The Best Ice Cream in Adelaide for a Tasty Scoop

One of the best ways to cool down on a hot summer’s day in Adelaide is with a scoop (or two) of smooth, creamy gelato. Adelaide is bursting with delicious ice cream parlours to try out with a range of flavours to delight all tastebuds. From sorbet blends of the freshest seasonal fruit to gooey chunks of chocolatey goodness for those after a naughty treat, plus options for those wanting vegan and dairy-free scoops, there is something for every sweet tooth.

For the fans of classic chocolate or vanilla, or for those who like to try adventurous varieties and everything in-between, here’s our roundup of where to find the best ice cream in Adelaide.

Gelato Messina

Gelato Messina has finally found a place to call home in Adelaide.

A long-term staple for ice cream fanatics interstate, Adelaideans have waited patiently to get our hands on some of the best ice cream in Australia, and we have not been disappointed.

With over 20 flavours to choose from plus fancy fortnightly specials, take-home tubs, celebration cakes and creamy thick shakes for those who prefer to drink your gelato, you are spoilt for choice. The benefit of the line out the door? Plenty of time to pick your scoop of choice.

The fitout? Chic. The ice cream? Oh-so-creamy. The vibes? Immaculate.

44 The Parade, Kent Town

Ovo Gelato

With 20+ flavours of handcrafted gelato and striking interiors, Ovo Gelato is Adelaide's latest and easily on the best late night ice cream spots. Their range of delicious gelato caters to vegan and keto diets and is very allergen friendly. Enjoy unique flavours like tiramisu, pistachio-white chocolate-rosewater, nectarine sorbetto, dirty chai and plum - and be sure to get more than one scoop! Another great reason to drop by this late night dessert saloon? They also make a mean sundae, plus cinnamon donuts, cookie sandwiches, waffle stacks and sinfully delicious drinks rounding out the sweet offerings.

10/3 Jan Street, Newton

Shibui Dessert Bar

If you’ve seen the extravagant soft serve ice cream artwork created by Shibui Dessert Bar at some of Adelaide’s best festivals then you’ll know that you’re in for a treat when it comes to their dessert bar on Grote Street. Serving up flavours including matcha, crème brulee and of course the gravity-defying soft serve ice cream complete with either fairy floss or mochi donut topping, this is definitely one of the best places for ice cream in Adelaide.

Shop 2, 160 Grote Street, 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 that is. 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 and authentic it will just about transport you to the streets of Italy. A cup or cone of this creamy deliciousness is bound to have you coming back for me, because just one scoop would never be enough!

58 Jetty Road, Glenelg

249A Seaview Road, Henley Beach

Live A Little Gelato

This is the answer for all of the dairy-free and vegan folk that want to enjoy a delicious, creamy gelato but always seem to miss out on the fun. Live A Little Gelato scoops up servings of their Adelaide Hills-made gelato with many a tantalising flavour, from classic vanilla to boysenberry ripple, into cones, 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 5pm – 9pm

Plant 4 Bowden, 5 Third Street, Bowden

Evercream Gelati

If you want to take a moment to cool down in the picturesque Hahndorf this summer, sometimes only an ice cream will do! Renowned for authentic Italian-style gelati, Evercream Gelati pride themselves on using only the finest ingredients in their cool creations, scooping up best-selling flavours including salted caramel, classic favourites like vanilla and chocolate, plus South Australian heroes like Violet Crumble. Yum!

27 Mount Barker Road, Hahndorf

St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts

Do you have a taste for the finer things in life? Then you should head to St Louis House of Fine Ice Cream and Desserts for a scoop of heaven. Churned from fresh, local ingredients using techniques and inspiration from the decadent and indulgent desserts and gelato 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. With locations all around the city and suburbs, there’s bound to be a store near you serving up some of the best ice cream in Adelaide!

Shop 2-3, 20 O’Connell Street, North Adelaide | 185 King William Road, Hyde Park | 23A Semaphore Road, Semaphore | 230 The Parade, Norwood | 19 Gouger Street, Adelaide | Shop 3/1 Colley Terrace, Glenelg | 121 Mawson Lakes Boulevard, Mawson Lakes | Level 1, Westfield Tea Tree Plaza, 976 North East Road, Modbury

48 Flavours

You may find it difficult to choose a flavour at this family-owned gelateria! 48 Flavours use 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 each day. Their 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’.

78 Gouger Street, Adelaide | 295 Magill Road, Trinity Gardens | 248 Unley Road, Hyde Park | Shop 11a, 3 Liberator Drive, Paralowie

Hokey Pokey

The award-winning creamy goodness of Hokey Pokey is waiting to be discovered, nestled away in the beautiful Stirling. Treat yourself to their delicious house-made ice creams on your next day out in the Adelaide Hills. Being some of the best ice cream in Adelaide, you won’t really mind if it’s chilly outside. Flavours include salted pecan and maple, spiced Speculaas (Biscoff) and a refreshing peach sorbet made with seasonal fruit. Be sure to 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 frozen yoghurt shop deserves a mention as it is so loved by Adelaideans everywhere! The power is in your hands as you are able to create your own perfect little tub of frozen heaven. Start by choosing between the different flavours on offer including signature tart, chocolate, classic vanilla and salted butterscotch, or opt for seasonal flavours throughout the year like cookies and cream and peanut butter. 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 sauce. When majority of the flavours are 98% fat free and low calorie, this really is a treat that's hard to beat.

41 Gouger Street, Adelaide

22/330 Seaview Road, Henley Beach

171a The Parade, Norwood

53 Jetty Road, Glenelg

Gelato Bello

Gelato Bello in Glynde is about as traditional as it gets, churning up creamy and indulgent Italian gelato using methods and flavours that have been passed down through generations. Each flavour is a symphony for the tastebuds, with only the best produce and ingredients being good enough for this gelateria. Choose from flavours like Bailey’s, Baci or choc mint, and for a special occasion, the ever-popular gelato cakes will be sure to please everyone at the party!

87 Glynburn Road, Glynde

Royal Copenhagen

This traditional ice cream store is so well loved, there are now locations scattered all around town for everyone to enjoy. This all-Australian gelato is made fresh using the best ingredients and are available to go in a waffle one or cup, plus there is a free self-serve topping station to customise your flavour. Of course there are the classics like choc chip cookie 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) there are take home tubs available to keep the freezer stocked up on ice cream goodness.

Click here to find your nearest location.

Gelatissimo

Self-proclaimed as Australia’s favourite gelato brand, there is no denying you will find some of the best ice cream in Adelaide 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. The New York Cheesecake and Wicked Double Choc Brownie certainly have our tick of approval.

Click here to find your nearest location.

If we’ve got you excited for summer in Adelaide and all the tastiest spots you simply must check out, take a look at the best picnic spots in Adelaide for an al fresco feast, or head to the beach to wine and dine at the best restaurants in Glenelg.