When it comes to satisfying your sweet tooth on a warm Brisbane day, nothing beats a scoop (or two) of creamy gelato. Brisbane is home to a diverse culinary scene, and its gelato offerings are no exception.
Whether you’re a fan of classic flavours or adventurous concoctions, you’ll find something to delight your taste buds in this vibrant Australian city. Here’s our edit of the top gelato joints in Brisbane.
Gelato Messina, South Brisbane, Fortitude Valley, Surfers Paradise
Gelato Messina is one of those places you can always rely on, and thanks to its many locations scattered throughout the major cities, you’re never far from a scoop of artisanal gelato. With a rotating menu of over 40 flavours, both classic and unique, you can always count on an incredible selection. From the famous salted caramel to creative options like apple pie or passionfruit cheesecake, Gelato Messina is a must when the urge to cool off with gelato strikes.
La Macelleria, Teneriffe, West End and More
La Macelleria is all about traditional Italian gelato with a modern twist. Their focus on using high-quality ingredients and crafting gelato from scratch shines through in every bite. Flavours include classics such as stracciatella, pistachio, and chocolate, but the daily specials are worth the adventure. Think raspberry cheesecake, tiramisu and hazelnut cream. There’s also a range of sweet desserts, like cakes, gelato-stuffed croissant cones, and sticks.
Anita Gelato, West End
Anita is famous across the globe for its decadent, hand-made scoops. The West End location has an extra touch of charm, housed in a 1920s brick warehouse. The flavours are essentially endless, with vegan and sugar-free options. There are classic dessert-inspired flavours like tiramisu and hazelnut, but a few surprise scoops include salted bagel, cappuccino with butter cookies, and popcorn with honey and caramel. Unlike most gelaterias, this one seats 50, so settle in and enjoy your gelato.
Goodtimes Gelateria, CBD
Who doesn’t love a pastel explosion? Goodtimes serves stretchy, creamy gelato from a pastel pink counter in the Howard Smith Wharves precinct. There are 22 flavours to choose from, so take your time. It’s a tough decision. However, if we may suggest a flavour, it would be brown butter popcorn or baked apple pie.
Nom Nom, Bulimba
Venture out to Bulimba for nom-worthy scoops of creamy handmade gelato. Nom Nom is a bit of a local secret. The pocket-sized gelateria has all the usual suspects and a range of daily specials. The sorbet is also worth a try. Think fruity, icy scoops of goodness.
Sugo It, Bulimba
Sugo It is your friendly neighbour Italian family restaurant. People come for the bowls of pasta and wood-fired slices of pizza, but when you’re satisfied with your savoury part of the evening, duck out to the back and pursue the flavours in the gelateria and deli. They even have a tasting bowl, where you get four scoops of different flavours for those indecisive ones.
Lick Ice Cream, Graceville
Before Lick was a gelateria, it was a dessert company. Then it opened a store in Graceville, and reached cult status for its strawberry ice cream, served at Brisbane’s Ekka open-air festival. However, along with their year-round flavours, you will find a handful of daily specials. You can get any flavour in a cup or cone, one scoop, two scoop, three — it’s up to you.
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