Where to find the best ice cream in Melbourne

Pidapipo combines an Italian’s love of the ‘icy arts’ with a fondness for local ingredients. Handmade daily, the rotating selection of flavours are testament to their dessert obsession. Favourites include pistachio, blood orange and vanilla bean with honeycomb. Find them on Lygon Street in Carlton.

Gelateria Primavera does artisan gelato in the authentic Italian style – made from fresh, seasonal fruit. The gelato menu changes daily as the team dream up new flavour combos, like pistachio and cardamom. Stop into the gelato shop at the front of Spring Street Grocer for a scoop, or order a tub online and indulge at home.

1565 is the year gelato was invented, and it's also the name of a seriously good ice cream spot. This Kensington cafe has mastered the art of gelato. Taste test inventive flavours, inspired by Italian cuisine. Try ricotta and honey; poached fig; orange and fennel or a refreshing watermelon and mint.

With more than 30 flavours to choose from, you'll want to come back to Lavezzi over and over again. The shop crafts all its gelato from scratch, using high-quality raw ingredients. Think hand-roasted Italian nuts and house-made honeycomb and caramel. Head to the Lygon Street window to see what's on offer.

Brand new to Hardware Lane, the first CBD store for Piccolina will not disappoint. Walk up the bluestone to the pastel-toned, Italian-style Gelateria and you almost feel like you're in Europe. Our pick? Pistachio gelato, stacked with whipped cream and doused in Nutella swirl.  And yes, there's a free-flowing Nutella tap. You can also get tubs, gelato sandwiches and Nutella ice magic delivered via UberEats.

Artisan Italian gelato with Asian-inspired flavours? Yum! Il Dolce Freddo on Lygon Street slings out-there flavours like hibiscus latte with chilli choc chip, pandan and coconut, and matcha green tea. Be sure to try a scoop of the love-it-or-hate-it durian. Order via Instagram DM for pick up or delivery on weekends.

An old-school Chinese restaurant treat gets new life at Phat. Creamy scoops of vanilla ice cream are deep-fried in batter for a crisp coating. Topped with sweet indulgences like caramel sauce, popcorn and marshmallows, this is not for the faint of heart. Find them on weekends at Queen Victoria Market.

Take a break from your shopping at Queen Victoria Market and pop into Geloso Gelateria. They make gelato in-house from recipes passed down three generations. Treat yourself to regulars like hazelnut and cherry ripe, or try your luck and hope the jam donut special is on the menu.

Who doesn’t need a treat right now? Gelateria on the docks have cold comfort in 52 different delicious homemade flavours. Gluten and dairy-free options are very much on the menu. Foodie faves include vegan dark chocolate and rich licorice.

Okinawan influence, sea salt and OTT toppings. That’s what makes Aqua S so unique. Swing by their QV location and you could score big with specials like the layered honey cake sundae. Or keep it ‘simple’ with red velvet, matcha and cheesecake. Did we mention you can order any cone draped in a ring of fairy floss?