il laboratorio del gelato
“I also enjoyed thai chili chocolate (like a chili infused chocolate bar melted into a creamy delight), and honey lavender.”
“For the smallest size, you can fix two flavors, and that is exactly what I got: black sesame and cashew gelato.”
“You can't.
So I ended up with a cup of amaretto crunch, one of my favorites, and two I'd yet to try – Kahlua and vanilla rum.”
il laboratorio del gelato
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
PokéStop Nearby: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range Moderate
8 reviews
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Great gelato shop located right in the Lower East Side!
I tried the pistachio which was really good. It was creamy and flavorful.
Luckily when I was here on a Saturday, the line wasn't crazy long and I was able to get my gelato quickly.
FYI: Even though the shop is spacious, there isn't much seating area.
I definitely would come back!
I had the sesame flavor which was very grainy and not really my thing. The maple walnut however- heavenly! This place would get 5 stars had they not had a sign for restrictions on how many tastings. Seriously? It's my first time here and there are so many flavors to choose from and because of the 2 try minimum I chose wrong. Be more generous and allow people to try more. Their experience will improve.
My friends didn't believe me when I said I didn't like sorbets. I wouldn't either if I was in their position on that fateful evening in il laboratorio del gelato.
I REALLY thought I didn't. I don't like the combination of a tart flavor with an icy texture.
So of course I stuck with their creamy flavors when I first walked into il laboratorio del gelato. It's a bit disappointing that they limit your tastings to 2 samples per person. But luckily, my friends convinced me to try their sorbets.
And I fell in love. The cantaloupe, honeydew, and lemon sorbets were refreshing. The ice was soft and fluffy. The flavors were neither tart nor overly sweet. I realized I had been missing out in life. Then it hit me that the mango gelato I once tried from Presso Coffee was from here! Suddenly, I loved sorbets!
The next time I was in the area, I went back to try their other sorbets. They didn't have the same flavors as before but a whole new batch of flavors. There was a plum flavor that was a little too tart for my taste but it wasn't as horrible as I once made them out to be. Thank you il laboratorio del gelato for helping me get over my dislike for such a refreshing summer dessert!
There is something about the hot humid sticky summer nights in New York that makes me want to eat ice cream. My family, K, and I wanted a cold dessert after having hot soba for dinner. Our cousin suggested il laboratorio del gelato. The 9 block walk did not deter us, and ILG's cold AC and the bright décor drew us like a a moth to light.
I love my sweets. So do other New Yorkers. The line for ILG was long and thanks to two tastings per person, this line moved slowly. 15 people ahead of us took 30- 40 minutes to order. If you are indecisive or in a hurry, this place is not for you!
I love that they boast 300 flavors. And that the gelato is super fresh. Apparently, you can watch the staff make the gelato in the back. And this gelato is sooo good. Smooth, creamy, and has a depth of flavor!
We ordered a Large that comes with a choice of 4 flavors ($6.75). We had earl grey, salted caramel, bourbon pecan and black current. The earl grey was perfect, not too sweet, aromatic and velvety. The salted caramel was a punch in the mouth- very sweet, very salty. Definitely woke you up. The salted caramel paired well with the bourbon pecan.
Bourbon pecan- plentiful amounts of pecan and the slight bitterness of the bourbon was great. Black current: My absolute favorite of the day was the black current. It had a depth of flavor – like ground currents and blackberries without the fruit's texture. And the gelato was so rich and smooth! It tasted like velvety creamy black currents. It was so wonderful that I wished I didn't have to share with 3 other people.
I will definitely be back. Esp if I'm eating at Katz's! (Katz is right next door).
Please give me more~~~
The store looks like an ice cream lab, you can see what and how they do back in the store.
Plenty of choices, my bf had caramel and green tea, normal regular flavors. I ordered amaretto chunk and white sesame. My bf got surprised with what i wanted but turned out he loved both of mine. lol
The ice cream is really creamy and not over sweet, which is very important to us. The price is reasonable. Would love to come back if i am around.
They also have many flavors for sorbet if you are interested to try.
I would love to go on a field trip here. When I was a kid, we went to a nature museum and studied banana slugs. Needless to say, an ice cream lab would have been way more appealing! But even without a tour, you get a good view of the machinery in the open kitchen behind the display case. I must say I do like the stark-white, stainless steel, neutral theme going on here. It seems to say that the ice cream is the star, and decor does not need to compete with the main act.
During busier times, they utilize the numbered ticketing system. The neon-lit numbers on the wall indicated that the tickets were in use, so we grabbed a ticket and browsed the endless display of flavors, including the traditional as well as the strange & unusual. Surprisingly, it only took a couple of minutes for our number to come up. Then we commenced with the sampling. Apparently they only allow two samples per person, so between Mr. Joy & I, we sampled four flavors.
We shared a small with 2 flavors for $4.25 A little pricey, but the small plastic container was a great size for the two of us to share a post-meal frozen treat.
Mr. Joy & I decided on Earl Grey & Avocado. Strange combination, I know. Earl Grey has really grown on me lately and Mr. Joy chose Avocado for the novelty of it. The texture was great. Both were thick & dense, yet incredibly silky smooth & creamy, and delicately pulled away with the spoon as gelato tends to do.
I wasn't taken by the avocado. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't for me. I like avocado and I like gelato, but the avocado flavor didn't satisfy my desire for something sweet & cold.The Earl Grey, however, was spot on – mildly sweet and good tea flavor.
I love this "lab" concept, where they are constantly creating new, custom flavors for the restaurant and food community. I'd definitely come back to try something else on their growing list of flavors.
Reasonable price, organized customer service and most importantly amazing flavors!
When you go in look for number drawing machine bc that number will help you get the service you need.
My personal favorites: nectarine and passion fruit (ugh the best)
A bit pricy but definitely recommended to try at least once.
With over 200 flavors, this gelato shop gem serves small scoops in what reminds me of petri dishes.
While they have various flavors in both gelato and sorbet form, my go-to here is their black sesame and green tea. Creamy and all around just damn good.
Note that while the space is large, seating is limited. This is more of a grab and go type of joint.