Where to find the best ice cream in Melbourne

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.

This South Korean sensation serves signature soft ice cream topped with wild ingredients. Think everything from fairy floss affogato to flamin’ hot cheeto soft serve. But the real cream of Milkcow‘s crop is the fruity ice cream sandwich. Juicy frozen watermelon, filled with dreamy pink soft serve for the ultimate (vegan!) treat.

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 or Degraves Street (psst, this is where the Nutella tap lives) in the city.

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?

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.

In a world first, robots are serving ice cream unassisted at Fed Square. With three cute and quirky AI-ce cream experts at the helm, Niska opened in 2019 to much fanfare. Step into the future and try all 16 locally made flavours.

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.