The scoop on some of the best places to get ice-cream in Canberra
Posted on
Because there’s nothing better than a cold scoop on a hot day.
Whether it’s a half-melted cone dripping onto the pavement or a piled-up sundae, ice cream (and gelato and frozen custard…) hits the spot during summer. Here are 15+ locations where you can make the most of the last days of summer with a delicious sweet treat.
Florence Gelato (Belconnen)
Here, the art of traditional Italian gelato making meets modern innovation – and the result is delicious.
Open in Belconnen’s Capital Food Market, Florence Gelato serves up sweet scoops of authentic, fresh, Italian-style gelato and sorbet that range from classic options (including yoghurt and cherry, pistachio, rum, and raisin and choc chip) to more unique, Italian-inspired flavour combinations, like the mouth-watering ricotta and fig, tiramisu, and lemon and basil.
Available in a cup, cone (including a GF waffle cone) or tubs to take home, you can thank us later for this delicious suggestion.
Capital Food Market, Market Street, Belconnen | @florence.gelato
Anita Gelato (City)
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 | anita-gelato.com
Max Brenner (City)
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 | maxbrenner.com.au
Via Dolce (City)
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 | viadolce.com.au
Oliver Brown (City)
Nothing sounds better on a 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 | oliverbrown.com.au
GODIVA (City)
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 | godiva.com.au
Gelatissimo (City)
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 | gelatissimo.com.au
Gelato Messina (Braddon and Kingston)
No list about ice cream would be complete without mentioning Gelato Messina. 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 and Shop 10/34 Eyre Street, Kingston | gelatomessina.com
Moo Moo (Braddon)
Luxe frozen yogurts that the whole family will enjoy? We’ll be there. Located in the Ori Building in Braddon, Moo Moo offers a range of premium frozen yogurt flavours (sourced locally as well from Italy) that will cure any craving.
Ranging from the Moo Moo classic (a 95 per cent fat free vanilla/ tarte base) to lychee, hazelnut, Crème Brûlée, and chocolate, there are eight flavours in total to choose from, along with a plethora of toppings – including creamy pistachio sauce, fresh fruit, popping boba in mango or strawberry, edible cookie dough, cashew butter and more.
Plus, with cute pastel interiors, neon lighting, and plenty of seats, this location screams ‘date night’ as much as a place to stop by with the kids for an afternoon snack.
Shop 65, 30 Lonsdale Street, Braddon | @moomoo_frozenyogurt
Spilt Milk Bar (Dickson)
The foodie mecca of Dickson finally has its own cult gelato shop in the form of Spilt Milk Bar. Drawing on their cult following in Orange NSW, where Spilt Milk Bar’s original shopfront is located, word has spread fast, and foodies have followed.
The Aussie brand is modelled around a traditional milk bar, which will create fond memories for all ages.
Unit 70/2 Cape Street, Dickson | spiltmilkbar.com
Bubu Ice Cream& Dessert (Dickson)
With gelatos and sorbets with flavours ranging from Salted Caramel Peanut Butter to Taro, Bubu Ice Cream & Dessert in Dickson is the place to go if you’re craving an Asian-inspired dessert.
Looking for something a little different? You can’t go past their new Croissant Gelato, a combination of a buttery, flaky croissant with their signature handmade gelato to create a treat that’s crispy on the outside and creamy on the inside.
Shop 4/36 Badham Street, Dickson | bubuicecreamdessert
My Rainbow Dreams (Dickson)
You may be surprised that vegetarian café My Rainbow Dreams, also offers handmade gelato. A perfect way to finish off your meat-free day!
25 Dickson Place, Dickson | myrainbowdreams
Mt Ainslie Canteen (Ainslie)
This is a cute little gelato bar in the popular local takeaway spot, Mt Ainslie Canteen. You can find flavours such as Pistachio, Hazelnut and Blood Orange.
1/5 Edgar Street, Ainslie | @mtainsliecanteen
Mookie (Tuggeranong)
Rocking some truly unique and delicious flavours like the Geisha (vanilla frozen custard, cheesecake, pink rose petals, strawberries, watermelon and crushed pistachio), Mookie concretes are made with vanilla and chocolate frozen custard that’s spun fresh every day.
More of a sip-it kinda person? Their frozen custard is also used in their shakes which include flavours such as Red Velvet, Peanut Butter and Matcha Green Tea.
South Point Mall, 13B Anketell Street, Greenway | mookie.com.au
Monster CupBop (Fyshwick)
At this Korean food stall in the Fyshwick Fresh Food Markets, you can find Vanilla, Matcha and Black Sesame soft-serve ice cream! You will need to have this after having a spicy Topokki!
14/36 Mildura Street, Fyshwick | fyshwickmarkets.com.au
Goodberry’s (Erindale, Belconnen and Franklin)
This purveyor of American frozen custard has been a Canberra institution since the late ‘90s and no list of local cold treats would be complete without it.
From shakes and sundaes to Goodberry’s trademark concretes, this creamy custard concoction is delightful when blended with sweets, fudges, fruits, and nuts.
We love the Golden Good Time with butterscotch fudge and honeycomb biscuit.
20 Gartside Street, Erindale, 4/25 Lathlain Street, Belconnen and 127/3 Clare Burton Crescent, Franklin | goodberrys.com.au
That Gelato Place (Weston Creek)
Serving up award-winning Pure Gelato in everything from cones to cakes, this Weston Creek gem is a must-visit for more than 100 flavours made the finest natural ingredients: hand-selected fruit, farm-fresh milk and rich, fresh cream.
From Cookies Choc-Chip to Champagne, Roasted Almond to Rochér, there’s a gelato for every taste, as well as coffee, fresh gelato cannoli, and an array of Italian sweets.
Shop 10, Cooleman Court, Whitney Place, Weston Creek | facebook.com/ThatGelatoPlace
Stripey Sundae (Nicholls)
Stocked with ice cream made onsite to their own recipes, Stripey Sundae is set in the beautiful historical Ginninderra Village.
A quaint little shop that is perfect for families to sit back and enjoy a cuppa and a delicious ice cream treat.
Expect to find all your favourite flavours, plus unusual options such as Maltese Spiced Almond and Redskin, plus dairy-free options like Coconut Salted Caramel and Cookie Batter.
Ginninderra Village, 11 O’Hanlon Place, Nicholls | stripeysundae.au
Feature image: Florence Gelato
