Where to find the best ice cream in Melbourne

Carlton is home to the best gelato shops in Melbourne and now there’s a new kid on the block to try. Look out for Glo Gelato’s bright yellow exterior and work your way through the menu. The folks here have gotten rather inventive and created all sorts of unique flavours. We’re dying to try the popcorn gelato with salted caramel and sticky date pudding. Or why not give the pandan with taro and black rice a try? They also have some impressive looking ice cream cakes and seasonal desserts too.

This tiny-but-mighty dessert shop is scooping up some of Melbourne’s most creative ice cream flavours. Nestled beside a Bourke Street parking garage, Kōri’s sleek and futuristic interiors will transport you to Japan. Try the Hokkaido cheesecake ice cream, Fuji apple sorbet or miso banana caramel treats. Once you’ve picked a winner, you can take home a tub from the vending machine.

Stroll down Carlton’s Gratton Street and try the viral sorbet served in a whole lemon at Taste of Amalfi. Embrace that Italian summer vibe and cool off with this refreshing dessert. Or if lemon isn’t quite your jam, they have a bunch of other delicious flavours. Think blood orange (served in a whole orange of course), strawberry and coconut and olive oil. Each sorbet is made with real fruit, so you know it’s good.

With 25 stores around the world, Anita Gelato has found a new home on one the corner of Melbourne’s hidden laneways. The huge cabinet is jam packed with every flavour under the rainbow. Taste classics like pistachio, chocolate and hazelnut and limoncello. Or branch out and order a scoop of milk chocolate pretzel or pavlova and mixed berries.

Stay cool this summer with an ice cold scoop from Brunetti Classico Gelato Bar. This cute pastel pink spot is situated right outside the Lygon Street Brunetti. Dig into your choice of up to 48 seasonal flavours, from bacio to bubblegum. Try a gelato-loaded cocktail. And don't miss the ultimate Italian treat – gelato cannoli. Bite into crispy shells filled with pistachio, amarena, biscoff, rocher or salted caramel.

7 Apples Gelato has opened a swirl station at QV Melbourne. Find the neon-lit store on Red Cape 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 creates natural handmade gelato with tropical flavours. With new, fresh flavours released each month, fan favourites like coconut sorbet don'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 a 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.

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 Sundays at Queen Victoria Market.