Can Sydney’s ice cream scene get any better? Gone are the days when you were stuck with vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. Today, pop into any ice creamery and you’re more likely to find artisanal flavours ranging from matcha to mascarpone, bubble tea to blueberry, often made with fresh, local produce and with seasonal flavours to add excitement to your usual ice cream routine. So whether you’re craving a classic ice cream, cold dessert or new flavour hit, we’ve compiled a list of the best ice creameries in the Inner West and just in time for the warm weather! Go on – one scoop won’t hurt 🍨
🍨 Gelato Franco: A Taste of Artisanal Perfection
When a batch of Vanilla Lamington – think vanilla ice cream topped with fresh strawberry and coconut flecked choc ice cream – dropped at Gelato Franco, we thought we had died and gone to ice cream heaven. We were wrong. Because we hadn’t tried their Blood Orange Sorbetto.
A Marrickville institution for over 10 years, Gelato Franco is just the place to wander into after you’ve had your fill of one of the Vietnamese eateries along Marrickville Road. There’s a handful of tables inside and out but if you can’t snag a spot, head up to Marrickville Library (just a short walk away) and park on the outdoor lawn for an alfresco ice cream experience.
Must-Try: Right now we’re loving the seasonal sorbets like Passionfruit and Blood Orange. But for something different, try the tea inspired and utterly elegant Hojicha.
Where: 16/42-50 Victoria Road, Marrickville
More info: https://www.facebook.com/Gelatofranco
🍨 Ciccone and Sons: Authentic Italian Charm
Channelling 1950s gelateria vibes, Ciccone and Sons serves up small batch, artisanal gelato, made in-house and using fresh, locally sourced produce which means on any given day you’ll find an ever-changing menu, based on the seasons, plus classic Italian flavours available all year round. Pick from the Blood Orange or Buttermilk and Passionfruit for a hit of fruit, Tiramisu for a pick me up, or for something more adventurous, don’t go past the Cinnamon or Cashew gelato.
Must-Try: Grab a Classic Sundae with your pick of flavours – topped with cream, drizzled with chocolate and finished with wafers, it’s a crowd pleaser for kids and adults alike.
Where: 195 Regent Street, Redfern and Shop 2/37 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe
More info: https://www.cicconeandsons.com.au
🍨 Pep’s Italian Ice: A Family Favourite in Earlwood
Ever wondered what would happen if a sorbet and granita ever got together? Italian ice is just that. In July this year, Earlwood scored an Italian panini and ice cream joint and Sydney (or even Australia for that matter) its first Italian ice dealer. Inspired by a family dream to own an ice creamery and owner PierLuca Di Genua-Angrisano – or Pep’s – lactose intolerance, Pep’s Italian Ice is now a heaving ice creamery in the heart of Earlwood village.
Pop down on a sunny weekend and don’t be surprised to find queues starting to form at the front door before opening time (11am if you want to know). Using fresh, seasonal produce to create their iced treats, you might find a watermelon Italian ice one day, pineapple the next, alongside tiramisu, a dairy free and vegan friendly chocolate, and decadent pistachio. Plus, enough panini flavours to keep nonna happy. The meat ball panini made with free range beef and crammed full of fior di latte, basil and parmesan is our fave.
Must-Try: The Hazelnut Chocolate offers a rich and decadent taste that’s hard to resist. If you’re looking for something lighter, the Lemon Sorbet is perfect for a refreshing, citrusy kick.
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More info:
🍨 Mapo Gelato: Trendy and Unique
Think family-friendly ice creameries can’t break boundaries? Think again. Mapo is a local hot-spot that caters to the after-school crowd as it does couples and young things who frequent the top end of King St for dinner or a late-night bite. Whilst the interior is minimal, bright neon stools at the front are the perfect spot for people watching or parking a child whilst they devour one of Mapo’s creations. And creations they certainly are. With seasonal flavours like Mandarin Mascarpone, Black Truffle Wildflower and Coffee Wattleseed you’re often guaranteed of trying something new, and for child friendly flavours don’t miss the Mango Sorbet or Piedmont Hazelnut.
Plus, if you’re lucky you might find the Mapo Bus and Gelato Cart popping up at Carriageworks or alongside Splash café in Petersham Park of a weekend and often serving up one-off delights (like the granita, panna cotta and brioche number that we devoured at Carriageworks last December!).
