surprise since I usually hate anything even mildly alcohol scented. The gelato boasts a rich and creamy texture without being too milky, and the liqueur is just light enough to be an enhancing fragrance instead of a nuisance.
Another flavor I am fond of is Honey Lavender. While lavender gelato is uncommon and usually too scented, this one balances the scent of the lavender and the sweetness of the honey perfectly for a delicious and distinctive taste.
As someone who enjoys some variety, I like the rotating menu as it allows me to try all kinds of new flavors instead of simply sticking to the ones I already know. If you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, Dolce Spazio has a treat for any time of the year!
Rating: 5/5 Falcons
