Ice cream is the answer to so many problems. Feeling hot? Ice cream. Ate too much for dinner, but still want some dessert? Ice cream. Need a tub of something to eat, while crying and watching a rom-com? Definitely ice cream. Whatever mood you’re in, there’s a whole world of ice cream flavours for you to try. And Melbourne is full of some lovely ice cream and gelato stores that are sure to delight. In no particular order, here are some of our favourite ice cream and gelato shops around Melbourne.
1. Pidapipó
Cult gelateria Pidapipó started as a concept store in Carlton, and has since grown into a Melbourne phenomenon. All of their gelato is made from scratch on site, in small batches only. Expect different flavours each season, thanks to their use of fresh fruit. If you’re in the mood to celebrate, be sure to try one of their tasty gelato cakes. Then, pop into Pidapipó Laboratorio in Fitzroy and watch them test flavours in the kitchen, and create other delicious goodies like chocolate. See more here.
📍8 Degraves St, Melbourne VIC 3000, 99 Lygon Street, Carlton VIC 3053 and 85 Chapel St, Windsor VIC 318. Find Pidapipó Laboratorio at 429-431 Brunswick St Fitzroy 3065.
2. Kariton Sorbetes
Enjoy Southeast Asian flavours at this Kariton Sorbetes. With a selection of over 25 flavours rotating between 12 spots in-store, as well as two special flavours at all times, you can be sure to find something that will excite your palate. They’ve got tasty gelato, sorbet and soft serve options for you to discover. Try purple yam gelato, durian gelato with chiffon cake, banana gelato with jackfruit and much, much more. Find out more here.
📍177 Russell St, Melbourne VIC 3000 and 50 Leeds St, Footscray VIC 3011
3. Barbarella Gelato & Wine
Inside the historic Block Arcade, you’ll find Barbarella Gelato & Wine. This café is the perfect place for you to take a rest and break, with eight freshly churned gelati and sorbetto from Spring Street’s Gelateria Primavera. Expect classics like pistachio and chocolate, as well as guest spots with seasonal flavours. While you’re there, indulge in a glass of wine, or enjoy a coffee or pastry. Learn more here.
📍282 Collins St, Melbourne VIC 3000
4. Piccolina Gelateria
Enjoy hand-crafted Italian gelato at Piccolina Gelateria. Every flavour is made from scratch, using seasonal ingredients and traditional recipes and techniques. Try their new weekly specials every Wednesday, and if you find something you particularly like, grab a tub to take home. If you’re thirsty, grab a frappe, and they’ll take your choice of gelato and whip it into a fresh milkshake. And the next time you’re celebrating something, be sure to check out their assortment of gelato cakes. See more here.
📍Hardware Lane, Degraves St, Richmond, Collingwood, Hawthorn, St Kilda and Chadstone.
5. Gelato Messina
We’re a little bit obsessed with Messina. From their decadent cookie pies to their tasty hot tubs, there’s always something new and exciting going on. When you’re not trying their exciting creations, treat yourself to one of their 35 traditional gelato flavours and five weekly specials. See more here.
📍Brunswick East, Fitzroy, Richmond, Windsor
6. Kōri Ice Cream
This delightful ice cream store in Hawthorn will take you straight to Japan. Indulge in 24 freshly churned flavours every day, like miso, yuzu, Hokkaido cheesecake, nashi pear and more. Eight of the flavours are plant-based, so there’s something for everyone. Kōri Ice Cream also has some tasty ice cream cakes for you to try, like strawberry shortcake. To indulge in these colourful cakes, simply order online and pick up in-store. See more here.
📍659 Glenferrie Rd, Hawthorn VIC 3122
7. Fluffy Torpedo
This cool boutique ice cream store on Smith Street features a floor that’s literally made of 200kgs of sour strap lollies. When you’re not admiring the décor, try their wacky flavours, including Blue Powerade, Cherry Ripe, Vegemite and White Chocolate, Grape Aeroplane Jelly and more. A portion of all sales at Fluffy Torpedo goes to charity, and they use reusable metal tasting sticks, so you don’t have to feel guilty about trying all the different flavours. See their website here for more.
📍 5/159 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 3065
8. Gelateria Primavera
Treat yourself to fresh and creative flavours from Gelateria Primavera, at the front of Spring Street Grocer. Their artisanal gelato menu changes daily, using high quality ingredients and seasonal fruits to create new and experimental flavours. The gelato is kept in traditional pozzetti tubs, keeping it fresh. While you’re there, cool down with their range of cold-pressed juices and smoothies.
📍157 Spring St, Melbourne VIC 3000
9. Gigi’s Gelato
You’ll find Gigi’s Gelato in the heart of Yarraville. The flavours, made by chef Luigi ‘Gigi’ Pozzoli, will take you on a culinary tour of Italy. For example, the tiramisu is made with mascarpone cheese from Lombardy, and the cassata is a delicacy from Sicily. All of the gelato is made from scratch, and 50 per cent of the sorbet is made from real fruit. The flavours change every day, so you’ll be sure to find something exciting. Click here for more.
📍15 Anderson St, Yarraville VIC 3013
10. Nibbles
Ice cream taco, anyone? This dessert café in Melbourne Central will certainly satisfy your sweet tooth. They’ve got churros, waffles, and cupcakes to try, but if you’re after ice cream, then you should definitely check out their assortment of ice cream tacos. Watch them roll their different ice cream flavours, like cookies & cream or rainbow road, into a waffle cone taco. Learn more about Nibbles here.
📍 ELLA at Melbourne Central, Cnr Elizabeth & La Trobe St, Melbourne VIC 3000
11. Lavezzi Gelateria
Over 150 years ago, Amalio Lavezzi made his first gelato in Italy. Since then, his family has perfected his recipes into what we know today. Everything is made from scratch, and hand-churned daily. Enjoy delicious gelato flavours, like pistachio or lemon curd cheesecake, as well as their sorbets, like blood orange or fig. Learn more here.
📍334 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053
12. Gelato Papa
Gelato Papa uses traditional techniques and combines them with modern flavours. The gelato is made from scratch every day, and there’s always something interesting to try on the weekly specials menu, like pavlova, strawberry prosecco or Israeli yoghurt gelato. After you’ve had your gelato, check out their cakes and find something tasty to bring home. Everything in the store is gluten-free. More info here.
📍14a Gilbert Rd, Preston VIC 3072 and 72A Station St, Fairfield VIC 3078
13. 7apples
Treat yourself to a taste of la dolche vita with the artisan gelato at 7apples. This award-winning store has got over 100 different types of scoops up their sleeve, with a rotating display for flavours for you to try.
📍75 Acland St, St Kilda VIC 3182 or Chadstone.
14. Kenny Lover
Pop into this retro ice cream store and enjoy wacky flavours made from local ingredients. They’ve got a great range of ice cream and sorbets, including vegan ice cream, as well as a rotating selection of classics to keep things fresh. Kenny Lover also sells hot chips, in case you wanted a bit of savoury to go with your sweet. See more here.
📍796 High St, Thornbury VIC 3071
15. Beku Gelato
Enjoy handcrafted treats with inspiration from Southeast Asia at Beku Gelato. There’s something new to try every month. Past items on the menu included cendol, teh tarik, durian and pineapple sorbet. See what’s new at Beku by keeping an eye on their Instagram stories.
📍150 Lygon St, Carlton VIC 3053