il laboratorio del gelato

Ok, first off, this place would be worth the 1.5-2 hour drive, for me, from Philly. The flavor from the gelato or sorbet is never overwhelming and you want to keep going back for another taste. Yes, it is expensive, but the quality is there. The mascarpone is on another level, compared to mascarpone I've had elsewhere. Hazelnut is incredible, as is the espresso. Can't wait to go back and try other flavors.

Some of my favorite ice cream. They have so many flavors I just want to keep going back to try more. So far my favorites are the Thai Tea, cream cheese, and lastly Ricotta which I tried about 18 years ago at another location which I haven’t seen yet at this one but the flavors change everyday so I’m bound to come across it eventually🥰

You know a place is good when there’s a line at 9pm on a Tuesday night! Newly opened gelato shop with hundreds of flavors that change daily. I’m usually not an adventurous person when it comes to flavors, but this place encouraged me to try something new. Every scoop is packed with flavor! Owners are so kind and the vibe is fresh. What more can you want from a gelato shop? Will definitely be back for more.

“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man.” —Heraclitus To fully appreciate this ice cream shop, understand that il laboratorio del gelato embodies that quote. Every time you set foot in this ice cream shop, you will encounter flavors that you might never encounter again. With that in mind, let go of your control issues. After selecting a serving size, ask them to surprise you something new and exciting that you might never get to experience again. Assure them that you will take whatever scoops they give you. Yeah, there’s a very slight chance you might be disappointed in their selection, but more often than not, you WILL discover something new and exciting that you might never have encountered if you hadn’t given up your need for control. Now take what you’ve learned here and apply it to other areas of your life. Rinse and repeat. Enjoy your life!

Had the fresh mint, beet, and blueberry… all flavors were SO TASTY and fragrant!! Great pricing and generous portions. Beautiful store design as well inside an old bank 😍 Will definitely be back again to try other flavors like Basil, Chocolate Bourbon, and Black Sesame.

So nice to see a more easily accessible location for NJ! I tried their dark chocolate cinnamon and pear flavors. Their space is easy to find and also really warm (on a chilly high 30s day December 2021). So many flavors to try for next time. Note they are currently allowing up to 2 flavor samples.

I’ve walked past this place so many times before finally giving it a try, and honestly, I have no idea why I waited so long. Especially on summer days when the line stretches out the door. The gelato is high quality with such unique flavors. My favorite has to be the mascarpone and turkish fig! Definitely give them a try, you’ll probably leave wanting more.

Gelato - 4.8 Service - 5 Vibes - 4 Overall - 4.6 This place has very atypical flavors. Like fennel. I opted for scoop salted caramel and scoop hazelnut. Hazelnut wasn’t great. The vibes lacked funk and music. The woman behind the counter has the patience of a saint! She was giving out those samples w speed and not complaining. She was not only efficient but very kind.

After trips to Italy and Portugal, Wifey and I are suckers for gelato. We didn't know this place existed and were actually going to a different place for dessert, but changed our minds as soon as we walked by. The person working behind the counter was great- let us try a few flavors and seemed like they were having a good night. I do t remember what flavors Wifey and I got, but we both got small cups with two flavors. The service size was plenty for us after a filling dinner and we both LOVED what we had. Next time in Montclair - definitely going back!

I consider myself a Gelato connoisseur. And was looking so forward to going here . Neg: the gelato is more icy ,then creamy . small portions for price point . Positive : many interesting flavor choices . you can taste as many as you feel like There was only one server . Not sure how that would work during busy hours .

My daughter and I walked in on 8/22/ at about 6pm. There was a staff behind the counter attending a client, my daughter and I are apparently next in line. This staff actually walked out the store "mumbled something" didn't even acknowledge us. She totally left the business unattended with clients in line. Not cool

Highly recommend the Nutella gelato! It tasted better than Nutella itself. The gelato was very fluffy and smooth. The Nutella flavor was delicious and not overly sweet. The staff there was super friendly and the portion is generous.

