Tondi Gelato

This is the real deal Gelato! It is creamy and rich in taste. I highly recommend this spot. They only use high end ingredients. No color or artifical flavors. I highly recommend the Pistachio Gelato made with the real nuts. They also got Vegan options. The owner is very friendly and originally Italian. He knows how to make Gelato.

Tondi Gelato was such a great find. We went here with my family after seeing all the amazing reviews, and honestly the reviews did not fail us at all. One of the first things that stood out was the huge variety of flavors, many of which were dairy-based, which was actually a surprise in the best way. The service was super sweet and friendly, and they had no problem letting each of us try three to four flavors. Everything looked so good we could not decide, and they were so patient with us while we figured it out. We all ended up getting different flavors, and every single one hit. The hazelnut was by far my absolute favorite. So rich, creamy, and full of flavor. The coconut was right up there with it, and those two are definitely my go to choices now. My mom had the pistachio and loved how creamy and smooth it was. My dad went with some mixed berry flavors and was very happy with his choice. Also got to shout out the homemade waffle cone. It had the perfect crunch and did not get soggy even after holding all that gelato. It held up till the last bite. Prices were really fair for the quality of gelato you get, and the whole experience felt worth it from start to finish. If you are ever near the area, I would absolutely recommend giving this spot a visit. You will probably end up going back for more.

Absolutely love this gelato shop! They offer such a generous variety of flavors — there’s something for everyone, including great vegan options. You can really taste the quality in every scoop. The flavors are rich, vibrant, and clearly made with top-notch ingredients. My personal favorites are peach, chocolate, guava, and pistachio — each one is unbelievably delicious.

Hands down the best ice cream we ever had! The flavors were superb and the staff were patient and generous with us tasting and trying to figure out what flavors to get. The passion fruit tasted as if someone just picked a passion fruit off a tree. A must stop for real artisan craft gelato lovers.

If I lived in SB - I would be here every day. Delicious gelato with many flavours available to try! I’ll be back again the next time I’m in town!

Tondi is a must-do every time I'm in Santa Barbara! I take everyone here and recommend it to anyone I'm not with. I'm also vegan and they have SO MANY delicious dairy-free flavors. My husband and I love Tondi so much we came here after our elopement at the courthouse. Since we didn't have a traditional reception, this was our "cake cutting" moment. How lucky was I that they had all three of my favorite flavors that day: dark chocolate, frutti di bosco, and almond!!

Tondi Gelato is hands down the best gelato I’ve ever had. It’s truly authentic to the Italian style—smooth, rich, and not overly sweet. You can taste how fresh and natural the ingredients are in every bite. The flavors are perfectly balanced and clearly made with care. Absolutely a must-visit if you’re in Santa Barbara.

Tondi gelato is a good place..! I tried hazelnut, mango and strawberry flavours and all of theme were so delicious and creamy.

This charming little spot in the heart of downtown is a must-try for gelato lovers. They offer an impressive variety of vegan ice cream flavors, making it a great destination for everyone. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, which enhances the overall experience. We had the Tiramisu, Mango, Pistachio, and Hazelnut Chocolate flavors, and each one was absolutely delicious. The flavors were rich and distinct, and the texture was perfect. Whether you're a vegan or just looking to try something new, this place has something to delight your taste buds. With its cozy atmosphere and fantastic gelato, it's a gem worth visiting. I'll definitely be returning to explore more of their offerings!

Delicious gelato! Staff is very friendly and they give free samples for you to try before you order, which is a PLUS because there are so many great flavors there for you to try. We decided on the pistachio/tiramisu and lemon/passion fruit. I would say we chose fabulous combos if you like "creamy" and "fruity/tarty" flavors respectively. Everything tasted delicious. Even though it was a bit chilly and windy outside, we were able to enjoy the dessert. Prices are reasonable, credit cards are accepted, and there's street parking nearby.

Love this place, I couldn't tell you how many times I've gone. It's a hidden gem (albeit on the busiest street in Santa Barbara). The gelato flavors are always rotating, with some constants always on the menu, and they let you have as many samples as you wish. The flavors are the freshest I've ever tasted - probably because they make every flavor in house from the item the gelato is named after. My favorites are Stracciatella and Strawberry, but their Pistachio is amazing too. They have vegan options which is really cool!

