Is this Canberra’s coolest (pun intended) ice cream precinct?
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Hold onto your hats—today the temperature is predicted to hit a toasty 28 degrees.
We know this is a rather hopeful statement (don’t put away your puffer jackets just yet) but it finally looks like winter is coming to an end and we believe this moment of warmth needs to be celebrated…with a big old scoop of ice cream*!
Luckily, we think we’ve discovered Canberra’s coolest—pun intended—ice cream precinct. And it’s right in the heart of the city.
Here’s the scoop on the seven ice-creameries that are serving cold treats, all within walking distance of each other. Yes, really!
*Gelato, sorbet, frozen custard, and frozen yoghurt are also acceptable options, we think.
Anita Gelato
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Anita is the place to go in Canberra if you’re seeking a sweet scoop with a little somethin’ somethin’ extra—like a range of toppings that include fresh fruit, lollies, house-made jams, and rich sauces. And with 36 different flavours of tangy frozen yoghurts, fruity sorbets, and decadent ice creams to choose from (including organic, vegan, fat-free, sugar-free, and real cream-based gelato) you can see why this ice-creamery has a cult-like status.
148 Bunda Street, Civic | Open seven days a week, 9 am – 11 pm | anita-gelato.com
Max Brenner
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A warm day calls for indulgent chocolate gelato—and Max Brenner is the place to go. Serving premium milk, white, and dark chocolate gelato, the Canberra Centre store is the only location where you can get your hands on these scoops (our own Emma Macdonald has given the white chocolate a rave review). But if in doubt, their sundaes are always a good choice.
Shop FG09 Canberra Centre, Bunda Street, Civic | Open seven days a week, 8 am – 11 pm Monday to Friday and 9 am – 11 pm Saturday and Sunday | maxbrenner.com.au
Via Dolce
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Transport yourself into an Italian summer with a scoop (or two) of authentic artisan gelato from Via Dolce. Choose from fruity and fresh sorbet (the strawberry and passionfruit always go down well) or treat yourself to tiramisu, salted caramel, pistachio, or Ferrero gelato—and that’s barely scratching the surface of the flavour options.
106 Bunda Street, Civic | Open seven days a week, 8.30 am until 10 pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30 am – 11 pm Friday and Saturday and 8.30 am – 10 pm Sunday | viadolce.com.au
Oliver Brown
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Nothing sounds better on a (semi) hot day than a sundae—and that’s where Oliver Brown comes in. With a duo of chocolate gelato topped with gooey chocolate brownies, melted Belgian chocolate, whipped cream, and a chocolate wafer stick, their Choc Mountain Sundae is a must-try. But there’s more than that to cure your ice-cream cravings.
2/88 Bunda Street, City | Open seven days a week, 8.30 am – 9 pm Monday to Thursday, 8.30 am – 9 pm Friday, 9 am – 10 pm Saturday and 9 am – 9 pm Sunday | oliverbrown.com.au
GODIVA
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Forget heading to Maccas for a soft serve ice cream—GODIVA is the place to go for an indulgent (and levelled-up) cold treat. World-famous, what makes this soft-serve so good is it’s the perfect combination of creamy vanilla and milk chocolate ice-cream served in a chocolate-coated waffle cone and topped with a melted chocolate drizzle. Drool.
Shop EG11B, 148 Bunda Street, Canberra Centre, Civic | Open seven days a week, 9 am – 5.30 pm Monday to Thursday, 9 am – 9 pm Friday, 9 am – 5 pm Saturday and 10 am – 4 pm Sunday | godiva.com.au
Gelatissimo
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Head upstairs to Level 1 of the Canberra Centre for a taste of the award-winning gelato from Gelatissimo. Made fresh in-store daily, from classic old school classics like Vanilla Bean to quirky flavours (hello Chunky New York Cheesecake), keep an eye on the store to see what’s on offer—this gem is a must-visit for anyone seeking to try a new flavour.
Level 1, Shop EFK32, 148 Bunda Street, Canberra Centre, Civic | Open seven days a week, 9 am – 5.30 pm, Monday to Thursday. 9 am – 9 pm Friday, 9 am – 5 pm Saturday and 9 am to 4.30 pm Sunday | gelatissimo.com.au
Gelato Messina
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No list about ice cream would be complete without mentioning Gelato Messina—even though it’s technically more city-adjacent. Since opening in Darlinghurst in 2002, the obsessive Gelato Messina team have sought to set a new benchmark for gelato in Australia, serving up a diverse range of over 40 flavours at any one time and a select number of bespoke gelato cakes and single-serve pieces.
Every day they churn out some crazy concoctions—the combination of Earl Grey Tea gelato with a digestive biscuit crumble comes to mind. Our advice? Don’t even try to say it, just point.
Shop 4/21 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | Open seven days a week, 12 pm – 10.30 pm Sunday to Thursday, and 12 pm 11 pm Friday and Saturday | gelatomessina.com
