Where to Scoop Up the Best Ice Cream in Melbourne

Whether you’re after something to do on a sunny day, craving a scoop after dinner, or simply chasing a sugar rush, Melbourne’s gelaterias are ready for you.

Across the city, storied institutions churn faithful Italian favourites while new-wave makers push boundaries with inventive pairings, silky textures and bursts of seasonal fruit. Vegan scoops get the same attention, with oat, cashew or coconut bases offering impressive richness.

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

Fluffy Torpedo

Fluffy Torpedo stands out for adventurous ice cream in Melbourne, offering combinations such as Mountain Dew with Oreo, salted Nutella with parmesan and miso-cinnamon with white chocolate. Each scoop is handmade with playful precision, appealing to those who enjoy bold, experimental gelato. It’s a must for dessert lovers looking beyond traditional flavours.

5/159 Smith Street, Fitzroy 

213 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Kori

Kori remains one of the most in-demand gelaterias in Melbourne, offering Japanese-inspired ice cream crafted daily in small batches. Flavours include matcha pistachio, hojicha hazelnut, vanilla tofu and sake, with Fuji apple sorbet prized for its tart brightness. Designed by pastry experts Bernard Chu and Joane Yeoh, Kori is a must-visit for those seeking refined, artisan gelato in Melbourne.

659 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

392 Bourke Street, Melbourne

143 Chapel Street, Windsor (opening December 2025)

Anita Gelato

Melbourne CBD has a shiny new ice cream spot in Anita Gelato. With more than 150 flavours on rotation, this global favourite dishes up everything from pistachio cream and hazelnut-wafer to vegan fruit sorbets and cookie-packed scoops. Portions are generous, toppings are plentiful, and the energy is pure dessert joy. Swing by for a post-dinner wander or a mid-shopping cool-down — Anita knows exactly how to sweeten your day.

 273 Little Collins Street, Melbourne

Vanilla Dessert Bar

Vanilla Dessert Bar brings a wave of sweetness to Oakleigh, where soft serve, frozen yoghurt and pastries meet a choose-your-own-creation spirit. Begin with a croissant, cone or cronut, then build upwards with silky swirls and a trove of toppings — more than sixty to play with. Open late and set in lively Eaton Mall, it’s a dessert playground with real charm and plenty of reasons to return.

20 Chester Street, Oakleigh

Big Comma

Big Comma is one of the best places for ice cream in Melbourne’s CBD, known for handmade gelato and inventive flavours served from a sleek pozzetti bar. Peach oolong, ube, durian, lychee and corn cheese offer standout clarity. Extras elevate everything: mochi or matcha-Mont-Blanc crowns, brûléed tops and espresso poured into hollowed scoops. For those seeking creative gelato in Melbourne, Big Comma delivers immediate delight.

Sitchu Tip: Ube with Biscoff and a brûléed top is sublime. Their iced dirty matcha and pistachio affogato also deserve attention.

197 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne 

Glo Gelato

Glo Gelato is a top destination for gelato in Carlton, blending bold flavours with Bergman & Co.’s stylish design. Icky Sticky (popcorn, salted caramel, sticky date) and Pandan-Monium (pandan, taro, black rice) remain favourites for gelato lovers searching for something new. Each scoop is handmade and layered with detail, making Glo one of Melbourne’s most distinctive gelaterias.

131 Lygon Street, Carlton 

Kariton Sorbetes

Kariton Sorbetes is one of Footscray and the CBD’s most exciting gelato destinations, known for small-batch scoops shaped by bold Filipino flavours. Chefs John Rivera and Minh Duong translate beloved desserts and drinks into vivid gelati: ube halaya with caramelised coconut curds, keso with roasted cashews, and avocado condensed milk made with creamy Gippsland Jersey milk. Enjoy it in a cup, cone or soft bread bun, just as it’s served in the Philippines.

50 Leeds Street, Footscray 

177 Russell Street, Melbourne

265 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley

Gelato UNOU

Gelato UNOU brings a bright, beachside energy to Seaford with some of the most generous, flavour-packed scoops in Melbourne’s south. Handmade gelato, dairy-free sorbets and frozen yoghurt meet fun extras like gelato cakes, Dutch pancakes and towering shakes. Pistachio, sour cherry and their vegan fruit flavours are standouts, although we’re fiends for the peppermint choc chip. Steps from the pier, it’s the ultimate post-swim gelato stop — relaxed, vibrant and endlessly satisfying.