I have never seen a gelato place that has so many unique flavors. I sampled their honey lavender and chocolate amaretto crunch and just went with those as my options for the small. The best part was the small size allows for 2 scoops which means you can mix and match and taste for variety. One star off for the customer service in that the staff who served me looked like she didn't want to be there and didn't explain that the small came with 2 scoops and I only knew since I heard another staff telling the customers she served.

AMAZING ice cream, just a shame that it's $8 FOR A SCOOP. Like what? The place could have more seating as well.

Delightful gelato, especially for fruit flavors. I'm glad I went to this location to avoid the nyc crowd. They also allow two flavor samples here, which I'm not sure is allowed in the city location. I agree that their white laboratory look inside the store is kinda unusual, but I didn't mind it. I got a scoop of banana (recommended by the person there) and mango. Both were delicious but the banana flavor was so natural tasting. Their origin story written on the wall was a nice touch and it feels nice to support a local successful business like theirs.

Saturday night around 8pm...1/2 of the flavor options were pretty much being close to empty.The 2 servers wore no gloves and one sneezed into her hands and then promptly to scoop to the couple behind us. The logistics are very poor since when they ask you to order the line ahead prevents you from seeing the dozens of flavors. way too awkward and uncomfortable.BTW the gelato is no better than anywhere else.Don't go out of your way to go here

Super cute gelato shop in Montclair! It seems to be very popular with people in and out the store. I've never seen these types of gelato flavors (ranging from vanilla to basil to sage, affogato crunch). I settled on a cup of the affogato crunch and it was delicious! I will opt for the kids size next time as the portions are too much for me personally. The guy that served us was really kind compared to his peers! Great customer service by him! You are only allowed 2 servings which I find a but odd especially with the gourmet and unique flavors if the gelato served here. Also, you can also order pints here! However the gelato is really soft and will melt on your way home. Very disappointed by that! Perfect dessert spot to stop by after a nice summer walk or after you finish dining at some of the great restaurants Montclair has to offer!

This is a cute little spot in upper Montclair with some very unique gelato flavors! Perfect location to grab some gelato on a hot summer (or spring) day. They have some really cool flavors, but I felt like they weren't that strong. Maybe I picked incorrectly, and I should come back to do more research!

So I'm usually generous with my stars but tonight I just can't. We went in rather late and was surprised that most of the flavors were not available. We both ended up getting the small sizes but I was given one little scoop and the person I was with got a full cup! I wish I had taken a picture. They were both $7 which was deceiving on the website which has the prices at $4.75. So I was shocked when I saw the prices were very different. The gelato and sorbet was good but I don't think it was worth the price especially when they didn't have any flavors I was really craving. I assume this is the kind of place that only makes small batches and once it's gone that evening you are out of luck. The employees were also super not interested in wanting to help us chose a flavor especially since the pickings were slim. Interesting enough I saw someone else rate this place a few hours ago and also wasn't impressed by the service. With all the options in the area I can't say if I will be back any time soon. Was so looking forward to the mocha flavor with La Colombe coffee, which I love. Unfortunately I don't think I will rush back after tonight's experience.

Nice flavors of gelato - Fig and Coconut. Cute store in a cute Montclair neighborhood.

Now one of my favorite places to get dessert in Montclair! Such a cute spot and they have so many wonderful flavors - I haven't tried a flavor I didn't like yet. I really like the espresso, hazelnut, pistachio, honey lavender and black sesame. Line moves quick even when it's busy and the staff is super friendly. If you are unsure of which flavors to get, you can always sample up to 2 per visit. You can also take ice cream to go or order a cake in case you have a party. Prices are very reasonable for the quality you are getting. They also have a rewards system so make sure you input your phone number to reap the benefits :)

Solid gelato place! Many tasty flavors, cute space with some seating (more outside), and nice service. My go-to dessert spot in this area.

