OUR STORY
For over a century, our family have been serving gelato to the residents and visitors of St. Andrews from the brick & mortar of 31 - 33 South Street.
· FIRST GENERATION ·
In the 1890s, the Jannetta family left Atina, a small village nestled in the hills of Italy’s Lazio region, and journeyed to the north-east coast of Scotland to begin a new chapter in their lives. With their skills, traditions and deep knowledge of the craft, Bennett Jannetta, Antonia Rosa, and their four children - Charlie, Mary, Bennett Jnr and Louise - brought their love of gelato and sorbet making to Scotland.
By 1908, their dream had taken root in the seaside town of St. Andrews. At 31 South Street, the family began producing and selling their gelato, slowly weaving themselves into the fabric of the local community. They formed close bonds with dairy farmers, berry growers and neighbouring businesses, blending Italian heritage with Scottish produce in a way that felt both new and wonderfully natural.
· SECOND GENERATION ·
As Bennett Snr and Antonia Rosa grew older and the sisters followed their own paths, the business passed into its second generation under the care of Charlie Jannetta, and for a time, Bennett Jnr. But history had other plans. During the war, because of their Italian heritage, the brothers were interned as prisoners on the Isle of Man alongside many fellow Italian-Scots. Even in such difficult times, friendships were formed, and spirits endured.
When the war ended and the brothers returned home, their vision for Jannettas grew even stronger. They purchased 33 South Street, expanding the gelateria into a café - and Café Jannetta was born. Stories tell that the brothers were just as passionate about creating a welcoming place for friends as they were about the business itself. Billiards games played after hours became part of the café’s living history, within the very walls where Jannettas still produce gelato today.
· THIRD GENERATION ·
Throughout the war years, the gelateria never closed its doors. Charlie’s wife, Mary Jannetta, together with their daughters Fiona and Francis, kept the business afloat, serving the public, making gelato, and protecting the family legacy through uncertain times.
As The years passed, the family’s presence in St Andrews grew. Jannettas could be found not only on South Street, but also pedalling through town on a gelato bicycle and serving gelato & sorbet from a kiosk at the famous West Sands beach.
Fiona Jannetta became the third generation to carry the torch. During a visit back to Atina, she met fellow Italian-Scot David De Angelis. The two married and together became custodians of 31–33 South Street. The 1950s marked a new era of flavour: what had once been six varieties of gelato grew to 12, then 24. Fiona and David were driven by a simple, beautiful idea, to celebrate the marriage of Italian tradition and Scottish ingredients through an ever expanding range of gelato and sorbets.
· FOURTH GENERATION ·
By the 1960s, their family of two had become five. Of their children, the youngest, Nicola, shared her mother’s deep love for food and community.
Meanwhile, a young man from Edinburgh named Owen was travelling the world, working in some of the finest hotels, from Switzerland to London, Frankfurt to Bournemouth. Fate brought him to Glasgow, where he met Nicola, the fourth generation of the Jannetta family. Together, they shared a vision: to continue and grow the Jannetta legacy.
This fourth generation honoured the traditional methods of gelato-making first brought to Scotland in 1908, while strengthening the family’s ties to local producers and the wider community. With a continued focus on traditional methods and small-batch craft, they carefully grew their now-renowned selection to 54 flavours, each made with the same attention, quality and care that has defined Jannettas for generations.
· FIFTH GENERATION ·
As Jannettas passed 110 years of history, the legacy extended to a fifth generation. Brothers Lewis and Ross joined the family business, drawing on the knowledge, traditions, and stories of the generations before them.
Now in its 118th year, Jannettas continues to evolve, deepening its range of gelato and sorbets, experimenting with new produce, maintaining time-honoured techniques, building new relationships, and creating fresh stories, all while holding close the spirit of a small Italian family who arrived with a dream and a love for gelato.
A LETTER FROM CHARLIE JANNETTA
As I sit down to write this letter, I am filled with nostalgia and a profound sense of gratitude. You see, our little gelato shop here in St. Andrews has been more than just a business to my family and me. It has been a labour of love, a testament to tradition, and a cherished part of our family's heritage for generations.
My father was the first who brought the art of gelato-making to our family. Hailing from the sun-drenched hills of Italy, he brought with him not only the his recipes but also the passion and dedication to the craft that defines our gelato.
Through the years, our shop has seen many changes. From the humble beginnings in a small corner of St. Andrews to becoming a beloved fixture in the community, each generation of our family has poured their heart and soul into perfecting our craft and sharing the joy of traditional gelato with our customers.
As you step through the doors of our shop, I hope you feel not just the chill of our freshly made gelato, but also the warmth of our family's love and dedication. Every scoop, every flavour is a testament to our commitment to quality and tradition.
As our family continues to grow and evolve, we are grateful for the opportunity to share our passion with you, our cherished customers. From our family to yours, thank you for being a part of our story, and we look forward to serving you for generations to come.
Grazie e buon gelato!