Billy van Creamy, Fitzroy North

Our trip to Billy van Creamy was long overdue. We’ve run across its ice cream van at various events and festivals – obviously a more thorough investigation was needed.

With large communal tables, the Fitzroy North store is a lively and popular place. Even just after opening for the day (a weekday!), there was a queue of people super keen for their ice cream. The light filled space is decorated with cheery murals of ice cream cones, from artist Billie Justice Thomson

Everything at Billy van Creamy is made in-house from scratch, with the raw ingredients sourced from organic and ethical suppliers. Packaging is recycled or recyclable and the store is fitted out with recycled material as well.

Chocolate paired with lemon myrtle ice cream at Billy van Creamy.
Chocolate paired with lemon myrtle ice cream at Billy van Creamy.

The ice cream is based on Demeter milk, raw sugar, St David Dairy cream and free range eggs. So, definitely ice cream rather than gelato, which is made from milk, not cream, and rarely uses eggs.

And of course, there are vegan options amongst Billy van Creamy’s flavours, plus a couple of sorbets. The core flavours are supplemented with specials that change from time to time – around 15 flavours all up, stored in lidded pozzetti.

Benny picked a single cone of native lime pie – one of the day’s specials. Creamy citrus tang and chunks of buttery biscuit pastry scattered through.

One of the daily specials - a single scoop of native lime pie.
One of the daily specials – a single scoop of native lime pie.

My choice: lemon myrtle (another of the day’s specials) paired with chocolate (72% Sumatran dark chocolate). The lemon myrtle was gorgeous, and the chocolate – recommended by our friendly server – was a good match. Not one of those super-rich indulgent chocolates that tend to overwhelm any other flavour.

The ice cream is served in cups or cones, tubs to take away, or in luscious shakes and sundaes. Billy van Creamy is a little more expensive than other places in Melbourne, at $8 for two flavours. But for $10 (the same price as for three flavours) we reckon that a sundae would be good value. The sundaes include two scoops of ice cream, topping (normally an extra $2 on a cup or cone), plus – depending on which sundae you choose – brownie chunks or house-made honeycomb.

Our friendly server whipping up a shake at the counter.
Our friendly server whipping up a shake at the counter.

Our rating: excellentBilly van Creamy is the go-to place for ice cream based on organic and ethical ingredients. We love the use of native Australian flavours, like lemon myrtle and native lime.


Billy van Creamy
27-29 Best Street
Fitzroy North Vic 3068

T: 0472 657 160
W: www.billyvancreamy.com.au

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