Best Gelato and Ice cream in Melbourne CBD

In Melbourne, gelato is more prevalent than ice-cream (learn the difference between the two here) - many Italians moved to Melbourne after World War II. But strangely enough, it was hard to find real gelato as recently as ten years ago. Most shops were still using cheap pastes produced in factories, rather than making their gelato from scratch.

One last thing: if you’re looking to compare the skills of two different shops, order a scoop of pistachio. It’s the industry’s universal benchmark.

Pidapipo

This is a must-go gelato place that you should get your hands. I queued up for their gelato despite the cold (winter season) and enjoyed the sweet treat on their high stools. They have traditional gelato in classic & creative seasonal flavours. I recall trying out different flavors and settled on double scoop eventually.

Address (multiple locations): 8 Degraves St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Opening hours: 12-9pm daily
Phone: +61 3 9347 4596

Wesbite: Pidapipo

Instagram: Pidapipo

Gelato Messina

I first tried Messina in Sydney and had double scoop to myself because their gelato is that good. One of the flavors which I ordered is Pistachio. They have multiple flavors and I have no regrets getting their ice-cream multiple times over a period of 3 weeks.

Gelato Messina currently has 11 stores in Sydney, 3 in Melbourne, 2 in Queensland and 1 in Canberra.

Address: 237 Smith St, Fitzroy VIC 3065, Australia
Opening Hours: 12-1030pm (Sun-Thu), 12-11pm (Fri-Sat)
Phone: +61 3 9417 0488

Instagram: Gelato Messina

Website: Gelato Messina

Augustus Gelatery

Augustus Gelatery bringing artisan gelato, served by an army of insatiably discerning in-house taste testers to our awesome customers. The flavors are really unique, such as popcorn and peanut butter - Popcorn Gelato, Silky Peanut Butter And Roasted Peanuts

Address (multiple locations): 15a Pascoe St, Pascoe Vale VIC 3044, Australia
Opening hours: 11am-11pm daily
Phone: +61 3 9306 8341

Website: Augustus Gelatery

Instagram: Augustus Gelatery

Aqua S

Aqua S specialises in sea salt soft serve. Fun, innovative and exquisiteness are the key elements for them. With the lovely shade of aqua blue soft serve against their feature wall with clouds , their soft serve is very instagrammable.

Apart from our signature flavor, there are two other varieties that will be changed fortnightly.

Address (multiple locations): 16 Red Cape Ln, Melbourne VIC 3004, Australia
Opening hours: 11-9pm (Sun-Wed), 11-10pm (Thu-Sat)
Phone: +61 2 8668 5957

Website: Aqua S

Instagram: Aqua S

Nitro lab

Counter-serve specializing in hand-churned ice cream & a syringe with various toppings.

Address: 188 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
Opening hours: 12-9.50pm (Wed-Sun), 3-9.50pm (Mon-Tue)
Phone: +61 3 9077 5354

First nitrogen experience here at the Nitro Lab! I ordered the raspberry sorbet and was in awe as I watched being freshly made! The selections are endless and some are customisable, staff are friendly and give great recommendations for first-timers and although it's a little pricey, you get what you pay for!

Instagram: Nitro lab

Niska Robotic Ice Cream Bar

If you’re looking for FANCY desserts and don’t mind paying a little more $$ then I HIGHLY recommend omnom desserts!! (also in cbd) hehe they do dinner food as well, but they are known for some pretty cool desserts 😍