Matthew P.
Yelp
I cannot overstate how great Shy Guy is!
I have been an avid gelato fan ever since first going to Italy in 2012. I'm always looking for great gelato, and I was really not expecting to find my favorite gelateria of all time in Burlington, VT! Paul makes top-tier gelato, easily the match of or better than anything I've had in Italy. The texture is perfect, and each gelato or sorbet packs an absolute wallop of flavor. They're made with fresh, quality ingredients, and you can really tell from the purity of the flavor that comes through in the final product. The cones are imported from Italy and are delicious. They've got a great crunch, and they aren't overly sweet, which keeps them from overpowering the gelato, which is of course the star of the show.
My partner and I first discovered Shy Guy when visiting in the winter (they're open fewer days in the winter, but the gelato is still incredible), and since we moved here we've been going pretty much every day that they're open. They've got new flavors daily throughout the summer, with such a massive collection of recipes that you rarely get repeats, which makes it worth following them on Instagram to check the daily flavors and make sure you don't miss out when your favorites pop up. You can mix and match flavors in a cone or a cup, which helps with the FOMO of not wanting to miss out on any of the flavors of the day. There is always at least one vegan option on the menu, so don't let a dairy intolerance or dietary restriction stop you from popping in.
The location on St Paul Street is super cute, and it's an easy walk from City Hall Park. There's shared outdoor seating with Cafe St Paul next door, and there's also a little bar inside for standing and eating at when it's cold or rainy out. We also love everyone who works there! They're all so friendly and accommodating, and they're always willing to help out when you've got analysis paralysis about which flavors to choose.
Anyway do yourself a favor and don't miss this wonderful spot!