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.
The gelato menu changes with the season and includes a few unusual options, such as elderberry. There are around 20 flavours, available in cups or cones, or tubs to take away. As our friendly server was scooping our choices, we could see that the gelato was quite firm.
My choice – black chocolate sorbet paired with raspberry, was absolutely the star of the day. The black chocolate is vegan, made from raw cocoa powder – definitely one for dark chocolate lovers. And the raspberry was an excellent contrast.
Benny picked mango, coconut and macadamia gelato. He described it as quite good, with flakes of coconut but he couldn’t pick any macadamias in it – maybe they were in the form of a nut paste.
Jonah paired blood orange with watermelon sorbet. He loved the blood orange, but he found the watermelon to be overly sweet, and a disappointment.
Serving sizes were generous, and at $4.50 for a single scoop or $6 for two scoops, prices were quite reasonable for artisan gelato. Cool Delights also offers acai bowls, smoothies, cold pressed juices and cakes made to order.
The people of Sandringham are fortunate to have such a nice little gelateria as their local. The best of the gelato at Cool Delights on Bay is excellent, however some flavours are less successful. Friendly service, good value for money, and a comfortable spot to catch up with friends.
Cool Delights on Bay
25 Bay Road
Sandringham Vic 3070
T: (03) 9598 6674
W: www.facebook.com/cooldelightsonbay/
