World Nutella Day 2026

Ah, Nutella®! You wondrous Italian concoction! Is it no wonder that the world has had a love affair with you through the years? I mean, come on. . . what is there NOT to love about this ooey, gooey, nutty, and oh so irresistable hazelnut chocolate spread? To celebrate World Nutella® Day, I’m sharing my best Nutella recipes. But not just that, I’m also taking you on a little visual tour of the very first Nutella® Cafe’ — in Chicago. Yes, right here in the States, the Ferrero’s chose the location for the first Nutella® paradise.

Since that opening day in 2017, other Nutella® sites have opened up in New York City, Italy (Venice and Sicily), Portugal, Greece, Palestine, Brazil, Canada, and Australia. So fans of Nutella® can enjoy their favorite ‘happiness in a jar’ treat and at the same time have the ‘ultimate Nutella® experience!

Did you know that the original version of Nutella® was called “pasta gianduja”?  Pasta means “paste” and “gianduja”, is the name of a carnival character famous to the region.  This was actually made in loaves and wrapped in aluminum foil so it could be sliced and placed on bread for mothers to make sandwiches for their children in Italy.  But many children would throw away the bread and only eat the pasta gianduja!”

“So Mr. Ferrero altered the product into a paste that came in a jar so it could be spread on the bread. This then became known as “supercrema gianduja,” because it was a spreadable version of the gianduja. It was eventually renamed “Nutella®” in 1964, with the origin of the word being “nut” and the “ella” giving it a soft ending.  Nutella® was first imported from Italy to the U.S. over 25 years ago, in 1983.  The popularity of Nutella® grew steadily over the years, and it’s now available across the United States and sold all over the world.”  (quoted excerpts from the “History of Nutella®”.)

People from all over were visiting the Chicago eatery in droves.

The line at the Nutella® Cafe is long!  It not only slowly inches through the cafe, but it also extends all the way outside onto the busy sidewalk. An hour in line to place your order is normal.  

Many contemporary graphics are placed throughout the space to give strong visual stimulation.  The yellow flower lights are meant to resemble hazelnut flowers, and the dark, wavy wood on the ceiling imitates the creamy Nutella® consistency itself. Cool, huh? I just love the creative parallels in design!

The menu includes croissants stuffed with Nutella®, cappuccino with drizzled Nutella®, and even Nutella® gelato, just to name a few of the delicious ways to get your Nutella® fix! There are also plenty of menu items that don’t include Nutella®.

At first, it was difficult to decide what to order, but these crepes stuffed with Nutella® could not be passed up!

And of course, you have to save room for a big scoop of some legendary Nutella® gelato!

ANY TIME!

And now for the Nutella® recipes I’ve made and that my family and friends have enjoyed through the years. I highly recommend them and hope you’ll try them and let me know your thoughts!

The Ultimate Panini with Nutella®, Strawberries, Bananas, and Macadamia Nuts

Rich and Fudgy Nutella® Brownies

Nutella® Stuffed Snowballs

nutella snowballs

Nutella® Pumpkin Cheesecake Bites

Nutella Cheesecake Bites

Nutella® and Pistachio Gelato

Nutello Gelato

Ultimate Nutella® Brownies

Yellow Cake with Nutella® Buttercream Frosting

nutella frosting layer cake

Did you make any of these recipes? Please leave a comment and send me a photo to share here on the blog! Or share it on Instagram @italianbellavita or use the hashtag #italianbellavita.

Buon Appetito!

This post first appeared on this blog in 2011 and was updated with new information in 2020 and 2026.

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