Bucket & Bay Craft Gelato

Okay so a coworker recently bragged to me about the gelato at this place and I figured what does she know. Tonight we hit it after work and all I can say is I’m looking forward to going back again.
The gelato menu was interesting, even had some alcohol infused flavors but I focused in on a scoop of Toasted Coconut and a scoop of Deep Dark Chocolate. The Toasted Coconut was pleasantly flavorful, no complaints there and I could easily have had it by itself. But partnering it with the Deep Dark Chocolate was just perfect. That flavor was a whole new level of decadence.
I found the price for the 2 generous scoops at just under $ 6 to be reasonable. The product is of high quality and not mass produced. The place itself is cozy and offers free wifi. Staff was excellent and very friendly. This is an great addition to the Downtown Jersey City scene.

I ventured out to JC for an event at this location. As an out of towner I was actually really happy to see how easy it was to find from the train station… like just about right there.
The space is much larger than a typical gelato shop and they offer free wi-​fi so definitely worth considering stopping by.
While the title screams gelato, they actually offer a variety of options outside of gelato. Sandwiches and pastries, coffee, friendly faces, great space. I hear they even offer gelato making classes. If I ever though this was a skill that I would possibly ever use, I’d sign up, but my lazy factor won’t allow it. You on the other hand should consider it.
Next time I’m in Jersey City, you can find me picking out my favorite flavor. Look for the person proudly ordering the vegan option. (By the way, the lactose intolerant people of the world are loving this option)

Love the gelato, especially with the homemade sugar cones. Great coffee too. Staff is very friendly and welcoming.

This place is great — off the beaten path and you could miss it. The flavors are inventive (both alcohol infused, and non) and a great consistency. I had the Bucket and Bay vanilla. While vanilla may seem boring, there was nothing boring about this flavor. The staff let us try practically every flavor, which made the decision even more difficult. The hazelnut was a standout, and rose latte definitely had the essence of rosewater. I didn’t try any of the non-​gelato options, but the hot chocolate looked amazing.

Hmm am I angry at myself for waiting so long to come here or glad that I finally did on my birthday and made it all that much more special? Probably both.
The lovely gentleman was patient and generous with the samples as bae and I stared at the menu (not too long, not too short) for several minutes. He got mint chocolate chip (tasted like REAL mint) and I obvs got 2 scoops: rose latte mmmmmmm and ghulwein – interesting and addictive. The two together were delightful.
Prices were okay – the gelato is quite dense and so even though the scoops seem small, it’s filling. The space is very clean and open. Will be back (definitely before my next birthday) for sure!

Delicious gelato and such a passion for what they do here. The owner is such a sweet woman. They let you sample so you know exactly which one you want to get, although it might be even more difficult because they are all so good. Absolute favorite is the black label vanilla. Yes… I know… they infuse their gelato with booze. Genius. This was such a great addition to jersey city.

They could’ve just stopped and settled with providing delicious, innovative gelato…
…but nooooo…
…they had to blow up the brunch game, too!
Already being a big fan of their gelato flavors (I can wax poetry about their mint chip, dark chocolate, and rose latte!), I decided to check out their brunch menu and was not disappointed by their offerings. If you love cheese, do yourself a favor and order something from the Melt Bar section, which include sandwiches like French Onion, Mr. Jack, and — my favorite — Stinky Cheese Man! For their sandwiches, I also appreciate how they have «single» and «double» portions so you can order according to your appetite’s desire.
And, of course, the best part: You can order a scrumptious scoop of gelato for dessert!

Ordered a cup with Shiso, Black Label Vanilla and Deep Dark Chocolate. Shiso tasted a bit like green tea but with an after taste that I didn’t particularly care for. Black Label Vanilla was the perfect mix of Vanilla and Black Label, not too strong on the alcohol but just enough to ensure you tasted the flavor profile. Deep Dark Chocolate was the star of the show! The richness of the chocolate just made me want more.
The employees there are the epitome of service with a smile. They happily let you try any and all flavors you want. As an aside, one of the employees was cutting up fresh mangos while we were there and I could just imagine the lovely mango sorbet it would probably be used to make. Plenty of seating indoors and outside. Will definitely be back for more of that Deep Dark Chocolate.

