If you are coming to eat aesthetically pleasing dessert, this is the place to come. You are able to personalize your own ice cream bars by choosing the toppings. The staff make each ice cream bar in to a work of art. That being said the flavors of the ice cream bar itself and there gelato is good but not amazing. I live 45 minutes away from this store and I would not drive out of my way to stop by again. However, if I was in the area I probably would stop by again. read more

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Went in to try out a gelato pop as it was an item I have not encountered before. The team member was courteous and patient as they guided me in ordering the item (simple process: choose base flavor, add toppings, etc.). The gelato pop was tasty--not something I would personally order again (over gelato), but I can see it being someone else's new favorite. The texture is tougher than ice cream, but in a good way. We were very impressed by how long it held its shape on the stick without melting! Definitely a good "walk-while-eating" treat. Final note: I can definitely see the pop being a great ice cream sandwich filler instead of being branded as a "popsicle". It's texture is perfect for that application and it doesn't melt--something to note :) read more

Fantasticks is located at Rio and is very close to the AMC dine in theater. Their premium gelato and has a rich indulgent taste. I chose the chocolover and highly recommend it. The store also offers flavor mixing so I added pistachio. The price is around $8 for a regular. There are only a few small tables so the seating is limited. The door is typically left open. They also offer toppings for ice cream bars but I would recommend the cup portion. There is also a lavatory for customers use. Very enjoyable. read more

The storefront caught our attention as we were eating Poke bowls across the street. SO CUTE! This little gelato shop is absolutely adorable. Rosé decor, vibrant wall signs, and floral accents make this place aesthetically pleasing. The establishment is clean and orderly. I love that they have everything on display, including each and every topping. They also make sure that you are made aware of vegan ingredients and the possibly of a peanut contamination. Upon entering you are greeted by a case of beautiful crafted artisan-esq popsicles. Further down they have two enclosures packed with gelato! Such a dilemma to have to pick when everything looks amazing! I went with the strawberry cheesecake gelato and coconut gelato--BOTH GOOD. read more

Omg! This was worth every single calorie! Let me just tell you that I underestimated how delicious this would be. Location: located in the Rio Lakefront Mall right at the center of all the restaurants by the Rio AMC Theater. Such a pretty location. I hadn't been to Rio in ages and was drawn in by this icecream spot. There is soooo much parking. Ambiance: it's a very simple and open space with lots of white. Very friendly environment and customer service. The experience itself: when we first walked-in it was a bit confusing because there were people in a line others sitting and then I noticed a few people down towards the back of the space. I quickly realized that if you wanted the gelato icecream in a cup then you'd wait by the entrance but if you were looking to customize a Popsicle you needed to head towards the back of the store. Omg the selections of popsicles! I was in gelato heaven! I went with the tiramisu half dipped in the chocolate hazelnut with coconut , graham crackers and chocolate; drizzled with white chocolate The icecream : AMAZING! Atleast the tiramisu Popsicle was. Super duper creamy, taste exactly like tiramisu (the hints of coffee were divine), and held its shape very well. I was able to take my time and enjoy it without it melting. It is provided in a little open face box container which I didn't find any issue with. Yes, you'll have to eat the Popsicle semi sideways so that the toppings don't fall off which mind didn't anyway but that was to be expected. Price: $6.95 which I found was worth it for the quality of the ice-cream and the experience of customizing it. This is a total must have treat! Bringing my brother whose visiting on Thursday from NY. There are so many ones to try and toppings to mix that everyone's experience will be different so don't let a bad review keep you from trying this. Experience it yourself and enjoy the experience ;-) read more

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Perfect treat but can be pricey especially if you add toppings. Other than that I really enjoyed the pistachio and tiramisu ones. I tried the rose petal topping too but the texture with the frozen chocolate dip was not for me. I love that they also have some flavors that are dog friendly, it was peanut butter and strawberries & cream when we went. Our pups definitely enjoyed them and they were gone in 10 seconds. LOL. read more

This was my first visit! Not bad. But I wasn't wowed by the two flavors of popsicles I tried. Tiramisu and Pistachio( which I liked better) I think part of the issue I didn't love it was that I had it dipped in chocolate and then added nuts to it which just made it way too sweet. I'll def try this place again in the future and not add anything to their popsicles. read more

