Where to Find the Best Ice Cream in Melbourne

Whether you’re after something to do on a sunny day, a satisfying dessert or simply have a sweet tooth that won’t quit, Melbourne’s best ice cream shops have you covered.  Discover storied gelaterias churning classic Italian flavours alongside boundary-pushing shops that are dreaming up novel combinations. Vegan ice cream lovers are looked after, too, with stunningly fresh sorbets and creamy scoops made from alternative milks.

Here's where to find the best ice cream in Melbourne.

Meno Zero

This local gem is often packed, no matter whether it's a weekend or week night. Meno Zero is scooping up traditional Italian gelato and sorbet that's packed with flavour. Originally starting out in DOncaster East, they have since expanded with their sister restaurant, Zero95, to Dromana, too. So whether you're beachside or eastside, you can enjoy some of the best ice cream in Melbourne. 

While all the flavours are impeccable, we can't go past Sicily every single time. Rich pistachio cream sitting atop ricotta ice cream with chunks of cannoli pastry, it's an experience you'll never forget.

Sitchu tip: they also do a mean Italian hot chocolate. Rich, thick, creamy and piping hot, make sure you sip at it carefully as to not burn your tongue.

914a Doncaster Road, Doncaster East

199-201 Point Nepean Road, Dromana

Yo-Chi

You say frozen yoghurt isn't ice cream, we say tomatoe tomato. Plus, with the lines that go for metres long down the street every single night, it would be wrong not to include this institution on our best ice cream in Melbourne list. Yo-Chi is iconic, there's no other way of putting it. Come here to choose whatever flavour (or flavour combinations) you want, then go ahead and load your frozen yoghurt up with toppings. Just remember, it's weigh-and-pay, so make sure your eyes aren't bigger than your stomach - or bank account.

Locations in Hawthorn, Carlton, Windsor, Balaclava, Brighton and Malvern

Messina

Messina is a household name when it comes to the best ice cream in Melbourne. Award-winning and ultra delicious, Messina is best known for their rotating weekly specials, creating all sorts of concoctions and combinations to surprise ice cream lovers each week. Prefer to be a creature of habit and stick to what you know best? They have over thirty staple flavours, such as coffee, apple pie, and white chocolate and macadamia.

Locations in Brunswick East, Fitzroy, Malvern, Windsor and Richmond

Billy Van Creamy

Banoffee, vegan mylk choc coconut rough, fig and bay leaf, lemon tart, oat milk and peach swirl and salted dark chocolate ganache are just some of the magical varieties of gelato to get the scoop on at Billy Van Creamy. Creamy is right at this Fitzroy North favourite, where the variety of flavours are made with the freshest seasonal ingredients from trusted local suppliers. 100% natural and delicious, this is some of the best ice cream in Melbourne to try this summer. 

212 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North

146 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Sundae School Ice Creamery

No messing around, this is 80's style ice cream brilliance and must try on those sweltering summer days in Melbourne. Another Fitzroy North location, this time at newly minted Sundae School Ice Creamery, where restaurant quality ice cream is being made by one passionate pastry chef. Go old school with the classic ice cream sundae - 3 scoops of vanilla bean ice cream, salted chocolate fudge, brown butter peanuts, whipped cream and a cherry on top. Or grab a cone of a more unique flavour offering, like their cardamom burnt honey and pistachio, blueberry cheesecake or lemon creamsicle. Nostalgia-inducing and oh-so delicious, we can't get enough of this cool new ice cream spot. 

344 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North 

Fluffy Torpedo

With the iconic Fitzroy Pool within easy reach, it's little wonder why this eclectic neighbourhood is ripe with juicy ice cream joints. Say hello to one of its latest and greatest, Fluffy Torpedo. Cool name and the bedazzling sour strap lollies floor notwithstanding, this is where to go to try some of the best ice cream in Melbourne. Trust us, you're here to sample their wildest flavours - and of that, there are many!

