Amazing things to do and see can be found all around Sydney's gorgeous landscape. One of the best things about a trip to Sydney, though, is the abundance of excellent ice cream and gelato shops.
Gelato and ice cream are both created by blending milk, sugar and cream (and sometimes, eggs) until smooth, but they're not precisely the same thing. The fat content of ice cream ranges from 15% to 30%. Quick churning adds air, and it's typically served at a cool temperature. The goal is a luxuriously thick and creamy texture in the mouth.
Gelato isn't so much about the ice cream itself as it is about the fresh fruits and nuts that flavour it. A slower churning time and the absence of air and fat make this Italian dessert denser than ice cream (10-15%). Therefore, it is also served hotter to highlight the heightened flavours from the additional cooking process.
On a hot day, we don't care which one you provide as long as you use good milk and fresh ingredients. But alas, everything on this list does that, and most also omit the artificial colours, flavours, and stabilisers you would normally find in a supermarket.
Fantastic cuisine can be found all across the city of Sydney. Since there are many sights to view and activities to indulge in while in Sydney, it may not be feasible to stop for ice cream or gelato at every site. Here are our top seven recommendations for delicious frozen snacks in your area.
RivaReno
This street has probably been walked by you a gazillion times. On the road to Messina, perhaps; there are two shops within easy walking distance. Or perhaps in the vicinity of Gaslight and/or the Colombian, all of which are close by. RivaReno, on the other hand, is making the best gelato in town right now and doesn't feel the need to yell and shout about it.
The manner in which gelato is served is the clearest manifestation of this. Gelato at RivaReno is made and stored in 'pozzetti,' a traditional Sicilian container (covered, stainless steel containers).
When you first walk into a pozzetti restaurant, you don't receive the awe-inspiring "wow" factor since the pozzetti are covered (as per Messina). Still, according to RivaReno and many Sicilians, this is the best way to preserve the gelato's silky texture, rich flavour, and peak freshness. RivaReno, conveniently located between Darlinghurst and Barangaroo, offers a trip to Bologna, Italy.
All of the scrumptious gelato and sorbets here are handcrafted in their "laboratorio" using only all-natural ingredients (no hydrogenated fats, artificial colourings, flavourings, or preservatives). So who are the big hitters around here? Cremino Rivareno is a fan favourite.
It takes inspiration from the same-named, multilayered Italian chocolates of old. Alternatively, there's the "mascarpone moka," a gelato that tastes much like tiramisu but is made with Arabica coffee, dark chocolate shavings, and a splash of Sicilian Marsala.
Gelaterias in Sydney are known for their unique flavours, but these aren't like those you'd get elsewhere. Neither cakes nor salted caramel are pulverised into the mixture or poured on top in copious amounts. Instead, Sicilian customs take priority; yet, this doesn't mean that you can't have a good time with the food, as what is considered "traditional" in Sicily can be downright exotic and delicious elsewhere.
With a base of pine nut cream and a crunch from roasted pine nuts, Leonardo is a flavour that will not disappoint. In the 'Ricotta e fichi' flavour, figs that have been caramelised are combined with ricotta made from sheep's milk. The decadent 'Mascarpone Moka' is made by combining mascarpone, Arabica coffee, Marsala wine, and dark chocolate chunks.
If you prefer Nutella, you'll love a "Alice," which consists of mascarpone-flavored gelato served in a cone and topped with a big helping of liquid gianduja (hazelnut and chocolate) sauce. Sorbetto al cioccolato extra bitter is a type of Italian chocolate sorbet that has a more robust flavour than standard chocolate sorbet with a pleasingly bitter, aftertaste, almost smokey.
Cow And Moon
Family-owned and operated, this late-night gelato and coffee shop has won international praise for its delicious and innovative flavours. Sorbet and Gelato are made fresh daily, with options for vegetarian, gluten-free, and vegan diets.
