The heat is beaming down, the beach is calling, and you've got a thirst that only the iciest drink is going to quench. But there's something else calling your name, something that is going to instantly cool that core temp down, something that is totally worth forgoing the summer bod for—ice cream.
With summer in full swing, we’re ready to indulge in countless scoops, so without further adieu, here are the best ice cream and gelato shops in Melbourne for 2024:
Kōri
Various Locations
Image credit: Kōri | Supplied
Coming in with an exciting new take on the dessert variety is Kōri— a boutique ice cream store inspired by the flavours and methods of Japan. The brand is a joint venture between former Masterchef guest chef and dessert specialist, Bernard Chu (LuxBite) and trailblazing Melbourne chef, Joane Yeoh (Press Club, Tonka, Coda).
This isn't your run-of-the-mill gelato store, Bernard and Joane have brought this less intense sugar approach and focused in on flavour. If you’re overwhelmed by the flavour variety why not start with a Kōri staple and opt for the matcha pistachio. Find Kōri in Hawthorn along Glenferrie Road, and more recently in the heart of Melbourne CBD on Bourke Street.
Augustus Gelatery
Various Locations
Augustus is a passion project between two friends who have turned their Italian heritage into a gelato empire with 30+ stores across the state. Here you’ll certainly feel the nostalgia for childhood visits to ice creameries as you stare wide-eyed at the glass cabinet containing thirty-two flavours to choose from.
You can dig into a cup of boysenberry cheesecake, peanut fudge brownie or carrot cake frosting. Every element of the dessert is carefully considered by the Augustino team when creating their authentic artisan gelato in single batches.
Zero Gradi
Various Locations
Having zero in your name must be a gelato thing? Well, if it means serving up delicious ice cream, like at Zero Gradi, we don’t care. Zero Gradi is the younger sibling to Melbourne’s beloved Italian hubs Gradi, 400 Gradi Cicchetti and 400 Gradi with four stores in Victoria: Brunswick, Crown Casino, Mornington and Mildura.
Showing off the sweeter side to Italian cuisine, Zero Gradi constantly trials new flavours. At the moment, they’re scooping up sour cherry and white chocolate, Ferrero Roche and a good mix of other gourmet flavours.
Cono Gelateria
757 Gilbert Road, Reservoir
Image credit: Cono | Supplied
A refreshingly nostalgic sojourn to the gelato shops of old, Cono is a soulful ice cream shop on Gilbert Road. Harkening back to more a classic Italian gelateria, it's a simple menu with 12 classics from your Nutella, Pistachio and Hazlenut to two rotating specials be it a Fior di latte with raspberry, roasted coconut and a house-made chocolate ganache or mascarpone and quince. Opened by Daniel Gargaro a born and bred Reservoir native back in December 2021, the store is an extension of his passion for the suburb, "I grew up in the area and just really wanted to give something back to a community that I really love".
Barbarella
Block Arcade, Collins Street, Melbourne CBD
Named after the classic 60’s sci-fi film, Barbarella is only serving up the essentials; gelato by the scoop and wine by the glass. The gelateria takes up residence in the historic Block Arcade and fits in seamlessly into the Victorian-era thoroughfare with its curved black ironwork, marble countertops and dark oak tables.
You can depend on them for the classic flavours like pistachio and chocolate or try something more experimental depending on the seasonal fruit selection. Whatever your reason for being in the city, Barbarella will surely be worth a quick detour.
Pidapipo
Various Locations
Image credit: Pidapipo | Supplied
The second the temperature spikes in Melbourne there is a line outside of Pidapipo faster than you can say… well, Pidapipo. Their Mojito flavour is a thirst-quencher in the hot hot heat, and any gelateria that allows you to add extra Nutella is okay in our books—yes, they have a Nutella tap.