So the ice cream is delicious here. The service I witnessed was atrocious. When I observed someone asking one of the workers there what they recommended, the response was "I don't like gelato." I also witnessed the same employee serve to "child sized" scoops to two teenagers who were then told that the child price ($5) was only good for children and that they would have to pay $7. This information seemed to be good to bring up before the young couple made it to the register, ya think? Basically the employee was miserable and rude. I get she was trying to do her job but her attitude and manners were piss poor.

The best of the best. Truly natural flavors and made expertly. Just like the old country - maybe a bit better. Super clean place and friendly staff. Excellent all around.

Great location. But we saw a delivery truck and this is gelato is outsourced!!! Guerrerios gelato was unloaded. False advertising. Ice fraud!

Love that this gelato shop has opened up a location in NJ. They offer a variety of gelato and sorbet flavors as well as pints to bring home. Limit of 2 samples per person. Customer service is friendly and the line moves quick. Can't go wrong with any of their flavors here - all are bold in flavor, super smooth and don't taste super sweet where your teeth hurt after. They have your standard flavors such as espresso, hazelnut, vanilla, etc. and also some unique flavors like milk chocolate graham cracker, malt, black sesame, white sesame. Got the hazelnut and turkish coffee (like coffee with spices). 2 scoops/flavors for $4.50 or 3 for $6.50 so on the average/slightly pricier side.

I love a real Gelato and this is a great place to get your fix. Really reminded me of the ones you get in Italy. They offer so many flavors, even ones that you would not think of. The staff is always friendly and they have seating inside and outside if you want to stay a while. My favorite flavors are the Apple fuji and Lychee.

the service was nothing special and i got something from the freezer myself...crazy expensive and very delicious but a tip had been added to my credit card without my knowledge or approval!!!!! i was a waitress for 40 + years in nyc and brooklyn....i tip when someone waits on me...how dare they??? i was really offended by this!!!!

A very cool spot in Montclair. It is street parking. The flavors were unique but you are able to try samples before you commit. Either way, the flavors won't disappoint. They had interesting but refreshing flavors like basil, lavender to black sesame and green tea. If you want to try interesting and unique gelato, this is a spot you don't want to miss.

Outdoor seating is cool. Couldn't get an Affogato cause the machine was broken, which is what we specifically came for. Vanilla flavor was limited. When they don't have what you want, you can only sample two servings which I understand if I was a child but I'm a whole adult. I tipped tho, cause the kid was pleasant and they did provide a service There are better options for gelato. Put the mileage on your Tesla if you must.

Flavors are incredible; no argument there. I only wanted a single scoop. However, there are two pricing schemes: kids may order a single scoop; adults "must purchase a minimum of two scoops." I really dislike such "rules" and might not be back here because of this. If I want only one scoop, why are you unable to sell that to me, but instead charge me for a 2-scoop minimum? This experience soured the flavor a bit, sorry to say...

It was empty since it was the middle of the day. The nice scooper let me try a bunch of flavors usually you can only taste 2. Every flavor was amazing!

Cute gelato chain in town with great unique flavors. I had the black sesame & Red velvet birthday cake it was delicious

The gelato is pretty mid and honestly it tasted kinda dirty. It's decent but not work the price- $7 for once scoop and $11 for two. With the crappy employee service, just go to cold stone lol.

What a delicious spot with so many flavor profiles! Actual savory ice cream. You are allowed to sample 2 flavors but the locals seem to waste time on the line and bend the rules and the young employees aren't in a good position to push back. It's a small area with outdoor seating, and you have to see the ice cream to see which flavor you'll pick. I had white sesame, black fig and hazelnut. The hazelnut was divine, almost had a coffee flavor to it and was rich smooth and nutty all at once. White sesame had the baked sesame flavor and actual sesame pieces, quite savory and true to the taste (I wish I had included a vanilla or chocolate to try). The black fig was nice, almost plum like. My mom wasn't a big fan of the walnut nocello but my sis loved her salted caramel in a cone and brother in law enjoyed raspberry sorbet.