Felt slightly guilty to have come in to claim a freebie (courtesy to Unilocal Elite Jersey!)
The owner was just too nice. I already had my mind set on getting the rose latte and purple sticky rice. Yet the owner insisted that I sample (almost) every flavor on the menu! With detailed description to each, he wowed me with professional service and warm hospitality. The cherry on top were the gelato!
Rose latte — the rose was not overpowering, the texture was rich and creamy, the taste/​level of sweetness was simply perfect. Loved every bite!
Purple Sticky Rice — I remember having and loving rice gelato in Rome. So I was excited to see «rice» again on a gelato menu. It’s hard to describe exactly what rice flavored gelato tasted like. I can only recommend one to try. Much milder in terms of flavor. Perfect for those who long for something not too sweet. (Side note — Perhaps the purple threw me off, I was imagining it to taste like ube!)
Overall — not the best gelato ever but certainly damn good gelato. Plus the impeccable, warm service — well deserving 5 stars.

This place is all that and a bag of chips.
Delicious, creative flavors – but still approachable, something for everyone. My favorites when I visited were the hazelnut (roasted in shop, made into a paste, and served in a delicious smooth gelato) and the rosemary pear (not too strong a rosemary flavor, perfect light crispness from the pear flavor). I even love their homemade cones, which is not something I typically like.
Same with the owners and the (huge!!) shop: warm, inviting, happy. Lovely.
Very, very, very highly recommended. Absolutely worth the trek from Brooklyn! Or anywhere!

Absolutely fantastic gelato place. Their scotch-​based flavors are incredibly delicious. Make sure you try a few flavors.
The place itself is large and welcoming and their bakery is wide open for everyone to look in on. Extremely friendly staff who are more than willing to give you some suggestions if you have never been there before.
One of if not the best place to grab dessert in Jersey City hands down.

This is what the Powerhouse Arts District is all about: very basic interior converted into a pleasant storefront.
Bucket & Bay provides fresh, house-​made gelato in a number of flavours ranging from basic (vanilla, chocolate) to complex (rose latte, fernet branca-​infused), all of which show a real devotion to the craft.
No matter what you chose (the flavours will change daily), you’re in for a delicious treat served (and prepared by) an incredibly friendly and informative staff.

Ice cream is one of the very few things that could convince me to visit Jersey City.
After seeing the solid 5 star rating for Bucket & Bay for several weeks, I decided I finally must check it out, and was luckily sort of in the area after driving back home from an engagement in Jersey (wasn’t really on the way at all, but it was as close as I could ever imagine coming to Jersey City).
The place is pretty big, but it is mostly occupied by the counter space and production area. There are a few small tables inside as well as several more seats outside lining the store.
One of the main gimmicks here is alcohol-​infused flavors, a few of which were sold out when we arrived around 9 PM, but I didn’t mind since I’m not a big fan of alcohol flavors in general. Instead, I tried Deep Dark Chocolate, Chocolate Chip Mint and Purple Sticky Rice. They were all pretty good, but not particularly sweet. I tried some of the more interesting sounding flavors too, like Shiso and Rose Latte, but these flavors were even more muted and didn’t have as much flavor as I hoped for. Maybe the alcoholic ones are where it’s at.
We also tried the Gelato Panini, which is served here on a Croissant, ours filled with Raspberry Jam. We chose the simple Bucket & Bay Vanilla for this one, which was quite a good combo. As usual with these gelato panini though at almost all places, I would have liked to see a higher gelato to bread ratio.
I was already skeptical given that this was a gelato spot, which I never like nearly as much as good old ice cream. As expected, it doesn’t really hold a candle to the best ice cream places in NYC, but it was still very good and a nice satisfying option for dessert.

Came in on a Sunday afternoon to try the whiskey gelato flight ($ 12) which includes 4 tastings — Jack Daniels, Macallan, and two other ones I don’t remember the name of. Each one has different notes to it. There’s a whiskey notebook where you can write notes and read what other people have written about the flight.
As a bonus, they give you a tasting of Laphraoig gelato. They hold out on in until the end because this one is the strongest tasting one. It was also the best one in my opinion.
The guy who helped us was really nice and helpful in explaining each of the whiskey gelato tastings. He even gave us a tasting of the blackberry gelato afterwards to ‘cleanse our palettes’.
There’s a gelato panini that sounded pretty interesting — it’s a croissant with two different types of jam, and gelato in it. I’ll definitely be back to try this, and the black label vanilla (that was already sold out that day!)