Mountain Dew and Oreo. Salted Nutella and parmesan. Marshmallow with grape Aeroplane Jelly and pink salt. Blue Powerade. Durian. Miso-cinnamon and white chocolate. Kalamata. Honey and soy sauce. Vegemite and white chocolate. Peppermint chocolate slice. Smoked Cherry Ripe. Striking the balance between nostalgic ingredients and crazy combinations, these a some of the more interesting scoops available in the city and so worth venturing out for. 

Sitchu Tip: Obsessed with these interesting flavour combinations? Same! Did you know that you can send Fluffy Torpedo your phenomenal ice cream flavour combinations here, and if they ever make it, they'll send you free tubs!

5/159 Smith Street, Fitzroy 

Happy Eats Gelato

Ascot Vale's Happy Eats Gelato are scooping out some of the best tasting, most sustainable and wonderfully homemade gelato for everyone to enjoy. 

Head in for a taste of their wonderful, happy creations. This is where to go for some of the best fruit gelatos and sorbets in Melbourne. But they haven't stopped just with premium handmade gelato; they also also serve up gelato cakes (you can customise your own and choose your own flavours), gelati shakes, choc-tops, gelato sandwiches, brownies, cannoli, and cold pressed juices - all hand crafted on site. 

189 Union Road, Ascot Vale 

Beku 

Unique and delicious are two words to summarise just how good the ice cream is at Beku. Tucked along Lygon Street and its plethora of Italian delis, ice creameries, cafes and restaurants, Beku stands out from the crowd of regulars with its Indonesian and South East Asian influences. 

Choose from selection of artisanal, hand crafted flavours of creamy gelato. There's a passion and respect here for preserving the real taste and texture of each and every ingredient - which means an explosion of flavours in every mouthful. Past flavours have included roasted green tea (hojicha), pandan rice pudding, matcha latte, taro, and Injeolmi (a roasted soy bean with mochi topping). 

Sitchu Tip: For an indulgent summer refreshment, be sure to try one of their special cold brew drinks - we're big fans of the Ombak, which is cream cheese topped!

150 Lygon Street, Carlton

Hareruya Pantry

In our opinion, this is an essential ice cream in Melbourne experience. Unassuming but beloved, if you only go in to Hareruya Pantry for one thing, it has to be for one (or four) of their handcrafted gelatos. Simply have them in a cup to enjoy, or get them wrapped in mochi skin as a Daifuku. Or, maybe sandwiched between rice wafer crisp as a Monaka. There are eight flavours to choose from, including strong matcha, genmaicha with kuromitsu and mochi, houjicha chocolate, white sesame, biscoff cookie with red currants, murasaki imo (purple sweet potato), mikan with coconut, and red fruits with elderflower and yuzu. 

15-17 Lincoln Square S, Carlton 

Bianco Latte Gelateria and Italian Desserts

Creamy texture, real depth of flavour and unique but perfectly considered combinations unite at Bianco Latte.

All of their artisan gelato flavors are made from scratch using the best local, seasonal and quality imported ingredients. They opt for fresh jersey milk from grass fed cows along the Great Ocean Road and keep all their flavors well balanced to let the artisan ingredients shine. We love that they import their pistachios from Bronte in Sicily - it gives a clever nod to tradition and authenticity. 

We're also big fans of their ricotta and honey combination, as well as their unique specials like prickly pear. After choosing your favourite flavour/s, be sure to add lush toppings like hot Nutella, whipped cream and amarena cherry, for an added touch of drama. 

331 High Street, Northcote 

17 Ballarat Street, Yarraville

104 Ormond Road, Elwood

Gelato Papa

A beautiful marriage of traditional techniques are met with modern flavours at Gelato Papa. Crafting beautiful, all-natural gelato bases from scratch every day, they're serving up authenticity at its finest. This means every ingredient of every base – from chocolate, coconut and yoghurt to gorgonzola cheese, Nutella and black honeycomb – is carefully chosen, measured, mixed and churned with precision.

They also make some seriously delicious sundaes, and the variety of flavours range from apple pie to black sesame. Come join them for a scoop.