There are more than a hundred flavours available at Cow And Moon, but if you had to choose three for your last supper, it would be the restaurant's signature strawberries, balsamic vinegar, and pannacotta.
It's the ideal place to stop for a stroll after dinner on a warm summer night because they provide coffee in the morning to get you going and then delectable iced desserts till late. The line for Enmore's favourite gelateria used to be manageable, but after it won a global gelato award, it grew to wrap around the block every night. In fact, on Mondays as well.
You can still save time by getting a tub takeout early, even if it's raining outside. Fans of classic flavours will not be disappointed. The combination of sweet and coffee candied almonds in the mandorla affogato, which received an international prise, is a fan favourite, as is the passion fruit creme.
Blackberry and blueberry sorbet is a favourite of ours, and the resulting naturally sweet yoghurt flavour goes wonderfully with other, more complex flavours. Want only chocolate, though? Everything is coming at us from all directions. And in the summer, when watermelon sorbet and nectarine are in season, you shouldn't pass them up.
Gelato Franco
Franco Riservato, a gelato maker who spent two decades in Leichardt's Bar Italia, and his Italian mother Donata created Gelato Franco. In spite of its bare-brick interior and concrete floors, this is a classic Italian ice cream business serving authentic, light, and refreshing gelato with a characteristic Sicilian flavour.
Now, consider the pistachio. Instead of the typical pistachio paste used by gelaterias, this one uses fresh nuts that have been ground up and mixed with milk gelato, giving each bite a satisfying crunch and a nutty chew.
All natural flavours shine through, making this an incredibly refreshing drink. All of the gelatos here are made using milk rather than heavy cream bases, which gives them a much purer flavour than the gelatos you're probably familiar to. As gelato should be in hot countries, its preparation is meant to be refreshing rather than clawing.
It's the same with the tiramisu gelato. It has a coffee flavour and is topped with chocolate sponge cake drenched in Marsala wine from Sicily (and more coffee). It has a similar flavour to tiramisu, but the coffee isn't too strong, so it's more reminiscent of a milky latte than a strong Americano.
Similar to crème caramel, a panna cotta gelato consists of vanilla ice cream topped with a drizzle of bitter caramel sauce. The coconut sorbet is tasty, pure and fresh, but it reminds us too much of canned coconut milk to be included among the best coconut desserts (shout out to Messina's salted coconut and mango gelato).
Franco Riservato, the man at the helm of this traditional Italian gelateria, is the brains and brawn behind the shop's signature creamy gelatos made from only the freshest ingredients. You are going to experience the pinnacle of gelato in a setting befitting its antiquity, complete with tiny tables adorned with fresh flowers. And the black sesame and stracciatella will blow your mind.
Ciccone and Sons Gelateria
Go to Redfern's Ciccone and Sons for a sweet treat if you're seeking for something that's created from scratch and will satisfy your craving for something cold and delicious right away.
They use Jersey milk in their gelatos, making them richer and creamier, so you won't be able to resist marking them as your absolute favourite in Sydney. The likes of riesling and pear, white and lavender chocolate, rosemary, cucumber, maple syrup and lemon are just a few of the unique and refined combinations to look forward to. Try one of their ricotta gelato cannoli, they are delicious.
At long last, a gelato that isn't sickeningly sweet! When it comes to making gelato in a warm environment like ours, Ciccone and Sons are the masters. Their creations are the epitome of refreshing, cool, and delicious. The bar's interior is simple but charming. The space is narrow and long, decorated with bunting, with a few small church seats for seating, rock 'n' roll on the stereo, and a chest freezer stocked with ice cream in the rear.
A monogrammed planter outside bears the café's name. Among the second-hand stores and florists on this section of Regent Street in Redfern, it fits right in with its low-key, start-up vibe.
Though it looks basic, this gelato is absolutely fantastic. As a refreshing beverage in India, chilled buttermilk is a staple in the Indian kitchen, and the chefs at Ciccone are well aware of this fact. If you're looking for a tangy, sweet, and somewhat salty iced delicacy, look no further; their passionfruit and buttermilk flavour is the best you'll find.
