Fabio Boni - Gelatiere extraordinaire

Get that special Italian vibe at Fabio’s

We wrote in our review in 2016: Fabio's is simply the best gelato bar in Ireland, he is the most entertaining Italian in Ireland, he uses the best local and wild and clean ingredients, creates unique and interesting seasonal flavours, his gelato is made on the premises, which has this informal Italian feel to the tiny place! We want to live there!

Fabio’s is open all year round, but naturally his gelato comes into its own in the summer. His 2023 August special is called Blueberry and Rosemary Sorbet.

We love Italian Ice-cream

Wherever we lived we always had a very special relationship with Italian ice cream makers, the Simonetti’s in Oehringen, the Panciera’s in Frankfurt, the Minicucci’s in Kaiserslautern and now Fabio. Sligo is tremendously lucky to have Fabio’s Ice Cream in the heart of the town for the last 8 years where real Italian gelato is available all year round served by real Italians. Once he opened we were immediately drawn in, not only because of his ice cream, but because: Lui e'unico, e'un personaggio!

Here is what others say:

“Local hero Fabio makes arguably Ireland's best Italian gelato and sorbets from mostly local and natural ingredients. The frequently changing flavour offer is remarkable: from white chocolate and pistachio crunch to raspberry lime sorbet.” Lonely Planet

“Owned by local legend Fabio, this little ice cream parlour in Sligo is easily one of the best in Ireland. This artisan ice cream is made according to traditional Italian methods, without the use of emulsifiers, artificial colours or synthetic fats. A bonus for those with allergies, there are a range of dairy, egg, gluten and nut free options available at Fabio's too.” Food and Wine

“Ice-cream lovers drive out of their way to come and sample Fabio's legendary gelati, handmade with love and care at his tiny Sligo town café. With 12 sublime flavours on display, which change daily, The man's a genius and his ice-cream is made from scratch without any industry short-cuts. You want the real taste of Italy? You'll find it here.” Irish Independent

Fabio hails from Florence in Tuscany, well known for outstanding ice cream and where the young Fabio got his first job in a gelateria. Then he lived for some years in San Francisco, where he met his Irish wife Maura from Carrick on Shannon and eventually she lured him to Sligo via Florence.

Fabio’s Gelato

Fabio is passionate about his gelato:

with less cream and more milk it contains a remarkable 50% less fat
served at a higher temperature than ice cream gives it a more intense flavour
a slower churning rate gives gelato a denser and creamier texture

His range of flavours is legendary and he creates according to his mood and the seasons, producing unusual ‘specials’ on a regular basis. It could be the sensational Mascarpone cheese, Figs and Walnut or Black Forest Pavlova or Wild Atlantic Elderflower sitting alongside the alarmingly named Bull’s Blood (a sorbet of dark chocolate, orange juice and cayenne pepper!). Whatever it is, you can be sure they are the real deal with no emulsifiers, no hydrogenated fats and certainly no premade industrial mixes!

HERE IS FABIO UNCOVERED:

What is your favourite food? Warm vegetable salads and fish.
Finish the sentence: A producer is one who creates.
The country you travel for food: Italy of course, but I would love to go to Japan one day.
Three things you always have in your larder/fridge? Olive oil extra virgin, garlic, anchovies.
What is your most used gadget? My phone...sadly!
…and your most used equipment? My hands and a bucket.
Do you read cook books and which one do you come back to? Yes I do. My favourite is Encyclopedia of Tuscan Cousin with historical notes of the recipes. It's a bit more then a recipe book, its actually a journey into the past of my own region.
Who is your inspiration (not necessarily from the food world): Giorgio Gaber (an Italian song writer).
What are you currently listening to? My son playing piano!
Something people don’t know about you? I am a Geologist.
What will be hot in 2023? More of Fabio’s Ice cream of Course !!!