One of the highlights of a stroll along Beach Dr. is a visit to Paciugo, (pronounced "pah-CHOO-go"). A favorite stop for Italian tourists visiting the city, the gelateria serves handcrafted frozen desserts by the cup, cone, in shakes and blended with Italian espresso.
The gelato is as close to authentic as you can get without a visit to Turin, Italy, where Pachiugo's founders apprenticed with gelato makers.
The rich, dense ice cream is handmade at the St. Pete shop and includes such delectable flavors as Chocolate Cherry Swirl, made with imported candied fruit and dark chocolate, and the unusual Black Pepper Olive Oil, simultaneously sweet and spicy.
Paciugo opens early, selling cappuccino, lattes and other espresso drinks. Go ahead and splurge: Ask for a dollop of gelato in your coffee.
A taste of European chocolates can be found in the heart of downtown, right in the Snell Arcade building. Schakolad brings handcrafted and fresh chocolates to those with a sweet tooth.
The store creates chocolates for all occasions including parties, birthdays, weddings and more. The candies can be personalized and custom made to showcase a company logo or an individual's name. Specialized chocolates are also featured during the holiday season. Low carb and sugar-free items are featured on the menu. Coffee and espresso are also served.
Hang out on the vintage patio and enjoy soft ice cream, regular ice cream, sundaes, banana splits and more. There's also a grill that serves up delicious hamburgers and authentic Philly cheesesteaks with fresh extras. Dairy Inn is a fun place for breakfast too. Chicken sandwiches and wings round out this surprisingly eclectic menu.
Yogurtology is a self-serve frozen yogurt shop where customers can create their own frozen yogurt sundaes. The shop offers classic and signature flavors such as vanilla, tart, strawberry, cheesecake, pecan, mint and more. Customers can dine in or take their sundaes to go.