Bucket and Bay opened around 2 months ago in a spectacular space in the new Morgan complex in Jersey City. The décor is awesome and there are is plenty of space to loiter both inside and outside.
Menu changes daily.
I loved that they had both your normal vanilla and chocolate but also more interesting/​complex flavors as well as alcohol infused flavors (that actually taste like it).
I personally had the rose latte, as I love rose flavored anything, and it had not an overpowering, but a subtle touch of rose against a a smooth, sweet base. I also got the blueberry lavender which was nice because it wasn’t overly tart and you could really taste the lavender. I also tried other various flavors all of which were great. I actually really liked my friend’s deep dark chocolate… Will be getting this next time.
The staff here are super super friendly and hospitable… Loved it!
They also have these cool paper spoons for samples.
Love it!

Wowzers. No surprise that Bucket and Bay has been open for only a short while and the positive reviews are already flowing in by the masses.
This isn’t your typical small gelato shop cluttered with cases of generic flavors. You won’t find quantity over quality here. Instead, Bucket and Bay is a large and airy shop with ample seating and separate sections for gelato and coffee. Everything is fresh and homemade and I’d assume that part of the reason for the large space is that all of the gelato is made fresh in-​house.
To visit my point before… you won’t find 5 variations of cookie chip mint crunch fudge ripple something something like you can find at other gelato shops. Here, the flavors are unique, elegant and hand picked. Yes, you can take the traditional route and go with vanilla bean or chocolate, but you can also opt to try some out there flavors such as purple sticky rice and tarragon. For the boozier minded they’ve got alcohol infused flavors like black label vanilla or fernet banana and they are even coming out with a «whiskey flight» idea where you can sample a few. I was hurting that day and didn’t want any alcohol but next time I’m all about it.
I kept it simple and went with a cup of vanilla bean. It was thick and creamy goodness. The vanilla flavor was strong and aromatic and didn’t need toppings. It was perfect as is.
Two small cups for 10 dollars is a bit pricey, but for homemade and fresh gelato it’s okay to treat yourself!

The owner was the nicest person ever. He came over and explained to every flavor profile of on the menu. and seemed so excited about each high quality ingredient going into the flavors. After I picked two, he seemed sad that I didn’t sample them first, and encouraged me to try one of the other ones.
First visit:
The mango smoked cardamon was as sweet and buttery as he described. I chose the dark chocolate and purple sticky rice on the homemade cone. The dark chocolate has a strong chocolate flavor. I was hoping the sticky rice ice cream would have actual rice in it, but the texture is smooth. It would have made an interesting texture. It has a strong flavor of coconut milk and pandan, so you still get the reminiscence of eating a Southeast Asian dessert. Both are on the sweet side, so it might be better to balance them out with a more herbaceous flavor. Get it on the homemade cone instead of the cup.
Second visit:
Second time around I tried the Mint Chip, Shavasana (Lavender Blueberry), Rose Latte, and Peach Bourbon. Their mint chip has a very natural taste to it. It reminds me of the mint chip from Van Leeuwen, except stronger. I would not advise getting mint chip mixed with any of the other flavors, as it is very overpowering. I recommend getting the Shavasana. It’s more blueberry and less flowery. The Peach Bourbon and Rose Latte were a little light in flavor, but that could also because I tried them after the mint chip. I also tried a spoonful of the Tarragon. It tastes so herby, so wasn’t a huge fan.
The place is so airy and refreshing. I was feeling depressed that day and walking in made me feel better immediately.

When it comes to desserts, I’ll admit that I still don’t really know the difference between ice cream and gelato. What I do know is Bucket and Bay makes stuff that I like.
The black label vanilla is probably my favorite thing from the regular menu. I say «regular menu» because one of the coolest aspects about this place is how the menu is always adding limited-​run flavors that are pretty unique. The cones are made in-​house and well worth getting. The owners Jen and Boris are also some of the nicest people you will ever meet. They’re always up for a chat while you eat your order.
The dessert scene in Jersey City is getting pretty crowded so if you want a cool atmosphere to go along with your cool dessert, this place is pretty much the best it gets!

