Zini Contemporary Gelateria

City workers, listen up! We've got the perfect place for you to go when the 4pm slump next hits—and that's Zini. Located in one of the Quay Quarter laneways, this rule-breaking gelato joint is headed up by an Italian master, so you just know it's going to be good. 

Run by gelato connoisseur Matteo Zini, the CBD ice cream mecca is where you'll find all kinds of flavours. That is, except for vanilla. See, Zini isn't your run-of-the-mill gelateria—in fact, it's far from it. Here, the closest you'll get to a vanilla bean scoop is the Blue Vanilla, which is a vibrant blue thanks to the infused butterfly pea flowers. Meanwhile, for the caffeine fiends, you need to try the signature white coffee gelato—a special scoop that has been infused with coffee beans. 

Other icy flavour sensations include a mezcal and pineapple sorbet made in collaboration with the hospitality heavyweights Milpa Group, as well as vegan gelato flavours like raspberry and black pepper, and salted macadamia. Plus, it offers a line of low-carb and high-protein ice creams if that's your thing. 

Oh, and you'd be wrong to think the fun stops at the ice cream, with Zini also offering the likes of stracciatella-stuffed cannoli, affogatos, shake, and iced coffees. And, if you’re hungry, Zini’s pancake stacks are hard to beat; they come paired with homemade creams, including pistachio and macadamia, and a Nutella-style spread. Plus, you can top them up with a scoop or two.

As for the fit-out, you won't find any cotton candy colours, kitschy accents, or any other clichéd decor reminiscent of the ice cream parlours of yesteryear. Instead, expect minimalist elements of concrete slabs, cold steel finishings, and the impressive dusty-pink rammed earth counter.

Keep an eye out for Zini's gelato degustations and special events too (yes, gelato degustations!). 

Image credit: Zini Contemporary Gelateria