il Laboratorio del Gelato

Editorial Review

by Contributor at Citysearch

With more than 100 flavors, this gelato and sorbet shop in the Lower East Side is one the leading suppliers of New York restaurants.

03/26/07

Best Chocolate Gelato

by ktthalady at Citysearch

This is definitely the best gelato I've tasted anywhere. Very rich and creamy. You HAVE to try the dark chocolate, it's basically cold melted chocolate. The coconut and malt are good too. They also sell pint sized flavors at Whole Foods and several other more upscale grocery stores in NYC.

11/19/06

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!

by rajnianne at Citysearch

since first going to italy 9 years ago, i have searched high and low for the taste of the phenomenal concoctions i had every night in rome. at the laboratorio del gelato, this is the closest i have ever come. hits the spot every time.

• Pros: AMAZING gelato
• Cons: no room to sit, and the flavors change a lot so you may not see your fave next time

11/16/06

heavenly!

by bk_chic at Citysearch

This is the best gelato I've ever tasted. It makes it hard to go back to ice cream! Everything is homemade on the premises, with fresh ingredients - and you can truly taste the difference. Flavors change daily, but there is always a nice blend of classic flavors like vanilla & chocolate, with unique - but strangely delicious - creations such as honey lavendar (my favorite) and ricotta gelato. They also have delicous sorbets - the mango literally tastes like whipped fruit. I can't visit the Delancy St. area without making a stop here. I only wish they'd expand their hours!

• Pros: best gelato, unique flavors, sampling welcome
• Cons: hours of operation should be expanded

09/10/06

If you can't get to Rome, get your gelato fix here!

by trappaport at Citysearch

This is by far the best gelato in New York, and the best I've had outside Italy (for the record, the best is Il Gelato di San Crispino in Rome). Sure, Il Lab's selection of flavors is limited, but the ones they do have are simple, unique, and delicious. Try the hazelnut, honey, dark chocolate, or the creme fraiche. Their hours can be a little iffy (why aren't they open after dinner?), but if that's what it takes to make gelato this good, it's worth it. Bellissimo!

• Pros: The very best gelato in NYC
• Cons: Weird hours

04/20/06

refreshing respite!

by furgs at Citysearch

My son and I stopped by Laboratorio del Gelato after a visit to the Tenement Museum. Luckily, we stepped into the small shop when there were only 4 or 5 people in line. I had the lime and mint sorbet and the strawberry sorbet. WOW! The lime and mint was SO refreshing, tart and flavorful. The strawberry tasted exactly like fresh strawberries. I have to say that the lime was really the best I had ever had. Sure wish I had the recipe! Please stop by--and visit the Tenement Museum, too! A crowd came in as we were leaving--we timed it just right. (Sorry, we didn't try the gelato)

• Pros: sorbet flavors
• Cons: can be crowded

08/28/05

Some of the Best Ice Cream in the City

by lostingotham at Citysearch

Some of the best sorbets and gelato I have ever had (even compared to Rome). The fruit tastes just explode in your mouth! Unfortunately, they only serve a handulf of flavors by the scoop (I guess more available ready-packed).

Beware the unruly crowds that fill up their extremely tiny counter area - the last experience I had was so bad that I won't be going back anytime soon.

• Pros: delicious flavors
• Cons: closes way too early, tiny waiting area

02/09/05

Overrated

by petertcard at Citysearch

I had to have the best in NYC (which this was rated in May). Not the easiest place to find, and very disappointing. I had better on Bleecker and in Little italy.

03/25/04

Creamy Delight!

by sydneygirl at Citysearch

For the best gelato east of California, be sure to stop in and visit this modest establishment on the Lower East Side and you will see for yourself why it was voted Best of New York 2004. The owner, Jon Snyder, has a talent for producing the creamiest and tastiest gelato I've ever had. He also offers a selection of sorbets as well. Flavors like caramel, vanilla, black sesame, strawberry, and lavender are all lovely and burst with such incredible, true to the source, flavor. The last time I was there, I had the yellow plum sorbet and it was like biting into the actual fruit. Yummy!

• Pros: Great gelato, Good selection