Gelatos & Ice Creams in Sydney

  • Family
    Kids

If our kids could engineer our lives, we’d be eating gelato for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and snacking on the delicious cone in between. And you know what – that would be quite marvellous! Lucky for us, Sydney is loaded with ice cream parlours and gelato shops for that much-needed hit of icy sugar, any day of the week. 

But before we get to our list of the best spots for ice cream in Sydney, have you ever wondered about the difference between gelato and ice cream? Gelato means ‘ice cream’ in Italian and has a higher proportion of milk and a lower proportion of cream and eggs (or no eggs at all). It's also denser than ice cream, has fewer calories, less sugar and a lower fat content per serving. Hmm, so maybe our kids were right about eating more of it daily?

Without further ado, here are our favourite spots for ice creams and gelatos in Sydney - enjoy!

The Best Gelato & Ice Creams in Sydney

1. Cow and the Moon Gelato Bar

Ice cream in Sydney
Cow and the Moon Gelato Bar.


This little artisanal gelato bar in Enmore has always had a magnet pulling in big crowds of iced-sweets fans. And no wonder: it is seriously tasty and of superb quality.

In 2014, Cow and the Moon beat the best ice cream artisans worldwide to win the Gelato World Tour with its Mandorla affogato. The gelato combined caramelised almonds sourced from Italy with coffee shots on a Madagascan vanilla base. Coffee and kids probably don’t mix that well, so for your little gelato-maniacs, we’d suggest going for other flavours, of which there is plenty to choose! 

Passionfruit Cream, Watermelon Sorbet, Fig and Mascarpone or Peanutzilla sound right up our alley! The staff makes all of the gelatos in their "Gelato Lab" on the premises, using only the freshest of ingredients. You can bring some home for a private tasting, too: half a litre costs $15.

Location: 181 Enmore Rd, Enmore, 2042 

2. Gelatissimo

Gelatissimo
Gelatissimo offer some of the best gelatos in Sydney.


This gelato mecca has been around for close to 20 years, and they're always trying something new, whether it's a new flavour, a new healthy range or a mash-up you didn't see coming! There's a reason why there are queues out the door year round - you simply can't beat Gelatissimo's award-winning flavours, stand-outs such as the License to Lime & Coconut and the Brownies are Forever. There is something for everyone here! 

Locations: Multiple across Sydney - visit the website for your nearest Gelatissimo.

3. Pompei's

For traditional Italian gelato in an old-school eatery, head to Pompei's in Bondi. The gelato at this super-popular Italian restaurant is ahhh-mazing! Pompei's make all their gelato fresh daily in a wide selection of flavours, plus they also make their own sorbets!

Location: 126-130 Roscoe St, Bondi Beach

4. Mapo 

Mapo Newtown
Mapo in Newtown.


Mapo’s motto sounds like something that should be close to every parent’s heart: imperfection. 

Our gelato melts and drips. It’s never the same, and it changes every day. It’s unique and imperfect. It follows the seasons, and changes with them.

Isn’t it what being a parent of (little or bigger) kids is?

But back to gelato. Mapo is a very unique place in the heart of artistic Newtown. Its owner (and a real Italiano!) Matteo Pochintesta is a trained architect and food lover. His gelateria has a sustainable focus (recyclable cups, wooden tasting spoons, only raw and natural ingredients), and about half the menu is vegan-friendly, including the pistachio and chocolate sorbet, which is made with 75 per cent cocoa chocolate. Oh, and they churn their gelato every day right in front of your eyes.

Location: 123 King St, Newtown

5. Cold Rock

Cold Rock
Cold Rock have ice cream shops all across NSW.


With literally hundreds of sides, toppings and flavour combos, you'd be hard-pressed to find something you couldn't order at a Cold Rock ice cream shop in Sydney!

If you've never visited a Cold Rock before, you're in for a real treat! You get to pick your flavour of ice cream, a few different toppings (chocolate, cookie dough, berries, just to name a few!) and it all gets smashed together in front of you on the cold rock table to create your very own flavour combo - yum!

