Boccato Gelato & Espresso

very delicious and rich flavor.
i ate the blueberry with banana and hazelnut.
store mood is so cozy. many people having work or study time in the store.

Hidden gem of Clarendon/​Arlington. I am the hugest dessert lover there is and I have yet to find gelato that compares to this place. The décor at the restaurant is a little… well, different. However, once you get your gelato, you won’t care where you’re eating it; it’s incredible. So far I have only tried several gelato flavors here, but the other food items look really good as well. Overall, I highly recommend this place for any occasion you’re in the mood for gelato. I tell everyone to go here.

Delicious and extremely pleasant café with a live singer. It closes at 10:30 pm though… NOT 11:30. Owner wasn’t really happy to see is at 10:24 and made sure the sign got turned to closed. I felt bad. That being said, we got two amazing scoops and listened to music and loves out experience!

For someone who is lactose intolerant anything ice cream is a nightmare, and I am not a huge fan of fruity sorbets. With that being said… Dark Chocolate Sorbet. AMAZING! I used to have it abroad all the time, but this is the first time I have seen it here. No dairy, just chocolate and sugar, and whatever their secret ingredient is. It was delicious, like a cold, soft chocolate bar with the texture of ice cream.
Their coffee was also great. Because I had the chocolate sorbet, I did not order their specialty latte, but is a must for next time — a Nutella latte. Yeah, you read that right, NUTELLA LATTE!
I can not wait to return!
Good Eatin’!

Cool ambience with lots of different types of furniture. A rare spot that almost doesn’t fit in Clarendon which makes it extremely alluring. Great coffee date spot or place to work/​study. I give the coffee a B+ and the vibe an A.

TL;DR — A much-​needed establishment for Northern Virginia. Shabby chic café with a wide assortment of beverages, foods, snacks, and desserts. Excellent option for large groups.
Interior: People probably come here for the gelato, but they stay because the environment is so relaxed. It looks as if Boccato took over a struggling furniture store, and re-​fashioned the space into a shabby chic dining hall. The abundance of sofa chairs, tables, and high tops is great when you’re rolling with a large group.
Their menu has something for everyone and it’s relatively easy to find parking around this particular corridor of Arlington (instead of Clarendon-​proper).

What a charming café! The interior is very welcoming with mismatched high top tables, plushy couches, and tables for any and all of your café needs. The walls are decked out with inspirational quotes and artistic posters. I can easily see myself coming here for a lazy afternoon with a good paperback or for getting some work done for school. Plus, the café boasts an extensive menu of coffees, sandwiches, and gelato that will accommodate whatever time of the day you visit.
I tried the mint gelato, which was so silky smooth and rich. The one scoop satiated my sweet tooth. I also tried my boyfriend’s coffee hazelnut, which was FANTASTIC. I always get mint, but it was so good that I’m tempted to try the full scoop next time I visit. I think Boccato offers the best gelato in the DMV area to date!

This is my favorite place in Clarendon to stop in and get some work done. I love the coffee here and don’t get any speciality drinks, but I’m sure they’re good.
The building itself was converted from an old neighborhood supermarket (a la the old refrigerators in the back).
The atmosphere is, well, very hipster like but fortunate not in a condescending way.
There a lots of tables – both high tables and low tables – with mismatched old chairs. They’re also lounging areas with soft recliner chairs and couches.
The gelato selection is top notch. There lots of interesting flavored like Reeces Pieces and Snickers (I’m partial to combing a chocolate/​ice cream flavor one with a fruit flavored one for maximum contrast).

Boccato has an Adams Morgan-​esqe feel to the café and sitting area, and it’s great! There is a sectioned off area to cowork but my friend tells me that comes with a fee. There are couches, booth seats, rectangular tables and circle tables — something to fit everyone.
I came with a friend for gelatos and chats after dinner. I WISH I got a non-​fruity gelato because the strawberry gelato I got tasted superficial and food-​colored. *insert crying emoji here* *insert red poop color emoji here* I WISH I also got my friend’s Belgian chocolate gelato because that tasted thick and brownie-​like and great.
Near the sitting area of the café there is an empanadas stand!!! *Insert me coming back for empanadas*

Stopped by over the weekend while in town for gelato and coffee. Had the flat white which was nice. They even have what’s called a «flatliner» with x4 espresso shots!
Also tried the coconut gelato (goood)
Nice roomy interior that is being used to almost full capacity by people on laptops, group discussions etc.
Parking lot is in the back but the spaces are not too big, so beware those with bigger cars.

Solid (3.5+/5 stars), charming spot to grab snacks, coffee and get work done. Unfinished ceilings, vintage memorabilia and mismatched furniture give it a rustic feel that seems to appeal equally to hipsters, students and the laidback professional.
Black (slightly watery) coffee is $ 3, and specialty drinks range from $ 5-​$ 7.
Lots of seating and outlets, though about half of the lounge is reserved for a teleworking organization until 6pm Monday-​Friday.
Diverse food options — sandwiches, paninis, soups, empanadas, slices of cake and pie, and gelato at $ 3.75 for the first scoop and roughly another $ 1.15 each for the next two — make extended stays a pleasure, but Wi-​Fi is gated by 90 minute vouchers.
I can’t comment on the quality of any of the food, but the gelato I tried was a little too sweet. Haven’t stayed until closing so I can’t confirm or deny some of the less positive reviews posted, but I’m always happy to come here for a spell.

