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hether you prefer savoury or sweet, there is no denying that an ice-cold treat suits any palate. A go-to after a filling meal and a staple on sweltering summer days, a scoop (or two) of gelato always hits the spot. Enter Dolce Amore: a Commercial Drive staple that has been doling out house-made gelato for over two decades.

Run by ​​Daniela and Giancarlo Cusano, Dolce Amore boasts that it is the first and only grass-fed gelato shop in British Columbia. Prior to the duo taking ownership five years ago, the gelateria was founded and operated by Daniela’s parents, the Grippos, who established Dolce Amore as a community must-visit.

“Seeing the person on the other side of the case and their reaction and experience with our products brings us so much joy,” shares Daniela. “Adults come in and act like children; it really does make you feel like a kid again. Picking out flavours is one of those experiences that instantly transports you back to your youth.”

At its core, it has always been about family. “I’ve been here since I was 14, and now I have a husband and a son,” Daniela continues. “Everything we offer is something I proudly feed to my own family.” This community gathering place is deeply rooted in the uniquely Italian-Canadian culture of the Cusanos and their clientele. “We want our customers to feel like family,” she says. “We see folks who have been customers since they were kids, and now they come in as adults with their own children. We’ve even seen a few engagements here.”

The marriage between Italian and Canadian traditions is most evident in Dolce Amore’s flavour offerings. Picks such as pistachio and nocciola are classic, while less traditional taste profiles include Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Ruby Chocolate Crunch. Regardless of what you are in the mood for, Dolce Amore believes in making as many ingredients as possible in-house—including roasting and grinding their own nut butters. “From the vegan butters to our bases and our toppings, we make as much as possible from scratch,” explains Daniela. “In our Crooks + Cream, we even bake the cookies ourselves on location.”

Dolce Amore also uses established partners, such as Avalon Dairy and BC Blueberries, to ensure the best, freshest scoop every time. “Using organic milk was essential to us—not only for taste, but also to ensure that the dairy cow has been treated well,” Daniela shares. Working closely with Creekside Cheese + Creamery (another proudly B.C.-run, multigenerational family business) ensures high-quality milk, which lays the foundation for a delicious gelato. “We believe for the gelato to be good, it starts with the structure, the bones of the gelato: the milk,” she continues. “Making a subpar gelato is easy—just take a base and throw in some toppings. But for me, that lacks passion.”

The Cusanos’ commitment to supporting local businesses extends even further than the farmers and distributors who contribute to creating each batch of gelato. Partnering with other restaurants and cafes, such as their Commercial Drive neighbours Livia and Hanai, creates another form of community-building. Hanai, which is right next door to Dolce Amore, offers a miso tahini ginger cookie that is paired with the gleateria’s stracciatella.

As for what’s next, the Dolce Amore team is currently working on expanding their family with a new location in North Vancouver that will open soon. The Lonsdale offshoot will also be home to a new concept, offering affogato and other gelato-inspired beverages (think: gelato martinis) that add a bit of nightlife to the space—a nod to the original location, which has become known as a late-night spot since it’s open until 11 p.m. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, Dolce Amore is ready to welcome you into their famiglia.