La Macelleria Gelateria, Mermaid Waters: Not all gelato is created equal. Sure, the fundamentals of the Italian sweet treat may bear some similarities, but true gelato is made fresh with no artificial additives. At La Macellleria every single scoop is made from scratch every single day in the venue’s signature EFFE maker. Good luck deciding between 16 drool-inducing flavours (14 core and two specials) ranging from pistachio and Bacio (decadent chocolate peppered with roasted hazelnuts) to Castiglione (fresh ricotta with caramelised figs). Best paired with La Macelleria’s  extra-strong Italian coffee by Segafredo Zanetti.

Ottimo, Coolangatta: Ottimo on Marine Parade in Coolangatta is one of those places when you know, you know. The sweet gelateria opened its doors in December 2020 (next door to Xenia Bar & Restaurant) and ever since has made a name for itself on account of its amazingly authentic gelato. Ottimo is the handiwork of Giordana and Davide, who previously owned My Gelato in Kirra for 11 years, so suffice to say they know a thing or two about making really excellent gelato. There are upwards of 28 taste bud-tingling flavours to choose from including Biscotto and Stracciatella (Italian choc chip) through to the crowd-favourite OMG (rich salted caramel with a thick layer of gooey Nutella on top).

The Standard Market Company, Southport: When it comes to gelati on the Goldie, it’s hard to resist a scoop from The Standard Market Company. Their Lindt 70% chocolate gelati even took out the coveted title of 2023 Ice Cream of the Year award in Melbourne, so that’s good enough for us!

Gelato Messina, Surfers Paradise: A long line of gelato lovers congregate religiously in front of Gelato Messina Paradise Centre on Cavill Avenue. A trip to Messina will have you picking from 35 signature flavours and five rotating weekly specials. You’ll find everything from fruity gelatos to indulgent caramel affairs and creamy chocolate scoops. Oh, and for the dairy- and nut-free folk, you’ll be happy to hear that Messina also offers up a range of egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free and vegan flavours to ensure you don’t miss out.

Scoop Gelati Bar, Burleigh Heads: Indulge in a delicious, refreshing scoop (or three) of gelato or sorbet at Scoop Gelati in Burleigh Heads. Initially starting out in Byron Bay and Lennox Head in New South Wales, the family run business makes all products onsite. Natural colours and unique flavours will entice dessert lovers, with selections ranging from boysenberry to Himalayan rock salted caramel and white chocolate. As an added bonus, most gelato and sorbet is 95-percent fat free, and the sugar content is maintained at an average of eight grams per serve, which is far less than ice-cream, so it’s practically guilt-free. Gluten-free options are also available.

Shiro Gelato & Snack, Southport: Boasting Insta-worthy mochi-wrapped gelato, Shiro Gelato & Snack is well worth a taste-test. Gelato flavours gracing the cabinet include premium matcha (already a crowd favourite), premium hojicha, black sesame, kinako, miso caramel, hokkaido milk, matcha white chocolate, honey cinnamon, strawberry milk, and yuzu and lemon. Then the choice of toppings is yours – get your gelato hand-wrapped in Warabi Mochi, or get it sprinkled with caramel nuts or Oreo pieces.

Rosé Gelateria, Sanctuary Cove and Main Beach: Featuring dreamy rose-hued French-washed walls, crisp white bench seating, brushed-gold accents and plush velvet cushions, Rosé Gelateria is not your run-of-the-mill gelateria. Aesthetics aside, we all know it’s what’s inside that counts and trust us when we say – this place is the goods. Offering a mouth-watering array of flavours such as the people-pleasing hazelnut and a magnificent salted caramel through to more unusual creations including rose gelato, Biscoff and passionfruit pavlova, Rosé Gelareria’s range is vast and constantly evolving. Dairy-free and plant-based pals aren’t left out in the cold, as there are seven vegan-friendly options to lick.