Once again this was a "must stop at" dessert place while at the Farmers Market today. We love the changing vegan flavors as well as the staple flavors. Today I had a due of the vegan lemon and the key lime. It didn't disappoint. The freshness and tartness are phenomenal. Hubby had the duo of pistachio and almond. Another two great flavors we tried for the first time. I am hoping someday in the future you can make a vegan salted caramel. As usual the staff are super friendly and the prices are reasonable for a tourist spot.

After having a hefty BBQ lunch across the street, we had to get some gelato for dessert. We got the large where you can choose 1-4 flavors in one cup for only $8! We got pistachio, chocolate hazelnut, debi, and mango. The mango and chocolate hazelnut were our favorites. The mango was so sweet and refreshing while the chocolate hazelnut was rich and tasty. Definitely recommend coming by if you have a chance!

Very good gelato. In fact I don't think I have had better in Italy. The fruit flavors are especially strong and intense (guava, mango). Located inside Paseo Nuevo shopping mall (lots of nice shops and desserts, but surprisingly no good restaurants).

Amazing! Fresh and bright flavors! The line was out the door for a reason, this place is so good. Every flavor we chose was so good and refreshing.

I had heard great things about this gelato place and I am glad I decided to stop by! This is the perfect dessert to have after a big meal! I got a small gelato for $6 which is a great deal as you can choose up to 2 flavors and they also add whipped cream! I got the hazelnut chocolate and strawberry cream both were very creamy and delicious! All the gelato is also made there which is why you cannot get this anywhere else! The shop tends to be crowded but the line moves fairly quickly. Great place!

Yup, my girlfriends and I stopped by for a sweet finish to our lunch meal. They offer samplings of their flavors, and it was difficult to choose, but I, preferring fruity flavors, went with guava and lemon, and it was a perfect coupling. A balance of tart, tangy, fruit sweetness, I was sad that bottom of my cup showed up so quickly.

This was the best gelato! The gelato was authentic and was scooped from these metal tins so we knew they were serious about their gelato. They had amazing flavors, my favorite was pistachio. The passion fruit was a little tangy for me. Get it in a waffle cone!

You can select 2 different flavors to be in the smallest cup. The strawberry was tart & sour. The pistachio tasted like the nut in the beginning but realized it tasted more like coffee than it did pistachio

One of the most delicious gelato I've had in a long time. Everything tastes as you would imagine. The pear gelato had a nice fresh pear taste. It was light but still flavorful without any artificial flavoring. The passion fruit panna cotta tasted exactly like a panna cotta with swirls of passion compote through it. Truly enjoyable. I only wish there was one closer to home for us and we didn't have to drive to Santa Barbara for this.

Amazing gelato, some of the best we've ever tried, possibly *the* best. It's rich, creamy, and absolutely delicious. We tried chocolate hazelnut, salted caramel, straciatella, milk chocolate, and coffee, and each one was incredible. They also have granita, which I haven't seen in the States since Italy, though sadly no pistachio or almond flavors.

We got a grande 1 to 4 flavors, we were also allowed to sample several of them before ordering, we finally landed on Pistachio, chocolate, tiramasu, and coffee. Great tasting and top-notch customer service.

I was literally telling my friends I was craving some good gelato and literal minutes later we walk by here which def was a sign haha I ordered a mix of passion fruit and peach and was v good We all ordered the smallest size which was fine because we still got a lot despite the small size Very pretty and very yummy You can also get a cute dollop of whipped cream on top if you want

A hole-in-the-wall spot serving up delicious, authentic gelato in Downtown SB -- stopped by while shopping in the area and can't recommend it enough. The staff is super efficient and the line moved quickly. There's even a small outdoor seating area with tables and chairs! There are tons of vegan flavors, as well as the Italian classics. The small option has up to two flavors with a fairly generous serving size, and we got the Tiramisu and Chocolate Hazelnut to share. Both flavors were delicious, cannot recommend enough for a sweet treat!

Tondi Gelato in Santa Barbara is a must-visit despite the inevitable line--it's that good! The small but charming shop offers decent outdoor seating or a chance to explore the quaint streets and nearby shops while you eat. Once you get your hands on their gelato, you'll understand why the wait is worth it. The flavors are absolutely delicious, with options like tiramisu and caramel hitting the mark perfectly. Don't miss the chance to treat yourself to these delightful flavors--it's a gelato experience you won't soon forget!

