Ciolato Premium Gelato - Ice cream shop in Thao Dien, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City

Ciolato sits on a quiet stretch of Nguyễn Duy Hiệu, its small indoor footprint extended by an outdoor seating area shaded by trees — the kind of setting that makes a midday sugar run feel unhurried. The gelato is Italian in method: handcrafted, dense, and portioned in large spherical scoops that have become something of a house signature. At VND 60,000 per scoop, the price holds steady, and six complimentary sprinkle toppings sit at the counter for those who want to customize. Small waffles are available as a base.

The flavor board earns attention for its range. Cheese gelato appears alongside tropical sorbet and extra matcha — not as novelty, but as a genuine attempt to push beyond the standard Italian roster. The classics are well-executed: dark chocolate and mint chocolate have repeat customers. Sorbet receives the same care as the cream-based varieties, with a clean finish and clear fruit character. For first-timers uncertain where to start, the tropical sorbet and extra matcha have drawn the most consistent praise.

The crowd skews international — expats and visitors who've sampled the city's gelato options and find Ciolato reliable enough to return to. Payments by credit card and Apple Pay keep the transaction seamless for walk-ins. The doors open at 11 AM and stay open until 9:30 PM daily, catching both the post-lunch dessert window and the evening cool-down crowd.

What separates it from the broader Thao Dien dessert scene is straightforwardness: no theatrical presentation, no elaborate aesthetic concept — just carefully made gelato in a leafy outdoor environment that rewards sitting still for twenty minutes.