In place of milk, co-owner Mark Megahey uses Pepe Saya's tangy, creamy buttermilk to create a basis for his gelato, resulting in a dessert that is rich and creamy without being too heavy. Di Pacci Coffee Co., a local roaster in Marrickville, supplies the coffee. The flat white coffee is quite potent, with a rich chocolate flavour and a smokey aftertaste. It's a delightful cup of joe that brings to mind the intensely flavorful yet surprisingly subtle Italian coffees.
Megahey's colleague and baker Sean O'Brien has baked some delicious cakes as well. We try the cinnamon and apple loaf after completing our (three scoops of) gelato and kick ourselves for not ordering them together.
Then why do they go by "Ciccone and Sons?" Identifying Ciccone and his progeny. We ask Megahey on our way out if it's he and O'Brien. The man shakes his head. "He explains that the sons are the "gelato machines," and that "Ciccone" is a reference to Madonna. We share the same Irish surname! ".
Cremeria de Luca
Why? Because of the velvety texture and delicious flavour. In addition to performing it for a long period. After opening their first gelateria in 1937, the de Luca family quickly became a mainstay on Sydney's snack scene.
Stick-your-spoon-up-in-em hot chocolates, house-made syrups (try a brilliant green peppermint lemonade frosted with a scoop of lemon sorbet), a handful of desserts, and a daily savoury are on the menu at this café, which relocated from Leichhardt to Five Dock in 2011.
The headline attraction, though, is the five-star gelato that can be found on this quiet street corner. Coffee is fine, and there's a tasty risotto ball stuffed with peas and ragu and bits of melted cheese deep-fried to a dark bronze. However, the risotto ball isn't what draws such large crowds on Saturday nights. It's a burger made of gelato. Get it loaded with Nutella-slathered brioche buns, two scoops of ice cream (we like cinnamon and Italian custard), and whipped cream.
When you take your first bite, the gelato and whipped cream inside will likely spill out of the sides and all over your face. Take the lid off your bun and use it like a spoon, cleaning the table clean as you go. You should probably take a seat for this meal. The atmosphere of Cremeria De Luca is, to put it simply, unrivalled when it comes to gelato. We're talking about the next stage, when you go into a food coma and wake up changed forever.
This place has some of the best gelato in Sydney, and they also produce gelato burgers that are quite delicious. Sadly, this is the kind of burger that you can only hold in your two clapped hands. One or two flavours of gelato, depending on how far you want to go, are sandwiched between two brioche buns; we recommend chocolate, pistachio, and a thick layer of Nutella.
There is no need for tricks; only competence and flavour. In terms of texture, De Luca's zabaglione is similar to traditional vanilla ice cream, but with a richer egg flavour and a firmer, less airy consistency because of the gelato's slower churning process and warmer serving temperature.
Gelato Messina - Darlinghurst
The queue at Gelato Messina always (and we do mean always) stretches out the door and down the street, and it's all down to the excellent quality of the ingredients they use. You can indulge in a delicious strawberry and vanilla gelato topped with fresh strawberry jam, or drool over the white chocolate and hazelnut gelato topped with rich hazelnut praline.
In Messina, the dulce de leche gelato is a must-try. These gelato masters also come up with five weekly specials, each of which features an unusual flavour combination and an equally bizarre name. Songs like "A Salt On The Senses," "Breakfast In Canberra," or "Oreogasm” are among Messina's most well-known works.
When it comes to Sydney's gelato shops, Messina is the red carpet event. The salted caramel has been a staple for years, and the pandan coconut is a nice tropical refresher, but the real excitement comes from Messina's hyper zeitgeisty flavours (remember 'The Heisenberg,' loaded with a topping of blue crystallised violets?).
