Best of Melbourne 2020: city’s top 10 ice cream parlours revealed
Want to know the best places to get ice cream in Melbourne? You’ve given us the inside scoop, voting for your favourite shops. Find out if your top sweet spot creamed the competition. SEE ALL THE WINNERS AND FINALISTS
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When we asked you to tell us your favourite Melbourne spots to scoop up an ice cream treat, your answers made us melt.
You nominated loads of cool parlours from every corner of the city, and served up thousands of votes.
And scoring a place in the top 10 is the cherry on top for the winners of our first Best of Melbourne poll for 2020.
From a former landscaping business-turned-gelato hotspot to parlours with queues that stretch around the block, it’s safe to say these shops are the sweetest things about Melbourne.
Now, before you scream, it’s time to find out who creamed the competition to be named Melbourne’s best ice cream parlour.
You can also see all the finalists at the bottom of the story.
MORE:
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WHERE TO FIND MELBOURNE’S BEST HAIRDRESSERS
10. GELATO PAPA, PRESTON
14a Gilbert Rd
When Lilly Stuckings’ neighbours have an overabundance of produce in their gardens, they know who to call.
From bursting fig and lemon trees to overgrown herb patches, it’s guaranteed their talented friend will be able to turn their homegrown delights into delicious ice cream.
“At the moment a friend has got some fantastic Vietnamese mint in her garden so I’ve done a Vietnamese mint and pineapple gelato,” Mrs Stuckings says.
Mrs Stuckings is a second-generation gelato maker, whose Sicilian family have made the treat for more than 40 years.
“It's actually the females in our family who are the gelato makers,” she says.
“On my first trip to Italy about 20 years ago I announced I was going to open up a gelataria — it just took me a very long time to do it.”
Mrs Stuckings — who opened her Preston shop with husband Gavin three years ago and has used her maiden name, Papa, in its title — originally trod the corporate route, working in project management and marketing.
“I got to a stage where I thought, you know, this is not me, I want to do something creative, I want to do something I’m passionate about, and that’s when I decided to try my hand at gelato making,” she says.
Not one to do things by halves, she travelled to Piedmont, Italy, and studied at the International Culinary Institute for Foreigners under gelato master Massimo Conti.
“When you learn to make it from scratch you learn to balance all your ingredients according to gelati principles,” she says.
“It means you can use any ingredient you have at hand to make gelato.”
Along with “nostalgic” Aussie favourites, Mrs Stuckings has dreamt up flavour combos including ricotta cannoli, gorgonzola with quince syrup and even a buttered popcorn-infused mix.
Her Israeli yoghurt with pistachios and apricot jam — a recipe she learnt from Mr Conti — is another crowd-pleaser.
She prides herself on sourcing local ingredients and making every element she serves — from the meringues, raspberry and passionfruit sauces in the popular pavlova flavour, to the cookies in cookies and cream.
“One of the comments we always get is ‘your gelato is not too sweet’. That comes from us not using packet mixes or flavour pastes,” she says.
Gelato Papa serves 16 flavours, including several changing specials.
Customer Michelle Brooks dubs it “the creamiest and smoothest gelato I have ever had”.
More:
9. VULCANO GELATO, RYE
2387 Point Nepean Rd
At the height of summer, it’s normal for Vulcano Gelato to have a queue halfway around the block — from midday to midnight.
It’s not surprising given the Rye shop’s secret recipe has its roots on the beautiful Vulcano island off Sicily, Italy.
It was here that Remigio Aiello founded the famous bar, Ritrovo Remigio, in 1960, and where he taught the family trade to grandson Gino Maniaci.
In 2006, Mr Maniaci and wife Josephine Colombo moved to Melbourne and, frustrated by a lack of decent gelato, opened their shop.
Today, it’s owned and run by Ms Colombo’s brother Vince and his wife, Maria — but the family recipe is the same.
With business booming, Mrs Colombo says most of the shop’s rotating 42 flavours are now made daily in their Ardeer factory rather than in-store, but the process has not changed.
“We know a lot of large gelato manufacturing companies use machines and they pump air into their ice cream to increase volume — we do it the traditional way, by hand,” she says.
“We have a queue that will last, on a good summer’s day, 12 hours, no kidding, from midday right up until midnight, we would have a queue all the way down to the restaurant opposite us.”
The duo — who also wholesale and franchise — have turned their attention to allergy-friendly ice cream after their son, Christian, was born in 2009 with egg, nut and dairy allergies.
