What Makes Dojo Different

A "dojo" traditionally refers to a place where individuals commit to mastering a craft. At Dojo Gelato, our craft is creating the finest Italian-style gelato and sorbetto, made fresh daily in our Northside kitchen. We don’t just stop at the basics—we make everything from scratch, including the delectable inclusions (that’s ice cream lingo for any tasty add-ins) like the cake in our Gooey Buttercake Gelato and the chocolate cookies in our Milk-n-Cookies flavor.

Since we opened our first cafe in 2009 at Historic Findlay Market in downtown Over-the-Rhine, Cincinnati, our mission has been simple: to offer the most distinctive, high-quality gelato and coffee experiences possible. Whether you're visiting us at Findlay Market or Northside, or enjoying our roaming gelato truck and carts throughout the Tri-State area, we invite you to taste the passion we pour into every scoop.

About The Owner

When Michael Christner moved to Cincinnati from Austin in 2006, he quickly realized the city lacked a place for authentic Italian-style gelato. Inspired by this gap, Michael opened the first Dojo Gelato location in the summer of 2009 at historic Findlay Market in Over-the-Rhine, fulfilling his lifelong dream of creating a gelateria that prioritized freshness and quality over quantity.

Before starting Dojo Gelato, Michael honed his craft by training in traditional gelato-making techniques at Carpigiani in New York and attending Penn State's renowned Ice Cream Short Course at the Berkey Creamery.

At Dojo Gelato, we’re known for our fresh gelati, inventive flavors, and commitment to offering guests a unique ice cream and coffee experience. Every batch of gelato and sorbetto is made from scratch in our Northside kitchen, where we create small-batch treats with the utmost care and attention to detail.