Set within the ground floor of a historic limestone building on Rue Bernard in Montréal‘s stylish Mile End, Dalmata is a small gelato shop that delivers big personality within a compact footprint. Created through a collaboration between designer David Dworkind and artist Dan Climan, the space embraces its long, narrow proportions, transforming spatial constraint into a defining design feature.
From the street, a brown-and-white striped awning signals the playful tone before visitors step inside. The interior draws loosely from the familiar language of traditional Italian gelaterias wuth a deep burnt orange that wraps the upper walls from entrance to rear, and a muted pink applied to panelled wainscoting below.
The striped motif continues indoors, where a suspended fabric awning stretches the length of the counter, visually connecting the exterior and interior. Black-and-white mosaic floor tiles introduce another classic reference, grounding the design with a subtle nod to European café culture. At the centre of the room, a veined marble service counter serves as a focal point and is carved with the shop’s name.
Art plays an essential role in shaping the identity of the space. A painting of horses by Climan brings colour and movement to the orange wall, while a small photograph of Oasis mid-scream adds a moment of irreverence. The name itself references a Dalmatian portrait created by Climan that hangs inside chef Danny Smiles’s restaurant Le Violon, linking the gelateria to the city’s wider creative community while acknowledging Italian roots.
Though primarily designed for takeaway service, Dalmata includes a small interior garden seating area with space for around ten clients, offering a relaxed spot to pause with a cone or cup. Outside, folding benches and a simple letter-board menu complete the spot. Modest in scale yet confident in execution, Dalmata feels clear in its intentions as a neighbourhood gelato shop built around good design and the uncomplicated pleasure of ice cream.
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Photography, David Dworkind / courtesy Dalmata Gelateria Montréal.
