Good Food Guide 2022: 10 of Sydney's best gelato

Ciccone & Sons

An essential part of Sydney's ice-cream culture. Where other gelaterias might overload on flavour, here simplicity is the catch-cry. Hits include Pepe Saya buttermilk and passionfruit, honeycomb and salted cashew, and scoops have just the right texture.

195 Regent Street, Redfern, cicconeandsons.com.au

Ice Kirin Bar

The focus is on Asian flavours. Scoops might be flavoured with peach oolong tea, salted egg yolk or Vietnamese coffee, with each built on cult products – the black sesame uses Kuki sesame seeds, for example, while strawberry gets churned into a Calpis base.

55 Burwood Road, Burwood, 0410 806 055, icekirinbar.com

Gelateria Gondola

Not your regular neighbourhood ice-cream place. While there are standbys – try the cassata Siciliana – the small batches leave room to branch out. Always wanted to try pumpkin or whisky-flavoured gelato? This is your chance.

Shop 2, 77 Archer Street, Chatswood, gelateriagondola.com.au

Messina Rosebery

The spirit of evolution is still strong here. Did you know, for example, that their milk comes from their own Jersey cows? Or they make Australia's only couverture chocolate? Something to consider over a scoop at their Rosebery HQ while you watch the machines in action.

58 Mentmore Avenue, Rosebery, gelatomessina.com

Mapo

You can tell a lot about a gelato place by its base flavour, and at Mapo, the fior di latte reigns supreme. While you're here, try cold brew, matcha or sea salt caramel, all made with ingredients from top-tier collaborators. Extra points for the vegan range, too.

123 King Street, Newtown and 64-66 Campbell Parade, Bondi Beach, maponewtown.com

Cow & The Moon

This corner gelateria hit the big time when its almond affogato flavour took out the title of World's Best Gelato in 2014. Years later that coveted flavour still graces the menu, but the locals are here for a range that includes a passionfruit pavlova number that's summer in a scoop.

181 Enmore Road, Enmore, cowandthemoon.com.au

Rivareno

With fans ranging from Kylie Kwong to O Tama Carey, this is one gelateria with serious cred. Their Darlinghurst shop was an early adopter of a pozzetti, for example, which keeps everything in peak condition pre-scooping.

Shop 4.06, Building 4, 12 Darcy Street, Parramatta, 02 7805 9413, rivareno.com

Gelato Franco

If the handsome façade doesn't convince you step into this old-style Marrickville gelateria, then owner Franco Riservato's dab hand with all things sweet and frozen should. Gelato and sorbetto might be churned with donated mulberries or herbs from Mamma Riservato's garden.

281 Marrickville Road, Marrickville

Toscana Gelateria Naturale

With a dedication to tradition, this unassuming gelateria has gained a loyal following in the south-west. Put it down to husband-wife team Nando and Lisa Bellini doing things the old way, cooking figs down to a paste, say, or scorching their own caramel.

103 Denman Road, Georges Hall, 02 9723 1349

Ormeggio at the Spit

It's not exactly grab and go, but the gelato at Ormeggio doesn't need to come with a full-blown fine-dining experience either. Nab a seat at the bar and order up from a range of flavours whipped to order and given luxury embellishment.

D'Albora Marinas, Spit Road, Mosman, 02 9969 4088, ormeggio.com.au