I visit SB often but today was the first time I went to Tondi Gelato and O. M. G. It was sooooo good!!! I ordered the Chocolate Hazelnut and loooved it! It reminded me of Nutella and Ferror Roche chocolate. I also tasted the Espresso which was also delicious. I can't wait to go back again The people serving us were all so nice too! I will definitely be coming back soon! I only wish they had toppings like chopped roasted almonds to go on top of the gelato. Still just delicious!

One of the best gelato spots I've ever tried hands down. My family and I stopped by as we were walking around Downtown Santa Barbara, and we just had to get our sweet tooth on. There was a small line, but it was moving quite fast. It's more like a grab-and-go ordering window. There are a good amount of flavors, with a variety of both fruity and others that are more decadent. I got the Tiramisu and the Stracciatella. I truly think the Tiramisu is one of the best gelato flavors I've ever had. The texture of their gelato is also incredibly creamy but also relatively light. I also feel like their portions are bigger than most gelato shops. Definitely a solid dessert spot to stop by when browsing around the downtown area :-).

THE BEST GELATO IN CALIFORNIA! James the owner is an absolute gem and his gelato is super authentic ITALIAN! It is honestly a must everytime I go to Santa Barbara. Nothing beats the freshness of the ingredients, the amazing flavors. Absolutely recommended!!!!! Service is always great! The place is super cute and it's in a perfect location where you can also sit at tables outside. Perfect place to people watch!

I saw this place at 4.9 stars on Google and yelp and was really excited to have dessert here. Was so disappointed the flavors were incredibly bland. it's probably one of the first time in my life where I actually didn't finish my dessert because it simply wasn't worth the calories.

The flavors are amazing! The first time I went, the owner/ manager told me all about how it was started and gave me some sample tastes. They were making the guava gelato and had all the fresh cut guava right there. It smelled so aromatic. I love the traditional way they make the gelato and keep it in the metal containers with lids!! This process makes it all taste fresh and delicious! I've been back a few times in the past year since and although I haven't seen the owner, the workers are young, lively, and friendly.

The best Gelato in town must try beautiful location and delicious Gelato! What else would you want. Also service was great.

I would like to travel to Italy one day. For now, trips to Tondi Gelato will have to suffice. But I have no complaints, their treats are tasty! You will find this gelateria at the Paseo Nuevo shopping center, facing State Street. Parking garages, public lots, and parallel parking spots are all available nearby and free for the first 75 minutes. It's a very small shop, with room for maybe four to six standing patrons. No tables inside, but seating can be found throughout the mall. They use high quality ingredients to prepare their gelato on-site. Fruits are procured from the Santa Barbara Farmers Market to be squeezed and peeled; so you won't find artificial syrups here. Vanilla beans are imported from Madagascar to be freshly sliced and scraped; no extracts here either. They even prepare pie crusts for their Key Lime Pie flavor. All are made from scratch to ensure everything is natural. Their menu has 20 different options to choose from, with half being vegan and dairy-free. Feel free to sample a couple before making your decision. Homemade whipped cream topping is complimentary, but you can opt out. Chocolate (Vegan) was lush and decadent, while the Hazelnut (Not Vegan) was creamy and had a nice subtle toastiness to it. Excellent consistency and texture overall. Definitely coming back more often during the summer months, but their gelato is certainly enjoyable all year round!

Small cup 1/2 honeycomb lavender 1/2 tiramisu Honeycomb lavender 9.78/10- this was PHENOMENAL. I was so happy cause while we were in line they just came out with this flavor and I've never seen it before. The lavender taste was so fresh and creamy, it had a pleasant floral taste. It tasted a little like cotton candy but floral. The honey flavor complemented it perfectly too and I loved how they had small pieces of honeycomb mixed into the gelato. Tiramisu 1000/10- my absolute favorite gelato/icecream. The best. I love how the lady fingers are mixed into it too. So creamy and delicious. This is my favorite gelato/icecream place ever. Every day the flavors are made fresh and they are incredible. They offer so many vegan options too.

The gelato tastes absolutely amazing. I ordered mango and strawberry cream. They are creamy but really refreshing, and you can really taste the quality of the ingredients. I also ordered another pint to take home since it's just THAT GOOD!

Located in the south part of Paseo Nuevo this place is gelato satisfaction. I will warn you, it will traje time to decide on what flavor you want. They have dairy free options as well! Definitely pet friendly have pupgelatos as well. The various sizes that they provide allow you for more than one flavor. I got the tiramisu with the vanilla cream. They give you the option for whipped cream on top. The gelato is perfect for a post dinner dessert and it is opened late.

