Scoop It Up The Gold Coast’s Best Gelato And Ice Cream Shops
No matter if it's a sweltering 35 degrees or a freezing (in Gold Coast terms) 18 degrees, it’s always gelato time on the Gold Coast. Some folks are all about ice cream, some swoon for sorbet and many won’t look at anything but gelato.
Whether you’re a cup or a cone fan—or even one of those shakes people—there's undoubtedly a cold cabinet full of creamy frozen treats on a corner near you. Here’s the Urban List scoop on 10 of the best gelato and ice cream shops on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country. I challenge you to lick your way through this list.
Gelato Messina
2A Cavill Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Gelato Messina | Supplied
This uber-popular gelateria opened on the Gold Coast back in 2022 and serves up top-notch gelato to all and sundry at Paradise Centre in Surfers Paradise. The gorgeous Gelato Messina store has all the regular trimmings—35 signature gelato flavours and five rotating weekly specials, served out of their shiny digs with a gorgeous beachfront view.
INSIDER INTEL
- You'll also find a selection of eight gelato cakes, made-to-order milkshakes, thick shakes as well as the full wild and wacky dessert spreads range. All the noms.
Scoop Gelati Bar
23 James St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
A family-owned business offering handcrafted, small-batch gelato and sorbet, Scoop Gelati Bar is conveniently located right in the bustling southern hub of Burleigh's James Street. An ever-changing selection of 24 flavours (from a total range of 300+ recipes) keeps things fresh and exciting, and ingredients seasonal, too.
Go for the scoops or traditional milkshakes and thick shakes, or if you’re feeling a bit extra, pump things up with a gourmet thick shakes, ultra-loaded with four scoops of creamy gelato and almost a meal in and of themselves. You can also snag gelato and sorbet cakes that are made to order.
INSIDER INTEL
- The blood orange sorbet is to die for
Burleigh Gelato Co.
9 Connor St, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220 & 10 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Image Credit: Burleigh Gelato Co. | Instagram
Burleigh Gelato Co. is all about tradition. This crew always purchase local goods when they can and boast regularly-rotating flavours to provide you with a unique—and delicious—experience every time.
During summer, I'm a sucker for the refreshing sorbet smoothies, and for those colder days, it’s hard to go past a gelato panini, with a scoop of your favourite flavour sandwiched inside a warm toasted brioche bun. It's known as a breakfast option in Sicily, and I for one can vouch for icecream sandwiches for brekky. Add a schmear of Nutella, caramel or Biscoff to make it extra luxe.
INSIDER INTEL
- The family who own Burleigh Gelato Co. are all mad gelato lovers themselves, so they take care to make everything with the utmost authenticity
- Opt for your fave flavour served inside a brioche bun for an unforgettable meal (yes, meal)
The Gelato Shop
97 Surf Parade, Broadbeach QLD 4218
The Gelato Shop just keeps on racking up the wins, with multiple Gold, Silver and Bronze medals awarded over the years at the Royal Queensland Food and Wine Show (and those judges know what they’re about.) They’ve also been voted as Gold Coast’s best gelato for multiple years, so it’s definitely worth a trip into Broadbeach to see what all the fuss is about.
This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but a few flavours that caught my eye are: American Cookie, Caramel Slice, Peanut Butter Nutella Crunch, Triple Chocolate Biscotti, Chunky Chocolate Cheesecake, Chocolate Profiteroles, Banana Split and my personal fave, Baileys Irish Cream. For serious gelato lovers, you can also order one of their incredible gelato cakes. BRB, off to Broady.
INSIDER INTEL
- Scoops are made fresh daily
- Ferrero Rocher is their most requested flavour. Have a lick and you'll immediately see why
Gelatissimo
Various Locations
Image Credit: Gelatissimo | Instagram
Gelatissimo is your one-stop gelato shop, with a huge range of gelato for individuals and a party section so awesome that you’ll never want to eat regular cake again. From the classic favourites to a rotating menu of new innovations, they have over 40 flavours made fresh in-store for us to drool over.
When it comes to parties, they’ve got you covered with five ice cream cakes including a chocolate and salted caramel cake, smothered in rich chocolate ganache (do I really need to share?), and colourful bambino cones for that perfect individual bite. They can even make up a custom cake of your own choosing.
