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I had an awesome experience at the preview for the new flavors curated by Rye Bunny and Fireside Farms! Everyone was so nice, friendly, and inviting. Dolcezza holds such a special place in my heart (my boyfriend and I frequently go on impromptu date nights at the City Center location). So going to the factory and interacting with the wonderful people who make Dolcezza so magical was such a special and yummy treat!
Walked to Dolcezza, noticed the exorbitant prices, ordered a vanilla soft serve + cone anyway, was satisfied with my ice cream. That basically sums up my quick experience haha My soft serve was extremely soft, like softer than I expected. It truly melts in your mouth. The vanilla flavor was also very intense in the best way possible! All jokes aside, I thought the experience was worth the money, and I'd be back especially to try their coffee!
It's always great to make an appearance at Dolcezza and enjoy a sweet treat! There are so many flavors to choose from and they're high quality. The service is also nice as they let me sample various flavors. I ended up getting a split scoop and loved my combination! I will say that this place is always packed, so be ready to swoop an available seat both indoors and outdoors. Highly recommend Dolcezza!
An absolute must! Some of the creamiest and delicious gelato I've had! I tried the pistachio and hazelnut which were delicious and very complex. I'd recommend the berries and mascarpone with the dolce de leche chip flavors if you prefer sweeter options. The portions are very generous and I'd recommend bringing a wet wipe with you because it can get rather messy. There's some seating inside and right outside the shop. If you walk further into the plaza there's also plenty of seating there.
Ultra creamy gelato! Workers encouraged samples, of which my favorites were Pistachio Siciliano, Roasted Strawberry and Hazelnut Crackle. Service was amazing. I asked for a double to-go that would survive the subway, and they hooked it up in a coffee cup with a lid. An hour later, the gelato still held its shape and texture! During peak hours, finding a seat can be tough due to limited seating and the small space. I wasn't expecting peak hours to be so late at night - I'm impressed! Swing by if you get the chance. The shop has a wide variety of flavors, so there's something for everyone :)
I've tried two different drinks from this place on separate occasions, and both were excellent. I can't remember the name of the first drink, but the pistachio latte was absolutely delicious. I've been wanting to try their coffee for a while, and it definitely did not disappoint. The service was great, and I love that the shop is always clean, organized, and inviting. I've visited once in the morning and once in the evening, and the experience was consistently pleasant both times. Next on my list is trying the gelato!
Really yummy gelato and really fun flavors! Olive oil basil, thai coconut milk, marscapone berries, avocado orange... while also having the traditional flavors pistachio, hazelnut crunch, dark chocolate, mint chip... In those traditional metal containers not the touristy gelato piles with the toppings. Staff was extremely friendly and you can sample. A small can have 2 flavors and cost $9. Would come back to try more. I think this is a DC only local business chain.
Wow! This is some of the best ice cream I have ever had, and I have enjoyed gelato at the infamous Gelateria Dondoli in Tuscany, Italy, and top rated Leopolds in Savannah, GA. Flavors are truly unique, something you may never find anywhere else. You can get two flavors in a small bowl, and the serving size is NOT small! I enjoyed their popular MASCARPONE AND BERRIES for one flavor. It was really good. Creamy with a slight cream cheese like flavor. The fresh berries are a wonderful mix in. I paired this with ROASTED STRAWBERRY. They literally roast the strawberries before adding to the gelato. It tastes like real strawberries! It was phenominal, and my favorite of the two if I had to pick. My daughter ordered the PISTACHIO falvor, a traditional gelato offering. It was extra dense while creamy delicious. I sampled the OLIVE OIL soft serve. It tasted predominantly like vanilla. I wouldn't order this one. Expect a long line coming out of the storefront. It moves reasonably quick and is worth the wait! The staff made it a fun experience, and were not frazzled over the long line (at least didn't show it).
Had a dark chocolate gelato and a macchiato. The macchiato was the best I've had in a long time. The gelato was full of flavor and not overly sweet. It's very hard to find dark chocolate gelato, this place has it and does it good. Brought home some coffee beans to try on my own machine, hopefully it tastes half as good. Service was quick, and the people behind the counter were very friendly. Overall, not super packed in the middle of the day, was able to sit inside.
It was a warm summer day and we were walking around the city. I wanted something to cool me down. There was a line of people outside Dolcezza so we decided to join them. You can't go wrong with gelato. I went inside and ordered the two scoops with chocolate and hazelnut. The servicing sizes are much smaller than they previously were but the amount of sweetness is still there. You want more but debate if you can handle all that sugar. It was a nice treat but I felt like walking another couple of miles in order to burn it all off.
