My blog is all about the things I like. Obvious by the title. So the other day I realized I had done a great disservice to you by failing to mention one of my favorite places to eat in St. Pete, Paciugo Gelato & Caffe. Please forgive me. We’ve been going there for a few years now. It’s a special treat for the whole family. We often take family and friends visiting from out of town there for the best gelato in St. Petersburg.
We like that it’s located on Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete among cute shops and has a great view of North Straub Park and the waterfront. However, we LOVE the gelato so much, we’d eat it at one of my least favorite places, Tyrone Mall. It’s just so GOOD!
I love so many of the flavors, but my favorites are Tres Vanillas, Mediterranean Sea Salt Caramel, Amarena (dark cherry) and Viola (Violet). On our visit last week I tried the Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar and the Honey Ginger-Fig Swirl. I especially loved the latter. When you go, make sure you get lots of free samples. In the smallest cup you can get up to three flavors, 4 flavors in the medium and 5 in the large. Dan and I usually each get mediums with 4 flavors then share with the boys. You pick your own flavor combinations, but they also have some suggestions for you.
There’s a fair amount of seating in the cafe and outside, but it’s a very popular downtown destination. Dan and I prefer the regular tables but Alistair and Wesley love sitting at the brightly colored kids table. I wish I had a photo of us trying to sit in these tiny chairs, but here’s a cute one of Wesley hogging mommy’s the gelato cup instead.
I recommend getting your gelato and then eating it at North Straub Park and enjoying the view of the Bay and the St. Pete Pier. Afterwards, take a stroll drown Beach Drive and visit the shops, like Agora and Savory Spice Shop. Or have an awesome daytime Beach Drive date with your sweetie. Get some lunch at BellaBrava (Italian food), check out the Chihuly Collection (amazing blown glass art) and then end it with gelato. Warning: This is an awesome date, but not a cheap date. For a less expensive date, bring a picnic lunch to the park and end it with gelato.
Now I feel the need to mention that Mazzaro’s Italian Market on 22nd Avenue also serves delicious gelato, but that’s another St. Pete local favorite so it gets crazy busy. It also closes much earlier and has fewer flavor options. Paciugo is a better option for an after dinner treat in my opinion. I’ll have to blog about Mazzaro’s another time.
Have you been to Paciugo? What are your favorite flavors? I know you have more than one 
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Paciugo Gelato & Caffe
300 Beach Dr, Ste. 120
St Petersburg, FL 33701
I used to work there years ago when it first opened. I have tried all the flavors. It is best to think about how to mix them together. So take your favorite flavor and make your “messy concoction” (which is what Paciugo means). All combinations are encouraged!
I think my favorites are Panacotta (wedding cake) with Strawberry Balsamic Vinegar. This makes a strawberry shortcake concoction. Don’t be afraid of the Balsamic Vinegar! All it does it enhance the strawberry flavor! You don’t taste it at all. I also love the Sea Salt Caramel, Banana Flambe, and Chocolate Hazelnut (just like Nutella!).
I’ll have to try that strawberry shortcake combo. Sounds good. I have to worry about my little boy’s allergies since we usually share. I can experiment more when my husband takes me there on a date.