If you want to live out all your chocolate fantasies, grab the Nutella swirl and obviously add extra Nutella. Don’t worry, there’s no such thing as too much. Find Pidapipo in Carlton, Windsor, CBD, and Fitzroy.
Kenny Lover
796 High Street, Thornbury
Image credit: Kenny Lover | Supplied
Kenny Lover is a 70s-style eclectic ice cream spot. If you’re after a little Bauhaus art-deco style and some mind-blowing ice cream head here. Their flavours are all made in-house and frequently updated. The team at Kenny Lover is known for their use of native Aussie ingredients and innovative flavour combos.
For example, at the moment expect pineapple and lemon myrtle sorbet or soy sauce and choc-coated Rice ice cream. Also, run over because at the moment they have a fairy bread and brown butter ice cream. Do we need to say anything else? I guess it doesn’t hurt to mention that they serve hot chips too.
Kariton Sorbetes
Various Locations
This Artisanal Filipino inspired ice cream store likes to believe they’ve created the gelato you never thought you needed until you taste it. Kariton Sorbetes handcrafted gelato pulls from Asian flavours and skillfully combines it with quality ingredients.
They have over twenty-five flavours in their repertoire that have aptly been named “K’s Classics”, however, the window selection only features twelve at a time so you’re encouraged to switch it up every visit. Their ‘Biskwit’ creation is a crowd fave featuring a simple milk gelato base mixed with cookie butter and spiced biscuit crumb. You can get your scoops to devour immediately or take home tubs to indulge in later from their stores across Melbourne: Footscray, Chinatown and Glen Waverley.
Fluffy Torpedo
5/159 Smith Street, Fitzroy
Image credit: Fluffy Torpedo | Supplied
Taking out the mantle for the best moniker for an ice cream store, Fluffy Torpedo is the latest by-the-scoop boutique to open up on Smith Street in Fitzroy. Pivoting from your run-of-the-mill flavours and exploring the full potential of the dessert medium, Fluffy's approach incorporates left-of-centre combinations: from a Vegemite and white chocolate, Mountain Dew Oreo to the daring honey and soy sauce creation for the truly bold.
Stepping inside your met with a colourful collection of artwork, a wall laden with A4 sheets of flavour descriptions and of course glossed floors with sour strap lollies set underneath, it may be new but it's making its name as one of the best ice cream shops in Melbourne.
Meno Zero
Various Locations
While they offer a range of artisan cakes and desserts, Meno Zero is best known for its decadent gelato. They aim to bring a spoonful of Italy to you, with traditional gelato flavours like strawberry and chocolate, but also exciting flavours like Caramel Cheesecake or Tim Tam. For one of the best ice-cream spots in Doncaster East and Dromana, Meno Zero is worth a taste.
7 Apples
Various Locations
It's not all about the cake when perusing Acland Street's thriving thoroughfare on a hot day. We're also major fans of 7 Apples artisanal gelato; if you can fight your way through the hordes of backpackers, they have a rotating display of 26 flavours at any one time, with around 100 in total, and they're open to suggestions for new concoctions. Now also open in QV Melbourne and Chadstone Shopping Centre.
Lavezzi
Various Locations
Small-batch gelato hub Lavezzi has been in the business for over 150 years. So it’s fair to say they know what they’re doing. Their philosophy is simple too, high-quality ingredients churned daily to create their iconic and naturally made Italian gelato.
With tradition at the heart of Lavezzi, everything is done in-house, from their gelatos to homemade waffle cones. However, we aren’t sure if you’ll see their delicious chocolate flowing tap 150 years ago. Their menu is pretty lavish, so if you’re feeling overwhelmed with choice, try their lemon curd cheesecake, ricotta and pear, honeycomb crunch or Nocciola di Piemonte.
Gelato Messina
Various Locations
Image credit: Gelato Messina | Supplied
This joint's quite popular in the Melbourne gelato stakes, with mammoth queues that spill out onto the street, come rain, hail or, hopefully, more prevalent, shine. Us Melburnians do love to queue these days, but the reality is we won't unless it's worth it, and the fact of the matter is, Gelato Messina is pumping out some of the city's finest gelato.
