Oddono's Hampstead

Pistachio Gelato Marvel: Worth Every Scoop!

Wandering through the charming alleyways of Hampstead, I stumbled upon Oddono’s – a splendid gelateria that the locals seem to celebrate as an institution. Despite it being a nippy London afternoon, folks were lined up and chattering eagerly about what they deemed “the best pistachio gelato” in NW3—and they weren’t whistling Dixie. Upon gently tasting the trademark pistachio, there was no mistaking the crown jewel quality of this creamy marvel; smooth, sultry, with a nutty undertone that manages to carry both simplicity and grandeur. Hazelnut and chocolate hazelnut, too, reveal the delicate artistry of what true Italian gelato is meant to be—that is unctuously creamy and unapologetically rich without being overwhelming.

The staff at Oddono’s dish out sprightly joy, akin to the gelato globules themselves. They glide back and forth, eagerly helping customers pick from the excellent rotation of ice creams and sorbets with a patience particularly refreshing when children and squirrelly adults aren't immediately decisive. Even when queues snake out the door, the smiles linger and their hands remain swift in crafting double scoops of dreams atop crisp cones. Although the shop’s aesthetic may bear the marks of everyday charm more than polished elegance, its understated warmth draws you into its embrace. In the end, you save a bit in your wallet and leave a tad fuller - perhaps in waist and new fondness for authentic gelato that will quietly insist on your return, sooner rather than later. — Milo Tastemaker