Gelato at La Dolce Vita. Image credit: La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry.
La Dolce Vita Opens a Second Ocala Location, La Dolce Vita Café, Inside Paddock Mall
This is a business news article published on 2026-10-04 covering local Marion County, Florida news. Ocala gelato shop La Dolce Vita has opened La Dolce Vita Café inside Paddock Mall, near the food court in the former Starbucks space, serving gelato, specialty coffee, croissants and focaccia sandwiches. The original shop on SR 200 stays open.
Gelato at La Dolce Vita. Image credit: La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry.
Where It Is
The café is near the mall's food court, in the former Starbucks location, according to the shop's opening post. Paddock Mall's store directory lists it as La Dolce Vita Cafe in Space 490 on level 1, with the phone number (352) 857-8080.
What's on the Menu
The mall location leans into coffee and quick meals as well as dessert. The shop's post lists "handcrafted Italian gelato, specialty coffee, fresh croissants, Italian focaccia sandwiches & more," and the mall directory describes it as "a European-inspired café specializing in handcrafted gelato, premium espresso, specialty coffee, and freshly prepared croissants and focaccia sandwiches."
Sfogliatelle and cannoli. Image credit: La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry.
Hours
- La Dolce Vita Café, Paddock Mall: the mall directory lists Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, noon to 6 p.m., the same as the mall's hours.
- La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry, 6146 SW State Road 200 (Jasmine Square): the shop's Facebook page lists Monday through Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, noon to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 1 to 8 p.m.
The original SR 200 shop is not going anywhere. Its website lists gelato flavors such as pistachio, stracciatella, hazelnut, strawberry, mango and lemon sorbet and a dairy-free dark chocolate, along with cannoli, sfogliatelle, affogato, an espresso bar, take-home pints and a gelato cart for catering events.
For more, see our La Dolce Vita guide, ice cream and gelato in Ocala, Ocala desserts and new restaurants in Ocala.
Sources: La Dolce Vita Gelato & Pastry Facebook page (opening post, Sept. 19, 2026; hours), ladolcevitaocala.com, and the Paddock Mall store directory, checked Oct. 4, 2026.
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