This place is located in the cutest spot! The inside is smaller but it gave a cozy feeling with everyone being close together and laughing around you. The gelato was amazing. Got half Thai coconut and half coffee chocolate chip. Both were delicious. Also had a vanilla bean cold brew and that was good but not great. The staff was very nice and helpful with recommendations.
I tend to skip ice cream shops unless I'm traveling or it's a special occasion. That said, I visited the City Center Dolcezza location recently with some out of town guests and had a nice experience. I visited on a Sunday night around 8 PM and there was a small line, going out the door by a few people. It moved quickly enough. I like the shop decor a lot, with clean lines, large windows, and a few seats. I had a large ($10ish) with three scoops: Hazelnut Crackle (like ferrero rocher), Black and White Cookie Batter, Vietnamese Cinnamon. These all worked pretty well together. The star was the Hazelnut, which did taste exactly like ferrero, which meant it was delicious. I found the cinnamon a bit to punchy on its own (like Red Hots, which I don't like), but it mellowed out when eaten with the other flavors. The Black and White Cookie did taste like one, but that also meant it was not as strong as flavor as the other two.
I got two scoops -- Italian hazelnut paired with affogato -- and they were perfectly smooth and delicious. The service was a tad slow, but that was only because a group ahead of me wanted to sample a few flavors before ordering, so there wasn't much that could be done to speed things up. I also ordered a large matcha with mango purée, and it was the perfect balance of sweet and earthy. I was told their purées are made fresh, which was great to hear -- fresh purées over syrups any day! The place was very clean, and the service overall was great. The worker was patient, friendly, and super helpful.
On a hot summer day, you definitely need to stop here for a gelato or sorbet. We got a size small which was $6 but comes with two scoops which means you can try two flavors. I got peach and mango sorbet which was pretty tasty but nothing to write home about. I could get something similar from another place. However, the gelato is what redeemed this spot for me. We got peaches and cream with dark chocolate. The peaches and cream sweetness compared to the bitter dark chocolate ended up making a great combo. Will return again if they have seasonal flavors. read more
3 years ago
4 star for their flavors, 3.5 star for the texture. We stopped by Dolcezza for dessert on a NYE and enjoyed their gelato. They let us try up to 3 flavors which was very generous -- we ended up getting xmas cookie and hazelnut flavors. Loved that their flavors are so unique, not your typical vanilla, chocolate, etc. What could've been better is the texture of their gelato. TBH it felt more like a regular ice cream than a smooth, silky, creamy gelato. Ive definitely have had a better ice cream / gelato elsewhere. Overall giving them a 4 star for a convenient location, tasty flavors, portions and an overall experience (including service). BUT, personally think Pitango has a better gelato (just more expensive and smaller portion). read more
4 years ago
"Real gelato" as I learned in Italy doesn't come in heaping piles in giant display cases but rather needs to be kept chilled in closed metal tubs, otherwise it would melt. And that's what you'll get here ROASTED STRAWBERRY Roasty fresh strawberry flavor comes through - doesn't taste artificial and tastes like a good strawberry ice cream with superior creaminess and smoothness of gelato. Highly recommend even if you don't normally go for strawberry HAZELNUT CRACKLE Hazelnut flavor with "crackles" of real hazelnut giving texture and bite to a creamy and smooth rich hazelnut flavor. Gelato here is reliable, authentic and delicious! The mascarpone and berry one was good too that my friend got which had a nice tartness from the mascarpone and hints and streaks of sweet berry cutting through rich milky, and creamy mascarpone ! read more
I'm going to be honest. I had some hesitation before my visit because when we previously got a pint of Dolcezza gelato from a Whole Foods store, I was a bit underwhelmed. After a few spoonfuls of gelato from this place, my hesitation soon melted away. Each spoonful was rich, thick, and full of flavor. Given that my visit was during the fall, I had to try the pumpkin flavor. It was truly enjoyable as the pumpkin taste came through easily without any of the strong pumpkin spices. Hazelnut and pistachio are usually my go-to gelato flavors; I loved how the flavors lingered in the mouth. I already look forward to coming back to try other flavors. read more
I enjoyed their iced hazelnut latte even though it was super windy outside. I somehow made the drink last for 2 hours because I waited for the ice to melt (I added my own ice) while I worked. The caffeine was strong enough to keep me awake through jetlag. Their gelato look (and smell) so good that we went back the next day just to try some. There were a decent number of people getting gelato, so yes, getting gelato when there's an incoming snowstorm is definitely normal. They were offering samples, but we loved the first two we sampled, so we made our decision instantly. We ordered their small gelato (tramontana and hazelnut crackle) to share between 2. Both were delicious, but it was our first time trying tramontana and we were pleasantly surprised by the crunchy dark chocolate pearls inside. It might not be for you if you prefer your gelato to be completely smooth though. Anyways, I was super excited to see WholeFoods sells Dolcezza gelato in pints, so since I missed the gelato so much, I decided to grab both flavors for myself during the recent savings deal. Not sure it's a great idea for my diet, but my taste bud should thank me. [Edit: Just tried it, the fresh gelato from the store tastes way better than the pint] read more