I absolutely adore this place! Every time I am downtown, I try to make a stop for gelato here. It could be considered a bit pricey, but for the flavors and sweet treat satisfaction, I think it's worth it. The shop itself is small and I often find myself in a line, but it always moves fast and the workers are always so patient and kind! There's outdoor seating but I also love eating my gelato while taking a stroll. The gelato itself is sooo good. I take everyone I know here and they all agree. The fruit flavors actually taste like the fruit and oftentimes have a nice tartness! My personal favorites are the hazelnut flavors but I've enjoyed every flavor I've tried here. They have seasonal flavors too and I always like to see what they are! I would definitely recommend trying this place at least once, especially if you're looking for a sweet treat during a trip downtown!

Probably the best gelato we've had in the United States... Same quality as what we experienced in Italy and Sicily

This is a small shop in the downtown area of SB. My friend and I shared a cup with Stracciatella, Honeycomb Lavender, and Pistachio. 5/5 for the the Lavender omg, you HAVE to get it if it's still there. I always love Stracciatella too since I enjoy the chocolate chips adding texture to the smoothness of the cream. The pistachio was good but it didn't stand out to me.

Gelato was good~ the texture was very smooth! To be honest, I prefer hard ice cream over gelato but that's a personal preference. I like how there are vegan options. I got the mango (vegan) and tiramisu (non vegan). Mango had a very fresh mango taste. Tiramisu was my favorite tho!!! I tried some of my families gelatos as well, and the dark chocolate was really good. I would recommend getting a tiramisu/dark chocolate combo :)

Stumbled upon Tondi Gelato while strolling around Paseo Nuevo. It was some of the BEST gelato I've ever had!! The gelato is made from scratch and not too sweet.

This small gelato shop is a must anytime you are in the area. The texture of this treat is unmatched and simply melts in your mouth. The staff is kind and works quick even if there is a line. I wish we could go back and try every flavor. I definitely recommend.

Did you know the difference between gelato and ice cream? In one word... TEXTURE. Gelato has generally less sugar, fat, air and more of the actual flavor. So.. more gusto! Tondi Gelato makes everything fresh, right here, entirely from scratch with no premade bases or anything artificially. I got a small cup of pistachio and hazelnut with some whipped cream on top. Price was $5. So incredibly fresh and yummy! Definitely recommend!

Could not give this place 5 stars fast enough. I would almost venture to say, that if you're ever in the Santa Barbara area or even passing through, that this is a MUST visit. The gelato is quite possibly the best I've had in all of California - and almost everywhere I go, I try the gelato. The non-vegan options are all made to perfection, perfect amount of flavor and texture. The vegan ones are amazing as well - I had the lemon and pear on separate days and both tasted incredible - not overpowering on the sugary side but enough tanginess to really taste great. The chocolate hazelnut is my favorite flavor of all - so far - and would go out of my way to stop here, even if I was only passing through! Well done!

I was excited to try Tondi Gelato and saved it as a surprise for when I brought people to SB. As much as the word 'artisanal' is used/overused Tondi Gelato's actually is artisanal with their fruit gelatos actually using real fruit and not syrup. I didn't think that would make a difference but once I tried a sample of strawberry and pineapple it made a world of difference. The shop itself is small and there can be a line, but it's understandable once you realize that it's mostly because people are probably having a hard time deciding what to get after trying out all their flavors. The staff are always friendly and patient though and definitely let you try or re-try as many flavors before you make your decision. I don't have any photos because my eagerness to eat the gelato is greater than documenting it for Yelp.

They had a large array of vegan options. As a dairy free queen, I was so thankful for all the accommodating options. The long line went super quick at 10pm. The interior is clean and looks like an Italian spot in the middle of downtown Santa Barbara!

(Overall: A) - I love the rotating assortment of fresh fruit flavors they have to capture whats in season. There are some batches that I consistently like more than others such as mango, guava, and passionfruit. There are others like strawberry that are more seasonal to accommodate for the sweetness of the fruit. Regardless of flavor though, all the gelato has incredibly silky and creamy texture which is try impressive. All the gelato is made in house and truly one of the highlights of the Santa Barbara food scene.

