TikTok-Famous Dolce Bella Brings Cannoli, Gelato to Smithtown This March

Dolce Bella, the dessert brand that turned a pandemic-era catering cart into a social-media following, is set to open its first Suffolk County storefront at 85 E. Main St. in Smithtown later this month, marking the company's second Long Island location.

Co-owner Brandyn Williams and partner Tim "Big Red" Downey will take over the former Energy Boost space on Main Street, where renovations have been underway since December. The shop will serve the over-the-top cannoli creations and house-made gelato that made Dolce Bella a fixture on TikTok and drew crowds to its Oceanside location, which opened in 2024.

That Oceanside shop, which followed an earlier kiosk at Roosevelt Field mall, became the clearest argument for crossing into Suffolk. "When we opened Oceanside, it was a huge success," Williams said. "People come from Connecticut, upstate, Florida... it's crazy." The demand, he added, made one thing obvious: "The only complaint people had was that Suffolk County needed one."

Williams, who previously worked in corporate finance and lives in East Rockaway, launched Dolce Bella during the pandemic as a catering cart offering gelato and Italian ice at events. In 2022, he brought in longtime friend Downey to launch a cannoli cart, a pivot that quickly gained traction on social media and at private events. Dolce Bella built its reputation on what Williams describes as a "modern take" on the classic Italian dessert, leaning into colorful, unconventional presentations that translated well to short-form video.

Finding Smithtown wasn't a data-driven exercise. Williams and Downey started scouting Suffolk locations last fall, and they did it personally. "We did it the old-fashioned way," Williams said. "We drove through Bay Shore, Patchogue, Islip, every little town." When they reached Smithtown, the search stopped. "We really liked it," Williams said. "The community, everything about Smithtown spoke to us." He was equally direct about the specific space: "We liked the spot right away. It's going to look great."

The Smithtown opening is planned for later in March 2026, though an exact date has not been announced.