I love this place, not only for their phenomenal gelato and creative coffees but also for the interior. There is a warm and cozy feel that invites you to linger as you sip your coffee and enjoy a pastry with a friend into the evening. Or cool down with a decadent bite of gelato, savoring each spoonful at a time. It is a bit pricey but worth it. One of my favorite flavors is Lucuma. Don’t let the strange name deter you, it is sweet like caramel and not to be missed! Cake batter is also always awesome. EDIT: Just went here again for gelato after dinner, I tried the Carrot Cake Gelato and I think this may be my new favorite flavor! It literally tastes like carrot cake, not sure how that is possible but it very rich and delicious!

Boccato is a cute place to grab some gelato. The gelato is good, and I tend to like their hazelnut and caramel flavors, which are typically favorites of mine, though nothing I’ve had here is bad. Staff is friendly and generous with tastes. The line can get super long, as it is a small and popular shop. It’s a nice place for a date, and I’ve been on a few there. I think they might offer live music too. Definitely a place to check out.

Great place, atmosphere and great drinks. BUT, the owner is the RUDEST person. He is often yelling at the girls working and looks very impatient with customers trying gelato flavors. He’s rude to customers with kids and those who want to sit (we wanted to have our coffee and sit once and he told us he was closing – there were other customers sitting and drink their coffee and he still had an hour until closing time).
This is a place that adds to the Clarendon charm, but his attitude just ruins it. Sad but this isn’t a local business worth supporting.

This a really cute, cozy café to hang out in on a rainy day. The hot chocolate has a bit of a spicy kick and reminds me of Christmas. There is also a nice selection of pastries and empanadas.
My only qualm is that the apple pie was tasty, but the crust was not crispy. I think it’s because it’s reheated before being served.
I didn’t try the gelato but I like how they decorate the display case with seasonal ornaments.

Excelente café, de los mejores en DC. El personal bilingue es super-​amable y expertos en todo lo que venden. Responden a cualquier pregunta con buenas sugerencias. El lugar en si, tiene una vibra muy relajada y serena sin caer en lo aburrido. De dia gente trabajando en sus laptops, en noches de fin de semana tienen musica en vivo. Los postres son buenos, no excelentes. He ido tres veces y regresare nuevamente.

I sooooo wanted to like this coffee shop. I passed by it when I was in the neighborhood a couple weeks back. From the outside it looked as though it had so much to offer… gelato, coffee, snacks, and a cute space. I bookmarked the location and came back during during the work week in hopes to have tea and get a few things done. Well I guess the saying holds true «never judge a book by its cover».
Im not even sure where to start! I walked in to find out that 75% of the space is leased out during the day to a telecommuting company. There was only a small space available for coffee shop customers and the rest was literally roped off. Ok, I found a comfortable seat anyway so that part still worked out. I then asked for the wifi password and the man responded with «you get a password with a purchase». I was going to order once I got settled in, but ok, I ordered my drink right then instead… iced chai latte with an expresso shot please!
I asked what kind of sugar he uses and he said he didnt add sugar. Perfect! I added a touch of agave and took a sip and it was so sugary I couldnt drink it. I told him there HAS to be sugar already in it! He then remembered that the tea was already sweetened and happily remade it. I then received the most watered down excuse for a drink ever, along with a piece of paper with a wifi password good for 1.5 hours!!! I couldn’t believe it.
Im pretty sure this place was once a respectable establishment that has since been sold to cheapskates who know nothing about coffee shops!
I will not be going back.

I sooooo wanted to love this coffee shop. I passed by it when I was in the neighborhood a couple weeks back. From the outside it looked as though it had so much to offer… gelato, coffee, snacks, and a cute space. I bookmarked the location and came back during during the work week in hopes to have tea and get a few things done. Well I guess the saying holds true «never judge a book by its cover».
Im not even sure where to start! I walked in to find out that 75% of the space is leased out during the day to a telecommuting company. There was only a small space available for coffee shop customers and the rest was literally roped off. Ok, I found a comfortable seat anyway so that part still worked out. I then asked for the wifi password and the man responded with «you get a password with a purchase». I was going to order once I got settled in, but ok, I ordered my drink right then instead… iced chai latte with an expresso shot please!
I asked what kind of sugar he uses and he said he didnt add sugar. Perfect! I added a touch of agave and took a sip and it was so sugary I couldnt drink it. I told him there HAS to be sugar already in it! He then remembered that the tea was already sweetened and happily remade it. I then received the most watered down excuse for a drink ever, along with a piece of paper with a wifi password good for 1.5 hours!!! I couldn’t believe it.
Im pretty sure this place was once a respectable establishment that has since been sold to cheapskates who know nothing about coffee shops!
I will not be going back.

