There's an easy way to tell if summer has hit. I look towards the end of my arm. If I see an ice-cream at the end of it, yep, it's summer.

Kenny Lover

A soy sauce ice-cream cone with hot fries? This quirky, creative new ice creamery isn't your regular gelato joint, with its wacky flavours, orange banquettes, retro tiles and a loungy '70s feel.

796 High Street, Thornbury; Sun-Thu 1pm-10pm, Fri-Sat 1pm-11pm

• Read Dani Valent's full Kenny Lover review here

Ice Cream Social

Across the road from Kenny Lover, the "socialists" make small-batch ice-cream, pies and sundaes. They also have a store in Castlemaine and an ace '80s ice-cream truck that hangs out at farmers' markets.

907 High Street, Thornbury, 0468 729 743; Mon-Thu 2pm-9pm, Fri 2pm-10pm, Sat-Sun noon-10pm

Piccolina

As well as traditional – and delightful – Italian gelato, Piccolina is making individual lamington ice-cream cakes ($12.80 each) to raise money for Wildlife Victoria.

137c Acland Street, St Kilda, 03 9055 5863 (also in Hawthorn and Collingwood); daily noon-late

Milkcow

Drop by for Korean-style soft-serve with outlandish toppings including fairy floss and glazed corn and mega creations such as the unicorn burrito with rainbow swirl ice-cream.

287 Swanston Street, Melbourne, no phone; daily noon-late

Happy Eats Gelato

A spin-off from neighbouring greengrocer the Happy Apple, this newcomer uses surplus and 'ugly' fruit and veg in its smoothies, cold-pressed juices, gelati and sorbets.

189 Union Road, Ascot Vale; Sun-Thu 11am-9pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Gelateria Bico

Tucked under a new complex near the corner of Sydney Road, the menu is filled with fresh, fruity flavours such as lemon, mango, pineapple, or ricotta and citrus. Expect rotating specials, granita and assorted desserts (hello ricotta gelato-filled cannoli), too.

288 Albert Street, Brunswick; Mon-Thu 2pm-10pm, Fri 2pm-11pm, Sat 1pm-11pm, Sun 1pm-10pm

Glace

Pastry chef Christy Tania's dessert shop looks like a yellow submarine, complete with portholes. Expect frozen s'mores on sticks blow-torched to order, layered ice-cream push-pops plus frozen eclairs and macarons. It's also popped up in Emporium.

Shop2, 1a Peel Street, Windsor; Mon-Tue 7.30am-5pm, Wed-Sun 7.30am-10pm; level one, Emporium Melbourne, 287 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne; Sun-Wed 10am-7pm, Thu-Fri 10am-9pm.