3 years ago
What better way to cool down on a hot, humid day, than with delicious gelato! I had been taking a walk around CityCenter and opted for a sweet treat. Dolcezza was right within the vicinity, so I stopped in. The flavor selection is limited but the portions are great. For a small cup of $7, you can get two flavors. I chose the vanilla bean and raspberry mascarpone. Firstly, the texture is nice and creamy, just like I prefer. The raspberry mascarpone has a little more of a cream cheese texture to it, which wasn't bad. The flavors were also delicious. The vanilla bean was mild in terms of sweetness. The raspberry mascarpone was deliciously reminiscent of raspberry cheesecake. Combining the two was a great pairing which I enjoyed. Staff were kind and attentive and service was quick with no issues. Overall a great experience. I'll definitely return if I'm in the area again. read more
2 years ago
The matcha & black sesame latte was delightful! I like that they are open late! More café should do the same. read more
I stopped by here on a Saturday morning and think it's a great option for coffee in dc! I ordered a vanilla latte and it was great- not too sweet and not as expensive as some other places in the area. I also got a ham and cheese croissant and loved it! There's not too much seating, one long table in the middle and a couple other tables around it. But my friends and I easily found a spot to sit at the time. I would definitely come back for more coffee and to try the ice cream. The flavors looked really unique! read more
2 years ago
Gelatos have a special place in my fams heart! This was especially special since I got to meet two very good souls. So if you're in DC near Chinatown, head to this Gelato place - Dolcezza! I had the mascarpone and berries (tart/sweet) ; Gianduja (chocolate hazelnut) and stracciatella (vanilla with chocolate shavings) - how can one go wrong? Well you can't. Delightful treat on a late cold night in DC, in such a dreamy setting. The service was amazing! read more
3 years ago
Fantastic gelato in City Centre! Staff was friendly. Shop was clean, well lit with seating both inside and out. There was a wide variety of gelatos and sorbet. Samples are available to try. I had the dark chocolate and the pb mash. Love that you can mix and match. Husband has the black and white cookie dough and on mash. We each had a small and it was plenty. The gelato was creamy and flavorful. Can't wait to go back! read more
Really enjoyed this coffee shop when visiting DC! We tried the dulce de leche latte hot and iced. Both were delicious! We also got a crossiant, warmed that was so flaky and delicious! Staff was very friendly and attentive to our needs as we waited for the drinks! I also love the location of the shop! It's amidst of some expensive clothing places so it's always clean outside. The inside has a display of available gelatos and drinks! (Side note I tried a sampling of gelato that was AMAZING! I'll have to try that on my return). This is a great place to come while in DC! read more
10 months ago
4 years ago
Was in the area for an event and wanted to try some sorbet, especially on such a hot day. It was a Saturday afternoon and there wasn't really a line at all to order. I got blueberry lavender (I think?). I know there was lavender in the name, but forgot to take a photo of their current menu, sorry! The second flavor was clementine. It took no time to get my order. I would say the quality of the sorbet was good, but nothing to rave about. It did fulfill my cravings for something refreshing, though. I think I prefer Pitango's sorbet and gelato, but I'm willing to try other flavors here in the future. I took off a star because there was a lack of seating available. Against one of the walls, you have to stand and eat. Maybe I am biased because I was walking and for 4 hours straight and was extremely tired, though. The service was very friendly, prompt, and the store felt clean and well maintained. read more
2 years ago
Great hot chocolate! Rich and delicious. Fast service. Great for a cold day even for a place that serves great gelato. read more
2 years ago
We popped buy for a post dinner treat on our walk home. I had the hazelnut gelato and omg was it delicious!!! If you are a hazelnut fan then do yourself a favor and get some bc it will make your taste buds sing! The shop is in a cute area too, fun to walk around or grab a seat near the fountain. read more
The gelato and ice cream were divine! Grapefruit gelato omg! I want another bowl! The blueberry lemonade and chai latte was so so good. Strong blueberry flavor and not overly sweet. The latte was flavored very well.oh the four star was due to rude ice cream servers who didn't speak when spoken too. read more
