Dolce Vita Gelato marks 15 years in business in Mesa

Dolce Vita Gelato, a Mesa business, is hosting a milestone celebration marking its 15th anniversary on May 15.

The locally owned gelato shop, 5251 E. Brown Road, invites the community to join in the festivities from noon to 7 p.m., offering a complimentary scoop of its house-made lemon or stracciatella gelato, according to a release.

Dolce Vita is throwing a lemon-themed celebration that captures the bright, refreshing spirit of spring — a playful homage to the free lemon gelato being offered that day, a classic and beloved flavor in Italy. Guests can also try their luck at raffles for a chance to win three gift card prizes totaling $350.

“Celebrating 15 years in business is a tremendous honor, and we owe it to the incredible support of our community,” Fabrizio Cali, owner of Dolce Vita, said in the release. “This event is our way of expressing gratitude to the people who have been with us on this journey — what better way to celebrate than with free gelato and a joyful day together?”

Originally from Sicily, Cali is passionate about sharing authentic Italian culinary traditions with the Valley.

“There is so much depth and richness to Italian cuisine beyond what is commonly known,” he said. “Dolce Vita offers a genuine taste of Italy — whether it’s through our handcrafted gelato or the dishes from our kitchen.”

A local favorite for its artisanal gelato — made fresh in-store daily with quality ingredients — Dolce Vita also has authentic Sicilian cuisine, serving hand-crafted pizzas, pasta, paninis, meatballs and Gourmet Panino. The on-site Italian market offers imported pantry staples, including pasta, Italian cookies, tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil, pasta sauces, and specialty Italian flours. Dolce Vita also has an Italian deli stocked with imported meats and cheeses, along with house-made desserts like their renowned tiramisu.

The shop is open noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and noo-8 p.m. on Sundays. The restaurant hours are noon-2 p.m. and 4-8 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday, noon-8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and noon-7 p.m. on Sundays.

Go to dolcevitagroupaz.com or follow their Facebook and Instagram pages.