The shop has a separate freezer offering 20 vegan, gluten free and nut-free flavours, as well as egg-free sorbets and a popular dark chocolate sugar-free option.
They have also removed gelatine and alcohol from their products.
The most popular flavours are “chocolate and pistachio and lemon and rainbow”, Mrs Colombo says.
And, if you’re lucky, you might time your visit to see one of the Vulcano maestros serve up your treat with their mesmerising “twirl” — a tradition learnt by Gino Maniaci in Sicily.
Happy customer Mark Scira says Vulcano is a “summer institution”.
“The long lines (but quick service) tell the story,” he says.
Dean Carydakis hails the gelato as the “most delectable, creamy, smooth, fine tasting, made with love”, saying it “takes you on a journey into the best childhood memories”.
And Carolyn Mather says: “Vulcano is the ‘happy place’ of the Mornington Peninsula. We’re very fortunate to have such sweetness in our community.”
More:
instagram.com/vulcanogelato.rye/
www.facebook.com/vulcanogelatorye/
8. AUGUSTUS GELATERY, PASCOE VALE
15a Pascoe St
Named after the piggish Charlie and the Chocolate Factory character Augustus Gloop, this ice cream parlour is a glutton’s delight.
Decked out in Willy Wonka-esque colours and with a vivid range of gelato in the custom-made, Italian-imported 7m long cabinets to match, Augustus Gelatery has been wowing customers since it opened three years ago.
The shop was started by mates and hospitality enthusiasts Paul Vernuccio and Joe Molinaro as a “hobby”, but its popularity was so “crazy” they now have 11 stores across Melbourne, and another two opening this month.
“Our fit-outs are electric — it’s like a nightclub,” Mr Vernuccio laughs.
“We do everything from scratch and in small batches which makes us unique.”
A team of four gelati chefs, most with Italian backgrounds, churn out fresh batches each day at the larger Essendon shop, with 36 rotating flavours on the menu — which get an overhaul each year.
“Every year we take away 10 flavours and replace 10 flavours in the off-season — which is winter — we develop 10 new flavours,” Mr Vernuccio says.
He says sorbets are ever-popular, including a mango version imported from Italy — but they also have more unusual specials, including licorice with chocolate and orange, and Christmas cake.
“A lot of our flavours are very authentic with a bit of a twist,” he says.
“We do a bit of experimenting with weird things but 90 per cent of our customers just want those classic flavours.”
The duo pride themselves on employing scores of young local kids, with most staff aged 15 and 16 and store manager Taylah Calleri just 19.
“Gelato is a lot of fun — and we enjoy it a lot,” Mr Vernuccio says.
Jack O’Neill says visiting Augustus Gelatery is an “experience”.
“From the vivid colours of the so many different flavours, to the in-house production,” he says.
And Emma Davey says you can “definitely tell” the ice cream is homemade.
“Smooth and flavoursome, large scoops, great atmosphere. Plus dietary requirements catered for!” she says.
More:
instagram.com/augustusgelatery/
facebook.com/augustusgelatery/
7. OKAY LUCY, MORNINGTON
786 Esplanade, Mornington
The newest gelataria in Mornington is better than OK.
There are more than 60 flavours on daily rotation and a Nutella tap that never stops flowing.
Stevie Dellamarta and Pete Romaniw opened Okay Lucy just seven weeks ago on the Esplanade opposite Mornington Park.
The partners in life and business wanted to create “an experience, not just a transaction” for customers.
“We’re really open to feedback about our product and always willing to make flavours that people request,” Stevie said.
“Our chef makes all our gelato and sorbet offsite using natural ingredients.
“We like to use peninsula produce wherever we can; honey from Pure Peninsula Honey, strawberries from Sunny Ridge Strawberry Farm, Godfather coffee from Commonfolk.”
So far the honeycomb gelato has been the biggest crowd pleaser, often selling out.
“Our pavlova and lamington flavours were also really popular over the Australia Day long weekend,” Stevie said.
The duo’s love for local produce was a hit among voters such as Beth, who also loved the shop’s fit-out, flavours and “the smiles behind the counter”.
Jaclyn described Stevie and Pete as “just generous, beautiful people adding to our community in a fun and delicious way”.
More:
facebook.com/okaylucy-110592533753037
6. MADAME SPAGHETTI, PORT MELBOURNE
40 Crockford St
Perhaps one of the most “Instagammable” ice cream shops in Melbourne, Madame Spaghetti’s signature dish – spaghetti gelato – is definitely not your average treat.
