Gelato & aMore: Authentic Italian Gelato in Fort Collins

Rating: 8.3 / 10 | Rank: #5

Fort Collins, CO

Gelato & aMore occupies a unique spot in the Fort Collins frozen dessert landscape. This isn't an ice cream shop that also happens to serve gelato. This is a gelato shop, full stop — built around authentic Italian techniques, imported equipment, and a genuine commitment to the craft. If you know the difference between gelato and ice cream and you care about that difference, Gelato & aMore is worth your attention.

The Gelato

First, a quick note for readers who might not be familiar: gelato is not just Italian ice cream. It's a different product — less butterfat, less air incorporation, served at a slightly warmer temperature. The result is denser, smoother, and more intensely flavored than traditional American ice cream. When it's done right, gelato delivers flavor in a way that hits differently.

Gelato & aMore does it right. They use imported Italian equipment — the same machines you'd find in a gelateria in Florence or Rome — and the difference shows in the texture. Their gelato is silky, dense, and coats the palate with a richness that belies its lower fat content. The flavors come through clean and bright.

Their pistachio is a good litmus test. In a proper gelateria, pistachio should taste like actual pistachios — nutty, slightly savory, a little sweet. Not the neon green, artificially flavored version you find at lesser shops. Gelato & aMore's pistachio passes this test. Their stracciatella, hazelnut, and dark chocolate are similarly authentic and well-executed.

The Sorbet

If the gelato is good, the sorbet might be even better. Gelato & aMore's fruit sorbets are vibrant, clean, and intensely fruity. They taste like the fruit they're made from, which is a deceptively simple bar that many places fail to clear. For dairy-free customers, the sorbet selection is a genuine highlight — not a consolation prize but a destination in its own right.

The Niche Factor

Here's where we get into honest territory: gelato is a niche product in a market that overwhelmingly prefers American-style ice cream. When most people in Fort Collins say they want ice cream, they mean ice cream — rich, creamy, served in a waffle cone with that familiar density and sweetness.

Gelato is a different experience. It's lighter, more flavor-forward, served in smaller portions. Some people absolutely love that. Others try gelato expecting ice cream and come away feeling like something was missing. Neither reaction is wrong — they're just different products.

This means Gelato & aMore's appeal, while genuine, is inherently more narrow than a traditional ice cream shop. If you're looking for the best ice cream in Fort Collins in the classic sense — the big scoops, the waffle cones, the 40-flavor case — shops like Glacier Ice Cream are going to be a better fit. But if you want authentic gelato, Gelato & aMore is the real deal.

Atmosphere and Service

The shop has a warm, European-inflected feel that suits the product. It's a pleasant place to sit with a cup of gelato and take your time. Service is friendly and knowledgeable — the staff can explain the differences between their offerings and help you find something you'll enjoy.

The Verdict

Rating: 8.3 / 10

Gelato & aMore earns its spot at number five on our Best Ice Cream in Fort Collins list by doing something no one else in town does — serving genuinely authentic Italian gelato made the right way with the right equipment. The gelato is excellent, the sorbet is outstanding, and the experience is a welcome change of pace from the typical scoop shop.

The slightly lower ranking reflects the niche positioning rather than any lack of quality. In a head-to-head gelato comparison, Gelato & aMore would rank at the very top. In a broader Fort Collins frozen dessert ranking that includes American-style ice cream, the narrower appeal and smaller audience keep it in the top five rather than the top two. But for gelato lovers, this place is a treasure.

This review is part of our Best Ice Cream in Fort Collins coverage. See the full top 10 list for all of our picks.