Guimaras Mango, Ube Piaya, and Native Bibingka Gelato? Try these unique homegrown gelato flavors at this local gelato shop in Iloilo!
Gatto Gelato is an artisan gelato shop raved for their made-from-scratch gelatos crafted in small batches using only premium ingredients that are 100% natural and with no artificial flavors! The Alojado sisters had the idea of “bringing Italy to Iloilo”. Born during the pandemic while being stuck at home, reminiscing of their past travels and dreaming of eating gelato in the streets of Italy. The sisters would always find themselves craving for a good cup of gelato but couldn’t find one that was up to their standards in Iloilo. That’s when they decided to make their own… they studied, researched, and underwent training… The kitchen became their playground. Soon their flavor list got longer, successfully releasing 21 flavors already, and since they proudly lived in Iloilo City a UNESCO City of gastronomy, they wanted to shed light on the local flavors of the city with unique takes such as buttery sansrival, ube piaya, Guimaras mango, and native bibingka to name a few…
GATTO GELATO
Lower Ground Floor, SM CITY ILOILO (1st Branch)
Riverside Strip, Smallville (2nd Branch)
📞 +63 917 500-8529
FB: Gatto Gelato
IG: @gattogelatoph
ABOUT GATTO GELATO
The gelatos on display include both international and regional flavors. The owners wanted to give customers a good value for their money with each purchase. I was actually very surprised as they were so reasonably priced for a quality cup of gelato.
MENU:
Ask the Gatto Gelato crew for a sample, before deciding on what flavor you’re going to buy.
Located at the Lower Ground Floor of SM City Iloilo below the stairs conveniently near the supermarket. This branch can seat up to 20-25 pax.
While their newest branch is located at Riverside Strip, Smallville can seat up to 40-60 pax.
GELATO FLAVORS
Native Bibingka Gelato
One of Iloilo’s most popular treats is a rice cake called bibingka. A local delicacy traditionally enjoyed after the Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. Made popular all year round by the vendors in plazas near churches and in Mohon. It’s different from the usual cakey fluffy bibingka with cheese and salted egg on top we are used to. Their version is sweet, flat, and sticky, made with pilit (glutinous rice), bugas (regular rice), and lots of strips of buko.
This creamy gelato incorporates pilit rice and generous amounts of coconut shavings. A must try!
Guimaras Mango Sorbet
Lucky for them, Iloilo has mangoes all year round. It is a dairy free/vegan option because they intentionally skip out the milk and cream to let the taste of our famous Philippine Mango shine. Both locals and foreigners love this flavor.
Using the freshest, sweetest local mangoes in Iloilo! A refreshing and cool treat!
Melon Sorbet
For local fruits, it depends on what’s in season. The owners found that this year’s local melons are so fragrant and sweet so they decided to include that in our menu as well.
Deliciously refreshing! Made using local melons.
Sans Rival Gelato
Our favorite! We loved the buttery rich creamy taste of this gelato.
They used locally sourced cashews to make their own layers of crispy and thin meringue shells. It’s not overly sweet and overpowering, we highly recommend this flavor if you love nutty flavors.
Ube Piaya Gelato
Made with a toasted flaky crust and a sweet ube muscovado piaya gelato base.
This was my friend Alf’s favorite. Unfortunately, they ran out of this flavor. Something to look forward to during my next trip to Iloilo.
Dark Chocolate Gelato
My favorite flavor, that I can’t stop thinking about!!! Not too sweet with dark chocolate bits for the added texture. I love how it had just the right amount of bitterness and chocolatey goodness. A must order!
S’mores Gelato
For something fun, this chocolate gelato is made with homemade graham and marshmallow fluff torched to perfection. Yum!
The owners also recommend Cereal Milk, Tiramisu, Pistachio, Lotus Biscoff, Triple Berry Cheesecake, and Vanilla Bean.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, we loved their classic and local gelato flavors! This dessert place is a great addition to your Iloilo Food Trip and a great place to “tambay” and cool down while exploring the city.
GATTO GELATO
Lower Ground Floor, SM CITY ILOILO (1st Branch)
Riverside Strip, Smallville (2nd Branch)
📞 +63 917 500-8529
FB: Gatto Gelato
IG: @gattogelatoph
Live an Awesome Life,
ABI of Team Our Awesome Planet