The number of flavours available in a single scoop can run off the board, and their inventiveness ensures that picking one is never simple. Don't expect cured meats on a misto platter at Messina if that's what you're used to. Consider a different cut of beef instead.
The local dialect consists entirely of ice cream, and at five scoops for $12, it's quite the tasty one. Rather than focusing on the obvious candidates, broaden your search (although a spoon each of white and malted chocolate makes an excellent alternative to plain old chocolate and vanilla). Blood orange, apple pie, cassata, and yoghurt, are just few of the alternatives. Although, with five chances to get the scoop right, it's hard to mess up.
Gelateria Gondola
In addition to their famous gelato, Gelateria Gondola in Chatswood also serves other Italian treats. It is something they make. They devote their time to finding the best natural ingredients and coming up with innovative new flavours to offer our clients.
The greatest quality and flavour are guaranteed since each day their artisan sorbets and gelato are hand-crafted in small batches using traditional methods. They also have one of the few vertical gelato makers in Australia. Come on in and experience the delicious difference that fresh gelato and sorbet can make. The first bite is always the best.
Despite its unassuming exterior, the gelateria in Chatswood is truly top-notch. Our favourite is the Cremino, a sundae that has already been built up in the tub, but all of the gelatos we try are delicious because they are produced fresh every day. Their Chatswood shop features an open kitchen where visitors can see the gelato artisans at work. All of our sorbets and gelatos, from Panna Cotta e Fichi to Pistacchio Siciliano, are created in-house utilising a vertical gelato maker and only the finest, all-natural ingredients.
They are always trying new things to deliver their consumers the most delicious, mouth-melting gelatos and sorbets possible. Visit them to witness the art of gelato making and to savour the true flavour of artisan gelato. It's authentic gelato in every sense of the word.
It's a strawberry sorbet with cream, however this time it's made with Jersey milk instead of the traditional whipped cream used in Sicily (no vanilla needed: this milk gelato is all about the pure, barnyard flavours of the milk itself).
It's a refreshing, sweet, and perfectly balanced small piece of heaven in a cup, topped with chocolate and bright green pistachios. You may also try the "Gondola," which is a blend of blood orange and Aperol gelato and tastes like an Aperol Spritz frozen in a cone. It has a silky texture and a faint bitter flavour.
We are big fans of the peach sorbet, which has the fresh, fruity flavour of freshly-pressed ripe peaches. Also, the macadamia brittle flavour features enormous pieces of brittle mixed into vanilla gelato. It's substantial enough to serve as a meal replacement.
There are a few indoor and outdoor seats, and the service is speedy. Messina's spectacle, or the hip-factor, of Messina, but honestly, what we care most about is the ice cream itself, and what Gondola is doing is simply bloody wonderful.
Conclusion
Both gelato and ice cream are made by churning together milk, sugar, and cream until they reach a uniform consistency, but they are not the same thing. Gelato is typically served at a higher temperature to better showcase its richer texture and deeper flavours than ice cream. As long as it is made with real milk and fresh ingredients and does not contain any artificial colours, flavours, or stabilisers, we will drink it on a hot day regardless of which one you supply. Seven of the best frozen treats in Sydney, according to us. The RivaReno gelateria, situated between Darlinghurst and Barangaroo, transports customers to Bologna, Italy.
Traditional Sicilian 'pozzetti' are used to make and store gelato. The "mascarpone moka," which features Arabica coffee, dark chocolate shavings, and a splash of Sicilian Marsala, is a customer favourite and rivals the popularity of the "Cremino Rivareno." Even though gelato shops in Sydney are famous for their creative flavour combinations, you won't find anything quite like this anywhere else. Sicilian traditions are highly valued, but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy yourself with the local fare. Leonardo is an irresistible flavour thanks to its pine nut cream base and nutty crunch from toasted pine nuts.
Content Summary
- Sydney's beautiful nature is only one of the many places to find incredible attractions.
- However, a visit to Sydney is not complete without stopping at one of the city's many outstanding ice cream and gelato establishments.