And owner Mascha Welk says the social media crowd has changed the way they’ve made their gelato.
“We’ve had to adjust recipes to the spaghetti gelato as people take photos before they eat -we needed it to be as tall as possible and to stay in place (while people take pictures),” she says.
Madame Spaghetti opened in Port Melbourne in June last year and has quickly gained a cult following. Ms Welk, who moved to Australia from Germany five years ago, says spaghetti gelato is big back home, with vanilla “spaghetti”, and strawberry sauce and white chocolate flakes resembling tomato sauce and parmesan cheese.
She says Melbourne is the perfect place to try different flavours of “spaghetti” (choose from Belgian chocolate, vanilla bean, salted caramel, salted honey, strawberry or mango) with a choice of toppings including cookie dough fudge, honeycomb, raspberry jam and grilled white chocolate.
And it doesn’t go unnoticed by customers.
Lee Nguyen says their “fun and quirky” creations are “not only Instagrammable but also made with quality ingredients”.
And Jenny Robertson says the spaghetti ice cream on a waffle with “amazing toppings” was a “must-try”.
Madame Spaghetti also has a pop-up shop in St Kilda, with loaded milkshakes also on offer.
Ms Welk, who runs the business with partner Jack Collier, says it is “so amazing” to make the top 10, as the shop was often mistaken for a pasta restaurant.
Details: madamespaghetti.com.au
5. BRAZEN DESSERT BAR
661A High St, Kew East
141A Station St, Fairfield
You wouldn’t guess it, but Brazen Dessert Bar is run by an ex-lawyer and an ex-banker. Husband and wife George Kalpakis and Caroline Kropack turned their back on corporate life to make brownies. That turned into ice cream, and now also includes coffee.
Why? “Because we love dessert,” Mr Kalpakis says. “We would think about dessert before we think about dinner, breakfast, lunch – it’s crazy.”
Ms Kropack hails from North America, where brownies are big, and Mr Kalpakis says theirs are “the best in the country”.
Mr Kalpakis describes the Fairfield store, which opened in 2017, as “the mothership”, but they have also opened a store in Kew where they make their ice cream, and where they hold gelato-making classes and parties.
He says customer service is critical and they reward customer loyalty with freebies including half-litre tubs of ice cream.
And their bear mascots Bearfield and Barbeara also draw big crowds.
“We try to make it an experience, especially for the kids, it’s all about the joy,” he says.
Customers rave about many of the shop’s flavours, including chocolate and salted caramel, and a new “unicorn” bubblegum variety.
Beth Vecchio says “Unicorn is magical, colourful happy goodness in every lick – one scoop and I was hooked.”
Charlotte Ferguson says they have “the most amazing flavours I’ve ever tasted and they have cute bear wafers”.
And the customer service, particularly from Ms Kropack, keeps them coming back for more.
Mr Kalpakis says he is “overwhelmed” to be recognised as having some of Melbourne’s best ice cream, and credits his “beautiful” crew for helping keep customers happy.
More: brazenbrownies.com.au/brazen-dessert-bar
4. LAVEZZI GELATERIA, CARLTON
334 Lygon St
When you’ve got fourth-generation gelato makers hailing from Italy making your sweet treats, you know it has to be good.
And fans of Lavezzi Gelateria know they’re onto a winner.
The team behind Lavezzi opened their first store in Ringwood in 2015, but it was a dream come true to open their shop in Lygon St two years ago.
Owner Amanda Sperlinga said they prided themselves on good service, and the best-quality gelato.
“We use the highest-quality raw ingredients, and not too much sugar,” she said.
“And we make everything with a lot of love, that’s the secret ingredient.”
A lot of their ingredients are imported from Italy, including the nuts, which are roasted and milled in-house.
And vegans can also get their fill from the sorbets — including a dark chocolate variety that Ms Sperlinga says tastes like “cold cake batter”.
Customers rave about the pistachio gelato, with many saying it is the best they’ve tasted. Faith Hilda Quek says it “takes me back to Italy”.
Vivian Cao says “I know I can’t buy happiness, but I can buy Lavezzi ice cream and that’s pretty much the same.”
With the vision for Lavezzi starting back in 1870, many of their gelato recipes are over a century old. They also have a store in Formia, Italy.
Ms Sperlinga says it’s exciting the store has been named among the best ice cream in Melbourne, and says they are “blessed” to have lots of loyal customers – including some who travel 40 minutes to get their fix several times a week.
