Zio Matto Gelato is a great stop if you are craving authentic Italian gelato in downtown Memphis. We ordered three cups between us, a mango and strawberry combo, a straight salted caramel, and a mango and gianduia combo, and every single flavor came through rich and true to itself. The mango sorbet was bright and full of real fruit flavor rather than tasting artificial, the strawberry had a nice tang balanced against a creamy base, the salted caramel struck a good balance of sweet and salty without being overpowering, and the gianduia had that deep hazelnut chocolate richness that is hard to find done well outside of Italy. You can tell the gelato is made with quality ingredients and not just sitting there for show.
The shop itself has a cozy feel to it, with an open kitchen style layout, a wall menu showing all the flavor options, and a fun drip and whip topping bar if you want to dress up your order. It is a small space but comfortable and inviting, the kind of place you want to linger in with your cup rather than rush out of.
Polina helped us and she was fantastic. She was quick with our order, clearly knowledgeable about every flavor on the menu including the vegan and dairy free options, and generous with the portions she scooped. That kind of service makes a big difference and it showed she genuinely cares about the customer experience.
Overall a five star experience. Great gelato, a cozy atmosphere, and service that went above and beyond. Highly recommend if you are in the Main Street area of Memphis and want a true Italian gelato experience. read more