In the old dining room building of Kibbutz Sde Nehemia, right in front of the large lawn, sits one of the best gelato shops in Israel. After a trip to Italy, Rafi Ashkenazi decided to pursue a career in gelato. He teamed up with Jackie Mizrahi and together, they created Galileto (a blend of the words Galil + Gelato). In Galileto’s small kitchen, everything is made from scratch, from the roasted nuts and caramelized apples to the cookies and chocolates that are folded into their gelato.

Local food expert Yasmin Shenhav notes: “At the delightful ice cream shop, a lot of emphasis is placed on seasonality. The fruits for the sorbets come from nearby moshav orchards. So, in summer, you can find flavors like mango, kiwi, melon, and figs; in winter, red grapefruit, lemon, blood oranges, and apple strudel; in fall, a special pomegranate flavor; and in spring, apricot takes center stage.”

Gelato shop space, Photo: Noam Prisman

In addition to supporting local agriculture, Galileto is meticulous about its preparation processes. When the fruits arrive from the farm, Ashkenazi checks their sugar levels and prepares a special mixture based on the readings. This careful approach results in balanced ice creams that emphasize the fruit flavors, while using only natural ingredients. The shop offers a wide variety of flavors, including vegan and gluten-free options. Don’t miss the brownie-sweet potato sorbet.