- Despite the fact that both gelato and ice cream are made by churning together cold milk, sugar, and cream (and sometimes eggs), these two desserts are not identical.
- between fifteen and thirty percent fat is typical for ice cream.
- Air is incorporated through rapid churning, and the beverage is best enjoyed chilled.
- The desired result is a rich and velvety feel in the mouth.
- Gelato's appeal lies less in the ice cream base than in the seasonal fruits and nuts that are blended in for flavour.
- This Italian delicacy is denser than ice cream (10-15%) because to a longer churning period and the absence of air and fat.
- As a result, it's served hotter to draw attention to the intensified flavours imparted by the additional cooking.
- If you use high-quality milk and fresh ingredients, we won't picky about which one you serve on a hot day.
- Sadly, though, everything on this list meets that criteria, and the vast majority also avoids the use of common store additives like artificial colours, flavours, and stabilisers.
- All across Sydney, you can find restaurants serving up delicious food.
- Since there are so many attractions and activities to partake in while in Sydney, it may be impractical to stop for ice cream or gelato at each and every one.
- It's likely that you've walked down this street countless times.
- Maybe on the way to Messina; there are a couple of stores not too far away.
- or maybe around Gaslight and/or the Colombian, all of which are nearby.
- However, RivaReno is now producing the finest gelato in town without resorting to excessive boasting.
- The most glaring example of this is in how gelato is presented.
- RivaReno uses traditional Sicilian pots called pozzetti for both the preparation and storage of its gelato (covered, stainless steel containers).
- Due to the pozzetti being hidden from view, there is no initial sensation of wonder upon entering a pozzetti restaurant (as per Messina).
- Even so, this is, as RivaReno and many Sicilians insist, the greatest way to keep the gelato's velvety consistency, full flavour, and peak freshness.
- Located between Darlinghurst and Barangaroo, RivaReno provides an opportunity to see Bologna, Italy.
- Their "laboratorio" is where all of their delicious gelato and sorbets are lovingly prepared from scratch with premium, all-natural ingredients (no hydrogenated fats, artificial colourings, flavourings, or preservatives).
- The classic Italian chocolates of the same name served as inspiration.
- On the other hand, you may try the "mascarpone moka," a gelato that resembles tiramisu but is prepared with Arabica coffee, dark chocolate shavings, and a dash of Sicilian Marsala.
- Even though gelato shops in Sydney are famous for their creative flavour combinations, you won't find anything quite like this anywhere else.
- Cakes are not ground up and folded into the recipe, nor is salted caramel sprinkled liberally on top.
- However, Sicilian traditions are prioritised, and just because something is deemed "traditional" in Sicily doesn't mean you can't have a great time with the meal.
FAQs About Ice-Cream And Gelato In Sydney
Similar to ice cream, gelato is made from a custard base of milk, cream, and sugar. The difference lies in the proportions of each with gelato having more milk (and less cream) compared to ice cream. Gelato also doesn't usually contain egg yolks the way that ice cream does.
While both gelato and ice cream contain cream, milk and sugar, there are differences, too. Authentic gelato uses more milk and less cream than ice cream and generally doesn't use egg yolks, which are a common ingredient in ice cream.
- Weirdest Ice Cream Flavors
- Honey Jalapeno Pickle Ice Cream.
- Lobster Ice Cream.
- Smoked Salmon Ice Cream.
- Curry Flavored Ice Cream.
- Fish-and-Chip-Flavored Ice Cream.
- Oyster Ice Cream.
- Pickled Mango Ice Cream.
- Pizza Ice Cream.
Since gelato has less butterfat, the mixture is light to begin with. So it only needs 20 to 30 percent air as it thickens and freezes. That keeps the product dense — and therefore creamy, Morano explains.
Quality ice cream should generally be smooth and soft. It should melt pleasantly and not too quickly in the mouth. Negative spots in this context are noticeable ice crystals, sandy texture or coarseness.