Papalani Gelato Opening First South Florida Shop in Delray Beach

Delray Beach is getting a new gelato shop just in time for the scorching heat of summer. What sets this gelato apart from all others?  It's blend of Italian craftsmanship with the tropical flavors of Hawaii.

Hawaii's Papalani Gelato is set to open its first South Florida location in April at The Shoppes at Addison Place (16950 Jog Road, Delray Beach), with additional Broward and Palm Beach shops to follow. Mark Rubenstein, franchise owner for the new Delray Beach gelateria is looking forward to South Florida getting a taste of his frozen treats.

“We are thrilled with the community’s excitement to be the first South Floridians lining up for our gelato.”

The shop will offer Hawaiian-style gelato, small batch coffees, hand made chocolates, and desserts. 


What, exactly, is Hawaiian gelato? The gelato is made in-store with tropical ingredients like coconut, macadamia nuts, and pineapple to produce a dense, creamy product. Sorbettos are made with organic products and are dairy-free, gluten-free, GMO-free and vegan. Papalani Gelato CEO, Marck Shipley, says that, “consumers today are demanding healthier alternatives, including natural, organic and GMO-free products, and we worked hard to create a line of products that is as healthy and wholesome as it is delicious."


Gelato flavors include green tea, banana, lava flow (coconut, pineapple, and strawberry sauce), salt ponds (salted butterscotch), chocolate coconut, bubble gum, and caramel with macadamia nuts. Sorbettos come in various tropical fruit flavors like lychee, guava, papaya, banana, mango, and lilikoi (Hawaiian passion fruit). 


In addition to sorbettos and gelatos, Papalani Gelato will serve a full menu of coffee drinks, all made with beans from the Hawaiian Islands and other coffee growing capitals. In addition, organic coffee by Florida's own Java Planet will be offered. Drinkable concoctions will also include gelato-based breezes, made with gelato, whipped cream, and chocolate or caramel sauce. A breakfast menu will also be offered.

Papalani Gelato will open in Delray Beach the week of April 13, with grand opening festivities in May. An official ribbon-cutting, as well as fun gelato-filled family activities will be part of a weeklong series of events, taking place May 4 - 8. Papalani Gelato will be open Sunday through Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. 

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