I’ve been here twice in less than 3 days! This gelato spot has got it going on — incredible flavor, smooth creamy texture, and an amazingly beautiful store front!
Don’t be shy about asking for two or three samples if they aren’t busy. They have really unique flavors so you may want to be adventurous. I tried the tarragon, which is super unique but not as crazy as it sounds. I was surprised that I liked it as much as I did. I also sampled the black label vanilla gelato, which is simply stunning! For someone who doesn’t drink much liquor, I thoroughly enjoyed it. If you’re a true purist, the vanilla will knock your socks off! They use real vanilla beans and none of the fake-​y stuff that can sometimes make vanilla taste cloyingly sweet and medicinal. Instead, the true vanilla flavor comes through and is definitely far from boring. The mint chip had a real mint flavor as opposed to artificial mint flavoring. Not one of my faves, but simple and clean tasting for those who enjoy mint gelato.
Ultimately, I chose a scoop of dark chocolate made with Raaka chocolate bars (100% grassfed!) and a scoop of the purple sticky rice. The dark chocolate is rich, deep and beautifully intense. An absolute must for dark chocolate fans! The purple sticky rice was truly unique and hard to explain, but I love it!
On my return visit, I ordered a scoop of the strawberry with port and the rose latte (which was sold out last time). These were just fan friggin-​tastic! The strawberry flavor was intensified by the port and offered an excellent balance. However, the rose latte was the long shot. I don’t typically ever think of putting the two together. Yet, somehow they made this work as if they were pb and jelly — made for each other! I really don’t typically like floral flavors in my food — rose, lavender, etc., but they pulled it off! The hint of rose keeps a delicate balance with the subtle coffee flavor, making for a truly deliciously unique flavor experience.
Lastly, be sure to get your scoops in one of their homemade cones. These are made entirely in-​house and taste like waffle cookies. They’re really good. Period.
Additionally, the owners Boris and Jen, are very nice people. I noticed Boris walking around chatting up customers and welcoming people to sample the flavors all the while answering questions about their gelato. Jen was hard at work inventing new flavors, and pitched in when the two scoopistas needed an extra set of hands for the customers that came piling in. They seemed very genuine and excited. Boris even recommended a gelato place to me in DC for when I’m craving a well-​crafted gelato and can’t make it home to JC.
The interior is beautiful with lots of light wood, industrial metal and the occasional touch of bright red. The entire room is flooded with lots of natural light from the floor-​to-​ceiling windows. I really like that their kitchen is fully exposed so you can watch them make the gelato! In a week or two, Departed Soles, a brewery, will be opening just next door, and the entrance will cut right through the front entrance of Bucket & Bay. I’m hoping for a collab gelato in the future!
Their gelato is made with 100% grass-​fed dairy including the chocolate. They don’t use any artificial flavorings. I even spotted Jen snipping a few herbs outside! They also sell ModCup coffee and Choc-​o-​Pain pastries. Their tasting «spoons», cups, utensils, etc. are all compostable.
After having a few disappointing gelato experiences these past few weeks, I can undoubtedly give this place 5 stars. I don’t know how they do it, but they make it look easy!

I stumbled upon Bucket & Bay Craft Gelato during their Founder’s party. The owner graciously told my friends and I to come in and taste their gelato. Of course we had to! The scooparistas were so friendly and awesome! They informed us that the gelato is made in house with all natural ingredients, so no artificial crap or preservatives!
Blue Label Vanilla Gelato is sooo delicious! There’s actual Johnnie Walker Blue Label scotch infused in the gelato. The alcohol isn’t cooked off, and it goes well with the vanilla. The Strawberry Bellini gelato is also alcohol infused. The Mango Cardamon gelato is interesting in a good way! Definitely try all the flavors if you can! The waffle cones are homemade and yummy!
The coffee is made with Mod Coffee via Japanese pour over method. I am personally not a fan of this method because it’s time consuming, and the coffee is somewhat weak in my opinion. However, it is pretty cool to watch when they use this method. Since the coffee isn’t that strong, I wouldn’t recommend putting any sugar/​milk in it.
Jen & Boris, the owners, are very friendly and down to earth! They really like to take the time to tell you about their vision and future concoctions! I can’t wait to find out what else they come up with! I love the décor, furniture, and layout!
Their Official Opening Party is this Friday (June 05) from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm (rain or shine)! Free samples of their gelato!