The best gelato and ice cream shops in Sydney

What is it? An authentic and inventive Italian gelato shop that has locations in Newtown, Bondi and Darlinghurst.

Why we love it: Its luxurious and curious flavours, beautiful textures and consistently quality scoops. Plus, it prides itself on being sustainable, with heaps of dairy-free options available.

Address: In Newtown, you'll find them at 123 King St, Newtown NSW 2042

Time Out tip: Head here after a sumptuous dinner in Newtown for a cleansing and simple, but always perfectly balanced scoop.

What is it? A classic Italian ice cream shop in Marrickville that makes traditional gelato that is light and refreshing, with a distinctly Sicilian bent.

Why we love it: Nothing tastes artificial, it’s just light and bright and refreshing as hell. All of the ice cream here is milk-heavy rather than cream-laden, making it taste way cleaner than the other gelatos you’re used to. This is what gelato prepped to be eaten in a hot country should be like: refreshing, not clawing.

Address: 281 Marrickville Rd, Marrickville NSW 2204

Time Out tip: A major plus about Gelato Franco is that unlike many such places in Sydney, these guys actually have tables – even a prime people-watching spot in the open window at the front. 

What is it? A pared back, yet adorable, gelato shop in Redfern that peddles brilliantly simple scoops.

Why we love it: As simple as it may appear, this gelato is nothing short of brilliant.

Address: 195 Regent St, Redfern NSW 2016

Time Out tip: In India they serve chilled buttermilk as a refreshing drink, and here at Ciccone they know the score. Their buttermilk and passionfruit flavour is possibly the most refreshing iced treat you could imagine – sweet'n'sour and slightly salty. Co-owner Mark Megahey replaces the usual milk in his base with Pepe Saya’s tangy, creamy buttermilk, making a gelato that is creamy but not overly rich, and tastes like summer in a cup.

What is it? A deep-fried ice cream paradise that slings a vast variety of Asian-inspired flavours. You can find their brick and mortar store in Strathfield and their ‘dessert factory’ in Roselands. 

Why we love it: Duo Duo does one thing better than almost anyone else in Sydney: deep-fried ice cream. Starting out as a food truck in 2017, the inventive owners have create gelato made from 100 per cent fresh durian, an Earl Grey tea-infused gelato rippled with lychee jelly, and a pandan gelato infused with real pandan leaves, passionfruit and coconut dacquoise. Yum. 

Address: 11 The Boulevarde, Strathfield NSW 2135 and  67 Chapel St, Roselands NSW 2196

Time Out tip: Delightfully, there’s also not one but two tiramisu editions. One is cut with matcha, while the other has a Vietnamese coffee base. Plus, a yuzu lychee sorbet. And if you want it deep-fried, your options include Ferrero Rocher, pandan coconut, salted caramel and a bunch of one-off specials.

What is it? This family-run gelateria has won multiple awards and even more hearts for their consistently delicious and inventive gelatos and extravagant ice cream cake creations.

Why we love it: No matter whether you see yourself as a traditionalist or high brow ice cream connoisseur, Cow and the Moon have something perfect on deck, just for you. 

Address: They've got locations in Wollongong and the Fish Markets, but you can find them at their OG Enmore haunt at 181 Enmore Rd, Enmore, Sydney, 2042

Time Out tip: From a citrusy creamy yuzu white chocolate to a Neopolitian ice cream cake inspired by retro days of old, try their twist on old classics. You won't regret it. 

What is it? A Tuscan-inspired gelato bar in Randwick. It borrows its name from the Greek goddess of Earth, a nod to the shop's all-natural flavours and colours, which are made from scratch every day.

Why we love it: Artisanal gelato that revolves around old school classics, with the odd futuristic twist.

Address: 50 Perouse Road, Randwick, Sydney 2031

Time Out tip: The Tuscany-inspired spot focuses on Italian classics such as lemon, vanilla and ‘crunchy’ Amarena cherry flavours. But co-founders Emanuele Giannetti and Franco Alvarez haven’t shied away from throwing in a few twists, including a lime and basil gelato and its best-selling ‘Snickers my way’ with freshly ground peanuts.

What is it? Sydney's most popular ice-creamery, with wild flavours and long lines. You'll find them all over Sydney. 

Why we love it: Messina is the fancy-dress party of gelato shops in Sydney. Sure, their salted caramel has been a mainstay for years, and we're pretty keen on the pandan coconut for a tropical refresher, but where the excitement comes in is Messina's hyper zeitgeisty flavours. 

Address: 389 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Time Out tip: Sometimes the list of flavours in a single scoop runs off the board, and their creative flair means choosing is never easy on any visit.

What is it? A dairy-free gelato shop in Earlwood. 

Why we love it: Established by lactose-intolerant PierLuca Di Genua-Angrisano, aka Pep, Earlwood's newest dessert shop serves up dairy-free gelato first dreamed up in New York. ‘Italian ice’ is a creamy granita made by blending fruit, sugar and water in a Carpigiani gelato machine.

Address: 8, 3/10 Clarke St, Earlwood NSW 2206

Time Out tip: You can choose from flavours including lemon, coconut, banana, mango, watermelon, orange, pineapple, passionfruit and coconut, as well as indulgent chocolate. And it's all milk free. 

What is it? A high quality, Sicilian-style gelataria.

Why we love it: Rivareno Gelato does gelato the Sicilian way, making sure to store the gelato in ‘pozzetti’ (covered, stainless steel containers). Because the pozzetti are lidded, it keeps the gelato at exactly the right temperature, to ensure the flavour is at its freshest and the texture is silky.

Address: Visit their cool Bondi location at Retail 2/124 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach NSW 2026.

Time Out tip: No matter where you are in Sydney, you're likely to find a Rivareno. They've got locations in Bondi, Potts Point, Darlinghurst, Barangaroo, Potts Point and Parramatta, plus many more. 

What is it? An old-school, deeply beloved gelato bar just off Bondi Beach that's been slinging cones since the '90's. 

Why we love it: The pistachio is that classic combination of acidic green colour and sweet, robust flavour, and the chocolate sorbet (made with Tuscan Amedei chocolate no less) is equal parts refreshing and rich.

Address: 126/130 Roscoe St, Bondi Beach NSW 2026

Time Out tip: Maybe it’s the sun, maybe it’s the sand, but grabbing a cone at Pompei’s before wandering down to the beach feels like a Sydney tradition that should never be lost.

What is it? It may look ordinary from the outside, but this Chatswood gelateria is wholly wonderful.

Why we love it: All the gelatos are made fresh in house and they aren't afraid to mix rich, creamy flavours with seasonal fruit. 

Address: 2/77 Archer St, Chatswood NSW 2067

Time Out tip: Try a pear and chocolate, passionfruit and marscapone, or boysenberry lavender crumble. Here for the classics? They're using 70 per cent Belgian chocolate and hazelnuts from Langhe in Italy.

What is it? An authentic Turkish ice cream parlour with locations in Newtown and Burwood. 

Why we love it: Nev Bagriyanik and his wife Zeyneb opened their ice cream parlour to bring the traditional sweets of their hometown of Maras to Sydney. Expect sour cherry, Turkish delight, date, pistachio and the simple combination of milk and sugar to flavour your iced confections.

Address: 63-71 Enmore Road, Newtown and 1A Railway Parade, Burwood.

Time Out tip: The difference here is that they use salep, a flour made from orchid root that gives Turkish ice cream its super tacky consistency.