Must-Try: This is definitely the place to be adventurous so park your usual faves and go for something outrageous – you won’t be disappointed!
Where: 179 King Street, Newtown and Bondi
More info: https://www.maponewtown.com
🍨 Kariton Sorbetes: Tropical Delights in Burwood
Born in Melbourne, with roots in the Philippines, and now a Sydney outpost, Kariton Sorbetes brings a taste of sweet Manila to Sydney’s inner west. For those new to Filipino flavours, tropical fruits like coconut, banana and pineapple take centre stage at this artisanal ice creamery, with many of Kariton’s flavours nodding to classic Filipino desserts. For example, the Turon, a classic Filipino snack made from deep fried, banana-filled spring rolls, is reborn as an icy treat featuring banana gelato, butterscotch, jackfruit, candied sesame seeds with caramelised spring roll pastry for added crunch. Too adventurous? Try the sorbets – the Pinya’t Suha (pineapple and pomelo) flavour brings together tangy pineapple with fresh pomelo for a refreshing hit.
Must-Try Flavour: For something unique, the Ube Halaya (purple yam) offers a fun twist – made with purple yam gelato, purple yam fudge, blackberry jam and caramelised coconut curds, it’s definitely one for the sweet tooths out there.
Where: 173 Burwood Road, Burwood
More info: https://www.karitonsorbetes.com
🍨 Pure Gelato: Gourmet Goodness
With the title of Australia’s most awarded gelato, it’s no surprise you’ll find tubs of Pure Gelato in freezers deli across the Inner West, or their ice cream cake taking pride of place at a kids’ birthday party (the Scoop Cake is our fave). But if you haven’t dropped by their factory outlet in Croydon Park, where you can a wide variety of their current flavours, now’s your chance.
Whilst little ones will love selecting a scoop of gelato, for the adults there’s an almost Willy Wonka of the ice cream world experience when you discover mountains of gelato tubs, terrines, mini cones, ice cream filled cannoli and more. But be warned – with 150 gelato flavours available to take home, some hard decisions will have to be made!
Must-try: If you’re stuck deciding (there are 150 flavours to pick from after all), try a terrine – chocolate and cassata is our pick – for an easy win that the whole family will (hopefully) love.
Where: 30/32A Brighton Ave, Croydon Park
More info: https://www.puregelato.com.au
🍨 LoPresti Ultimate Gelato: Ice cream and classic desserts
Come for the ice cream and stay for the Italian ice cream bombs or ‘bomba’ as they’re known. One bite of these doughnut-like puffs filled with your choice of gelato – go classic vanilla or pistachio but kids love it with Nutella – and you’ll be hooked. In the heart of Summer Hill village, LoPresti Ultimate Gelato is the perfect spot for a cold treat plus sweet tooth can also indulge in classic desserts like Belgian waffles, crepes, shakes and more. Feel like a cold pick-me-up? Their affogato, with a coffee shot poured straight from the machine over a scoop vanilla ice cream, is just the ticket before an epic school run (trust us we know). For little ones, there are gelato sundaes topped with chocolate sauce and cream, Italian hot chocolate for the still-cool mornings, and milkshakes galore.
Must-try: The Italian ice cream bomba: a brioche bun filled with ice cream and dusted with icing sugar.
Where: 2/126-128 Smith Street, Summer Hill
More info: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088144416393
🍨 Ice Kirin Bar: Tea-infused Ice Cream Creations
Want to shake up your ice cream routine? Ice Kirin Bar specialises in tea-infused flavours like Jasmine Milk Tea, Salted Caramel Milk Tea and Earl Grey, as well as more unique concoctions including their Pistachio ice cream and Yuzu sorbet. But their Mochi Gelato, or gelato daifuku, a popular Japanese dessert, featuring ice cream encased in chewy sheet of gooey mochi (pounded sticky rice) is what the cool kids are eating these days and definitely worth a try. Whilst you’ll find mochi daifuku varieties in Asian grocery stores up and down Sydney, mochi can turn into a hard lump and loses its chewy quality when frozen – making Ice Kirin one of the only ice creameries to serve this specialty dessert outside of Japan.
