While Gelateria Giotto is still relatively new on the Brussels ice cream scene, it has already won the prize for best Belgian ice cream and opened up a second parlour in the capital.
Just over a year ago, Christian Wu and Karen Tran welcomed the first customers into their cosy ice cream parlour on Rue Washington in the heart of Ixelles. Word soon got around about the artisan gelato shop and it rapidly became a favourite among locals, drawing long queues. We also included it in our 'Best Ice Cream Parlours in Brussels' list.
Giotto's Italian-style ice cream does not contain any artificial flavouring, food colouring or hydrogenated fats. One of the highlights of the experience is the edible cookie spoon for zero waste and maximum pleasure.
Due to Giotto's resounding success, it recently decided to open a second location on Rue Bonaventure in Jette, to the north of Brussels, near Parc Roi Baudouin. The new shop will also be open every day except Monday from 14:00 to 18:00, and from 13:00 to 18:30 on weekends.
Best in Belgium
Giotto stands out for its new and bold flavours, which it regularly changes to offer customers a new experience every time. The flavours on offer range from the more traditional Sicilian pistachio, Piemonte hazelnut and Madagascan vanilla, to the more exotic lychee and Hibiscus Prosecco.
It is this innovative side of the gelateria that ensured it a place in the Gelato Festival World Masters – the world championship in search of the best gelato flavours across five continents. In March, Giotto won first place among winning gelato artisans in the Belgian selection. This means Wu has a shot in the European Finals which will take place next year.
Christian Wu of Gelateria Giotto at the Gelato Festival World Masters. Credit: Gelateria Giotto / Carpigiani Ambachtelijk Benelux
He won first place with his creation 'Il Bosco dei Cento Acri' (the hundred-acre wood), described as "an aromatic gelato with wild honey and Scots pine with a porcini mushroom crumble and a variegated lemon and honey sauce". Wu says it was inspired by Winnie the Pooh's Forest of Blue Dreams.
Wu's path to becoming Belgium's best ice cream maker was unexpected, however. He initially studied management engineering and had a brief career in strategic consulting, but then decided to make the switch to the artisanal ice cream business in 2021. During his training, he worked with some of Italy's top ice cream makers.