14a Gilbert Road, Preston

72a Station Street, Fairfield

Gigi's Gelato

Intricately made from scratch in the back kitchen by Italian born chef Luigi 'Gigi Pozzoli, the artisan gelato at Gigi's will delight those lucky enough to taste it. Incorporating some of Italy's finest and most iconic flavours, think tiramisu made with mascarpone cheese from Lombardy, gianduja from Piedmont, Bacio from Umbria and our favourite flavour: Cassata from Sicily. If that's not drool-worthy enough, Gigi's Gelato also sells a select range of layered gelato cakes in picture-perfect designs.

15 Anderson Street, Yarraville 

Cono Gelateria

You'll want more than one cone of the oft-Italian inspired flavours at Reservoir's Cono Gelateria. From Nutella bomboloni and peach sorbet, to stracciatella-chocolate chip and weekend only sorbet-filled brioche buns and espresso, it's serving up a vibrant expression of La Dolce Vita. 

It also takes a nostalgic approach to its revolving door of specials; if you can get it, the banana and crunchy peanut is the ultimate crowd pleaser, and the white chocolate, caramel and pretzels combination a truly indulgent affair. 

757 Gilbert Road, Reservoir 

Gelateria Primavera at Spring St Grocer

The only thing you need to know about this inner city gem is that they make the finest pistachio ice cream outside of Italy. 

Perched within Spring Street Grocer, Gelateria Primavera is a strong contender for best ice cream in Melbourne. Ingredients are high quality, seasonal flavours range from classic to strange, and the pozzetti cabinets they use allow for the preservative-free gelato to remain nice and fresh.

This buzzy spot might be our go-to for the classic pistachio, but other favourites like chocolate, mango-passionfruit and Fior di latte fare beautifully here, and sit alongside more unique delights such as peach and basil sorbetto and apple crumble. All the more reason to come back time and again.

157 Spring Street, Melbourne 

Pidapipo Laboratorio

It's an institution, and deservedly so. Pidapipo deserves every metre of the long lines it generates. Every day it unquestionably delivers some of the best ice cream in Melbourne. Our pick of the bunch scattered around the city, is the dessert destination within itself, Pidapipo Laboratorio. Between the chocolate room, extravagant gelato cakes, and all-round pasticceria vibes, it can be difficult to remain focused, but the experimental scoops you won't find anywhere else will keep you firmly rooted in the delicious present. 

Upon entry you'll be meet with eight stainless-steel pozzetti, which rotate limited-edition flavours by the week, day or even the hour, depending on how small the batch is. Specialty ingredients are crafted into distinctive flavours; you might indulge in goat's yoghurt and saffron, a passionfruit cheesecake or white chocolate and pink peppercorn scoop.  

429 - 431 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 

Miinot Gelato

This low-key gem, tucked away in Pascoe Vale South is small but mighty and easily serving up some of the best ice cream in Melbourne. While Miinot Gelato sports a small selection of flavours, each one is every bit exceptional. Simple fruits such as lemon, or burnt fig  are elevated by their intensely natural taste, thanks to an all-fruit base. There's even the occasional crunch of seed in the raspberry. But our all-time favourite is the pavlova, so delicious it requires double the scoop. 

Sitchu Tip: Looking for something sweet post-date night at Bar Tobala? Stroll down to Miinot, and indulge in a more elaborate, adults-only flavour like the Nonno blend mascarpone, with sultanas soaked in Pedro Ximenez sherry. Divine!

71 Melville Road, Pascoe Vale South 

Luther’s Scoops

This 'farm-to-freezer' ice creamerie will transport you to countryside pastures via their rustic, seasonal scoops. Lick your way to joy with flavours such as banoffee pie, buffalo yoghurt and leatherwood honey, butterscotch ripple and lemongrass pineapple sorbet. Owner Christian Williams is an ex-Lune Croissanterie pastry chef who knows a thing or two about dessert, working closely with local farmers and suppliers to source the freshest, most flavoursome fruit. All the ice cream at Luther’s is made using an egg custard base, resulting in a texture that’s even creamier than gelato.

