Virginia Beach residents have a new reason to celebrate with the opening of Sweet & Spice Gelato, a high-quality artisanal gelato shop that’s quickly gaining popularity. This establishment has distinguished itself through its commitment to craftsmanship and quality, creating gelato that locals describe as “a brief encounter with bliss.” Unlike typical ice cream shops, Sweet & Spice uses specialized Italian machinery to produce small daily batches that maintain optimal freshness and consistency.
When to Stop by
What distinguishes Sweet & Spice Gelato is their unique production process that incorporates less air than conventional ice cream, resulting in a distinctively dense, creamy texture that delivers maximum flavor impact. The shop operates Wednesday through Sunday from 1 pm to 9 pm, giving beach-goers and locals plenty of opportunities to satisfy their sweet cravings. Each scoop represents hours of careful preparation and attention to detail, reflecting the owners’ dedication to bringing authentic Italian gelato culture to Virginia Beach’s food scene.
The Menu
Sweet & Spice Gelato offers an impressive array of flavors that cater to traditional gelato enthusiasts while also enticing adventurous palates. Their extensive menu features classics like Vanilla Bean, Double Chocolate, and Strawberry alongside innovative combinations that push culinary boundaries.
Standout specialty flavors include the intriguing Goat Cheese with Blueberry Swirl, which balances tangy and sweet notes, and the unexpectedly delicious Peach Jalapeño that marries fruit sweetness with gentle heat. These unique offerings have quickly become local favorites, marked with the shop’s distinctive running cone logo.
The menu is thoughtfully organized by type, clearly distinguishing between milk-based gelatos and dairy-free sorbets like Lemon, Apple Cider, and the refreshing Watermelon Sea Salt. Seasonal specials rotate throughout the year, with flavors like Pumpkin Spice with Roasted Pumpkin making appearances in fall and Holiday Cranberry Gelato brightening winter months.
For those seeking bold flavor experiences, options like Chocolate Chipotle, Basil Mojito sorbet, and even the surprising Tomato Basil sorbet demonstrate the shop’s commitment to culinary creativity and providing something for every palate.
Sweet & Spice Gelato takes allergen management seriously, implementing comprehensive protocols to protect customers with dietary restrictions. Their production sequence starts with allergen-free flavors like chocolate and vanilla before progressing to those containing gluten, and finally ending with nut-based varieties.
Between batches, equipment undergoes cleaning, with a full disassembly and sanitization process at the day’s end. This systematic approach significantly reduces cross-contamination risks while maintaining the integrity of each flavor profile.
The Quality at Sweet & Spice
Every aspect of their operation has been carefully designed to maximize quality control. Their dedication to using individual scoops for each gelato variety prevents flavor cross-contamination, while the strategic organization of their display cabinet keeps nut-containing products isolated in specific sections.
For customers curious about the difference between gelato and ice cream, Sweet & Spice educates on the key distinctions: gelato’s slower churning process (resulting in only 20% air compared to ice cream’s 60%), lower fat content (5-8% versus ice cream’s 10%+), and warmer serving temperature (15°F instead of 5°F) that allows for a more intense flavor experience.