So sweet and very cozy. Great spot to come and chat with a date. No TV’s or super loud music to distract from your company. Reasonable pricing, usually can find parking in this area too. I love this place!
The atmosphere is so fantastic I forgot to mention how delicious the gelato is. Also they make great cappuccinos and lattes and they serve affogatos. Keep in mind they don’t serve espresso after 8:30.

I wondered if having Nice Cream nearby would hurt Boccato’s business, but on a Friday night there was still a crazy long line here and plenty of people enjoying the weather in the outdoor seating.
My husband and I came here to grab cool drinks and play PathFinder. As mentioned before, I love their eclectic seating options. We got iced coffee, iced green mango tea, a slice of coconut cream cake, and a slice of tres leches. My tres leches tasted like a tres leches/​flan hybrid, which was not a bad thing. Both of our iced drinks… were heavenly. I couldn’t have picked a more refreshing tea.
Funnily enough, I think their other items are more noteworthy than the gelato (not that the gelato isn’t good, but it IS hard to not want Nice Cream now…)

The first time I visited this place I wasn’t a big fan, but it’s grown on me. It’s a great study spot, and the employees are pretty nice. The gelato is yummy, and they know how to make coffee (from my small knowledge of coffee. hehe).
I believe they have live music sometimes, so if you’re ever in the mood to just lounge with your friends, it’s a good option in the Clarendon area! Street parking hasn’t been too bad for me, but maybe I’ve just been lucky.
I’ve been told that their empanadas are good, but I haven’t been able to try any. I must go back and try some!

Today after work I definitely needed some time for decompression, and I wasn’t quite ready to tackle traffic. Luckily for me, Boccato Gelato & Espresso is only a few steps away. I’ve been here a year and somehow never managed to make it inside. The outside of the café was bustling — with people sitting wherever available — which is understandable because it was such a nice day. Inside it was much more quiet, so I decided to take a seat there. I was surprised to see empanadas in the case, because I had only known they served coffee and gelato.
I treated myself to a chorizo empanada filled with beans and rice, and an Affogato with Amaretti gelato. It was my first time having an affogato — which was like an adult version of a root beer float. It was rich with delicate flavors — and it totally took the edge off. It was easy to sit and relax at Boccato, it was an intimate setting with rustic décor. It had a quaint DIY feel — which I enjoyed, and the sunlight really made it feel open. I honestly didn’t expect the empanada to be good, because it’s a gelato shop — but it was everything you would want one to be. It was mildly spicy, had great texture, and was moist so you didn’t need any sauce. The best part — you can eat it with one hand.
Time flies when you’re relaxing, and next thing you know I had been there for almost two hours. When I looked around, I realized that everyone that had been there when I arrived was still there. It’s hard to find a café that makes you feel like your sitting in your own living room — but Boccato more than manages that. I look forward to more decompression time at Boccato Gelato & Espresso.

I love this little gem in Arlington! It’s a gelato shop on the left side and a lounge on the right side.
Gelato? Yes, please… even if it’s a bit pricey around $ 4 a scoop. I sampled pistachio, raspberry cheesecake, and butter vanilla crunch and they were all YUM.
Service is really great. Christina helped us out and she was charismatic, friendly, and helpful.
As for the loung, M-​F you can only sit in about ¹⁄₃ of it. That’s really enough space, at least on the Friday afternoon we came. The other ²⁄₃ are reserved for people in their CoWork program who pay a member fee to use that space. If you can, enjoy your gelato sitting down in one of their big comfy chairs!
P. S. Wifi: coffee1122 :)

First, let me set the record straight… I’m a bit of a Gelato freak! Or, anything near resemblance or the likes of ice cream… including Dairy Queen! I love the stuff.
Boccato Gelato & Expresso has definitely put a dent on my list of «A Love Jones for your Sweetness» and «All Things Slammin’ in the DMV!» This place has also become one of my «go to places» when wanting to take in a cup of java, double-​expresso shot… or even work out of the office… which is only four blocks away!
Looks can be deceiving from the street of the storefront. It is actually huge on the inside and very inviting. There are lots of eclectic spaces and seating, which makes this place ideal for meeting up with friends, kicking-​back to enjoy a quick bite/​coffee, and/​or getting some studying or the occasional telework done as well. The place is wired and there is free Wi-​fi, so no worries on the productivity tip. Within the main storefront is a huge selection of Gelato flavors to choose from. They also sell Empanadas as well… which is somewhat unusual for an Italian coffee shop… but hey, it’s all good because either way you look at it, its all going to the same place… the stomach! LOL
I stopped by today for a Nutella Latte and cup of Pistachio Gelato. Both were excellent. I particularly like the nutty-​intense flavor and creamy taste of the Pistachio Gelato. I sampled other flavors while waiting on my Nutella Latte. By far the Pistachio flavor is my favorite and interestingly, a close contender… the Pineapple Basil Sorbetto was really good.
In all, great customer service, cozy atmosphere and unique goods and eats… makes this place a winner in my book! The guy (I assume manager) behind the counter was entertaining and friendly. I’d recommend asking to sample a couple of flavors before you make your decision because there is a lot to choose from!