Where to find the best ice cream in Melbourne

Forget the ice cream cart, Brunetti Classico has opened an entire gelato bar on Lygon Street! That Gelato Bar is a sweet little pastel pink space, packed to the brim with 24 flavours. Dig into a cup of refreshing Sicilian lemon granita. Or order scoops of your quintessential summer gelato flavours.

7 Apples Gelato has opened a swirl station at QV Melbourne. Find the neon-lit store on Red Cap Lane and try a slew of exclusive flavours. There's classic Italian and Asian fusion flavours to choose from. Will it be dark choc and raspberry or coconut pandan jam? Go wild at the topping bar or add a drizzle from the Nutella fountain.

This tiny cafe does gelato the Japanese way. That is, wrapped in warabi mochi or drizzled in matcha tea! Order traditional Japanese flavours like yuzu, black sesame and hojicha. Or try refreshing bingsu. When you've finished your sweets, visit the gacha vending machines to score cute capsule toys.

There's nothing quite like a fruity gelato on a summer's day. Beku, now on Lygon Street Carlton, creates natural handmade gelato with tropical flavours. With new, fresh flavours released each month, fan favourites like coconut sorbet won't last forever. Check out Beku's Instagram and see the changing menu via stories.

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 the team's dessert obsession. Order pistachio, fior de latte or rockmelon sorbetto. Try out the selection of cakes, perfect for birthdays and celebrations. Flavours include banoffee pie, bombe Alaska tiramisu and more.

Kariton Sorbetes is inspired by classic Filipino desserts with a unique twist. All the products are made from scratch, using the best quality ingredients. Try interesting flavours like turon. This banana gelato comes topped with caramel, jackfruit, candied sesame seeds and caramelised spring roll pastry. Or opt for a fresh sorbet with pink guava.

Found on the corner of Hardware Lane, the first CBD Piccolina store 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. For something a little extra, try out the gelato sandwiches and Nutella ice magic.

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

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.

Take a break from your shopping at Queen Victoria Market and pop into Geloso Gelateria. The team make gelato in-house from recipes passed down three generations. Treat yourself to regulars like hazelnut and cherry ripe, or if you're lucky, the jam donut special is on the menu.

Who doesn’t love a treat? Gelateria on the Docks has 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.

A sundae bar is popping up at this Italian restaurant for a limited time only. Visit Marameo this December to try old-school treats. Think gelato sandwiches, pavlova sundaes and Ferrero Rocher ice cream with hot fudge. Thirsty? The adults-only drinks menu includes frozen watermelon cosmos and the sgroppino-inspired 'LimonCHILLo'.

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, not for the faint hearted. Find it on weekends at Queen Victoria Market.