Find yourself anywhere in Sydney at any time of day, and chances are you’ll spot a couple of people walking about with that telltale green-and-orange cup piled high with creamy gelato.

The obsession spread interstate, when Gelato Messina opened its first Melbourne store on Smith Street, Fitzroy. Richmond and Windsor followed soon thereafter.

Headed by lifelong gelato aficionado, Simone Panetta, Messina's Melbourne operation also features the talents of former gelato world champion, Sergio Colalucci. Panetta started making gelato with his uncle when he was only 12.

Following suit from its Sydney counterparts, Melbourne’s three Messina outlets stock a range of 40 permanent flavours and weekly specials, all made in-house from Warrnambool milk. The mind-bending special flavours are released on the same day in both cities.