I studied abroad in Italy during my junior year of college, but my love of gelato started much earlier. Gelato is Italy’s, far superior, version of ice cream. Gelato is typically made with milk, whereas ice cream is made with cream. It is also churned at a slower rate than ice cream, meaning that gelato has less air incorporated into it. The Gelato Bar & Espresso Cafe in Studio City is, in my opinion, the best gelato in L.A.

Located on the busy street of Tujunga, options for parking are limited to paid street parking in front of the store or, if you don’t mind walking a bit, free street parking in a nearby neighborhood.

This quirky little cafe is painted a bizarre combination of colors and stripes, but all together it makes for a charming place to sit and enjoy some gelato. With classic flavors like stracciatella (chocolate chip), marscapone (cinnamon), and pistacchio (pistachio) and all the flavors in both Italian and English, this gelataria feels very authentic. However, the Gelato Bar also has more non-tradition options, sometimes including Thai tea, peanut butter, or red-velvet. The fruit sorbets are also richly flavorful and delicious, made with water instead of milk. For years now, my favorite flavor has been a sorbet: ‘arancia rossa’ (blood orange). Stracciatella and pistacchio were favorites of mine in Italy, and the Gelato Bar does them both justice.

They generously give you 3 samples before you have to commit to a flavor, and over the years I have tried most. This time, I went with my classic combination: arancia rossa and stracciatella, but I have yet to try a flavor I didn’t like. Every gelato also comes with a pirouette cookie. The piccolo (small) size can fit up to two gelato flavors, and is very generously packed. I miss Italy all the time, but the Gelato Bar makes it feel not so far away.

4342 Tujunga Ave.

North Hollywood, CA 91604