Amazing ice cream but rude servers. Went into the shop to get some ice cream but when i realized they didnt have the flavor i wanted at the moment i asked to try a sorbet flavor and I personally did not like the flavor and then when i went to throw out the spoon after eating i said "thank you" and was heading to the door, looked back and saw the lady who served me rolling her eyes with anger. I felt very disrespected especially since i was very kind and thoughtful.

It's one of the better gelato options in the area. There are certainly some service issues. The staff is quite young, and isn't quite given the management it needs. Mostly, I've found the staff to be friendly and upbeat, though other patrons had communication issues. However, the product is quite good, at a reasonable price point. There are tried and true flavors as well as imaginative, creative flavors. Seasonal fruity flavors of sorbets, and a range of gelatos from the sweet to the savory. They do run out of flavors from time to time, and if you're there closer to closing time, they stop bringing out fresh containers. Fortunately, there are a vast array of options, and a plan b is readily available. Certainly could come here a few times to sample new varieties. Definitely a nice option for dessert if you're at a nearby restaurant, as it's in a convenient location. Also plenty of street parking as well as a nearby municipal lot.

While I love the gelato here, today I had a terrible experience. Three young teens working for the summer with absolutely no customer service skills. Two girls standing a behind the one scooping for the customer ahead of me. Neither asking if I need help. Eventually, one steps forward and I ask her if the empty salted caramel is all she has left. She replies, "Oh, I can make a couple of scoops out of what's left!" I opt for passion fruit and allow my friend to take what's left of the SC. I move up to pay and not one of the 3 girls comes over to ring us up. Meanwhile, I see the girl take a FRESH, full container of the salted caramel out to replace the one we just took the scrapings from. How obnoxious!!!! The owners really need to explain to these girls that their jobs exist because customers pay the $$$. This should never have happened. Totally unprofessional and I was not in the mood to cause a scene.

If I could give 6 stars I totally would! My favorite gelato place from NYC is now in my backyard and I couldn't be happier. I love the unique flavors that il laboratorio has to offer and they each taste delicious!!!

It was my first time there. I ordered 4 flavors, one flavor per cup. The board advertised $11.69 for 4 flavors. I was charged $20 for the transaction. It was not explained to me I would be charged $4.69 (also it's not on the board) because of individual cups. When asked if I could get another scoop for each of the cups and pay the difference, the workers there didn't allow me to do it. They said it was against the policy. Workers should be trained to tell customers what is in their best interest rather than letting them find out at the end of the transaction. Also I was told my gelato would hold up. I live 10 minutes away. I got home to melted gelato. Feeling ripped off. Rita's ice cream or Holsten's are better alternatives.

First time here over rated the Gelato tasted more like ice cream than gelato once you get passed The name it's just a fancy ice cream shop wanna be gelato

After visiting one Sunday evening when an ice cream craving struck, I now understand what the hype is all about. Fresh, smooth, and creamy gelato with more flavors than one could even imagine. I opted for the dark chocolate and birthday cake and wow they were delicious. Rich and flavorful but not in an overwhelming or overly sweet type of way. There was a consistent line of people out the door. In the 15 or so minutes I was waiting, the line never died down which I thought was impressive. This is a solid addition to the uptown Montclair area.

We are huge fans of gelato and were extremely excited for ildg to open up! We went on a Sunday afternoon, and the line was out the door, but the wait wasn't terrible. Walking in, we were both extremely confused by the set up. The menu is by the entrance/door so it is difficult to read because everyone's in the way and causes a huge crowd as well. There was also no discernable line or order. A very chaotic and confusing process to just order and pay. We decided to order 3 scoops in a sugar cone and got mocha, coconut, and maple pecan. The flavors themselves were pretty good! No complaints there, but again, were confused by receiving a pretty small cone for 3 scoops. Pricing wise, I believe it was about $7-8, so reasonable and on point with the area. I would love to go back and check out more flavors - they change daily - but hopefully the next time is less confusing.