Burleigh Gelato Co, Burleigh and Palm Beach: There’s nothing better than a deliciously creamy gelato on a sunny day and at Burleigh Gelato Co., there are plenty of flavours to choose from to enjoy on the sand! Beachgoers looking for a sweet treat line up to choose from customer favourites, including butterscotch brownie, Kinder Surprise and after-dinner mint, or mix it up with the likes of Red Skin, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup or Caramilk flavours. If you are vegan or dairy-free, there are also plenty of vegan sorbets made from real fruit to satisfy your sweet tooth. With flavours like pineapple, passionfruit, chocolate and hazelnut to choose from, you’re going to want one in every flavour! So, take a seat among the Insta-worthy shabby chic decor and enjoy the sunny day – after all, it’s impossible to be unhappy when you have a gelato in hand!

Lik Lik Lik Gelato, Surfers Paradise: Formerly of Nobby’s and now sitting pretty at the bottom of Q1 in Surfers Paradise, Lik Lik Lik scoops Maleny Food Co.’s deliciously creamy gelato and offers a constantly rotating selection of 43 glorious flavours ranging from your standard faves like chocolate, salted caramel, coconut and peppermint through to some more unusual flavours like creamy pineapple, Italian marshmallow, cinnamon and ginger, lime and chocolate and even Christmas cake. The gelato combines Guernsey milk and cream and is created in small batches using local fruits and the finest Italian ingredients, however the difference here is in the way it’s made. Maleny churns rather than whips its gelato to produce its signature rich and creamy texture which definitely needs to be experienced firsthand. If you’re keen to keep it light, there are a dozen sorbets to tickle your taste buds.

The Gelato Shop, Broadbeach: A favourite amongst Broadbeach locals, The Gelato Shop’s award-winning gelato is made fresh daily inhouse with the finest Italian and Australian ingredients. Lick up a scoop of Peanut Butter Nutella Crunch, Kinder Surprise, Chocolate Profitteroles, Triple Chocolate Biscotti and Chunky Chocolate Cheesecake. There’s even a Turkish Delight flavour! Fruit fans can get their fix with sorbet, while there are also plenty of vegan flavours too for the plant-based peeps.

Gelatissimo, Surfers Paradise, Coomera and Coolangatta: We all love a sweet treat and Gelatissimo sure knows how to make our taste buds sing with its fresh, artisanal gelato. With flavours ranging from Choc Orange Made With Lindt through to Chunky New York Cheesecake, there really is a flavour for everyone. If you’re vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free, there are still plenty of options for you, including the fan favourite Sunkissed Coconut vegan sorbet. The team at Gelatissimo is also constantly adding new flavours and varieties each month, so every time you visit, there is always something new to try. Enjoy your gelato in a cup, cone, shake or doughnut (no, really), or take it home and save it for later!

My Gelato, Broadbeach: Offering a mouth-watering array of flavours such as the OMG, a magnificent salted caramel, Nutella and toffee layered creation, a deliciously delicate and sweet Rosemilk and zesty lemon and lime, My Gelato’s range is vast and constantly evolving. The gelato is made fresh daily and only uses premium ingredients such as real fruit, fresh milk and cream, Dutch coco and Lindt 70-percent chocolate, organic white chocolate, nuts and a few imported ingredients from Italy to ensure the authenticity of flavour. The result is lower in fat and much denser than regular ice-cream so the first thing you will notice is the flavour explosion as it touches your taste buds. My Gelato’s gelato is also gluten free and free from artificial colours, flavours and preservatives so you can feel good about indulging your sweet tooth.

Tamborine Mountain Gelato Co, Tamborine Mountain: Nestled on Tamborine Mountain’s Main Street, this frozen dessert dispensary dishes out small-batch artisan gelato that’s made using local and seasonal ingredients. The gelato is made authentically in house with no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives – so you can feel a bit better about leaving room for dessert! Everything is made from scratch right down to the sauces, jams, cookies and brownies that go into the gelato. Tamborine Mountain Gelato Co serves its gelato from a traditional pozzetti gelato cabinet ensuring that they can keep their gelato as natural and fresh as possible. Inside this cabinet is a range of delectable gelato flavours that change weekly – though a selection of regular favourites make their return each week. Popular flavours that have made the rounds include the likes of chocolate brownie, red-plum sorbet, grape sorbet, orange custard and garden-mint stracciatella.

Like the seasons, gelato flavours come and go. Check in with your preferred store for all of the newest flavours! Did we forget your fave? Give us the scoop [email protected]