Pino Gelato Cafe is the Starbucks alternative that’s so much more than a Starbucks alternative. Whether you come for the gelato, the coffee, or lunch, you’ll be blown away by the quality, freshness, and flavor of every single menu item. Pino Gelato is located in Silver Sands Premium Outlets, which makes it a perfect stop during a day of shopping, but it’s worth a trip even if you’re not shopping.
Some menu items worth trying:
Gelato
Gelato snobs, rejoice: here’s some gelato you can really get excited about. Rich, creamy flavors, generous portions, and impeccable presentation characterize Pino Gelato’s offerings. Choose between a waffle cone or a cup, just as you would in Italy, and take your time agonizing over the many tempting flavors–from coffee to mango sorbet to stracciatella. We’re huge fans of the coffee and chocolate gelato in affogato form (served with a shot of espresso).
Coffee/Espresso Drinks
Pino Gelato offers a full range of espresso drinks, including excellent cafe lattes, americanos, cappuccinos, and mochas. They use real imported Italian coffee machines and the best-quality coffee for a consistently excellent cuppa. Not a coffee drinker? Pino Gelato also has to-die-for hot chocolate–the real kind, crafted with steamed milk, cocoa powder, and syrup.
Pizza
It’s probably not the first item that would come to mind when you think of a gelato place, but if you think about it, pizza is right at home among Pino Gelato’s other Italian options. Choose from a 10″ or 7″ flatbread pizza topped with your favorite toppings and enjoy a hearty, non-greasy pizza that pairs perfectly with your coffee and gelato.
Panini
It’s hard to beat a good panini. Try Pino Gelato’s Classico, made with prosciutto and mozzarella cheese, and you’ll be set for the rest of your day of exploring. Pino Gelato’s prosciutto is always fresh and flavorful, and all their paninis are generously portioned and thoughtfully plated.
When you walk in the door, expect a clean, spacious counter-serve restaurant with plenty of seating; this isn’t the gelato pop-up with tiny tables and uncomfortable chairs that you’ll find at most shopping malls. Instead, you’ll be greeted by a generous, well-curated menu, plenty of space to take a breath and enjoy your gelato, dessert, coffee, or lunch, and to enjoy the hip, casual atmosphere. The storefront itself isn’t the most attractive, but the quality of the food more than makes up for any aesthetic shortcomings.
Pino Gelato Cafe is located at the Silver Sands Premium Outlet Center in Miramar Beach, just down the road from Destin and convenient to a wealth of shopping and dining destinations.
Insider Tips:
– Try the croissants. They’re easy to overlook, especially in light of other menu items, but they’re always fresh and pretty much perfect.
– Feel free to try out a variety of (free!) samples as you decide on a gelato flavor.