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 others won’t look at anything but gelato.
But it really doesn’t matter whether you’re a cup or a cone fan—or even one of those shakes people—because there will undoubtedly be a cold cabinet full of creamy frozen treats on a corner near you. Here’s the Urban List scoop on 11 of the best gelato and ice cream shops on the Gold Coast/Yugambeh language region. We 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 last year and is serving 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.
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 James Street. An ever-changing selection of 24 flavours (from a total range of 300+ recipes) keeps things fresh and exciting for customers, and keeps 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 thickshakes, 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. Oh, and the blood orange sorbet is to die for, just quietly.
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. The family who own Burleigh Gelato Co. are all mad gelato lovers themselves, so they take care to make everything with the utmost authenticity. They 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, we definitely go 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. Add a schmear of Nutella, caramel or Biscoff to make it extra luxe.
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 our eye are: American Cookie, Caramel Slice, Peanut Butter Nutella Crunch, Triple Chocolate Biscotti, Chunky Chocolate Cheesecake, Chocolate Profiteroles, Banana Split and our personal fave, Baileys Irish Cream. For serious gelato lovers, you can also order one of their incredible gelato cakes. BRB, off to Broady.
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 we 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. 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.
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. We 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. Try the mandarin pistachio and almond, biscotto, panna cotta or cappuccino flavours to whisk your taste buds away for a trip to the Mediterranean. If you’re too full from dinner you can always get a take home tub for later.
Tango Gelato
1102 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221 & 80 Marine Parade, Kingscliff NSW 2487
Tango Gelato has recently opened up a second store at the Pavilions Shopping Centre in Palmy, so there’s no need to head all the way down to Kingscliff for your 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.
Yo-Chi
89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach QLD 4218 & 3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Image Credit: Yo-Chi | Alisha Trask Photography
Okay, okay we 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. Yo-Chi is Australia's fastest-growing frozen yogurt brand with two locations on the Gold Coast; choose from classic options like creamy vanilla and rich chocolate or unique rotating flavour combinations like 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.
Scoop of Happiness
5/59 Railway St, Mudgeeraba QLD 4213
Scoop of Happiness by name, and scoop of happiness by nature. This delightful Mudgeeraba gem is worth a visit, not just for its range of creamy, exotic gelato flavours but also for its range of hard-to-find international sweet and savoury treats like Butterfinger Bars, Twizzlers, Mango Mountain Dew and even Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal.
Keeping with the unique theme, you can also nab yourself mud cake with a scoop, a gelato hot dog with toppings or warm Belgian waffles with a scoop of creamy gelato. Potentially Gold Coast’s most unique gelato shop.
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 take a picture and pretty up your grid. But 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. We recommend asking for the stunning gelato rose. You won’t regret it.
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. Come for the gelato, but stay for the range of flaky pastries and decadent cheesecakes. Beachside dessert, anyone?
If you're looking for somwhere to grab dinner pre-gelato, check out:
Main image credit: Burleigh Gelato Co | Instagram
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