The Best Ice Cream in Adelaide for a Tasty Scoop

One of the best ways to cool down on a hot day in Adelaide? With a scoop of smooth, creamy gelato, of course. Adelaide is bursting with delicious (and cute) ice cream parlours churning everything from sorbet blends made from the freshest seasonal fruit, to gooey chunks of chocolate and salted caramel for those after a cheeky treat. There are options for those wanting vegan and dairy-free gelato, so no one has to miss out on the delightful dessert.

Whether you’re looking for the best classic vanilla, adventurous varieties or anything in between, here’s our roundup of where to find the best ice cream in Adelaide.

Best Ice Cream in Adelaide

Gelato Messina

A long-time cult favourite for ice cream fanatics interstate, Adelaideans patiently waited to get their hands on some of the best scoops in Australia — and Messina has delivered. Think more than 20 signature flavours, fancy fortnightly specials, take-home tubs, celebration cakes and creamy thick shakes. And now, there’s even more to love. Messina is going beachside, with a brand-new Glenelg store opening December 16th on Colley Terrace — perfectly positioned for a post-dip, pre-sunset gelato run. To mark the occasion, they’re dropping an exclusive flavour you’ll only find at Glenelg (while it lasts). Glenelg Dreaming marries creamy coconut gelato swirled with mango sorbet, crowned with tangy passionfruit and soft peaks of baked meringue. Don’t be deterred by the line out the door, it’s just extra time to lock in your scoop of choice.

44 The Parade, Kent Town & coming soon to Shop 1/1 Colley Terrace, Glenelg

La Viennese

Gelato that actually makes you pause mid-bite? That’s La Viennese. Andrea’s been perfecting his Italian recipes for more than 15 years, crafting creamy, dreamy flavours with nuts straight from Italy and seasonal fruit that hits just right. Pair it with a barista-level coffee made from locally roasted beans and silky plant milk, and you’ve got a Stirling pit stop that feels straight out of Rome. Seasonal flavours change, and yes… a second scoop is basically mandatory.

Monday to Wednesday, 11am–9pm | Thursday to Sunday 10am–9pm

1/77 Mount Barker Rd, Stirling

The Sugar Man Gelato

Hutt Street’s beloved The Sugar Man is turning the page — after years of dazzling us with pastries and chocolates, the team closed their doors for research, redesigns, and a full refresh. The ovens cooled and now The Sugar Man Gelato is now scooping. Expect the unexpected, there’s no fake pastes or gels here, just local, traceable Aussie ingredients doing the heavy lifting — yuzu grown in NSW, South Australian hand-churned jersey butter and Yarra Valley hazelnuts. Tiramisu leads the lineup, with a cheeky glance at the menu board revealing vanilla bean, Thai basil, and Sangiovese flavours, too. It’s the same passion, same quality, now frozen and ready to blow your mind.

197 Hutt Street, Adelaide 

C9 Chocolate & Gelato

Next time you’re shopping up a storm at Rundle Mall and need a sweet pick-me-up, head to the top floor of Rundle Place for a sweet scoop from C9 Chocolate & Gelato! Relatively new to the gelato scene in Adelaide (though they’ve been around interstate for some time), these guys are making a statement with their premium, house-made gelato, chocolate desserts and sweets. Never compromising on quality or taste, this is the place to go for a coffee, cake or ice cream that hits the spot, every time. Did we mention they sell cronuts and treats for your pup?!

Level 1, 77/91 Rundle Mall, Adelaide

Bottega Gelateria

Treat yourself to a scoop of some of Bottega Gelateria’s handcrafted gelato, created the traditional way – with passion, time and years of experience. They only use fresh seasonal fruits and the finest SA ingredients in their creamy creations, which include traditional strawberry, plum sorbet and even a tasty stracciatella that is so good it will just about transport you to the streets of Italy.

Prospect, Glenelg & Henley Beach

Ovo Gelato

With 20+ flavours of handcrafted gelato and striking interiors, Ovo Gelato is Adelaide’s latest late-night ice cream spot to visit on a balmy summer evening. Their range caters to vegan and keto diets and is allergen-friendly. Enjoy unique flavours like tiramisu, pistachio, Splice sorbet, dirty chai and plum – and be sure to get more than one scoop!

They also make a mean sundae, cinnamon donuts, cookie sandwiches, waffle stacks and sinfully delicious drinks rounding out the sweet offerings.