Grab your mates to keep you company, or a really good book, and get in line. The salted caramel and white chocolate are worth every mouthful and we love the roasted hazelnut flavour, with the nuts imported from Cortemilia, Italy.
Miinot Gelato
71 Melville Road, Pascoe Vale South
Image credit: Miinot Gelato | Supplied
Popping up in a stretch of Melville Road that's seen better days, Miinot Gelato is worth the detour for some of Melbourne’s best gelato. Husband and wife team, Emma and Gary, are killing it with a small but perfectly formed gelato list that steadfastly avoids pre-mixed bases. They're packed with real fruit goodness, too, like their mouth-watering watermelon.
Jock's
83 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park
Boasting a fair few medals to their name, Jock's is one of the best southside spots to grab a cool gelato fashioned from top-notch ingredients. We can't go past their good ol' US of A special, the Obamarama, involving the obligatory peanut butter and jelly combo so beloved Stateside.
Luther’s Scoops
528A Sydney Road, Brunswick
Image credit: Luther's Scoops | Supplied
Another great ice cream shop in Melbourne’s north is Luther’s Scoops. The hub is named after Luther Burbank, who was a plant breeder that worked alongside the land, rather than on top of it. Luther’s Scoops has adopted this mantra and in their ice cream want to carry Burbank’s legacy.
They do this by producing seasonal flavours and supporting local farmers. This means their menu is constantly adapting to seasonal produce, all while using a french-style egg custard base that results in an ever-so rich and creamy ice cream.
"We do love introducing people to new and interesting flavours—but it has to taste amazing. I try to avoid novelty for the sake of it," says Christian Williams, founder and ice cream maker.
Billy Van Creamy
Various Locations
Image credit: Billy Van Creamy | Supplied
If you've stumbled across Billy Van Creamy, you have made it to the right place. They always have a good mix of traditional ice cream, vegan flavours and sorbet—so to say there is something for everyone is an understatement.
Their vegan Peanut Butter, Choc Chip is pretty mind-blowing and for something a little more refreshing try their Coconut sorbet. Or, live it up with your choice of ice cream sandwiched between two brownie cookies. Get it in Brunswick and Fitzroy North.
Gelato Papa
Various Locations
Image credit: Gelato Papa | Supplied
Gelato Papa opened seven years back, and both Preston and Fairfield are all the better for it. With a range of freshly-made gelato with ingredients all made from scratch in-store, and a range of gelato cakes like the Vegan Bombe Alaska, Gaytime with a mash of caramel and chocolate ganache covered in crumbled malt, or the Raspberry Swirl with milk gelato laced with ribbons of raspberry sauce, Gelato Papa should be on your radar this summer.
Gelateria Bico
288 Albert Street, Brunswick
Image credit: Gelateria Bico | Supplied
Father and son duo, Domenico and Davide Gaglioti spent years in Bologna studying the art of gelato. With all that knowledge and lots of time put in perfecting their craft, they opened up Gelateria Bico in Brunswick. They serve a range of classic gelato and sorbets, including vegan options too—and they’re always spicing up their menu with new specials to keep you crawling back.
Also, Bico has created a mind-blowing gelato dessert: Tartufi. Similar to a chocolate truffle, the Tartufi is a gelato-based dessert ball that combines two flavours of gelato with a creamy or sweet centre. For example, their classic Tartufi combines hazelnut and chocolate gelato with a chocolate-sauce centre. So do yourself a favour and try Bico’s for one of the best gelatos in Melbourne’s north.
Piccolina Gelateria
Various Locations
Image credit: Piccolina | Supplied
Piccolina's founder Sandra Foti quit her job and travelled to Italy to learn the art of gelato making. She brought that knowledge back to Melbourne and now has over five stores in the suburbs, and we're forever grateful.
