Five to Try: New Gelaterias in Brisbane

Brisbane has welcomed a swathe of new gelato joints this year – and what better time to try them? Here are five new shops specialising in the iced Italian treat.

Goodtimes Gelateria
This gelato shop – in an eye-popping George Livissianis-designed space underneath The Fantauzzo hotel at Howard Smith Wharves – was unveiled in October. A counter rendered in pink subway tiles is surrounded by shelves stacked with brightly coloured produce, and the back wall is decorated with fun, cartoonish graphics. The shop’s 22 flavours include the classics alongside more specialised creations such as baked apple pie, and brown butter with caramelised popcorn. There are also six sorbet flavours, including watermelon, mandarin and lemon. The icy treats are all made from scratch – using fresh hazelnut and pistachio pastes, and fresh mint and lemongrass – and stored in traditional pozetti storage drums. Helping crack the formula is award-winning pastry chef Rhian Shellshear, who’s done time at Gelato Messina, Quay and Adriano Zumbo in Sydney, Bhoga and Upper House in Gothenburg, and Alinea in Chicago. He has also represented Australia at Coupe du Monde de la Pâtisserie, the celebrated biennial international pastry contest.

Allora
This sleek and minimally designed gelataria opened last month in Newmarket Village. Contrasting with the shop’s monochrome tones are rows of vibrantly coloured gelato, sorbet and soft serve in flavours such as pina colada, lime and mint, rockmelon, peanut butter and chocolate, pistachio, and what’s already become a crowd favourite, the super-fresh peach and basil sorbet. Also popular is the baked banana, made with butter puree and a maple-walnut crumb. All the gelato is made in owner-chef Adam Naddei’s Banyo factory with fresh and local produce. You’ll also find shakes, cookie sandwiches and specialty coffee from Five Senses, including batch filter and cold brew.

La Marcelleria
Loyal gelato fans will know the story of La Macelleria. It started in 2013, when Matteo Zini and Matteo Casone opened their first gelataria in an abandoned butcher’s shop in Bologna, Italy. The name La Macelleria (which translates to “the butchery”) stuck, and six years later the now Australia-based pair have opened their fourth Brisbane venue on King Street in Bowen Hills (following locations in Teneriffe, West End and Coorparoo). The new shop hawks the six best-sellers from the Teneriffe flagship, including bacio, stracciatella, vanilla and salted caramel. There’s also a rotating selection of sorbets (flavours depending on what’s seasonally available), gelato shakes and $2 espresso coffee on weekdays from 12pm to 3pm. The fixtures are typical of La Macelleria, including white subway tiles and a neon sign that replicates the Bologna butcher’s shop original.

Miss Sophia’s Gelateria
Miss Sophia’s Gelateria opened in Kedron in February. Owners John and Amanda Scott have for the past decade run Milk in Ashgrove. More recently, the Scotts opened Farm House, creating a brunch destination for Kedron locals. Miss Sophia’s Gelateria is located next door to Farm House, bringing new life to the former site of iconic fruit shop Farmer Joe’s. Each of the flavours is listed on a large custom-made Scrabble board, including white chocolate, stracciatella, pistachio and watermelon. While some will rotate, flavours such as milk and cookies and crème brulee are permanent fixtures. As well as low-sugar options there are five vegan flavours, including one made of toasted coconut and coconut water. The gelato is made on-site using as much local and fresh produce as possible. The dairy is sourced from a co-op in the Scenic Rim, the sugar comes from Bundaberg and the honey from Maleny.

Gelato Messina Fortitude Valley
Having debuted in South Brisbane in 2018, it was perhaps only a matter of time before Sydney superstars Gelato Messina expanded north of the river. The time came earlier this year, when Messina opened in the new Ada Lane development opposite The Calile. The fit-out is in keeping with the area – full of stone and brick, and classy wooden flourishes. It’s a smaller store than the gargantuan South Brisbane spot; inside seating is limited to a long bench, with a few extra chairs out front. Gelato is of course the hero here, and the Valley outlet is the second in Australia to feature the brand new glass-topped pozetti specially imported from Italy. They’re there for freshness but also to show off the shop’s 40 flavours, including favourites such as chocolate fondant, apple pie, pistachio praline, and salted caramel and white chocolate, along with the five rotating specials.