
Where to find the best ice cream in Melbourne
Artisan, hand-made or old-school. Taste your way through these delectable city scoop shops.
Nibbles
Ice cream tacos are the sweet combo you didn't know you needed. Customisable waffle cones are crafted into fresh taco shells before your eyes, then creamy mixtures are chopped together on a cold plate to make perfectly cylindrical ice cream rolls. Choose flavours like red velvet, matcha fortune cookie, cookies and cream and more.
Beku Gelato
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 Lygon Street
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. Try out their new selection of cakes, perfect for birthdays and celebrations. Flavours include, banoffee pie, bombe Alaska and coconut cloud. Find them on Lygon Street in Carlton.
Kariton Sorbetes
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 muscovado butterscotch, jackfruit, candied sesame seeds and caramelised spring roll pastry. Or opt for a fresh sorbet like 'pinya't suha', a pineapple sorbet with zesty pomelo segments.
Aqua S
Okinawan influence, sea salt and OTT toppings. That’s what makes Aqua S so unique. Swing by the 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?
Piccolina Gelateria
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
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
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.
Lavezzi Gelateria
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.
Il Dolce Freddo
Artisan Italian gelato with Asian-inspired flavours? Yum! Il Dolce Freddo on Lygon Street offers unique 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.
PHAT fried ice cream
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.
Geloso Gelateria
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.
Gelateria on The Docks
Who doesn’t need a treat right now? 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.
Casa del Gelato
An award-winning gelati shop that has been making delicious ice cream on Lygon Street since 1980.
Barbarella Gelato and Wine
Premium gelato, perfect coffee and an excellent wine list all within the historic Block Arcade.
Last updated on Tue 17 Jan 2023
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