With summer already sizzling across Sydney, this is the perfect time to lick all of your summer cravings with something cold, sweet and maybe crunchy.
From crowd favourites to interesting flavour combinations, we’ve got your summer of 2025 covered with our list of the four best ice-cream and gelato shops in Sydney. These ice-cream connoisseurs are chock full of delicious creamy flavours that are sure to help you cool off this summer!
Starting more than 20 years ago in a small kitchen, Anita Gelato has now become a boutique ice creamery renowned around the world for its tasty frozen treats. There are stores located globally, including six signature stores in Sydney including Manly and Bondi beaches, Central Park, and even Cronulla. What makes this gelato eatery so sensational are the hand-made 150 unique flavours that are constantly rotated. From nougat wafer to cheesecake caramel cookies, your mouth is delicious treat at Anita Gelato. 
Image via Destination NSWAnita Gelato
Image supplied via Destination NSW.
Cow & The Moon
Not surprised? That’s because they continue to simply get it right! Let’s not forget they did win the award for the Best Gelato in the World thanks to their Mandorla Affogato flavour back in 2014 in Rimini, Italy – now that’s saying something. With a line just as busy as Enmore Road, this quaint gelato shop is sure worth the wait. With over 25 rotating flavours, we’re sure that after a lick or two you’ll be sure to find your favourite. On top of their seasonal sorbets, you’ll also be able to find interesting flavours such as Black Sesame, Spiced Pear and Strawberry Balsamic Pannacotta to name a few.
For a taste of real Italian gelato, you can’t go wrong with Gelato Franco. This boutique artisan ice-cream shop in Marrickville is bursting with punchy flavours that’ll help you get through the simmering heat. Think flavours like the refreshing yellow peach sorbetto or mango trifle, perfect for a summer afternoon. You can also be sure that each batch has been hand-made with love and decades of experiencing bringing a taste of Italy to Sydney.
Photography by Damian Kuzdak via Shutterstock.Gelato Franco
Photographed by Daniel Boud. Image supplied via Destination NSW.
Gelato Messina
If you haven’t had Messina, you are missing out big time! Taking the title of Masters of Gelato, rolling out 17 stores across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and Canberra. They’ve even taken their production to the next level with their own dairy farm producing some of the highest quality Jersey milk and, they every have their own hazelnut farm in Victoria, use an imported chocolate-making machine from Italy and make in-house delectable Dulce de Leche. With classic flavours that join their rotating and equally creative weekly specials, Gelato Messina sure know how to whip together the best gelato in Sydney. Don’t forget to order a cake while you’re at it!
Photographed by Kyle Hinkson. Image via Unsplash.
Rivareno Gelato
Italia is here, and we have the legends at Rivareno Gelato to thank for that – grazie mille! Rivareno hails from Bologna, the food capital of the world, and brings with them the passion, imagination and skill to create one of Sydney’s best gelato shops. Worried you won’t know what to pick? You should be! There are over 50 mouthwatering flavours to pick from, so make sure you’ve got yourself an appetite to gorge on as many as possible. Our highlights include the New York which is a mix of Canadian maple syrup and caramelised pecan nuts; creamy chocolate and peanut butter filled Sweet Alabama; and, not to forget, Caramello Salato – salted caramel with pink Himalayan salt and toffeed hazelnut pieces.
Looking for something sweet Sydney? From bread to bagels, croissants and tarts, get your fix at the 10 Best Bakeries in Sydney. Or, for something unusual, foodies check out these 10 Unique Dining Experiences in Sydney.
Sydney, get ready to cool down this summer with a scoop (or two) of the finest gelato!