INSIDER INTEL
- For those just looking to satisfy a sweet tooth, a warm toasted doughnut with a scoop of your favourite gelato has to be the perfect comfort treat.
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My Gelato
1 Oracle Bvd, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Situated in the Oracle Boulevard, My Gelato is an easy stroll from a plethora of local restaurants so you can toddle straight on over after a delicious meal. I love that these guys pay close attention to details and support local producers wherever possible.
They even do an ultra-decadent affogato for those who are looking for the grown-up touch to dessert. If you’re too full from dinner, you can always get a take home tub for later.
INSIDER INTEL
- The family behind this icecream joint moved to the Gold Coast from Rome in 2009 and opened their shop
- Try the mandarin custard pistachio and almond, biscotto (AKA cookies and cream), panna cotta or cappuccino flavours to whisk your taste buds away for a trip to the Mediterranean
Tango Gelato
1102 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221 & 80 Marine Parade, Kingscliff NSW 2487
Tango Gelato opened their second store at the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Palmy, so there are two thriving locales to request scoops at for your frozen fix.
As well as your traditional cup, cone and shake offerings, Tango Gelato likes to get a bit healthy with its huge variety of real fruit smoothies, freshly squeezed juices, shakes and Acai. Best news? They deliver, so you don’t even have to get off the couch.
INSIDER INTEL
- Get these goods delivered direct to you, either at home or when your craving strikes at the beach
- Their flavours are multi-award winners
Yo-Chi
Various locations
Image Credit: Yo-Chi | Alisha Trask Photography
Okay, okay I know this one isn't technicallyyyyy ice cream but fro-yo is up there among the best with its rich, creamy taste and plethora of inventive flavours. So I'm dubbing it one of the best places for glacial treats. Yo-Chi is Australia's fastest-growing frozen yogurt brand with three locations on the Gold Coast, Surfers Paradise, Broadbeach and conveniently at Robina Town Centre for a post-shopping treat.
Choose from classic options like creamy vanilla and rich chocolate or unique rotating flavour combinations including yuzu.
Yo-Chi has a signature buffet-style bar, allowing you to choose from many different topping options, like brownies, melted Nutella, and a selection of fruit and other goodness. Every month, Yo-Chi boasts a 'Special Chi' rotating flavour or topping so you'll never get bored.
INSIDER INTEL
- There are also dairy-free options in-store
- Pricing is based on weight so be warned you won't pay by the scoop like most Gold Coast ice cream stores
- Broadbeach and Surfers Paradise are open until 11pm, for late-night cravings
Rose Gelateria
Shop/39A Masthead Way, Hope Island QLD 4212 & 19 Tedder Ave, Main Beach QLD 4217
Image Credit: Rose Gelateria Sanctuary Cove | Supplied
Rose Gelateria is a hot contender for best looking gelato shop—nay, shop—on the Gold Coast, with its dusky pink hues and on-point Insta game. It’s worth a visit just to lap up their eye-candy gelato fridge. There are lots of other reasons to visit too, among them a range of delightful creamy gelato and sorbet of course, but also perfect macarons, flaky croissants, affogatos, dessert jars and locally sourced beans from Supreme Coffee Roasters.
You really don’t understand what heaven is until you’ve tried a quality affogato with Rocksalt Caramel gelato.
INSIDER INTEL
- Ask for the stunning gelato rose. You won’t regret it.
- The limited edition strawberry matcha flavour is elite
Ottimo
52 Marine Parade, Coolangatta QLD 4225
Italian for ‘excellent’, Ottimo is certainly living up to its name with its drool-worthy range of unique flavour combinations and authentic vibes.
The husband and wife team behind this Cooly cone spot source fresh, natural ingredients and do the simple things well, like strong coffee made from Julius Meinl beans, traditional gelato flavours like salted caramel and Nutella alongside Sicilian-style flavours such as mandarin custard with pistachio and almond, and passionfruit sorbet.
INSIDER INTEL
- Come for the gelato, but stay for the range of flaky pastries and decadent cheesecakes.
For pre-gelato dinner, check out:
Main image credit: Burleigh Gelato Co | Instagram
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