Where 15 Top Melbourne Chefs Eat Gelato and Ice-Cream

Gelato is a pleasure that should be enjoyed year-round. But once the temperature tips over 30 degrees, Melburnians are doubly likely to be lined up outside the city’s gelaterias and ice-creameries, trying to decide which flavour(s) to taste test before committing.

Everyone’s got preferences: cup or cone, creamy or fruity, gelato or ice-cream. And chefs are no exception. So we asked a flock of Melbourne’s best chefs where they go to get their cool summer hit, and what they order.

Kariton, multiple locations

It’s such a revolutionary place. I love how in a gelato market dominated by certain stock-standard flavours, John Rivera’s Filipino flavours are standing strong. Ube halaya with its blackberry jam and speckles of caramelised coconut curd, durian chiffon, and cheesy keso with little salty notes and crunchy wafers is just perfect. – Helly Raichura, Enter Via Laundry

Kori, Hawthorn and CBD

I love going to Kori Ice-Cream either in Hawthorn or the CBD. The ice-cream is full of flavour without being too sugary or too sweet. The team also has an ice-cream cart that debuted at our wedding! I love the black sesame ice-cream, the fuji apple, and the Hokkaido cheesecake. – Cam Tay-Yap, Pebble

Pidapipo, multiple locations

Always Pidapipo; pistachio and Nutella swirl. – Andrew McConnell, Trader House

Gelateria Primavera, CBD

My favourite place for ice-cream or gelato is Gelateria Primavera at Spring Street Grocer. They make the best fior di latte and pistachio gelato. So perfectly balanced and rich in flavour. – Kay-Lene Tan, Yugen and Omnia

Messina, multiple locations

My favourite spot is Messina [in Fitzroy], which is just a 10-minute walk from my restaurant. It’s very easy for me to access and the quality of the gelato there is always great. I always like to try some new flavours, but the coffee flavour is a must for me. – Mo Zhou, Gaea and Chiaki

Yumbo’s, Carlton North 

Yumbo’s is my local. I love it because it’s super fresh, all-natural and an institution. My favourite flavours are definitely honeycomb, salted caramel, coconut – too many to choose from! – Nornie Bero, Mabu Mabu

Piccolina, multiple locations

Piccolina is my favourite gelato in Melbourne. I absolutely love the perfection-is-in-simplicity approach to flavours, letting the quality of top ingredients shine. Their pistachio is the best I’ve ever tried; I ate so much during lockdown and visit the Collingwood store on Smith Street, my local, quite often. – Tom Sarafian, Zareh

Gelateria Bico, Brunswick

My go-to gelato place is Gelateria Bico. Apart from the fact that it was so conveniently located on the ground floor of the same Brunswick apartment [building] I used to live in, this place is my favourite because it really shows their passion about gelato. The pistachio is classic. – Jung Eun Chae, Chae

Good Daze Canteen, Fitzroy

The flavours at Good Daze Canteen are right up my alley. Milo crunch is my kryptonite. The hwachae on a hot day is so good, I have no words. They’re also open late, which I love, especially in summer. Just make sure to check their opening hours. I once showed up when they were shut. – Raymond Tan, Raya and Dua

Casa del Gelato, Carlton

I love Casa del Gelato on Lygon Street. I’ve been going there since I was very young. The gelato is out of this world – family business, handmade every day. – Rosheen Kaul, Secret Sauce author

Jock’s, Albert Park

I am a bit of a monster when it comes to ice-cream. I eat a lot of it. When I lived in St Kilda I would walk to Jock’s at least once a week, sometimes twice. Always three scoops – my favourite hokey-pokey, coconut-lime, and the third scoop [would be] a new flavour. – Harry Mangat, Biji Dining

Luther’s Scoops, multiple locations

I’m obsessed with everything at Luther’s Scoops. I love trying different flavours each time I’m there, but the Earl Grey milk chocolate and banoffee are among my favourites. Their seasonal sorbets are always divine, too. – Patti Chimkire, Mali Bakes

Cono Gelateria, Reservoir

If you haven’t had the pistachio at Cono Gelateria, you’re missing out. The texture and flavour is something else. – Charlie Duffy, Daybaker

Fluffy Torpedo, Fitzroy and Brunswick

I usually go for a sorbet or something not too sweet. My dream line-up: blue cheese, roasted fig, brown sugar jam, or the real orange juice and Mount Zero EVOO one. – Nat Thaipun, Masterchef Australia 2024 winner

Augustus, Yarraville

 I can’t help but go for the Snickas gelato – salted caramel, chocolate and peanuts. – Julian Hills, Navi