We made it to DC a bit late and we were looking for dessert that was still open. Dolcezza really came through with some top notch gelato. The woman working the counter was very nice. I enjoyed the Argentinian flavor (Tramontana) and also noticed that they had a nice selection of creative flavors. Dolcezza was a nice way to start our vacation! read more
4 years ago
Great flavor! Friendly staff, clean bathroom, limited seating/standing area for enjoying the ice cream. read more
The gelato here is yuummyy!!! Came here for the intention of grabbing coffee only, but I was tempted into getting some gelato as well. I ordered a cold brew, and I got a small gelato with black sesame and hazelnut crackle. Highly recommend either of these flavors. The flavors were really rich, and the gelato was really creamy. Also really loved the the hazelnut crackle had an added crispy texture to it! read more
2 years ago
Location is in a cute spot! Love the fact that you can choose 2 flavors for a small. Serving was sufficient & the dark chocolate & hazelnut crackle were super creamy & richgave a little of a European gelato vibe read more
1 year ago
We've been 3 times in 3 days - that speaks for itself. We went for the gelato and loved it so much we knew we had to return to try the coffee. The service has been incredibly friendly. We tried to get gelato again tonight, but the line was insane, so we'll try again tomorrow before we leave town. Delicious! read more
3 years ago
Place was pretty good. Moderately priced & amongst all the luxury shops was the best aspect of it. The sorbetto was better than the gelatin imho. They have gallons of milk in addition to the treats & even pints available to take home. The convenience of the location is worth mentioning as a bust after the many museums or hotels is stellar. read more
I'm a big fan of Dolcezza gelato pints at Whole Foods, so going into the actual stores is always a treat to try their seasonal flavors and everything else! Hands down one of the best gelato spots to go to in DC! Also very accessible since there's multiple locations. Service here was good! Servers were very patient and friendly, offering recommendations on flavors and samples to try. Small cup offers you the choice of 2 flavors and the large can fit 3. Overall store is very clean and a great place to hang with friends. There's tons of seating and free cups of water is always great to have! It's hard to give flavor recommendations because all the flavors I've had recently were AMAZING. Here are some of my favorites: - Coffee & Cookies: This was also my server's favorite/recommendation. A good blend of Oreos and chocolate chip cookies in a smooth vanilla ice cream. - Banana Split: Tastes like fresh bananas!! So smooth and blended with chocolate chips. - Black & White Cookie Batter: Literally tastes like you're eating a frozen black and white cookie. I don't know how else to describe this. - Pineapple Honey Lime (Sorbet): Such a unique blend of flavors! I was surprised how well these flavors complimented each other. - Sweet Potato Pecan Praline: Has a strong cinnamon taste to it! I find most gelato/ice cream places to have similar prices, usually $6-$8, so the price seems pretty standard to me. However, if you're sending this much on a dessert, definitely spend it here!! Worth the price! read more
Love this coffee shop! It was busy both times going but the customer service was amazing and the coffee and gelato was soo good ! It went here twice in 3 days. Def a must try ! Its in a cute spot of Washington! Great location read more
Good spot that's open late. The interior is nice and bright and the staff is very friendly. The ice cream flavors looked interesting but I opted for the herbal tea. It was very good quality with full flower heads inside and not the usual ground up tea leaves like most places try to pass off as tea. I will say the only thing that was off putting was the family style seating so it's tough to have privacy in your conversation and even personal space if there are kids as well as the fact there are missing seat cushions on 3 chairs in the corner that made them unusable and remove seating options. read more
2 years ago
5 years ago
Went around the area looking for a dessert place with a group of friends. This was one of the few options still open past 10pm on a weekday so we decided to try it out. The store inside is very clean with lots of seating available. They have several options from gelato to coffee and you can sample the gelato as well before ordering. I got the hazelnut crackle and stracciatella. Both were so delicious and honestly the perfect size. For the small you can choose 2 flavors. Very high quality taste. They also sell pints of the flavors they have. Overall great little shop and truly yummy gelato! read more
1 year ago
More info about Dolcezza
904 Palmer Aly Nw
Washington, DC 20001
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(202) 733-2879
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http://dolcezzagelato.com/locations/citycenterdc/
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Have they changed their roasts in the past month? The past two coffees I got seemed a bit bland.
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Dolcezza - coffee - Updated August 2026
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