Paciugo Gelato Caffe, Denver

For Paciugo founder Cristiana Ginatta, gelato-making isn't just a passion, it's a family legacy. Paciugo— which means messy concoction in Italian— first opened in 2000, eventually expanding the operation to locations in 16 states. Each Paciugo location still makes its gelatos the old-fashioned way: hand-made daily, using only all-natural ingredients and absolutely no elf labor.

The Paciugo Hermosa Beach location offers 32 daily rotating fresh flavors such as mediterranean sea salt caramel, pannacotta (wedding cake), and amarena black cherry swirl and has more than 300 flavors of gelato and sorbet in their recipe handbook. To complement the chilly eats, Paciugo also serves traditional Italian cafe drinks such as cappucinos, hot tea, hot chocolate, and espressos. The Hermosa location is also known for its freshly made daily cookies, gelato sandwiches, and handmade waffle cones. Customers can also enjoy complimentary wi-fi.