Is this the same as Gelato 101 in other parts of San Diego?

Nado Gelato Cafe in Coronado is a sister location to Gelato 101 in Solano Beach and Encinitas, so you're getting the same house-made gelato quality across all three spots. People drive across the county specifically for this gelato, so whether you're hitting the Coronado location or another branch, you're in for the real deal.

Can I taste flavors before I buy?

Yes—the staff actively encourages tasting multiple flavors before you commit to your order. This is why regulars love this spot; you get to know exactly what you're getting, whether it's the rich chocolate mint (which skews spearmint) or the toffee packed with actual toffee chunks.

What makes this gelato different from regular ice cream?

Nado makes everything fresh on-site using all real ingredients, which you can taste immediately. The flavors are intense and true to their names—no artificial shortcuts—and the texture is denser and creamier than standard ice cream because that's what real gelato is.

Is this a good spot for families with kids?

Absolutely. Kids love it here, and it's walkable from other cute shops along C Avenue in Coronado, so you can make an afternoon of it. The casual vibe and taste-before-buying approach means families feel welcome and unhurried.

Can I eat here or is it takeout only?

You can dine in or grab it to go. Either way, it's a casual spot—grab your gelato and either hang around the shop or take it with you to enjoy on the walk through the neighborhood.

When should I go to avoid lines?

Hours aren't listed here, so call ahead or check their site. That said, as a post-beach and weekend favorite, it gets busy during peak beach traffic times. Weekday afternoons are typically less crowded if you want a quicker experience.

Is there parking nearby?

Nado sits on C Avenue in Coronado's walkable shopping area. Street parking is available, though it can be tight on busy days. The good news: the neighborhood is compact and pedestrian-friendly, so you're not walking far from where you park.

Nado Gelato Cafe — Coffee Shops in Coronado, San Diego

“Nado Gelato makes everything in-house daily, which is why Eastlake families still cross the bridge for stracciatella and why the pistachio tastes like actual nuts instead of food coloring.”

While Trident tinkers with seasonal lattes and I Bar serves beer to aviators, Nado commits to one thing: fresh-batch gelato made on-site with real ingredients, the kind where the chocolate mint pulls spearmint instead of toothpaste and the toffee comes loaded with actual chunks. It's a single-focus operation on C Avenue, just off Orange, where the walk-up counter stays busy with post-beach families and locals who've learned to ask for tastes before committing.

The shop earned awards not by flooding the case with thirty mediocre flavors but by rotating a smaller lineup that actually tastes like what the label promises. Chocolate tastes like dark cocoa. Lemon tastes like citrus, not candy. The texture holds—it doesn't turn icy or gummy after ten minutes on a Coronado sidewalk in July. That's the difference between house-made and shipped-in, and it's why reviews mention people driving from Eastlake just to hit this spot.

The staff runs patient—reviews consistently note they'll let you taste four or five flavors without attitude, which matters when you're choosing between salted caramel and stracciatella. It's not theatrical or themed. The space stays small, the counter simple, the whole operation built around the question of whether the gelato actually delivers.

C Avenue gives you the walkable Coronado experience without the ferry-landing crowds: boutiques, low foot traffic, enough nearby parking that you're not circling. Nado fits that rhythm—locals swing by after errands, families stop in after the beach, couples grab a cup before the sunset walk. It's the neighborhood gelato shop that happens to make gelato good enough that it's also worth the drive.