I found out about this place through my Yelp community director Mike! I honestly thought this was going to be one of those places where I go once and never again BUT holy smokes this place blew my mind! I've never had ice cream/gelato like this before. I'm not much of an ice cream guru, but I want to come back and try some of their other fun flavors like the orange creamsicle and birthday cake popsicle. I was recommended the rose popsicle, which I got, and honestly no complaints. The flavor was a subtle floral taste and absolutely refreshing. I added vanilla chocolate dip to only half of my popsicle, but you can also do the full popsicle if you want! Everything about this place is so cute, and I love that you have a wide range of options to choose from the base flavor of the popsicle to the toppings and the drizzle. I will be back throughout the summer for a light snack to cool off! read more

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There are a lot of these popsicle businesses starting up! I really enjoyed Fantasticks. I think it is a reasonable price for a a popsicle with three toppings. The process is really simple. You choose your popsicle flavor and then your three toppings. You can choose to get the popsicle dipped in one of three different "sauces" before they shake your toppings on. After the popsicle has taken its bath and put on its outfit, it takes a final stop where it can be drizzled with a topping sauce. Personally, mine was already so rich, I chose to opt out of the final drizzle. Lastly, it's put in this great little container that is great for holding and catching all your toppings. Now, I'm not one to bite ice cream or popsicles, but with the way the popsicle is dressed up, you kind of have to in order to eat it. Turns out, the popsicle is a perfect temperature to eat. I didn't have a problem with it being too cold on my teeth. It was a really enjoyable experience. There are plenty of flavor combinations to choose from. You won't have a problem of finding something you'll like. There a fruit flavors and then also sweet flavors like strawberry or chocolate. The space is smaller on the inside, not too many tables to sit at. There is a water station in the back and a one stall gender neutral bathroom. It's a fun place to stop for a sweet treat and I would definitely return! It's a fun and bright environment and the staff were helpful. read more

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This new gelato spot opened up in RIO and I definitely had to try. First off, they have a great location. It's right next to a movie theater and close to several restaurants if you need some dessert. Their aesthetic is very picture- worthy and since opening they seem to keep things very clean. I have tried the gelato popsicle concept once before, but am still a little disappointed at this pricing. It's about ~5 bucks per pop and more for toppings. On average, I would imagine people spent about ~8 dollars per pop which can add up fairly quickly. Personally, I think that's a little on the pricier side for what you are getting, but some might disagree. I opted for the parfait and my sister got the cherry cheesecake. I'm a popsicle kind of person so I felt like mine was definitely flavorful and gave off that tart taste you look for in popsicles. The cherry cheesecake was definitely more on creamier side which helps you get that gelato flavor. Overall, they have so many options from you won't be disappointed. read more

Fantasticks - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Amazing icecream, worth the $$! I'm not a huge icecream fan but I tried their pops when they first opened up their stand outside, and now everytime I come to Rio I just automatically crave it!!! It's the perfect place to customize a refreshing & delicious popsicle with your friends/fam and walk around the lake! They have a huge selection of toppings and customizations, and the workers there always make it perfectly the way I like it read more

Fantasticks - IG: munchyful - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Definitely a great location in a much needed spot in rio. Their gelato is pretty classic. They have a nice simple clean ambiance. Only complaint is that it's rather small and can't cater to high volumes especially during covid. The lines were not meant to be in the store where the seating area makes the whole place congested and not covid friendly. The napkin and water are not conveniently placed in the back where you have to squeeze through the horde of line and sitting area to get needed supplies. They could be more covid friendly By having only a certain occupancy allowed and having customers wait outside or close off the dining area. All in all, this place does it well where you can grab a gelato and go for a loop around rio on a nice day. read more

Fantasticks - Gelato flavors - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Artisan gelato sticks - with a variety of flavors ranging from birthday cake, dragonfruit, avocado, pistachio, strawberry kiwi, banana Nutella, among common flavors. You have the choice to do full or half dip into chocolate hazelnut, strawberry, or vegan chocolate dip, drizzle, and up to 3 toppings. I got the pistachio with full chocolate hazelnut dip with strawberry drizzle, toppings - mint chocolate chips, chocolate balls, butterscotch crunch. I wished I had only done the half as it was too sweet with the full. read more

