Paradis Gelateria: A taste of Italy in Oslo

By Maria Sødal Vole

With a deep commitment to honouring Italian artisan dessert traditions, two friends started Paradis Gelateria wanting to bring a little piece of Italy to Oslo’s residents and visitors. With seven locations including a kiosk dotted around the capital, discover for yourself what may be Norway’s best authentic gelato.

Alfonso Pepe and Haron Ascanio Cazzaniga met at an Italian ice cream shop in Oslo when they were both in search of a taste of home. Bonding over a shared appreciation of the food and desserts of their native Italy, the pair became fast friends and soon started dreaming of opening their own gelateria to share the joy of Italian ice cream traditions in Norway.

Paradis Gelateria: A taste of Italy in Oslo

Photo: Oslobukta

A journey begins

The original Paradis Gelateria opened in the charming neighbourhood of Tjuvholmen in 2012 and quickly became a hit. In the following years, their gelaterias popped up at the food destination Mathallen in vibrant Vulkan, in the charming neighbourhood Sørenga in Oslo’s Old Town, and in Torggata, known for its great eateries and trendy shops.

You will find the two most recently added locations at the main shopping street Karl Johans gate and close to the MUNCH museum in beautiful Bjørvika, where the Oslofjord meets the city. A small Paradis Gelateria kiosk is situated at the capital’s idyllic harbour promenade so people can buy a treat on the go. “We’ve chosen to place our shops close to Oslo’s main attractions,” says Haron. “We want people to know that one of our locations is always nearby, so they can pop in for a tasty treat anytime.”

Owners and founders Alfonso Pepe and Haron Ascanio Cazzaniga. Photo: Paradis Gelateria

For the two friends, running gelaterias is a way of life and a true passion project. There are a lot of challenges involved in running a successful one, however. Demand depends hugely on the time of year and the weather on any given day, which makes planning ahead complicated. “We have to be dynamic,” says Haron. “Flexibility is key – we need to be able to adapt quickly and think on our feet.”

Despite challenges along the way, their resolve has never faltered. “Ours is a story of people who started out with a vision and never gave up. It’s been a real journey,” says Haron. “We’ve seen a huge cultural shift since opening our first location 12-13 years ago – with time, more and more people have taken an interest in gelato.”

Photo: Oslobukta

Fresh, natural, delicious

Gelato is ice cream made the Italian way. The frozen dessert is creamier, smoother and more dense than traditional Norwegian ice cream. “According to the old artisan gelato traditions, you must make it fresh,” Haron explains. “We start every day by making our gelato fresh from scratch, using natural ingredients of the best quality.”

Authentic gelato is a lighter, healthier alternative to traditional Norwegian ice cream. The main ingredient in Paradis Gelateria’s gelato is milk, which is mixed with fresh, natural ingredients. “Norwegian milk is of very high quality, which makes it easy to make delicious ice cream,” says Haron.

The quality of their ingredients is a primary concern for the gelato makers. They source some of their ingredients from the homeland, such as lemons from Sorrento, hazelnuts from Piedmont and pistachio nuts from Sicily. Delicious Norwegian strawberries are used when they’re in season. “We spend a lot of time and effort finding the best ingredients. We travel all over the world, testing different products and providers to ensure we get first-rate ingredients,” says Haron.

Photo: Paradis Gelateria

Something for everyone

Paradis Gelateria carries all the traditional flavours popular in Italy, such as chocolate, vanilla, pistachio, hazelnut, and much more. The varied speciality chocolate flavours are a huge hit, and the team is always experimenting with exciting new flavours and combinations. “Our recipes are under continual development – we’re always working to see if we can improve on something. Small changes and tweaks can make all the difference in the world,” says Haron.

Alongside the wide selection of Italian gelato, delicious cakes and other sweet treats, exquisite Italian coffee is also on offer. Paradis Gelateria’s ice cream cakes are very popular, and of course a delectable tiramisu, one of Italy’s most beloved desserts, is also on the menu. Paradis Gelateria also offers a selection of vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free options. “We want to have something for everyone,” Haron says.

At all Paradis Gelateria shops, you’ll find a typically Italian atmosphere – a warm and welcoming meeting place with a lively vibe, where people can experience authentic gelato and a range of other delicacies. The tasty treats can also be delivered locally in Oslo. With delightful desserts to suit all palates and preferences, everybody’s welcome to sample what may be Norway’s best homemade gelato!