10/3 Jan Street, Newton

24 Ebenezer Place, Adeliade

The Parlour

If you want to take a moment to cool down in the heritage town of Hahndorf this summer, only an ice cream will do! Renowned for small-batch handcrafted ice cream, the team at The Parlour prides itself on using only SA artisan gelato in its cool creations, scooping up creamy goodness (including gourmet, dairy and gluten-free flavours) from its cosy 103-year-old building. 

25 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf

Live A Little Gelato

This is the answer for dairy-free and vegan folk who want to enjoy a delicious, creamy gelato but always seem to miss out on the fun. Live A Little Gelato scoops their Adelaide Hills-made gelato into cones and tubs or on top of their fluffy vegan and gluten-free waffles. They also offer an amazing range of vegan baked goods to pre-order like Portuguese tarts and croissants, and the ice cream cookie cakes are the perfect way to make someone’s birthday a little extra special.

Wednesdays and Fridays 5 pm – 9 pm

Plant 4 Bowden, 5 Third Street, Bowden

St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts

Do you have a taste for the finer things in life? If so, head to St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts for a scoop of heavenly gelato. Churned from fresh, local ingredients using techniques and inspiration from the decadent desserts found in Europe, you can treat yourself to their vast array of flavours, including a magical combo of banana, caramel and brownie that we cannot get enough of. 

Click here to find your nearest location.

48 Flavours

You may find it difficult to choose a flavour at this family-owned gelateria! 48 Flavours uses the freshest South Australian produce to create an upmarket range of artisan gelato, producing over 100 varieties of dairy, sorbet, vegan and low-fat options.

Multiple locations around Adelaide offer endless flavour options from apple pie crumble and Biscoff with oat milk, to lychee sorbet and the rather boozy-licious ‘Whiskey Business’.

Multiple locations across Adelaide.

Hokey Pokey

The award-winning creamy goodness of Hokey Pokey is waiting to be discovered, tucked away in Stirling for delicious house-made ice cream on your next day in the Adelaide Hills. Flavours include salted pecan and maple, spiced Speculaas (Biscoff) and a refreshing peach sorbet made with seasonal fruit. Keep an eye out for their adorable ice cream caravan that pops up at local markets and festivals.

31-33 Mount Barker Road, Stirling

Yo-Chi

Okay, Yo-Chi technically isn’t ice cream, but this much-loved frozen yoghurt deserves a mention! The power is in your hands as you create your perfect blend of froyo and toppings. Start by choosing between the different flavours including signature tart, chocolate, classic vanilla and salted butterscotch, or opt for seasonal flavours.

Head down the line to sprinkle on your favourite toppings, from fresh fruit, chocolates, brownie chunks, nuts and more, finishing it off with a good dollop of syrup or sauce. With most flavours 98% fat-free and low-calorie, this is a treat that’s hard to beat.

Click here to find your nearest location.

Gelato Bello

Gelato Bello in Glynde is about as traditional as it gets, churning up creamy and indulgent Italian gelato using methods and flavours passed down through generations. Choose from flavours like Bailey’s, Baci or choc mint, with only the best produce and ingredients good enough for this gelateria.

Did we mention this venue is licensed? Stop in for late-night treats and cocktails!

87 Glynburn Road, Glynde

Royal Copenhagen

This traditional ice cream store has been crafting creamy goodness since 1982, with locations scattered around town for everyone to enjoy. This all-Australian gelato is made fresh using the best ingredients, plus there is a free self-serve topping station to customise your flavour.

There are the classics like chocolate chip and vanilla, but we can’t look past the Milo, lemon meringue, maple chip and scorched almond varieties. And hey, if a couple of scoops won’t cut it (we don’t judge you) the take-home tubs will keep the freezer stocked up.

Multiple locations across Adelaide.

Gelatissimo

Self-proclaimed as Australia’s favourite gelato brand, there is no denying you will find some top-tier ice cream in the Gelatissimo parlours. For the flavour-obsessed, you’ll be pleased to know there are over 40 varieties to choose from – so make sure you give yourself time to try a couple before landing on your ice cream of choice.

There are vegan-friendly options like green apple and caramel mudcake, flavours with reduced sugars, and flavours so tasty you may go back for a second scoop. 

Click here to find your nearest location.

If we’ve got you excited for summer with the best ice cream in Adelaide you must check out the best picnic spots in Adelaide, or head to the beach to wine and dine at the best restaurants in Glenelg.