You don’t need to travel to Italy to taste the world’s best chocolate ice cream; just stroll down Calle Triana in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria to find a small gelato shop, tucked between the shops and cafés.
There, at number 36, you'll find Dassie Gelato, quietly serving what many consider the finest chocolate ice cream on the planet.
Dassie Gelato has earned top honours from Italy’s prestigious Gambero Rosso guide, but the story behind it begins in a small village near Treviso. It was there that Fabio and Antonella Canzian first shared their passion for artisanal ice cream, a passion their son Stefano would later transform into a global vision rooted in family, flavour, and excellence.
Their chocolate gelato is rich, creamy, and delicately intense and has claimed several awards, including first place at Italy’s national championship in 2010 and a finalist spot in the 2012 European Championship. But chocolate is just the beginning.
At Dassie Gelato, visitors can also enjoy flavours like natural vanilla, mascarpone with hazelnuts and amaretti, white chocolate with hazelnuts, and even tropical twists such as polvito uruguayo. There are also bold combinations like chocolate with paprika and their popular “Oro Verde” pistachio flavour, hailed by regulars as another must-try. Freshly made milkshakes and granizados (a traditional Spanish frozen drink) complete the menu.
The story behind Dassie began in the 1980s, when Fabio and Antonella worked in the renowned Gelateria Canzian. Their son Stefano grew up immersed in the world of artisanal gelato and by age 19 had set his sights on taking Italian ice cream international. In 2008, he took over the most famous gelateria in Treviso. Today, Dassie has become a name synonymous with gelato excellence, and the Las Palmas shop marks his first location outside of Italy.
Stefano’s long-term goal is to bring handmade gelato into the world of fine dining, not just as a dessert, but as an integral part of the culinary experience. And he remains committed to training his team, honouring traditional methods, and never compromising on quality.
Dassie Gelato is open daily from 11:00am to 9:30pm at Calle Triana 36, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. It promises a taste of Italy here in the Canary Islands.
