Gelato Bello is a favourite haunt of Benny’s Adelaide relatives – avid Gelido followers. So on our recent visit to Adelaide they were super keen to take us to their local family-friendly gelateria.
It is an Adelaide institution, with the original owner first churning gelati way back in 1996. Since that time, Gelato Bello has gained a new owner and another outlet in Semaphore, but the Glynde headquarters is still serving gelati.
Long queues are common during summer, but the layout – modelled on fast food outlets – together with the team of friendly servers is designed for efficient throughput. On our visit Gelato Bello was busy but the wait time was short.
Apart from a rather charming 1960s style mural, the décor could only be described as functional. While there are some tables inside and more tables outside under the wide verandahs, it would be a major stretch to claim that Gelato Bello is a convivial spot to relax. Not a place to linger over a coffee, however we were not the only large group enjoying our gelati – many of the tables were filled with other young families and groups of friends.
The gelati is served in cups, cones or tubs to take away, including both dairy and non-dairy flavours. The menu extends to crepes and waffles, as well as an enormous dessert platter for sharing, at just $22. Eight scoops of gelato, a waffle and a crepe, topped with marshmallows and loads of melted chocolate. Judging by the platter being shared by the young couple on the next table, it would have easily satisfied the five adults and two children in our group.
We all ordered cones. Serves were generous.
The go-to gelato for both Karl and Jarred is always choc mint, generously loaded with chunks of chocolate. Nancy picked Toblerone, pronouncing it a good strong flavour.
Phryne chose Ferrero Rocher, which turned out not quite as anticipated – smooth and chocolate-y, but she was also expecting crispy bits. I agree – a key part of the Ferrero Rocher experience is the crunch from the wafer shell and hazelnut pieces. Without that, you have Nutella – which is totally fine, but it is not Ferrero Rocher.
Patsy also likes “bits” in her gelati, and selected a good combination of cherry ripe with vanilla choc chip. The latter had lovely large chunks of dark chocolate, but Patsy would have preferred more coconut in the cherry ripe.
Benny picked a winning combination – a refreshing blood orange sorbet paired with coconut. I went for a couple of the more traditional Italian flavours – pistachio with cassata. Texture was good, but there was very little candied peel in my serve of cassata gelato.
Popular Adelaide gelateria. Friendly, efficient service – the attraction is the gelati, not the ambience.
Gelato Bello
87 Glynburn Road
Glynde SA 5070
T: (08) 8336 9799
W: gelatobello.com.au