Everything at Piccolia Gelateria is made fresh, from the gelato itself to the brownies that go into the chocolate brownie gelato. All of the classic flavours are here, with a few extras thrown in for good measure.
Girls & Boys
382 Brunswick Street, Fitzory
Brought to you by the team from Vegie Bar and Transformer Fitzroy, Girls & Boys is their dessert destination. In particular, they are dedicated to serving some of the best plant-based gelato in Melbourne. Whether you’re vegan or not—you’ll want a taste of one of their incredible flavours.
Try their cookie dough and honeycomb or hazelnut brownie if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Otherwise, for something a little more refreshing go for the lychee and raspberry or coconut, lemongrass and sesame brittle. If you don’t get a chance to try all of them, it’s a perfect excuse to head back.
Beku Gelato
150 Lygon Street, Carlton
Gracing the gelato grail of Lygon Street in Carlton, Beku has set itself out with a slew of South East Asian-influenced scoops. The tidy little store typically has a slew of eager ice cream punters spilling out onto the street, getting their hands on the ever-evolving menu of flavours that change each month. On the cards can be anything from a creamy durian fruit number to Biscoff, and even a zesty Calamansi.
Boca Gelato
183 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe
Chefs Adam D’Sylva, and Monika Frkovic, who are also behind Tonka and Coda, have created a lovechild—Boca Gelato. Don’t be alarmed, but yes, they have a dark chocolate tap and offer gelato choc-tops. Once trying one of these, you won’t be able to go back to the cinema ones.
While they offer choc-tops, milkshakes, frozen cakes and soft-serve that is all immaculate, their gelato is just as wonderful. Behind the bright terrazzo counter, you can try anything from fresh lemon gelato to Basque burnt cheesecake or pumpkin spice. It really is one of the best gelato spots in Melbourne’s northeast.
Sundae School Ice Creamery
Various Locations
Image credit: Sundae School Ice Creamery | Supplied
When you find out Sundae School Ice Creamery is from the team behind the former Tuck Shop Takeaway you immediately know it's going to be good. Featuring an ever-changing menu of totally handmade flavours that will challenge what you're expecting when you walk into an ice cream shop.
Flavours have included the likes of ‘Apple Pie’, an apple compote ice cream with hints of cinnamon and house-made pie crumbs. Or the BOM Jesus, a cold-infused Brazilian coffee creation, spiked with toffee, milk choc and orange crunch. Rainbow marshmallow, raspberry and rhubarb sherbet, mango Lassi, caramel cookie butter are some of the other marvellous creations. You'll be blown away by the flavours.
Casa Del Gelato
163 Lygon Street, Carlton
We love all things 80s, and long-serving local hero, Casa Del Gelato, has been bringing old-school ice cream to the cool kids for over 40 years. A stalwart of Lygon Street's traditional Italian strip, their award-winning scoops are well worth a visit, with their Belgian chocolate offering one of the best gelatos in Melbourne.
The chilli choc version gives a good kick and messes with your senses in the very best way. They also have a bulging soy section, so lactose-intolerant folks and vegans don't have to miss out. The soy-based pistachio is a big yes.
Luna Blu
1D Staniland Grove, Elsternwick
Image credit: Luna Blu | Supplied
The crew behind Luna Blu definitely know a thing or two about gelato. Often picking the freshest fruit from local markets and farms, and using single origin jersey milk and cream for their homemade small batch gelato, you can count on them churning every flavour from pistachio and banana caramel to wattleseed stracciatella, roasted strawberry, and rum raisin. Not to forget their killer affogatos and milkshakes. If you’re in and around the southeast, B-line to Luna Blu to keep cool during the warmer days.
