Need respite from the heat? The state’s finest ice-cream, gelato and sorbet makers are here to help you keep your cool.
It’s hot out, and it’s getting hotter. There’s salve in the cool water of the ocean, of course, but relief can come in a sweeter form: that of gelato and ice-cream. As the city and the regions swelter, artisans put their churns into overdrive. And whether it’s custardy, classic ice-cream, dense, silky gelato, or sweet, dairy-free sorbet, there’s now plenty to keep you interested around town.
Whatever your flavour, there are many outstanding examples across WA, with so much to discover. Here’s the scoop.
Chicho Gelato
Arguably Perth’s best-known artisan gelato, Chicho is renowned for its spot-on flavours and masterful collaborations, having worked with the likes of Chu Bakery, Shadow Wine Bar and even Fringe. There are always new flavours to try, and reliable favourites like salted caramel crack, strawberry milk and Sicilian pistachio to rely on. And don’t forget that signature chocolate fountain either. Find them in Northbridge, or now in Freo, where a scoop or two makes the perfect dessert after a visit to Goldbird Hot Chicken or Peggy’s.
180 William St, Northbridge; 1 Cantonment St, Fremantle, chichogelato.com
Kuld
When it comes to ice-cream, Kuld set the bar high when they opened in the laneway next to Highgate cafe Blacksmith in 2018. They offer a different batch of perfectly crafted flavours each month, with vegan options, and homemade waffle cones and cookies. Kuld have recently been selling their wares on Rottnest and have just opened a new store in Northbridge. Seek them out.
11 Essex St, Fremantle; 8/10 Roe St, Northbridge; The Basin, Rottnest Island, kuldcreamery.com
Mai Tardi Gelato
Handcrafted in Margaret River, Mai Tardi Gelato sources ingredients from the South West where possible, including honey, citrus and milk. The all-important hazelnuts and pistachios, however, are imported from Italy. Mai Tardi Gelato is sold around Margaret River and across WA in unique recyclable and compostable packaging created using paper tubs.
maitardigelato.com.au
Dejaxo
Mount Hawthorn cafe Dejaxo is well known for its baked goods, but lesser known is that it produces some of Perth’s finest milk. Fresh milk from Guernsey cows is transported from the South West twice a week for pasteurising at Dejaxo’s Malaga dairy. As well as being sold in bottles, the rich, creamy, high-fat milk is used in Dejaxo’s coffees, yoghurt and outstanding range of gelato. Crème caramel gelato, anyone?
2 Coogee St, Mount Hawthorn; Shop 18, Carine Glades Shopping Centre, 485 Beach Rd Duncraig; Shop 4, the Herdsman, 9 Flynn St, Churchlands; Shop 1, Carine Central, 8 Davallia Rd, Duncraig, dejaxo.com.au
Pietro Gelateria
Sitting alongside Chicho in both the creativity and flavour stakes, Pietro also get things bang-on when it comes to flavour, their recent Chinese New Year celebration flavours being a great example (think brown sugar and oolong or salted plum). In good news for locals, Pietro recently added a second store in Inglewood to go with their original Vic Park location. Look out for their cakes and their dairy-free options, too.
789 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park; 861 Beaufort St, Inglewood, pietrogelateria.com
Simmos
Dunsborough ice-creamery Simmos opened in 1993 with just 12 flavours and a machine that could make two tubs at a time. Fast forward 30 years and Simmos now serves more than 60 flavours, and was declared one of the 15 best ice-cream parlours in the world by USA Today in 2013. Its Dunsborough Fun Park is a perfect family destination, but its products are available in locations across the state, and takeaway tubs can be found in supermarkets. Give the banoffee pie or mint slice flavours a whirl and see what the fuss is about.
161 Commonage Rd, Dunsborough; 73 Mandurah Tce, Mandurah, simmos.com.au
Dumbo Gelato
With a prime position on the Scarborough seafront, Dumbo Gelato’s flavour selection is relatively small compared to some, but there’s some real creativity on show, with inspiration drawn from Aussie flavours. Vegemite caramel, potato chips, cream cheese and mascarpone gelato, anyone? But there are classics, too, and half of their range is vegan, so there’s something for everyone to love.
7/148 The Esplanade, Scarborough, dumbogelato.com
Whisk Creamery
Whisk is perhaps best known for serving its gelato on top of a cronut rather than in a cone, and its varied offerings make it worthy of a visit on your gelato journey. Creating your own crazy sundae or shake on the in-store ordering system is a must, too. Extra? Sure. But addictive.
151 Rokeby Rd, Subiaco; 246 William St, Northbridge, whiskcreamery.com.au
Stampede Gelato
Located inside Freo’s Sunshine Harvester Works, Stampede started in 2015 as a gelato delivery service from the back of a hatchback. It now boasts the largest flavour archive in Australia with over 500 flavours. They add new ones every week, including such outré combinations as Vegemite and white chocolate (don’t knock it till you try it). Stampede’s gelato is also used in shakes at its burger-flipping neighbour, Two Stacks. If you know you know.
1 James St, Fremantle, stampede.xyz
Elski Danish Ice Creamery
The name Elski originates from the Danish phrase “elsk is”, which means “love ice-cream”, and this ice-creamery in the heart of Dunsborough certainly does. Expect the usual flavours done well, plus some unique Danish scoops, the “rødgrød med fløde”, for example, based on a classic Danish dessert made with berries and cream. If that’s not enough, toppings include grated liquorice salt. Love.
7/35 Dunn Bay Rd, Dunsborough, @elskidanishicecreamery
Gusto Gelato
A long-standing Perth favourite, Gusto gelato is handcrafted using traditional artisan techniques head maker Sean Lee learnt at Gelato University in Bologna. Their stores are handy for both day and night adventures, both open until late seven days a week. All the better to give yourself a chance to double back for another scoop of the apple pie gelato.
5 Geoffrey Bolton Ave, Perth (Elizabeth Quay); 741 Newcastle St, Leederville; 845 Albany Hwy, East Victoria Park, gustogelato.com.au
Cono Gelato
Cono Gelato may “just” be a mobile cart, but that doesn’t stop it serving some of the best gelato in town. Keeping quantities small to guarantee quality, Cono can be found at festivals, events and private celebrations across Perth. If you need another endorsement, Cono Gelato is now available for retail purchase exclusively from Sal’s Pasta in Cottesloe. Try the Aperol Spritz and prosecco flavour, close your eyes and dream of Italy.
44 Napoleon St, Cottesloe (Sal’s Pasta), conogelato.com.au
Cuccini Gelato
Last but definitely not least is Cuccini Gelato, a recent addition to Northbridge. It’s drawing both long queues and great reviews, with flavours such as saffron, pistachio, fior di latte and avocado and lime leading the recommendations. Leave the toast at home.
276 William St, Perth, cuccini.com.au
