What's better than exploring Wellington on a beautiful day? Exploring with a cone filled with the best gelato in your hand. And now that local gelato favourites Zelati have opened a permanent residence in Left Bank Lane off Cuba Street, you can get your sweet fix whenever you like.
Tucked just off the main walkway of the lively Cuba Street, the store is bight, open and inviting. It's got plenty seating inside, and on a beautiful day, you can sit outside in the walkway or have your gelato or sorbet to go.
We walked in to upbeat music, a friendly greeting and a wide array of gelato and sorbets of every colour. And we were very pleasantly surprised at how many vegan options are available. We got straight into a tasting, starting off with the sorbets. Our favourites were the pineapple plum, passionfruit and the raspberry — so light, fruity and perfect on a hot day. Of the gelatos, we rate the affogato, Fix & Fogg peanut butter and the vegan chocolate (which has an amazing hint of coconut). If you want to take these to the next level, have a scoop of your chosen flavour as a cookie sammie. They're vegan and an all-round fantastic idea.
We managed to squeeze in a chat with the brains behind the operation, Hillary Tuason. Zelati's main business had always come from the catering and hospitality industry, but she and her dad had always wanted to open their own retail spot, giving the public an opportunity to try their various creations. The food truck was the first step towards that dream, and in June this year, an opportunity came up that they decided to jump on, which has now formed into the dessert cafe.
The gelato and sorbet flavours rotate, as the team develops new ideas and flavour combinations. When hits like rhubarb cinnamon disappear, it's not for good, it's just to give newbies like the Fix & Fogg peanut butter and purple kumara an opportunity to blow customers away.
We're so happy Zelati has joined the Wellington food party, and just in time for summer. Head on down to Cuba and indulge that sweet tooth.