Claremont Village has a new dessert destination: Bacio di Latte, an Italian-style gelato chain, has opened its doors at 221 N Yale Ave, giving locals and Claremont Colleges students another reason to wander the village after dinner. The shop makes its gelato fresh daily, often right in front of customers, and joins a crowded local field of frozen-treat spots.
From São Paulo to the Claremont Village
Bacio di Latte was originally founded by brothers Edoardo and Luigi Tonolli in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2011, according to lovebeverlyhills.com. Edoardo Tonolli later brought the brand stateside, opening the first American location in Los Angeles in 2017, as Air Mail reported. Since then, the chain has grown into a familiar name across Southern California, with locations in Century City, Larchmont Village, Brentwood, Marina del Rey, Pasadena, Sawtelle and Calabasas, per a report from WhatNow.
The gelato itself leans on quality ingredients, with the company sourcing organic milk and cream from family farms in Sonoma County along with other raw materials from producers around the world, the same outlet noted. New flavors and spotlight varieties roll out roughly every three weeks, keeping the rotating menu fresh for regulars. Per The Student Life, Bacio di Latte now counts over 20 locations in California and 200 worldwide.
What's on the Menu
Shoppers can expect a mix of traditional Italian flavors like pistachio and nocciola alongside American-inspired options such as caramel and cookies and cream, according to Air Mail's reporting on the chain's expansion. The menu at the Beverly Hills location features more than 22 daily options, including best-sellers and seasonal picks like Buttercream Pretzel, per lovebeverlyhills.com. The Student Life also reports the Claremont shop offers Greek yogurt flavor, gluten-free versions of certain gelatos, and allergy-friendly options, with the storefront staying open until 10 p.m.
Claremont Village already had no shortage of sweet-tooth options before Bacio di Latte arrived. The Student Life notes the village includes Yogurtland, Bert & Rocky's Cream Co. and 21 Choices, meaning the new gelato shop is stepping into an already competitive dessert scene. Whether it becomes another regular stop for village visitors, as the same outlet suggests, may come down to word of mouth among students and locals alike.
Students Give Their Verdict
Early reactions from the Claremont Colleges community have been largely positive. Ava Corcoran visited with her Claremont-Mudd-Scripps women's soccer teammates and told The Student Life that everyone said it was really good, describing the shop itself as peaceful. Amelia Ramer, who has already gone back twice, said the blueberry pie flavor was immaculate, according to the same report.
Not everyone discovering the shop is new to the brand. Iman Morlot told The Student Life she regularly visited Bacio di Latte at Westfield Century City, where she usually orders a cup split half pistachio and half sweet cream, and said she plans to treat the Claremont location as a spot for a sweet treat and study break with friends. April and Brian Soash made their first visit after traveling about 20 miles from Monrovia, California, with April telling the outlet the shop has a clean atmosphere.
