All seaside towns should have a gelateria, and the people of Sandringham are fortunate to have such a nice little gelateria as their local. The family-run Cool Delights on Bay produces small batch artisan gelato and judging by the steady stream of happy customers on the day of our visit, it is very popular.

Just around the corner from Sandringham station, the rather plainly decorated shop is modest in size. Room for just a couple of tables, plus another two tiny tables outside on the footpath. A large group – clearly regulars – made for a cheery but noisy environment. Continue Reading

Girls and Boys has set itself a tough challenge, producing all vegan gelato, plus the additional restriction of avoiding refined sugar. An offshoot of Vegie Bar – the veteran Fitzroy vegetarian restaurant right next door – Girls & Boys offers plant-based ice creams, desserts and smoothies.

How do they do it? The sorbet flavours are easy – being water-based and dairy free, they naturally follow vegan principles. “Dairy” flavours replace milk and cream with soy and coconut. And the sweetness? Organic brown rice syrup (plus the natural sugars in the fruit and other flavourings). Continue Reading

The best gelato is made from all natural ingredients – real fruit, real nuts. And what better place to find a ready source of gelato inspiration than Melbourne’s Queen Victoria Market. The newly opened Geloso Gelateria is right in the middle of the market and takes full advantage of all the market has to offer.

Each morning, Jaz checks out the fruit and veg stalls for what looks good. Case of super-ripe mangos? Done. Strawberries at their peak? Easy choice. And so the day’s gelato flavours are chosen. Continue Reading

It’s a great feeling when you revisit a place and it is even better than you remember… We were last at Dolce House about 18 months ago. Then – we loved it. Now – oh my goodness!

Tucked away in suburban McKinnon, Dolce House is popular with locals and visitors for its gelato, desserts and totally over-the-top ‘Dolshakes’. Waffles, brownies, cakes, everything is made on the premises, including the gelato. Continue Reading

Pidapipó is one of our favourite gelaterie in Melbourne. It is hugely popular, and for good reason. Gorgeous flavours and the beautiful velvety texture of freshly made gelato bring the crowds – it is not unusual to see a queue extending down Chapel Street.

Best time to avoid the crowds: early afternoon, not long after Pidapipó opens for the day. Upside – more time to decide on your flavours without the pressure of anxious folk waiting for their own gelato fix, plus the gelato will be super fresh. Downside – the friendly servers are still making the day’s flavours, so your favoured option may not be ready yet. Continue Reading

It was a perfect day to visit Pagoto Gelato & Waffle House in Oakleigh, a thriving hub of Greek Melbourne. Brilliant warm sunny day – check. Lively buzz from the crowds at the outdoor cafés in Eaton Mall – check. People parading through the streets dressed in animal pelts and skulls – say what?

Over the three weeks before Lent, it is carnival time, “Apokries”. The festivities take different forms across Greece, but a common theme involves masked revellers dressing up and wandering the streets, celebrating with music and dance. Continue Reading