OMG, this place is the spot. I love desserts that satisfy your sweet tooth but don't taste artifical and gross. Tondi is so refreshing and you can taste how fresh the ingredients are. I want to BRB and move to Santa Barbara for the purpose of being close to this place! It's a small little shop but churns out amazing GELATO. FAVE ITEMS - Mango, Passion Fruit, and Cream: this combo is heavenly, trust me. The flavors are all refreshing but the cream gives it a creaminess that just tastes heavenly and balances the more fruity mango and passion fruit. So delicious! SERVICE: they are fast, but the line can be a bit long! They were happy to give samples. PARKING: fortunately a bunch of 90 minute free parking lots around SB. PRICE: decent, $5-7 for a cup. It's cheaper than McConnell's though which was subpar compared to Tondi, so worth it IMO. My next stop to SB, you know I'll be heading here. Definitely one of my favorite gelato places in general.

I absolutely love it when after dinner you and your dining companions are thinking of the same dessert. Gelato it is! Using the Yelp app, we found this sweet little gem. We were offered samples and simply loved their popular Hazelnut Chocolate. I made mine half Key Lime as well. It was amazing. Loved the little bits of Graham in my key Lime. Would definitely recommend!

Delicious gelato place! I loved all of their flavors (focus on fresh, natural fruit flavors like apricot, watermelon, etc). I got the peach and coconut with their house made whipped cream and it was amazing. Highly recommend coming here after a dinner nearby!

One of my favorite dessert spots in SB! If you're in the downtown area, be sure to check it out. They have a variety of flavors available, including vegan sorbet options and richer flavors. The workers are always super friendly, and you can sample the flavors beforehand to pick the ones you like! Prices are reasonable, and the gelato is creamy and delicious without being overly sweet. I don't think I've had a flavor here that I've disliked!

Tiny gem on State Street for gelato and more! I ordered a Spiced Apple Cider but they also have hot chocolate! My husband ordered the waffle cone whichis the large size $8 and you can choose up to 3 different flavors! We found a place outside to watched passerbys. I definitely recommend this gelato place when you are in Santa Barbara!

OMG! The gelato here is delizioso! I loved the tiramisu and Nutella flavors! It's such a cute shop and the employees are so nice! They even offered me samples which I'm usually too shy to ask for. This is one of my two favorite "sweet fix" spots in SB now! I enjoyed every second walking down State with my gelato cone! Grazie! :)

Walking down State Street at night in the summer has to be a key activity in Santa Barbara. State Street is closed off to most vehicle traffic and so perfect for pedestrian strolls so it is such a great way to check out all the shops on that long stretch. We saved room for dessert after dinner and hoped to find some great ice cream/gelato options. Tondi is a chic gelateria. We each chose small scoops and they were delicious. The flavors are natural and intensely full flavored. We ordered mango, peach, and hazelnut and all were delicious. They have both vegan and full-cream options and good amounts of both. Quality and taste were both there. Love this spot.

Tondi Gelatos is by far the best gelato I've ever had. We tried chocolate chip, pistachio, and hazelnut chocolate

Okay, i have never considered coming to this place with McConnell's and Rori's close by. But a Yelp Elite friend told me this place was delicious so we went together. Their flavors rotate based on fruits available which impressed me since stores tend to use artificial flavors. Not this place! I sampled a few flavors and was blown away by the natural flavors. I chose coconut and meringue because I was craving something sweet and these two were phenomenal. I thoroughly enjoyed my cup and wanted a second. The staff was also friendly and offered me any sample I wanted. There is an area outside to sit at while you eat. Definitely a place to try out!

Stopped by on a weekend night for some dessert and found my new favorite spot for dessert in SB. The shop was small and cozy. Plentiful outdoor seating around the shop. Service was quick and very friendly! I was able to sample a few flavors. I got the hazelnut (absolutely divine) and wild cherry (with juicy bits of cherry). I appreciate the huge selection of flavors and vegan options. Overall, great gelato and quite affordable too.

BEST GELATO I have had since I was in Italy. Truly, this gelato made feel like we were back on the streets of Florence. This sweet family place serves if a variety of delicious gelato. My husband enjoyed a cup with pistachio, hazelnut and espresso gelato and I enjoyed lavender honeycomb and chocolate hazelnut. We will be back when the weather finally heats up to try their fruit flavors.

Loved the flavors of gelato here. They tend to focus on seasonal fresh fruits which is awesome. Many tropical varieties to enjoy during the summer months. Location is excellent - right in Paseo Nuevo mall on state street. You can pick up the gelato and walk in Paseo Nuevo courtyard to find a seat by the open air fire place in the mall, providing great ambience. I have found the staff to be friendly and helpful every time I have visited. Highly recommend Tondi.