More: lavezzi.com.au
3. THE YARD BY THE BAY, CAPEL SOUND
1595 Nepean Highway
Not that long ago The Yard By The Bay was home to an excavator, bobcat and tools.
Now, after just six weeks after opening as a gelati shop, the Nepean Highway family-run business has garnered a huge following.
Frank Faro, who opened The Yard with daughters Alicia De Thomasis and Isabella, son Jamie and wife Toni, said he had run his landscaping business from the Nepean Highway site for about 18 months.
But the seed for The Yard came from Alicia and Isabella working at Cones Ice Cream in Hawthorn while going to school.
They befriended the owners, Voula and Sam, who — along with Jamie — last year helped build the gelati shop.
“I worked in the kitchen helping out a lot and then Sam, who works with dad here on the yard, just got chatting and they just said, ‘you have got this little shed, take your tools out of it and make gelati’,” Alicia, who makes the gelati on-site with Jamie, said.
“They have been a huge mentor for us; whenever I have a question I just give (Voula) a call.”
Mr Faro said the gelati was made with “100 per cent flavour”, which was “unique” and a key to The Yard’s success.
But he said the business — which also makes ice cream for dogs — wouldn’t be where it was today without the wider community’s support.
“The local guys have been helping us put up movie cinemas, projecting the tennis off our walls; it’s that community spirit that has helped us tremendously,” he said.
The Yard’s family-friendly atmosphere also appealed to readers.
Delvina said she loved how the gelati was made in front of customers.
“You can see the staff make the ice cream right there,” she says.
Steve said eating at The Yard was “like having ice cream in the backyard”.
“This place is a trendy little family business,” he said.
Dante said the business was just what the Capel Sound area needed.
“(It’s a) great new place; love the vibe and the gelati are awesome,” he said.
More:
instagram.com/theyard_bythebay
2. PARADISE GELATO, CHELTENHAM
247 Charman Rd
Paradise Gelato owners Joyce Ng and Andi Lee pride themselves as much on customer service as their product.
The Charman Rd store, which has attracted a strong following since opening in October 2018, offers 10 rotating flavours, freshly made each day.
Ms Ng said cookies and cream was the most popular flavour among kids, “followed by the pink one and the yellow one”.
“We always try to come up with new and interesting things,” Ms Ng said.
“Some happen by accident and some happen through a lot of research. Nutella Crunch was an accident but it was a happy accident. It has been very popular.”
Mr Lee said the pair knew what they liked about customer service.
“We get good reviews on the feel people get when we welcome them in as much as we get with the ice creams we make,” Mr Lee said.
“That comes from Joyce too; she is so good with the kids.”
And it’s that connection that makes Paradise Gelato a hit among fans, with Georgia saying “community and family spirit” was embedded in the business.
Tom said Joyce and Andy were “always welcoming”.
“(They’re) ready to do anything to make your experience great. The ice cream never fails!”
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1. SPRINKLES ICE CREAMERY LOLLIES N MORE, TARNEIT
170 Thames Blvd
Zane and Kouda Assaad know a thing or two about making customers happy — the brothers grew up living and working in a milk bar for 25 years.
“The local milk bar knows everything,” Zane says.
“Customers tell you their life stories; you are a doctor, you are a counsellor, you are everything.”
After their father retired Zane and Kouda pursued careers in finance. But a couple of years ago they had a calling.
“We thought ‘why don’t we recreate the good old milk bar days for the kids of this generation?’,” Zane said.
“We wanted to bring back those simple joys from our generation, you know, when you used to ride your bike to the local milk bar.”
The pair found an old run-down milk bar in Tarneit and, on January 27 two years ago, Sprinkles Ice Creamery Lollies N More opened its doors.
“What happened after that is beyond explanation,” Zane said. “I think we served about 1000 people on our first day.”
Zane said Sprinkles – which, as its name suggests, also offers a huge range of lollies – stocked a whopping 60 flavours from high-quality Melbourne suppliers, with the most popular being “rainbow, Ferrero Rocher and Rocksalt Caramel”.
Zane said the brothers tried to teach staff what they had learnt growing up.
“We really care about our customers. Every single customer that comes in, you put in 100 per cent in to make their day,” he said.
And such customer attention won over our voters.
Anni says Zane and Kouda are “just so passionate about putting smiles on everyone’s faces” while Hayley says their service “is out of this world”.
“They know my family and all our favourite colours,” Hayley says.
Rebecca said “nothing was too much” for the brothers.
“When you walk in you’re always greeted with a smile.”
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