Nestled among the shops of bustling 9th and 9th, Dolcetti Gelato seems rather unassuming, with a modest front and gray brick wall. Upon entering though, one is in for a surprise: dazzling chandeliers, tables containing figurines and patterns, elaborate shelves filled with caricatures and portraits fill the shop from the bottom to the top. If one did not smell the intoxicating flavors of the gelato, it’d be easy to forget it’s a dessert shop.
Dolcetti’s origins
Established in 2004, Dolcetti is hailed as Utah’s original gelato shop. It had humble beginnings as an Italian ice cart that meandered around Salt Lake City. However, owner Mark England and his partner realized they wanted to take it further and craft a dessert in honor of their love for Italy: gelato. After years of refinement and further help from a gelato master, they were ready to open their doors and serve Salt Lake City and beyond.
“I love that it has brought me into a community that has served me so well. I love that you can wear what you want and play what music you want; those two things both can represent you so it was really easy to make friends with my coworkers.” Casper said, a Dolcetti employee who has worked there for three and a half years.
Dolcetti isn’t still the only gelato shop in Utah, but remains a classic, favored, and popular one by locals and tourists.
Fresh and unique flavors
With flavors such as coconut sticky rice, white chocolate raspberry, root beer, lemon raspberry crumble and many more constantly rotating, it’s impossible to be bored with the gelato flavor selection Dolcetti has to offer. The flavors are created through ideas from the employees and the manager, Porter England. Created in house with local and organic fruit, globally sourced ingredients and free from heavy creams, it’s always fresh and original.
“Well the classic and most beloved flavor is coconut sticky rice,” Casper said, “which never lets me down honestly. But I also love PB and J, key lime pie, whiskey, bananas foster and biscotti.”
Alongside gelato, Dolcetti offers several beverages such as teas and coffees as well as constantly rotating pastries, including scones and cookies.
Gelato is an experience
“I have worked at Dolcetti for almost six months,” Charlotte, an employee and University of Utah film major said. “I love the unique aesthetic and decoration of the place. I also love how happy people are when they come in because we are such a focal part of the community.”
Gelato, to clarify, is not ice cream — this was learned quickly after referring to it as such. What’s the difference? Typical ice cream has about an 18% or more butterfat content; gelato, including Dolcetti’s, has about 4-7%, with the sorbetto having none. Further, ice cream has up to 100% added air, while gelato has only 10-20%. This creates a denser and silkier taste than ice cream.
When asked about her favorite customer experiences, Charlotte said, “I’ve had many memorable customers. There is an elderly couple who come in some mornings with their dog. They have a latte and a gelato and are always very jolly. It makes me happy to know we are a part of their routine.”
Dolcetti Gelato can be found at 902 E 900 S, Salt Lake City, Utah. Come see the “nest-like chandelier with fairy lights,” “hanging canoe,” “hobbit house decoration” and the “buttcrack mermaid” (per Charlotte and Casper), eat great gelato, meet wonderful people and experience the magic for yourself.