125A Nepean Highway, Seaford

Good Daze Canteen

Good Daze Canteen serves some of the best ice cream in Fitzroy, known for small-batch, flavour-driven gelato that draws on nostalgic Australian tastes. Popular scoops include Milo Milk Crunch, Thai mango sticky rice sorbet and miso peanut butter caramel. The cosy Brunswick Street setting adds charm, making it ideal for anyone looking for creative, handmade gelato in Melbourne.

316 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 

L’Arte Della Gelato

L’Arte Della Gelato ranks among the best Italian gelaterias in Melbourne, serving traditional, handmade gelato with smooth texture and depth. Pistachio, gianduja and fruit sorbets showcase classic technique, while matcha with strawberry sauce adds playful contrast. For readers searching for authentic gelato in Melbourne, this spot blends gentle sweetness with a timeless Italian touch.

191 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy

Meno Zero

Meno Zero is a favourite for handmade Italian gelato in Melbourne’s east and on the Peninsula. Their Sicily flavour — pistachio cream over ricotta gelato with crisp cannoli pastry — is deeply memorable. Each scoop is crafted with attention to texture and balance, making Meno Zero a go-to for those seeking traditional gelato in Melbourne.

914a Doncaster Road, Doncaster East

199-201 Point Nepean Road, Dromana

Gelato Messina

Messina remains one of Melbourne’s best-known gelato destinations, offering handmade scoops with a mix of weekly specials and more than thirty classic flavours. Favourites include apple pie, lemon custard, coffee and white chocolate macadamia. The combination of careful churning, quality ingredients and small-batch production makes Messina a reliable stop for anyone searching for the best gelato in Melbourne.

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

Billy Van Creamy

Billy Van Creamy is known for natural, small-batch gelato made from seasonal produce and trusted suppliers. Flavours such as banoffee, lemon tart, fig and bay leaf or dark chocolate ganache reveal careful construction. With a focus on clean, balanced profiles, Billy Van Creamy consistently ranks among Melbourne’s best artisan gelato shops.

212 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North

146 Sydney Road, Brunswick

142 Bridport Street, Albert Park 

Sundae School Ice Creamery

Sundae School Ice Creamery serves some of the best ice cream in Melbourne for those who enjoy both nostalgia and innovation. Classic sundaes appear alongside flavours like cardamom burnt honey, pistachio or lemon creamsicle. Each scoop is handmade in small batches, resulting in rich, distinct desserts ideal for warm afternoons or post-dinner outings.

344 Queens Parade, Fitzroy North 

Temporarily closed

Happy Eats Gelato

Happy Eats Gelato is a local favourite for handmade gelato crafted with sustainable ingredients. Their fruit-forward sorbets, dairy-based classics and gelato cakes are made onsite, giving each treat a fresh, homemade feel. From choc-tops to sandwiches and brownies, Happy Eats is ideal for those seeking wholesome, flavour-driven gelato in Melbourne.

189 Union Road, Ascot Vale 

10 Hall Street, Moonee Ponds

Beku Gelato

Beku Gelato brings Indonesian and South-East Asian influence to Melbourne’s gelato scene, offering vibrant flavours like pandan, jasmine, tropical fruits and gentle spices. Each scoop is small-batch and crafted to highlight ingredient purity. For readers searching for unique gelato in Carlton, Beku provides clarity, freshness and a subtle savoury edge.

150 Lygon Street, Carlton

Hareruya Pantry

Hareruya Pantry is one of the best places for Japanese-style gelato in Melbourne. Handmade daily, scoops come in cups, soft mochi daifuku or crisp monaka wafers. Each format shifts texture and temperature, revealing different layers of flavour. It’s a refined stop for those who appreciate delicate, artisan ice cream in Carlton.

15-17 Lincoln Square South, Carlton 

Bianco Latte Gelateria and Italian Desserts

Bianco Latte is a standout for artisan gelato in Melbourne, using jersey milk from grass-fed herds and premium ingredients such as Bronte pistachios. Flavours are elegant and well-balanced, with fruit-driven sorbets and nut-based classics crafted from scratch. It’s an excellent choice for readers searching for small-batch gelato in the inner north or bayside.

