OCALA, FL (352today.com) – A familiar spot inside Paddock Mall has a new look—and a decidedly Italian menu.
La Dolce Vita Cafe has opened its second Ocala location, this one inside Paddock Mall at 3100 SW College Rd., Unit 490, near the food court in the space formerly occupied by Starbucks and later Symmetry Coffee Co. The locally owned business already operates its original location at Jasmine Square at 6146 SW State Road 200.
The new cafe brings La Dolce Vita’s house-made Italian gelato, specialty coffee and pastries into the mall, along with a selection of Italian-American focaccia sandwiches. The business describes its gelato as handmade in small batches using traditional Italian techniques and offers flavors ranging from pistachio and stracciatella to mango and lemon sorbet. Coffee and pastry options include espresso drinks, cappuccinos, lattes, affogato, cannoli and sfogliatella, with the cafe’s pastry selection changing regularly. Customers can also purchase gelato by the pint to take home.
While the cafe is already doing business, La Dolce Vita will officially celebrate the new location with a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership. The event is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026, from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. with the ribbon cutting at noon. The event will include an opportunity to meet the owners, tour the cafe and sample its offerings.
The cafe’s official website lists the business as open daily, though hours may vary. For more information, visit La Dolce Vita or call 352-857-8080.