Fantasticks - Pistachio with chocolate hazelnut dip, mint chocolate chips, dark chocolate crunchy pearls, butterscotch crunch and strawberry drizzle - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Yummy ice cream place next to the theater in Rio! My family got the gelato and they all enjoyed it. There are lots of flavors including sorbets to choose from. I got the coconut caramel "stick" with chocolate drizzle. When you bite into the coconut ice cream there is a dulce de leche type caramel inside which was really good! My one critique is that they may keep the gelato at too cold of a temperature; gelato is supposed to be stretchy and more aerated than regular ice cream. When it's too frozen, its harder to scoop and you don't get that soft texture. Still, when you're eating it and it starts to melt a little the gelato texture is there. Overall I enjoyed it and Rio was in need of an ice cream place so I will be back! I think I will a cup instead of a stick next time. read more

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Very cool concept to add toppings to a popsicle. It's similar to a frozen yogurt place where you can add various toppings and drizzle. I'm a big strawberry fan so I got the strawberry popsicle and put a bunch of random toppings on it. Honestly, it looked too luxurious to eat and the price definitely reflects it. Quite expensive for what it is but I think it's really for the experience. It was nice to try at least once, but not sure if this is something I'd frequent. But it was pretty good so I'd recommend folks to try it out. The popsicle itself tastes good so the topping is just there to add more flavor and texture. One issue is that once it starts melting, it becomes kind of hard to eat since all of the toppings start falling off as well. The storefront is nice, new, and clean, but I think the staff can definitely be a bit more friendly. But it's middle of the pandemic, there are a lot of restrictions, etc. so I don't blame them. Go try this place out! read more

Fantasticks - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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We visited here for the first time. It took us a few turns around because gps/maps was showing it was next to itsugar but it was across from it. There was a few people there but not a lot. They had a few popsicle choices. Some of the flavors I wanted they didnt have. We decided to go with chocolate hazelnut popsicle. You get to choose your toppings, chocolate dipped full or halfway, and a chocolate drizzle. It was very cute inside. The employee was very sweet. It was soo good! read more

Fantasticks - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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Upon entering Fantasticks, a large orange and pink balloon fixture greeted me at the entrance. There were two stations -- one for the gelato pops and one for scooped gelato. I chose to get gelato pops because they looked more visually appealing and I was delighted to find a wide selection of different flavored pops to choose from. I got the mango pop dipped in vegan dark chocolate with the crushed Oreo and rose gold sugar toppings and white chocolate drizzle. Since I was given a generous amount of toppings, they unfortunately didn't stick very well, but the mango flavor was delicious and refreshing on the hot day. Unlike other reviewers, I didn't experience the same issue of the gelato being too frozen to eat, but that was probably due to the 90+ temperatures melting it to a convenient texture to eat. At a price of ~$6, the size of the pop could be larger, but overall it was very tasty! read more

Fantasticks - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

My first time at this place, trying out some ice-cream! You can pick your own toppings and customize it however you'd like! Not too shabby, I must say. Price is alright... Service provided was very good when we went on a Monday night (June 07, 2021). Got the Cookies & Cream flavored Gelato. read more

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it was my second time here! i haven't been since opening so this time i tried their gelatos instead of a bar. the service was great, i was offered samples to try gelatos before purchasing which ones i would like. the staff were exceptionally sweet as they had no problem with me in asking about multiple flavours. their dark chocolate is very high profile in authenticity it was very rich. it was a small nice store, pretty clean and quiet on a monday afternoon. shout out to rachel! very sweet staff member as she helped me today! will come back for more as i have yet to try their large selection read more