331 High Street, Northcote 

17 Ballarat Street, Yarraville

104 Ormond Road, Elwood

Gelato Papa

Gelato Papa blends Italian technique with modern flavour profiles, making it a favourite for handmade gelato in Melbourne. Everything is produced from scratch daily, allowing flavours like coconut, yoghurt, chocolate or gorgonzola to taste defined and expressive. Seasonal specials add brightness, ensuring repeat visits always offer something new.

14a Gilbert Road, Preston

72a Station Street, Fairfield

Gigi’s Gelato

Gigi’s offers some of Melbourne’s best traditional Italian gelato in the west, intricately crafted by chef Luigi “Gigi” Pozzoli. Flavours such as tiramisu, cassata or Bacio reflect regional Italian heritage, while layered gelato cakes showcase beautiful technique. Each scoop carries texture and depth, ideal for dessert lovers seeking classic gelato in Yarraville.

15 Anderson Street, Yarraville 

Cono Gelateria

Cono Gelateria is a neighbourhood favourite for handmade gelato in Reservoir, offering classics like stracciatella and pistachio alongside specials such as banana with crunchy peanut or white chocolate caramel pretzel. Weekend brioche buns filled with sorbet add a playful touch. It’s a bright, lively stop for gelato hunters across Melbourne’s north.

757 Gilbert Road, Reservoir 

Gelateria Primavera at Spring St Grocer

Gelateria Primavera at Spring Street Grocer is widely regarded as one of Melbourne’s best gelato shops for pistachio (it’s the best version of pistachio in Melbourne, trust us) and seasonal flavours. Stored in traditional pozzetti, scoops remain fresh and flavour-forward. Peach and basil sorbet, mango-passionfruit, Fior di latte and chocolate are perennial favourites, making this CBD gem essential for gelato purists.

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

157 Spring Street, Melbourne 

Pidapipo & Pidapipo Laboratorio

Pidapipo is a Melbourne gelato institution for good reason, drawing long lines to its stores every day. The crown jewel is Pidapipo Laboratorio, where the chocolate room, sculptural gelato cakes and pasticceria-style atmosphere create a sense of sweet theatre. Flavours are crafted with precision and curiosity, offering experimental scoops you won’t find elsewhere. It’s where gelato lovers come to experience Melbourne’s most imaginative creations.

Multiple locations around the city

Pidapipo Laboratorio, 429 – 431 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy 

Miinot Gelato

Miinot Gelato produces some of the best small-batch gelato in Melbourne, known for clean, concentrated flavours shaped from fruit-first or carefully sourced dairy bases. Lemon sorbet, burnt fig and the mascarpone-PX-sultana Nonno blend are standouts. It’s a quiet haven for gelato lovers seeking refined, understated scoops in the city’s north.

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. 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 

28 Johnston Street, Fitzroy

Boca Gelato 

Boca Gelato serves handmade gelato and bright sorbetti in Ivanhoe, blending classic Italian flavours with modern specials like Basque cheesecake or pumpkin spice. Their layered gelato cakes are especially popular for gatherings. With its pastel terrazzo counter and generous servings, Boca is one of the east’s best gelato stops.

183 Upper Heidelberg Road, Ivanhoe 

Piccolina Gelateria

Piccolina is known for natural, handmade gelato with signature lightness. Classics such as Fior di latte, stracciatella and lemon sorbetti shine, while molten chocolate “better than Nutella” adds richness. Seasonal specials bring subtle twists. Across Melbourne, Piccolina consistently ranks among the best gelato stores for clean, balanced flavours.

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

Little Sky 

Little Sky is a bayside favourite for natural, small-batch gelato made with a simple ingredients-only philosophy. Waffle cones are made in-house, while traditional pozzetti tubs keep every flavour at ideal texture. The range moves from rich dairy scoops to bright fruit sorbets and impressive vegan options made with oat, cashew, coconut or almond bases. It’s the perfect post-beach stop for clean, beautifully balanced gelato.

332 Bay Street, Brighton

Cool down with more than the city’s best ice cream this summer. Sip a frosty cocktail at one of Melbourne’s newest bars or shake up our fun margarita recipes at home. Planning a date? We’ve gathered all the ideas that are sure to impress.

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

7 December 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.