Locations: Multiple across NSW - visit the website to find a Cold Rock near you.

6. Rivareno Gelato

What started out as a quaint coffee and gelato joint in Darlinghurst has now boomed into a four-shop empire that has some of the best gelatos in Sydney.

Rivareno is a true ‘laboratorio Italiano’, doing gelato the way Sicilians have done for decades. This means storing their ice cream in ‘pozzetti’, the covered, stainless steel containers. The flavours have intriguing Italian names (Leonardo, Morena or Contessa) and are more on the traditional side of things. Order a scoop of Alice, and you’ll get a sweet dose of mascarpone-flavoured gelato with a generous pouring of gianduja (chocolate and hazelnut sauce). We guarantee you – it’s like Nutella, only healthier.

Rivareno also serve delicious hot crêpes in winter, waffles, Sicilian granitas, milkshakes, affogatos, and so much more.

Locations:
Barangaroo - 4/33 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
Darlinghurst - 280 Crown St, Darlinghurst
Parramatta - Shop 4.06, Building 4, Parramatta Square
Potts Point - Shop 3/101-103 Macleay St, Potts Point

Location: 280 Crown Street, Darlinghurst, 2010 

7. Delicious Desserts

Delicious Desserts
Delicious Desserts in Windsor.


Delicious Desserts in Windsor opened in April 2021 and still has a line out the door on most days with everyone trying to get their eyes and hands on the rumoured 80 desserts from around the world on offer!

The rumours are true, there are 80 different ice cream flavours from all corners of the globe available at Delicious Desserts, including frozen yoghurts, coffees and other treats. 

Location: 123 George Street, Windsor

8. Cremeria de Luca

Ice cream sandwich
Gelato burgers from Cremeria Giuseppina.


The De Luca family has been making gelato in Italy since 1937, and they came to Australia in 1991. A few years ago, they moved Cremeria Giuseppina from Leichhardt to Five Dock, and the locals have welcomed them with open arms! 

We nearly fell off our chairs when we realised that they also make gelato burgers! How to handle such a treat? Grab that sweet brioche bun and watch the two scoops of gelato ooze out. Plans for a Sunday dinner sorted?

Location: 84 Ramsay Road, Five Dock 

9. Gelato Franco

Gelato Franco
Gelato Franco in Marrickville.


The old-school gelateria on Marrickville Road serves only 15 flavours: 10 classics and five changing styles. What we love most about this little sweet spot is that everything at Gelato Franco tastes like childhood, probably so because the owner’s mum, Donata, joins him in the kitchen! 

Mamma mia, go and grab that coffee with homemade biscotti while your kids are savouring their famous black sesame gelato!

Location: 281 Marrickville Road, Marrickville 2204 

10. Gelato Messina

Gelato Messina
Ice cream and dulce de leche from Gelato Messina.


Mention the words gelato in Sydney and many will undoubtedly think of Gelato Messina.

Gelato Messina have been revolutionising gelato in Australia for quite a number of years and are still going strong. What started out as a humble storefront in Darlinghurst has sky-rocketed to a Sydney ice creams and gelato institution with over 35 yummy flavours to choose from, not to mention incredible gelato cakes - yum!

Locations: Multiple across Sydney - visit the website to find a Gelato Messina near you.

11. Windsor Ice Cream Cafe

If you're looking for a fabulous old-fashioned ice cream parlour to enjoy your favourite scoop this weekend, look no further than Windsor Ice Cream Cafe. The unassuming storefront on George Street is a favourite for locals, who love stopping in for a classic scoop in a cone. 

Windsor Ice Cream Cafe also serve excellent pancakes and milkshakes.

Location: 2/89 George St, Windsor

12. Pure Gelato

Pure Gelato
Loads of delicious flavours from Pure Gelato.