Fantasticks - Dark Chocolate Gelato - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Definitely a big fan and will no doubt be back sooner than we should! How can you go wrong with house-made gelato, dips, sprinkles, and drizzles! Pro tip. The "pops" are delicious but you have to recognize that to keep their shape for all that dipping, drizzling and sprinkling, the gelato is frozen way harder than your traditional soft-scoop-like gelato. Regardless, I got a pop because I was feeling "extra", lol. My husband had a scoop from the "traditional" gelato selection which was everything you would expect from gelato - soft, flavorful, and amazing. Not sure which flavor it was but it was scrumptious and we both wished we had paid more attention because we would definitely get it again. While he was able to eat his while we sat there (limited seating inside), mine was too hard to eat (so I helped myself to hubby's while I waited). In the end we decided to drive back home with mine to give it a chance to soften to a more traditional gelato consistency. After a 10 minute drive it was amazing! Service was great and when we went at around 545pm there was no line and we felt very safe in the scrupulously clean and welcoming space they have created. read more

Fantasticks - Pistachio pop, dark chocolate/hazelnut dip, with chopped hazelnuts, pink sprinkles, and caramel dots! - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

We visited this location in Rio a couple of times this year. We very much enjoyed all of the treats we have tried. There is sometimes a line, but it quickly moves without feeling rushed. I also appreciate that they separate put the gelato line so you don't need to wait for the people making display case selections, but it's a little awkward to pay if you're dipping in both ice cream pools, because you aren't checking out at the same pace. Not a big deal. I actually prefer them without toppings. It's a bit pricey but the quality is very good and it's a fun atmosphere. read more

Fantasticks - Display case and 2 popsicles. - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Absolutely delicious!!! Decor is very chic, bright and service was great. All foodies can enjoy this spot (sugar free, vegan, etc). Def a must try when visiting the RIO. read more

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While a bit pricey - the popsicles were perfect for a special treat during a mommy daughter day out. The toppings are a fun feature and the tray it comes with helps make the whole thing less of a mess for littles. read more

I just love the concept of this place! They have so many flavors for you to choose from and customize with toppings and chocolate sauces. I tried the cherry cheesecake gelato bar and my daughter tried the birthday cake gelato bar. They have so many flavors including avocado (not for me but interesting lol) & if you're not into the bars, they have soft serve for cones or cups as well. They even had a yogurt bar with strawberries and granola. I can't wait to try something else lol. Super friendly staff and it's conveniently located in the Rio by the movie theater! I hope you guys stay forever! We will most certainly be back for more. read more

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Love this place so much. I was shocked how creamy the gelato stick was, I was expecting a more icy texture. I got the caramel brownie brittle stick dipped in dark chocolate, topped with graham crackers, hazelnuts, and chocolate balls. So good and such a cute place! read more

Fantasticks - caramel brownie brittle stick - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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this place is the absolute cutest & so aesthetically pleasing. The workers are so friendly as well! They have a variety of artisan customized gelato pops & gelato. There have so many flavors! I decided to try the gelato today & it was delish This honestly tasted like ferrero rocher in gelato form. It was so good & I highly recommend checking out this place for a sweet treats. read more

Fantasticks - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Let's be real we all coming in here for the aesthetics and that instagram post/story of your v beautifully decorated popsicle. This, I give A+ for. For the taste and price, not so much... I don't recall what flavor I got since it was a few weeks ago but it was fruit based. Toppings I got some dried roses, pink sprinkles, and chocolate covered....raspberries? (Or was it cranberries....I let the employee decide on the toppings), and then I got the half dark chocolate dip followed by the dark chocolate drizzle. I swear each toppings + dip + drizzle costed a little bit more, so by the time I paid it was like 8-10 bucks...for a popsicle. Next time I'll just get gelato in a cup ==" We sat down and I lifted my popsicle up and literally ALL THE TOPPINGS FELL LOL omg I paid all that for what....and then on top of that the flavor was more icy than creamy and didn't have much flavor. I was kind of disappointed but I guess it was an okay after dinner treat in the hot weather? read more

Fantasticks - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

White chocolate had little tiny rice crispy cereal inside which gave it a nice kick, and just chocolate was so smooth and delicious. Next time I would love to try the bar with strawberry and kiwi inside of it :) read more

Fantasticks - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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I enjoyed mine, I had the Oreo one with fudge and graham cracker crust. I wouldn't get it again but it was an experience. My bf tried 2, mango and a strawberry. I tasted both, neither was all that great. I say give it a try, but I wouldn't necessarily eat this again. I thought initially we were looking for a store but it was on the boardwalk right outside AMC read more