Fritz Gelato
Various Locations
While they have a few outposts now, the original Fritz Gelato stall at the South Melbourne Market is still the best in our opinion. Scooping plenty of awards, they stick to their handmade guns, despite the expansive business growth, sourcing organic milk, sugar and other goodies, with the sorbets vegan-friendly too. Do your duty to your country with the Anzac Biscuit flavour.
Little Sky
332 Bay Street, Brighton
Image credit: Little Sky | Supplied
A newer ice cream shop on the block is Little Sky. With key values for sustainability, they create small-batch gelato. They’re super invested in creating minimal impact to the environment, but the maximum impact when it comes to taste. So they stay small, support local producers and give back to the community.
All while simultaneously serving up cookies and cream or mango gelato. Due to their small-batch runs, they’re always switching up the flavours, which is perfect if you are after something new each visit. For some of the best ice cream in Melbourne, hit up this bayside spot.
Hareruya Pantry
15 - 17 Lincoln Square, Carlton
Image credit: Hareruya Pantry | Supplied
Tucked away behind a red-brick frontage across from Lincoln Square is Carlton’s fairly new addition, Hareruya Pantry—a Japanese convenience store that has quickly earned a stellar reputation for the best mochi ice cream in Melbourne. Scooping from a wide range of Japanese flavours from strong matcha and genmaicha to edamame and the luscious allure of red fruits, the transparently thin sheets of mochi envelop the ice cream, creating a harmonious marriage of creamy yet chewy textures.
Iscream Melbourne
Various Locations
Image credit: Iscream Melbourne | Supplied
Perched in the heart of the CBD among the eclectic mix of shops and cafes on Elizabeth Street is Iscream, an establishment that has gained a cult following for their mochi-icecream snack packs that consist of mini house-made mochi, a cream cheese sauce and your choice of gelato. With a wide range of unique flavours including fermented rice, Thai milk tea, taro and three distinct types of matcha, Iscream hands down makes for some of the best mochi ice cream in Melbourne.
Ca-rem
45 Leeds Street, Footscray
Image credit: Ca-rem | Supplied
Driven by the vision of two Vietnamese-Australian girls, Cà-rem which translates to ice cream in Vietnamese specialises in transforming tropical fruits into velvety gelato. Employing traditional Italian gelato-making methods while infusing their creations with local flavours, Cà-rem steers clear of conventionality, offering unique flavours including avocado, Vietnamese banana and salted kumquat to name a few.
Will's Batch Ice Cream
Various Locations
Scooping from their Williamstown factory, Will's Batch Ice Cream take gelato seriously. The process to hand produce each small batch on the daily is done with tremendous care and consideration to ensure every scoop is full body and rich in texture. Find this nifty Melbourne ice cream store in Elsternwick, Bentleigh, Beaumaris and Williamstown.
Glacé
Various Locations
Image credit: Glace | Supplied
Glacé is your go-to destination for all things frozen dessert, think gelato cakes and ice-cream push-ups. Led by the esteemed Christy Tania, known for her captivating Masterchef challenges, this venue delivers a high calibre of ice cream from the Plaisir Sucre—a milk chocolate and hazelnut ice cream to Snickers Petit Gateau. With its unique bright yellow interior that resembles a submarine and a lineup of exquisitely crafted creations, Glacé undoubtedly ranks among Melboure’s best ice cream scene.
Cuppa Turca
Various Locations
Image credit: Cuppa Turca | Supplied
Formerly a tour guide in Cappadocia, Harun Yalcin has brought Turkey to Melbourne through, Cuppa Turca, an ice cream shop specialising in Dondurma—a stretchy and chewy ice cream. Combining botanical ingredients with various milk options and natural flavourings such as halva and candied chestnuts, Yalcin’s Dondurma offers a one-of-a-kind taste and texture.
Serving some of the most unique flavours as well as ice-cream sandwiches constructed with Koska wafers, Cuppa Turca serves some of the best ice cream in Melbourne, infusing Turkish flair in every bite.
Leading image credit: Piccolina | Supplied