Outstanding!! Service and gelato were wonderfully delicious!! Location was perfect and atmosphere

I tried this place for the first time and I have to say that the gelato was delicious. The fruit flavors were spot on and the texture was creamy. The setup is a bit odd and chaotic. I did not enjoy that part of my visit. It would be nice to see ahead of time what flavors are available. It also felt like people were climbing over each other at the counter trying to see/taste the different varieties of gelato. Good product, so-so experience. If I find myself in the area, I would drop in to try other flavors.

Fantastic! A sleek modern minimalist storefront gelato shop with about 30 flavors...you can sample two before making a selection. But wish I could try them all. The chocolate with Thai chili is an amazing standout.

Could the mewling infants on here take a chill pill please? I'm sorry the teenagers on minimum wage aren't genuflecting enough or that the font size on the labels strains your delicate eyeballs. This is hands down the best ice cream in the Essex County area. Seriously. Anyone who tasted their stuff in their Manhattan location (LES) and pines for that same deliciousness will be happy to come here. I know I am. I had a scoop each of the avocado and the grapefruit, and my friend the dark chocolate and ricotta. For the princely sum of 10.78. For 10.00 we were served absolute dross at Leos in Kearny. Dross. Stop your moaning and get down here ASAP. Sorry no photos. Next time

If I could just put a bunch of drooling emojis, that would about sum it up!!!! This gelato was amazing and I know my Gelato! The fact that you can put it between 2 cookies is just Seriously, go here! Rice, mango and kiwi were the ones we had

Really loved the gelato at this place! Long lines but goes by fairly quickly. They have a location in the city. I'm a big gelato fan so I was happy to have tried this place!

Their gelato is yummy! Very fresh. Unique flavors like ube and basil. Sleek environment. A great stop in Upper Montclair.

Today is my husband's 40th birthday and we ordered a cake online that was confirmed via an email. When we picked it up, the person behind the counter seemed confused. The cake was wrapped so we could not see it. When we unwrapped it, it was not decorated at all, did not even say happy birthday, which we requested and it was configured. Please see pic. Such a disappointment and we did not know until we sang happy birthday and unwrapped the cake. I emailed and have not heard back.

I dream of this place and will go to great lengths to eat their ice cream, which I first discovered at a restaurant in NYC. Every flavor tastes exactly as it should (fresh, natural, not overpowering) and there is something to please almost everyone (carrot, cucumber, miso, toasted white sesame). If you're a fan of chocolate, their milk chocolate gelato is the best I've ever had and what drew me here in the first place. Other standouts include rare finds such as orange gelato and watermelon gelato. Honey lavender is subtle, delightful while mint is light, refreshing.

My experience on 8/29/22 around 6:30 PM: "How many people does this ice cream cake serve?" "I don't know." "Well it says that you have them in-stock. Can I see one?" "I've never seen one before. Nobody asks for them." "We drove a great distance to get here. Can you ask someone else?" "The manager is off-duty." "Is there anybody else you can call?" "I don't have any numbers." "Can you give us the phone number for the store then so we can try calling another time instead?" "It's on the website." "Actually, it's not on the website, I already looked." "I don't know the phone number to the store." "I'd like to buy a couple of scoops since we came all the way out here. Can I get a sample of --" "We aren't doing samples." Points to post-it note covering the sign which says no more than two samples... Nothing says we care about our customers' experience like no samples. The whole thing might have been pretty funny if it wasn't so disappointing and ridiculous.

Went there mid week in the summer and the line was out the door- which is always a good sign! They ran out of a lot of flavors but whatever we had (salted caramel, espresso, amaretto and mango). Hoping next time we go we can try hazelnut, chocolate and/or pistachio.

This spot is always packed and had a line. We went here twice already and they have so many flavors of gelato to choose from. The cinnamon dark chocolate and the birthday cake flavors are great. The staff is very nice and quick they want you in and out which is perfect with me.

What a great addition to the upper Montclair neighborhood! Very happy and love the flavors.

I was pleasantly surprised to find they had black sesame as well as Ube flavor gelato. Pretty good spot!