528A Sydney Road, Brunswick 

Boca Gelato 

Tradition meets modernity at this gorgeous mint green gelateria in Ivanhoe. From behind a colourful terrazzo counter they serve delightfully smooth gelato and sorbetti for all palates. Purists can head straight for classic Italian flavours like pistachio, coffee and bacio, while the more adventurous are served by rotating specials that could comprise basque burnt cheesecake, pumpkin spice or carrot cake. Dinner party coming up? Bring one of their whimsical layered ice cream cakes for a sure fire way to be the favourite guest.

183 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe 

Kenny Lover

You won’t find many fancy ice creameries selling hot chips for dipping, but Kenny Lover celebrates this iconic pairing with gusto. This Australiana-themed parlour is all about native ingredients and experimental flavour combos, with picks like coffee and wattleseed, lemon myrtle sorbet and brown butter apple tart. Enjoy them as is, alongside piping hot chippies or in bubbly spiders made with bottle fermented sodas. The décor is a nostalgic trip to the ‘70s complete with orange suede banquettes, bubblegum floor tiles and a shag pile rug on the ceiling. Oh, and they also host weddings.

796 High Street, Thornbury

Kori

Kori’s Japanese-inspired ice cream is such a hot ticket that queues snake out the door even during winter. Opened by pastry mavens Bernard Chu (LuxBite) and Joane Yeoh (Coda), they’re creating 24 flavours every day with creative renditions including matcha pistachio, hojicha hazelnut, vanilla tofu and even sake. Their number one scoop is a refreshingly tart Fuji apple sorbet which is set to be a hit all summer long. The shop’s futuristic red and coral theme makes a great backdrop for your scoop selfies, too.

659 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Piccolina Gelateria

Piccolina's 100 percent natural gelato is lusciously creamy yet air-light, making it one of the city’s favourite places for a post-dinner treat. It's hard to go past classic flavours like lemon sorbetti, stracciatella and fior di latte (best enjoyed with a lashing of their molten “better than Nutella”) but specials like zesty jaffa and crema catalana will certainly tempt. Piccolina is also known for their delicately-crafted celebration cakes, which include a fairy bread-inspired layer cake and a giant “Ferrerolina” rocher modelled after the iconic chocolate.

Various locations in CBD, Collingwood, Richmond, Hawthorn and St Kilda

Kariton Sorbetes

Churning small batch gelatos with big Filipino flavours is Kariton, a new Footscray destination founded by fine dining chefs John Rivera and Minh Duong. They’re translating the country’s most loved cocktails, ingredients and desserts into vivid gelati – think ube halaya (purple yam with caramelised coconut curds), keso (cheddar and vanilla with roasted cashews) and avocado condensed milk. Made with creamy Gippsland Jersey milk, you can get your gelato in a cup, cone or soft homemade bread bun, just like they do in the Philippines.

50 Leeds Street, Footscray 

Little Sky 

What’s better than a cooling double scoop on the way home from the beach? This petite bayside gem is doing things their way, maintaining a natural ingredients-only ethos and making all their waffle cones in house. Traditional stainless steel pozzetti tubs ensure their gelato is always at the perfect temperature and texture – and inside you’ll find rich dairy flavours, zippy fruit sorbets and a selection of vegan options made with oat, cashew, coconut or almond that are as creamy as the real thing.

332 Bay Street, Brighton

Lavezzi

It only makes sense that you’ll find some of Melbourne’s best gelato in Lygon Street, our city’s own Little Italy. While you can’t go wrong with classics like ricotta and pear, bacio and dulce de leche, it’s their fun original flavours that keep us coming back. The bright acidity of their cherry sorbetti, the creamy tang of their lemon curd cheesecake and the nuttiness of their black sesame are simply irresistible.

334 Lygon Street, Carlton 

Cool down with more than just the best ice cream this summer – order a frosty cocktail at the best new bars in Melbourne or try our fun margarita recipes at home. Planning a date? We’ve got you covered with 20 ideas that are sure to impress.