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This place is FANTASTIC just as their name. I'm literally in love with this place. From their design and appearance to their desserts. It's so pretty inside and their decor is out of this world yet not too busy if that makes sense. So many gelatos to choose from and even with Covid, they give you samples. It's so rich, flavorful and yet so refreshing. Did I mention they have 2 big options: Soft gelato and Create Your Own Gelato Popsicles Wow. I have to come back to try their popsicles since that line was long. Great pricing, great portions and great staff. This is definitely a spot I will comeback to whenever I am in the area. This spot will definitely MELT FOR YOU!!! read more

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I went on Sunday afternoon over Memorial Day weekend to take advantage of my Yelp Elite gelato bar. The array of choices was staggering! So many flavors. I eventually settled on the banana with a Nutella filling, then added the dark chocolate dip and crushed almonds and crushed graham crackers toppings. It was a calorie extravaganza- and worth every single one. Absolutely delicious. I just wish I'd remembered to take a picture before I began to devour it! I would most definitely go back again. Highly recommend! read more

Great service. The gelato was amazing. There was a lot of options on flavors. Very nice and clean sitting area. read more

Fantasticks - Gelato - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

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We went on a Monday night (Valentine's day) there was only one person working but she was doing a good job of working efficiently. My husband got the chocolate hazelnut and coffee gelato which he liked after trying a few different samples. I got a popsicle in the caramel brownie brittle flavor. I got the caramel sauce, pastel colored sprinkles, dark chocolate circles and butterscotch coconut flakes as toppings for my treat. It was delicious! They had so many different flavors that it took me a little bit of time to decide what I wanted. Definitely a place I would recommend, especially when it is warmer outside. read more

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It's a pretty underwhelming experience for me. I asked a worker to create me a gelato pop. She gave me a Dragonfruit bar without any toppings. She said that it's best to be eaten plain lol... Kinda beat the purpose of a topping bar in my opinion. It cost $5 and extremely mediocre. I'm giving this a 3 stars because my friend next to me had a better experience. read more

The latest and greatest instagrammable hotspot on the scene. These popsicles are super aesthetic and yummy too! While there was a line when I went, the staff have an efficient assembly line going so the wait was not bad. There are a TON of flavors to choose from, including some fairly unique ones. I went with mascarpone and fig, but I couldn't really taste it too well, maybe because it was overwhelemd by the toppings. There are dairy free/sorbet options as well! You can choose to dip either the whole bar or half in various chocolates (I chose the vegan dark chocolate) then select 3 toppings. Lastly, you can top it off with a drizzle. The popsicles do not melt super quickly so it was not messy to eat. read more

Fantasticks - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

Great concept my only complaint is that the Gelato pops are frozen so hard it makes it difficult to enjoy the taste and flavors of whatever you added on your pop. At one point I've watched one of the workers scrape frost off the display signs just so customers could read the flavors of the different flavored sticks. read more

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This newer place is located next to the movie theater. It has two stations: one for gelato and another for gelato pops. This review is for the standard gelato, but the pops looked really good too, and seem to be more DIY with toppings. Both stations have dairy-free/vegan options (!!!), and they are clearly labeled. I got the cookie butter gelato which tasted like graham crackers with some cinnamon. It also had some cookie bits in it to mix up the texture. Other flavors my group had and enjoyed were coconut pineapple and lemon ricotta. The interior is very bright, and there is some seating available indoors. Employees were very nice and weren't bothered at all with me asking about the veeegaaan options. Great place overall. Check it out if you're in Rio. read more

Fun little dessert shop. Lots of fun flavors of popsicles! You can get dips and toppings. Gelato looks great and tastes great but I wish it were smoother. read more

Great little place for ice cream. Their sorbet / soft serve is great. The sticks although colorful and decorative was not as good. Personal taste more than anything else. But as with everything else these days. It won't come cheap read more

Fantasticks - I've cream are - Gelato Near Me - Gaithersburg, Maryland

I brought my little sister to the rio and had fantasticks bookmarked as a place to try. The ice cream shop is super cute and fun. The cleanliness level was a 6 because the floors needed to be mopped. The gelato was really light and guilt free. The employees were also friendly, I would visit again. read more