Whether you’re after chunky choc brownie sorbet or zesty lemon-lime gelato, it’s always ice cream time on the Sunshine Coast. And here at Urban List only the very best ice creameries, gelaterias and frozen yogurt houses will do.
Right across the Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi country, an impressive lineup of chilled locales are ready to treat your sweet tooth to some seriously decadent desserts. From industrial chic haunts and Italy-inspired nooks to neon-lit beachsiders and even tiki shacks, we tracked down 12 of the best ice cream shops on the Sunshine Coast to order your next cup or cone (or sundae?!) from.
Wallace & Wood
Bokarina Bvd, Bokarina QLD 4575
Image Credit: Wallace & Wood | Lumea Photo
The Wallace & Wood Ice Cream team are small batch ice cream connoisseurs bringing artisan ice cream to the Sunshine Coast. After travelling throughout Europe and North America, owners Nathan and Kathryn were inspired to spearhead creating high-quality artisan ice cream on the Sunshine Coast and we’re sure glad they did.
All of the ice cream is made onsite in Wallace & Wood’s aptly named ‘little kitchen that could’ in Bokarina, which is where all ice cream mix-ins are also created using locally sourced ingredients. If your attitude to ice cream is ‘go big or go home’, this is the Sunshine Coast ice creamery for you. With generous scoops every time, come for the cute interiors, stay for the near-toppling great balls of ‘far out that’s good’ ice cream.
Cotton Tree Ice Creamery
3/1 King Street Maroochydore, QLD 4558
Hand-made ice cream from a family owned ice creamery? Make that a double. But why stop at a cone or cup when you could also indulge in an impressive ice cream cake?
Cotton Tree Ice Creamery has to be our top pick for the best ice cream shop on the Sunshine Coast for a decadent selection of pre-made ice cream cakes as well as the option to order in custom designs. As Sunshine Coast’s self-confessed favourite sweet spot, the crew also stock a wide range of gelatos, sorbets and make a mean sundae.
Yum Gelato
1778 David Low Way, Coolum Beach, QLD 4573
Think tiki ice cream bar-meets-smoothie shack, where you're served by literal rays of sunshine. True to its namesake, Yum Gelato offers delish ice cream and gelato for all tastes.
From OG favourites like bubblegum and mango, to more adventurous flavours like pavlova, or fig and cinnamon. With a full açai bowl menu and creative desserts like piping hot Belgian waffles topped with gelato and fruit, this impressive Sunshine Coast ice cream shop doesn’t disappoint.
Chilled Rolled Icecream
930 David Low Way, Marcoola QLD 4564
Sure, you’ve enjoyed ice cream in scoops. Maybe even deep-fried if you live life on the edge. But have you ever tried rolled ice cream made right before your eyes?
A clear winner for the most unique ice cream on the Sunshine Coast, Chilled Rolled Icecream offers beautiful bouquets of ice cream slabs rolled into tubes that must be experienced to be believed. This family-run business uses locally sourced ingredients and make each flavour from scratch in-store. Bringing owner Kent’s dream of owning an ice cream store to life, drop it for good treats and good chats.
Happy Pops
49 Hastings St, Noosa Heads QLD 4567 &
88 Memorial Dr, Emundi QLD 4562 &
14/13 Mooloolaba Espl. Mooloolaba QLD 4557
Image Credit: Happy Pops | Instagram
Sorbet, gelato and fro-yo on a stick doesn’t get better than Happy Pops’. Made from all-natural, local ingredients, this cult-favourite (hence the three stores) ice cream spot was founded by chef Augusta and husband Ian after a whole lot of travel and work in kitchens across the world.
You can even make your own happy pop in-store from a range of naked pops, then top with a chocolate of your choice and three toppings of your choosing.
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Fior Di Latte Gelateria
Behind the pink Willy Wonka chocolate bar door at The Wharf Mooloolaba, lies Fior Di Latte Gelateria. The aptly named gelateria means 'milk flower' in Italian which is the base of the handmade gelato here. Specifically, Eumundi milk is the base of gelato here, all baked inclusions are made on site and all seasonal ingredients are sourced locally. We dig it.
The ever-changing gelato flavours will ensure you're always sampling an exciting new flavour, but some standouts are the popcorn gelato, cocoa pop gelato and the Campari and orange gelato. Fior Di Latte Gelateria is open seven days a week, 11am to 9pm, so you never need miss out on a scoop of delicousness.
Artigiano Gelato
1/9 Mooloolaba Espl, Mooloolaba QLD 4557 &
12-20 Ocean St, Maroochydore QLD 4558
Image Credit: Artigiano Gelato | Instagram
Artigiano Gelato are all about that artisan experience and see gelato as an art form. We have to agree. Inside their industrial chic store, tasters are offered before making your pick from the chilled pozzetti bar.
As one of the best ice cream stores on the Sunshine Coast for authentic Italian-style gelato, opt for the waffle cone to take your caramel macadamia, piña colada or dairy-free delights that’ll send you straight to the shores of Positano.
Gelato Rumba
2/30 The Esplanade, Caloundra QLD 4551
Is a beach day ever truly complete without an ice cream to finish? Conveniently located right on the Caloundra Esplanade by the sea shore, Gelato Rumba delivers party feels, creamy gelato and even views of the northern tip of Bribie Island.
Liquorice, Tim Tam, green apple and Turkish delight are just a taste of the creative flavours up for the nomming. Pack a picnic rug and enjoy at the nearby grassed area, because you’ll want to be closeby when the seconds craving hits.
Gelatissimo
101-105 The Esplanade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557 &
164 Horton Parade, Maroochydore QLD 4558 &
1a Hastings St, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
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 45 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.
Addy & Harry’s Dessert Bar
4/180 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland QLD 4572
This award-winning ice cream shop on the Sunshine Coast is pretty adventurous with their dessert offerings. Toddle up from the beach to indulge in a serving of Addy & Harry’s Dessert Bar’s ice cream nachos, strawberry and banana boats or even ice cream topped waffles.
With a refreshing 52 flavours to choose from, including gluten-free and dairy free options, this is your permission to try a scoop a week for an entire year.
Yo-Chi
Sunshine Plaza, 154-164 Horton Pde, Maroochydore QLD 4558 &
30 Hastings St, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Image Credit: Yo-Chi | Supplied
Channel your inner child while you twirl, top and sprinkle frozen yogurt ‘til your heart’s content. Combining ‘yogurt’ and ‘chi’ meaning energy, feel the buzz of a build-your-own experience at Yo-Chi.
Start with a yogurt base like seasonal vegan coconut or refreshing green tea. Even the signature tart or salted butterscotch. Then top ‘til you pop with the likes of organic chocolate soil, vegan tub o’ dough, choc chunk cookie cake, kiwi fruit pearls, strawberry and caramel banana. Okay, maybe not all at once. But also, let’s not rule it out.
Sugar Mama’s Shack
8 Seaview Tce, Moffat Beach QLD 4551
A gem in Sunshine Coast’s ice cream scene, while Sugar Mama’s Shack is technically a cafe, they offer a mean lineup of sundaes, scoops and loaded waffles. Dubbed a celiac heaven, even cones come gluten free.
The friendly team are a real highlight during your visit and the ocean views are the cherry on top. Add this to your list of best icecream shops to visit on the Sunshine Coast for a guaranteed beaut time.
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Image Credit: Wallace & Wood | Lumea Photo
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