The Best Ice Cream in Adelaide

Family Friendly Eats, The Best of Adelaide for Kids

Is there anything better than an ice cream on a hot Adelaide day? (Or any day really?!) We have collated the best spots in Adelaide & beyond to enjoy a delicious ice cream, gelati, gelato, frozen yoghurt or even acai treat with the kids!

Whether you’re into classic scoops and flavours like vanilla, chocolate or mint chocolate chip, or like something a bit fancy like peach and white chocolate (yes we recently found that) we’ve done the hard work for you and found the best spots to visit. Plus, does anything make your kids behave better than the promise of an ice cream at the end of the day? We didn’t think so. Now for the big question Adelaide ice cream fans: cup or cone?

Here’s our pick of THE BEST Ice Cream in Adelaide:

Gelato Messina

After a highly anticipate arrival on the Adelaide ice cream scene (technically it is a return home to Adelaide), Gelato Messina has opened it’s doors in Kent Town and is not to be missed! Pop in store to try scoops that we enjoyed such as Dulce de Leche, Pear & Rhubarb or Milk Chocolate with Peanut Fudge. These creamy cups and cones are worth of the Tuesday aftenoon line up down the street (don’t worry, it moved fast, lived up to the hype and we are sure will quieten down a bit, on the weekdays at least). The kids loved that they could have a little ‘try before you buy’ sample and also that you can see the ice cream you are ordering – some of the new on fleek joints are all hidden away and it not as much fun for the kids. Order an epic frozen bithday cake on line here, or take a tub home in a convenient carry pack. We loved the high quality product, not toppings aproach – the gelato speaks for it self.

Find more here: Messina

Royal Copenhagen Semaphore + Four Other Locations

Every one knows Royal Copenhagen right? Well, we LOVE the Semaphore Store. You can also find them at Henley, Glenelg. Brighton and Port Noarlunga. The iconic waffle cone and freshly made ice cream remains the focus of what happens here and there are always new products and flavours to satisfying your cravings. From junior cones to waffle baskets, shakes and take-home packs. Can’t beat a hot cinnamon donut with your ice cream and how can we not mention the iconic ever popular free toppings and sprinkles! This place is always a 10/10 for consistency and quality in our eyes.

Find more here: RCH

Gelatissimo Glenelg, Adelaide + Norwood

Here is an iconic spot where there is often a little line out of the door. Don’t worry, it moves fast and at the front of that line, you’ll probably find us, having trouble deciding between all the flavours. There are so many and theyare all so so so good. Will it be Lychee and Guava? Funfetti Birthday Cake? Biscoff? Or something a little more traditional, like Boysenberry? This is also where you’ll find Fruchoc icecream. No artificial colours or flavours just makes it that bit better too! Know why else we love them? They seem to alway be launching fun new limited time flavours, like the current ‘Turtles Mutant Mayhem range. Delicious and so fun for the kids!

For their many locations & more info, head to their website.

OVO Gelato

OVO gelato have opened a new CBD East End store and our recent visit didn’t disappoint. Tucked away on 24 Ebenezer Place (near the Belgium Beer Bar!) Ovo is home to a range of delicious locally made gelato, great coffee and a few other treats to satisfy the whole family – day and night. Their main Newton store has 20+ flavours while their new CBD has 12 with all those we tried getting rave reviews.  Our top picks in a tough choice were Lemon, Mango, Keto Berry and Lemon Berry Cheesecake – but my son is very keen to advise others that the chocolate was also great! The menu changes frequently with all the traditional staples alongside other more seasonal, local options like nectarine, watermelon and mint and spiced pear. Catering for everyone Ovo has made flavours available to all dietary needs with dairy-free, refined sugar-free and even keto options available. If you’re looking for an excellent ice cream option in the city, or at their bigger ‘home’ in Newton, be sure to check out Ovo and discover their delicious gelato, coffee and desserts. More here: OVO Gelato

Glatisse Gelato

Here’s a cool scoop! New artisan gelato available in the north eastern suburbs. Selling from a fancy bike station in the Redwood Park shopping complex, we were lucky enough to get a behind the scenes tour of high-end, purpose built, commercial kitchen where the magic happens! Opening only 3 weeks ago, and starting from scratch (just like their gelato!) Loc’s passion for all things gelato is obvious. No artificial anything and all made on site, you can taste the quality. Glatisse will welcome you with friendly faces and delicious flavours from 2-8pm, Thurs-Sun, but give their Instagram a follow to keep up to date with opening times and flavours. 

Find them here Glatisse Gelato

48 Flavours Adelaide, Trinity Gardens, Paralowie + Hyde Park

We have been long time fans of 48 Flavours, ever since they opened their doors here in Adelaide. And what’s not to love? South Australian owned, made using local produce….technically it’s gelato, but we are not going to let a technicality stop us from trying every single one of the 48 offerings. Find them in Adelaide, Paralowie, Hyde Park & Trinity Gardens. (Try the pineapple sorbet…trust us!).

All the delicious details are here

Bottega Gelateria – Glenelg + Henley Beach + Prospect

What an aesthetically pleasing store. (Very Insta-worthy!) Kids will love this store because they can look through a window & actually watch the ice cream being made! Should you get the chocolate added inside the cone? Yes, yes you should. Trust us. Located in Glenelg, Henley Beach and now Prospect too! Check out their Instagram. 

Hokey Pokey Ice Cream & Lolly Shop, Stirling

You put your right foot in, you put your right foot…..oh hang on. Not that Hokey Pokey! A true family business run by Helen & Tim, Hokey Pokey is an ice cream & lolly shop in beautiful Stirling. Our hot (or freezing cold) tip? Ask if they have the Dark Chocolate Stratciatella available….yum!

See more of their specialities on their Instagram page.

St Louis House Of Fine Ice Cream & Dessert

You’ll find St Louis cafes dotted all over Adelaide serving up delicious ice cream & great coffee, however this time we went along to their first gelato store, located on Jetty Road, Brighton.

You can have your cone filled with chocolate, even the cute mini cones! This store serves up more “adult” flavours such as pistachio & hazelnut, however the kids will still love them! They also have some delish vegan options in the sorbet.

Find out more on their website here. 

Adelaide Hills Icecream

Adelaide Hills Ice Cream is Adelaide’s coolest Ice Cream van. Share the ice cream van experience with your guests at your event. So much fun, everyone loves ice cream and create memories to last a lifetime.
Get in touch with them next time you need some delicious ice cream at your event or party – the van is super cute and the ice cream is AMAZING. Make sure you give the sherbet a try!

Enquire via Instagram DM. 

Acai Affair

Ok, technically not icecream, but frozen, creamy, delicious and far healthier! We are LOVING the brand newly opened Accai Affair, self serve acai bar on King William Road at Hyde Park. This is quality stuff – 100% frozen Acai, unlinke other belnds you might find. There is also Frozen yoghurt here in some really fun flavours, and the toppings and smoothies won’t disappoint with a HUGE self serve topping bar. You pay by the weight here for Acai bowls and frozen yoghurt and it can be a gult free treat that the kids (and adults) are absolutley going to love. