Paulo Gelato & Chocolate

Cute storefront with delightful, small-batch flavors and friendly staff. Appreciated that they had classic gelato along with vegan and keto options. We tried the strawberry sorbet, burnt butter vanilla, and the special Dubai Bar and would happily order them again. There’s a sunny side patio to enjoy your treats, and it seems to be dog-friendly. Can’t wait to make another visit!

Paola Gelato: A Sweet Escape with Exceptional Service Paola Gelato is a delightful haven for anyone craving an authentic taste of Italy, right here in Chicago. From the moment you step through the door, the inviting aroma of fresh ingredients and the vibrant display of colorful gelato beckon you into a truly charming space. The atmosphere is bright and welcoming, perfect for a quick treat or a leisurely indulgence. Without a doubt, the star of the show at Paola Gelato is the gelato itself. It is, quite simply, great gelato. Each flavor we sampled was incredibly rich, creamy, and bursting with true-to-life taste. Whether it was the intense dark chocolate, the refreshing pistachio, or a seasonal fruit sorbet, the quality shone through in every spoonful. The texture is perfectly smooth, melting exquisitely on the tongue, a true testament to traditional artisanal methods. It's clear that a lot of care and high-quality ingredients go into every batch. Beyond the delicious frozen treats, the experience is significantly enhanced by the exceptional staff. Every team member we encountered was genuinely friendly, patient, and eager to offer samples, helping us navigate the enticing array of flavors. Their enthusiasm for the product and their genuine helpfulness made the visit even more enjoyable. They were knowledgeable about the different options and quick to serve, making for a seamless and pleasant interaction. In conclusion, Paola Gelato is a must-visit. With truly great gelato that satisfies every craving and a staff that makes you feel incredibly welcome, it stands out as a top-tier spot for a sweet escape.

Top tier gelato! I love how they have a really small size, so you can try multiple flavors of small portion or for someone like me who just wants a small portion. Flavor is really amazing, with nice texture and density. Would definitely come again!

Tight spacing. No one else was in-store, but it was still incredibly challenging to view all the available flavors. Am I allowed to try flavors? Am I allowed to mix flavors? Do you offer to-go? (Please post a sign with available flavors)

Highly Recommend: by far the best gelato I've had in Chicago. Just came from Italy and this is on par with some of the best I've had there. Bravo to owners. I'll certainly be back here and bring guests that visit us out of town. No indoor seating only outdoor patio.

Absolutely the best. Got the Trio and Caramel both of these blended so perfectly for me. Trio (peanut butter) was my favorite it was delicious 9.5. The Caramel was dope as well it even has small chocolate chucks in it too to add that extra crunch to it. 9.2. Overall small place but the fresh ingredients, and quality is what makes this place a gem 💎 👌 9.4.

Ordered the pistachio and Trio flavors. Cost $9 for an 8 oz. Creamy and thick and rich gelato. Quaint, cute and clean inside. Right off the subway blue line.Outdoor seating area and small free parking lot behind building.

This place is such a gem! Paolo took the time to explain the flavors and gave us great info on the cacao and where it comes from. He has his own blend of chocolate! The flavors were amazing and I cannot stop thinking about the pistachio and chocolate! This place is quality!

One word, wow. I normally don't eat gelato, but I was introduced to this place and had the gelato and was blown away. To me the barometer for a good gelato place in my book is the strawberry/berry flavored gelatos. And this one passed the test. This place is a no frills gelato place and definitely worth the visit if you are in the area!

I know myself that I'm a very picky sweet tooth person. The most common problem I been have complaining about Gelato in the US is the sweetness itself. Paulo Gelato did an excellent job to find perfect cut of sweetness "but not too sweet" I and my friend got 8oz for Pistachio and Ube. The texture of both of them are smooth and rich even it does not have any crunch of pistachio or a chunk of ube. Unlike any other brands that trend to focus on topping over their gelato Highly recommended - 10 out of 10 - definitely going back - one of the best gelato shop in Chi Town

The best gelato we've had in Chicago! Got the strawberry, burnt butter vanilla, and pistachio! Strawberry is made with 80% strawberries and you can taste it! So freshhh and light! Pistachio was also excellent, as well as the vanilla! Paulo even took the time to explain to us how he makes his delicious gelato! Would HIGHLY recommend! We'll be back!!

Met the owner's wife and children sitting on the patio. Talk about fabulous gelato . They change their flavors often. The make a no sugar added and an 80% strawberry. I loved this little charming location around Milwaukee and Chicago. Remindwd me of Italy.

We were out to dinner and the kids wanted ice cream, so we found the closest spot for Gelato. I shared the Dubai bar bliss with my husband and I was blown away at how good it was! It was so creamy, with little bits of chocolate and the crunch of the kataifi. I'm obsessed. My kids got the wild blueberry and the chocolate and loved their choices! We will be back to try more flavors and to hang on the patio once the weather finally gets warmer.

There's no better way than to cool off with some gelato! This little spot is located on a busy intersection but they surprisingly have a parking lot in the back. Right when you walk in, there isn't really space for indoor seating but they have a small patio where you can enjoy your sweet treat. They have rotating flavors for the seasons. Also you know its good gelato when the gelato is covered! It was really refreshing and not too sweet.

It. Is. So. Good. Kicking myself for not coming here sooner. This gelato is the best gelato I've had in the city. Hands down. The flavors change - but I'm dreaming about the combo I got - strawberry yuzu and cookies and cream. All the flavors look amazing. They sell pints too! Super clean, easy, and a great spot to get some summer treats! Will add this to the sweet rotation!

Best gelato ever- arghhhh.. We came here one weekend after promising our three year that we could get gelato that weekend. I tried a ton of samples + everything was incredible. I settled on burnt butter vanilla + pistachio. It is tight inside, but the outdoor space is magical. Perfect spot for a date night, with or without your kids in tow -- Can't wait to go back.

Best gelato I've had outside of Italy. Great portions too. The pistachio and strawberry basil were particularly good. Service was super friendly and knowledgable. Loved the little patio with the teal furniture.

I got two flavors - strawberry and banana & nocciola. I highly, highly recommend both. The strawberry sorbet was amazing and 80% of it was made of strawberries! I ate it, went back in, and bought some of the strawberry to take home. It was that good! The shop is small inside, but they do have a patio area right outside the exit. Best gelato and sorbet in the city! I'll definitely be back!

My fav dessert spot here in Chicago!!! I always get the trio and sea salt caramel. I brought my friends here and they all loved it as well! The shop is small but there are some seats outside. I can't wait for them to open back up again!! It's located right off the blue line and super easy to get to!!

Literally some of the best ice cream in the city! We got the burnt butter vanilla and chocolate and it was so good and creamy! There are a handful of flavors to choose from. The shop itself is super small but there is patio seating; service was quick and fast on a Sunday evening and there is free parking in the back! Looking forward to returning!

This is a super cute shop near the blue line at Chicago and Milwaukee. They have many flavors and have vegan and no sugar options. I tried the strawberry sorbet and it was really smooth and tasted delicious! The staff are friendly and there is patio seating available outside. They just had their grand opening for the summer season so I recommend stopping by!

Really expensive and the scoops were so tiny my cone also wasn't crispy. The worker could have been friendlier too.

Simple, but delicious. After playing tennis, we decided to cool off with some gelato. Got a large half chocolate, half pistachio. Both were so tasty and not overly sweet. My only gripe is the price. It's just not worth it for over $10 given other ice cream options in the area.

Incredible staff and super smooth gelato! You can definitely tell they make everything homemade and I loved the unique flavors.

Found this place and decide to give it a try. Was ranked the top 10 best ice cream place last year. I would say the ice cream spot is hidden, so got to be careful not to miss it. It's small but the gelato is delicious. I would come back to try other flavors.

Quality/Quantity - Lemon Ginger Honey Tea - I was going to get 2 different flavors, but after I tried this flavor, I decided to get 100% of this one. It was amazingly good. And I do not even like or drink tea. 1/2 Cookies & Cream; 1/2 Lemon Ginger Honey Tea - My daughter got the tea also, LOL. 1/2 Chocolate & 1/2 Cold Brew - My wife got this one. The cold brew was also very good. That was going to be my second half till I tried the lemon ginger honey tea. Atmosphere - Very small local business. Owner ran. Open 7 days a week, see my picture for hours. Small outdoor space. Service - Good, Paulo was very accommodating. We tried many samples. Price - $7 for 4 oz, $10 for 8oz; expensive but you have to pay for quality. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 2022, wishing you the best. FYI, your website link on Yelp does NOT work.

Let me explain good Italian gelato to you. If you see big mounds, keep walking. The gelato should be covered in metal tins or those temps aren't staying regulated. If you see bright colors, it's also not the good stuff. It's full of artificial coloring. You want muted colors. It should also be made in small batches. One yelper commented that it melted faster so it didn't have a stabilizer in it. I would guess that it still does, as every high-end professional kitchen I've ever worked in, made the ice cream with a stabilizer. Of course, even egg yolks are a stabilizer. Just a natural one. The reason it likely melts faster is because gelato is served at a warmer temp than ice cream, giving it a creamier texture. I tried the salted caramel, pistachio, trio (peanut butter, caramel, and chocolate), stracciatella, and the mango coconut yuzu. All were excellent. Packed with natural flavors. Well balanced. The right texture. I cringe for the yelper who said her gelato tasted like toothpaste. While I did not try the mint, this gelato is the only gelato I've had in the US that really is artisanal Italian gelato. I was also just in Italy a few weeks ago. I've been countless times. And most gelato you get in any touristy spot in Italy is not artisanal. It's made to attract tourists who don't know any better. Don't take my word for it. I'm just a pastry chef. ::shrugs:: Good job, Chef. You have a great shop

Cute little hidden gem with great flavor options, but once they are sold out, you have missed the boat. It was delicious but a bit pricey! Service was excellent.

This is a cute little gelato shop with a variety of gelato flavors, including vegan and no-sugar-added options! I loved both the vegan pistachio and mango coconut yuzu flavors, although they did melt a little faster than I'd like when eating them in the patio. I'd probably just finish the gelato inside the air conditioned-shop next time! You get to select the cup or cone option, but I recommend cone one, especially with pistachio gelato. It was nice to sample any flavors too (and they're generous with those sample scoops!). The gelato is made in small batches inside the shop, and you're getting great quality gelato here. Thanks to Paulo Gelato & Chocolate, Yelp, and Kate for letting me try this place!

The most amazing gelato!! Small little shop with a few outdoor tables. The person helping us was super friendly and answered any questions we had about the flavors. They had some unique ones and we were able to try as many as we wanted. We got the passionfruit cheesecake with almond crumble. It was strong in all 3 flavors and I loved the varying textures between the creamy gelato, tart passionfruit, and crispy crumble crust. Definitely recommend!

Cute gelato shop in the city. Behind the store they have heaps of parking spots, so it's great for driving in. The store is small, with just enough space to order your treat. Outside they had a few tables. The price point is quite high. My 8 ounce ice cream was a bit over $11.

The gelato- f*&% yes! I liked everything I sampled. I was excited to be able to get two flavors in the baby size. I landed on strawberry basil and passion fruit. It was an overflowing serving. Loved every bite while sitting on the patio.

I tried the Trio - dulche de leche, nocciola, peanut butter And Mango coconut yuzu in a small cup. My sweet tooth loved these flavors and the creaminess of the gelato! No complaints. The employee was very friendly and helpful! There's some outdoor seating. Apart from that, it's more of a take to-go spot.

What a lovely experience! This gelato shop is in River West. Although the store is small, there's a decently sized outdoor seating area. When I got there, the line was fairly long but moved very quickly. They have a variety of different flavors. I decided to go with the Trio flavor - peanut butter, dulce de leche, and nociolla (hazelnut + cocoa). It was delicious! The 4 oz cup size may appear small, but they were generous with the serving. Highly recommend this little place and look forward to coming back to try more flavors!

Gelato: 5/5 - This might be (I think it is) better than the gelato I had in Italy last October. The strawberry and burnt vanilla was an A+ combo and I think the 750 lb man in me is an evil genius for suggesting it. Service: 5/5 Andre is an absolute gem. Very friendly and helpful. Ambiance: Busy West Town corner with a nice patio to sit and people watch. Overall, we will absolutely be back when we are in the neighborhood. What a great addition to the neighborhood.

The front desk person didn't seem to be too happy that we were there, but answered questions about the flavors and how they were produced. We got pistachio and white chocolate yuzu - super tasty!! Gobbled down gelato for the first time in my life since the pistachio flavor was prominent but not overly sweet and the yuzu was a light citrus that kept me wanting more. Got a medium pint to go for our host. I would just ask that the menu prices are updated since we were charged differently for gelato and to go pints.

Absolutely incredible gelato spot in River West. Paulo Gelato is a little spot situated right off the Blue Line. The interior is quite small, but there is plenty of outdoor seating. I got the 4oz cup which looks small but they really fill it up. I got the strawberry & basil and the pistachio. The strawberry was more of a sorbet taste, with strong hints of basil. The pistachio was amazing. I would order it every-time! There were plenty of unique flavors like mango lassi. I will absolutely stop by again soon!

There's a new contender for best creamy deliciousness in Chicago! Paulo Gelato opened in 2022 on Milwaukee & Chicago, slightly tucked away, but absolutely worth the trip from wherever you are in the city. The owner, Pawel, is behind the counter, happily offering samples while eager to explain his flavors, process, and business with you. Before we even tasted the gelato, we felt warmly invited in, the kind of thing that goes such a long way. But, Pawel could just as easily let the gelato do all the talking for him because it is excellent. This is real deal, authentic, creamy and delicious gelato, the kind you're more likely to find in some little known corner of New York or in the heart of Italy than anywhere I've tried in Chicago. The flavors are rich, deep, and pure - do yourself a favor and at least try a sample of the chocolate. I have never had chocolate gelato or ice cream with that kind of baker's chocolate/cocoa richness, absolutely incredible. The trio is special as well, a mix of peanut butter, hazelnut, and pistachio, pretty much my three favorite flavors blended into one. And for the quality and size of the scoops, the prices are more than fair, quite comparable to your other top ice cream and custard places in the city. I am rooting hard for Paolo's and am excited to keep coming back to try more flavors throughout the spring and summer! lol

Great gelato and friendly staff. They change their flavors, but we like all the ones we have tried. Their apple pie gelato is extraordinary. They close during the winter, which deprives us of deliciousness, but it makes sense that business is lower when it's so cold out. Very small location. But there's an area right outside to mill about and enjoy the gelato

Delicious gelato- not sure why there are two Yelp pages for this business but this seems to be the claimed one so I will re-review here. The flavors are diverse and the gelato is incredibly rich. There are rotating menu items as well. Staff are incredibly helpful in explaining the flavors and making recommendations. Convenient access via blue line. There is outdoor seating with umbrellas and a dog friendly patio. Definitely worth a trip!

Amazing new gelato place. This is the real deal gelato, made by expert craftsmanship. The vegan options are outstanding and and if you can eat dairy you have to try all the flavors here.

Fantastic Gelato from a chef that has won prestigious awards. Right off the Chicago blueline. Wonderful staff and very welcoming. We had the blueberry + milk. It was was sweet and tart at the same time. My daughter had the burnt butter and mint chocolate. Ingredients are so fresh. Adorable outdoor seating to relax and relish your Gelato.

This gelato is *chefs kiss*! All the flavors are made in house and each other is bursting with flavor the rich flavors are very rich and the fruitier flavors are rich in their own way. I got a smaller to-go container and did half and half burnt butter vanilla and mango coconut yuzu. The employee at the counter was patient and gave us amazing service, the place is small and there's no seating room inside. Absolutely would recommend.

I am new to Chicago, and I am quite certain that this shop has ruined all other Chicago gelato for me. Moving in June and lifting boxes all day, all I wanted is ice cream and anything that resembles ice cream. On a whim, my friend suggested this place. Her boyfriend is from Poland and has been anxiously awaiting the opening of this place. To his jealousy, we went first and were blown away. The flavors are absolutely phenomenal. The service was great. We were also able to meet the owner, and he was so lovely! The shop is right next to the blue line, so do yourself a favor on the way to O'hare, back from work, or on your way to a friend's and get some of this gelato!

Finally a great gelato place in my neighborhood! Paulo Gelato is an adorable store front with a small patio on the side and has absolutely delicious and unique flavors of gelato as well as shakes and others. The worker was super helpful and patient and offered all the samples we needed to make an informed decision. They are also dog friendly and even gifted my doggo with a little pup cup of vanilla gelato. He was very grateful. You can get two flavors with each size so I got a small and mixed the passion fruit mousse with the hibisco (sort of a mild tea flavor). They were both so good! Can't wait to return to Paulo Gelato. GO GO GO!

We had to try this quaint but busy gelato place. It's tiny so there's one entry door and another exit door. It is a small batch gelato with quite a few varieties. I sampled the thyme lavender pear flavor but it was a little too strong thyme for my liking. I ended up with half trio that has peanut butter Dulce de leche and chocolate that was outstanding and half vanilla. It has a fancier name than that but I forget. If you're in the area, check it out!

How did I just I hear about Paulos until now?! I found out about Paulo Gelato & Chocolate and though TikTok and I'm so glad I did! This is so dangerous since I live walking distance to Paulo's haha. All their gelato is made in small batches and with no coloring! They have happy hour deals M-R 4-6pm for $5 4oz and $8 8oz gelato. I got the 8oz with one scoop Burnt Butter Vanilla and the other scoop Cookies and Cream. They were both delicious! I did like the Cookies and Cream a little more though! They give out free samples before you decide on your flavors. There's no seating inside the shop as it is really small, but they have a cute little patio with about 6-8ish seats. The patio was clean when we ate outside. The man serving us was fun and helpful in describing flavors and how the shop works since it was our first time here. I heard their Chocolate is a must try! Can't wait to come back and try more flavors!

We are so excited to find out this place has dairy free options (that not sorbet). I got thai blue and burnt butter vanilla. My friend got mixed nuts and vegan pistachio (dairy free options). Flavors: 5/5. You can taste the real nutty flavors on every single scoop. My friend loves the vegan pistachio. Hand down the best pistachio he ever had. Service: the owner was there. He is really friendly and had a convo with us about what other vegan/dairy free options he should try next, which can show how he cares about all of us. Ambiance: even though it's a small shop, they have a patio/outdoor seating. Overall: 5/5. Will drive back to try other flavors.

Really enjoyed how fresh and flavorful the gelato was here! And with a small you can try two flavors Service was also fantastic! I loved the outdoor patio seating- while there isn't really room to sit inside, the patio tables were tucked away from the busy street to enjoy our gelato!

We initially discovered this place through a Yelp offer, and I'm so glad we did. Chef Pawel is making some fantastic small batch gelato at this small storefront location, and we are the luckier for it. It was tough to chose between the delicious flavors, but always chocolate, right? I had a small cup and he offered half portions of two choices, which made it easier, so I got the mint with chocolate also. This mint chocolate is delicious, with a subtler mint flavor than most of us may be accustomed to, nicely balanced by the very good quality chocolate that he's using. I really like this flavor. The chocolate...well, I'll be returning for more of that. Deep, dark chocolate flavor and a super creamy consistency. I wanted more. I took a pic of the Cocoa Barry chocolate he's using, as this is an excellent quality chocolate we don't see much of stateside; he's partnered with them to create his own magical blend, as well. I ordered an iced latte, and it was also great. When it gets a little cooler out I'll definitely be trying his hot chocolate and affogato. This space is small, and I understand sometimes there's a line, but your patience will pay off. The Chef will happily offer samples, which is always a nice touch. He was happy to chat with us about his product, and it's clear he takes great pride in his work, as he should. I appreciate the dedication to excellence and the care that goes into making a superior product. I will most definitely be back.