Pure Gelato have been perfecting their soft and creamy gelato since 1994 and are still going strong, it's no wonder they are one of the most awarded gelato shops in Sydney!

Along with a long list of gelato flavours on offer, Pure Gelato make artisan gelato cakes and everything can be ordered online for delivery!

Location: 30/32A Brighton Ave, Croydon Park

13. Ciccone and Sons Gelateria

Ice cream in Sydney
Ciccone and Sons Gelateria in Redfern.


This little gelateria on Regent Street in Redfern is authentic and modest yet serves some of the best flavours in the area. Ciccone and Sons Gelateria also has one unique feature – they’re making most of their gelato on the base of buttermilk. That means that they’re healthier than the milky ones and not as sweet.

Ciccone and Sons Gelateria serves an excellent coffee from the Marrickville roastery Di Pacci Coffee Co and have a great choice of liquors to spike your espresso (if you’re doing a gelato dinner, not breakfast, obviously).

Location: 195 Regent Street, Redfern

14. Fresko Gelato and Waffle House

Fresko Gelato
Mouthwatering waffles from Fresko Gelato and Waffle House.


We love the fact that you can order your gelato with a side of waffle at Fresko Gelato and Waffle House! Formerly known as PAGOTO, Fresko is a bona fide Greek gelateria and waffle house ('Fresko' means fresh in Greek) that knows how to infuse all the right flavours for their loyal fans.

Location: 301 Victoria Rd, Marrickville

15. Tasty Towns

Tasty Towns Gelato
Gelatos in Sydney from Tasty Towns.

 

For yummy gelatos in Ryde, head to Tasty Towns Gelato.

Having only opened their doors in 2021, Tasty Towns is one of the newer ice cream shops in Sydney, but they are certainly making up for lost times with their delicious gelatos, sorbets, cookies, gelato sandwiches, macarons, and milkshakes.

We love the variety of flavours on the menu at Tasty Towns - our favourite picks include Cremino, Pistachio, Matcha, and Salted Caramel.

Location: Shop G18 Rhodes Central, Rhodes

16. Anita Gelato

Visit Anita Gelato, beloved around the world, to discover a world where traditional techniques meet innovative flavors, all crafted with love and the finest ingredients. Remember, each visit might just introduce you to a new favourite! 

Whether you're a fan of classic flavours or adventurous enough to try inventive combinations, there's always a surprise in store. Their vegan and sugar-free options ensure that every preference is catered to.

Locations:

Bondi Beach: 180 Campbell Parade, NSW 2026
Bondi Junction: 500 Oxford St, NSW 2022
Chippendale: 28 Broadway Ave, Central Park Mall, NSW 2008
Manly: 46-48 The Corso, NSW 2095
Eveleigh: 2 Locomotive St, NSW 2015
Cronulla: 2-6 Cronulla St, NSW 2230

More Yummy Treats in Sydney

Sydney's Best Cinnamon Buns
The Best Cheesecakes Shops in Sydney
Get Desserts Delivered Right to Your Door

Have you signed up to our newsletter? Join ellaslist to get the best family and kid-friendly events, venues, classes and things to do NEAR YOU!

 

Reviews


gelatogourmet

May 26 2021

Thank you for your wonderful insight and shared experience. Gelato is not just another dessert, for us, it’s a form of expression. We use premium gourmet ingredients to prepare mouth-watering Gelato desserts that you simply cannot resist. Our gelato recipes have won accolades in the most exclusive events and competitions across Florida. We scoop happiness in every cup of gelato, design dreams in every cup of coffee, and serve memories in every piece of cake. TO KNOW MORE-<a href="https://www.gelatosgourmet.com/" > Click Here </a>


Glenda Cohen

Aug 19 2016

How can you leave out the very best gelato in Sydney ? Gelatissimo in Darling Harbour , Coogee and Bondi and many more locations still produces the most authentic tastiest gelato in Australia. Bambinos for little ones - perfect?