Finding artisan food in America in today's world is actually getting harder. We peaked awhile ago and are going backward. This is artisan gelato, coffee and chocolate. It's not a chain. He uses Cacao Barry, one of the finest French chocolate money can buy. He uses fresh mint and not an extract for his mint chocolate chip. He has his own coffee blend. What's my point? The point is that you have to pay for this. You can't have high quality hand-made food and pay for it like you're buying cheap supermarket ice-cream. Further, I read a review where clearly she didn't get this so I'm making it clear to future customers. Premium ingredients come with a premium price tag. I was a chef and a pastry chef. You make choices and they've made a choice here. The flavors and levels of sweetness are decidedly European. Keep that in mind. Paulo will let you sample so there's absolutely no reason for you to order something you don't like. Try it, find one that resonates with you first. It doesn't matter if there's a line, it moves quickly. I tried several and found that I wanted the Paulo chocolate and their mint chocolate chip. Both were very very good. I also ordered the dark hot chocolate. Probably not sweet enough or hot enough for Americans but I appreciated it very much for being neither. This is a superior product and is well worth the money. It's really easy to get to. Just get off on the Blue line at Milwaukee & Chicago. You're right there. Join their rewards program and you'll save money in the long run if it's an issue for you. Let's support small businesses and artisans. It's what makes our city great and enriches our culture.

Yes yes yes come here for legit gelato!! Not to be that person but I have been to Italy 3 times and every time I go I eat gelato multiple times a day and this lives up to the real stuff. They have fun interesting flavors (chocolate with porcini mushroom??) as well as the classics you would hope for. Their pistachio tastes exactly like what you can get in Italy. The texture and flavors are all so good. The person who served us was also super nice and let us try a ton of flavors without making me feel embarrassed. We ate at a small patio area outside, 10/10 would recommend.

Incredible gelato. Likely the best in Chicago I've had. Really smooth gelato with no stabilizer or add-ins (you can tell a s it melts quickly outside) The staff is SO NICE! You get to try different flavors and they give you a good portion to try and really taste what you would like. They have lots of flavors like banana and mango lassi, Burned vanilla, maldon sea salt caramel, fresh mint & chocolate, caramel, and more Vegan options available i.e. vegan pistachio . Coffee , gelato shakes, and add-ons available too Each scoop can have two flavors which is nice, not all places do that I got the staff's favorite: Trio & Pistachio. Trio is a mix of dark chocolate and peanut butter - super creamy and rich in flavor with small bites of chocolate and peanuts that leave you wanting more. PRICES 4oz vs 8oz Classic Flavors - $6/$9 Vegan, No added Sugar & Signature Flavors $7/$10 To-Go medium/xl Classic Flavors - $16/$30 Vegan, No added Sugar & Signature Flavors - $20/$33 I devoured everything in 5 minutes

Stumbled on this place by accident and am so glad I did. It's tiny, with a little seating area in the back. But the gelato? Oh man, the gelato. Creamy and tasty and flavorful with no "iciness" at all. It's not cheap, but I pretty much licked my cup clean. You can also get a half-half (two flavors in one cup) to try even more tastes... which is what I'm going to do again when I come back for more flavors!

I can honestly say this place has the best pistachio gelato I had ever had outside of Europe! It's my favorite gelato place in town, although the price makes it a pricey and once in a while treat.

The door is really heavy and I thought it was locked when I first arrived. After trying the door to the kitchen and the exit, I made it inside. It was worth the struggle and embarrassment. The gelato was so flavorful and creamy. The staff was very friendly and helped me to choose two flavors that did not disappoint.

A bit pricey and moderately tasty. Bring the price down to create a value. Also, the location is awkwardly resting between three streets. That said, there is a cute patio that can be approached from the driveway behind the shop. Let's make it better!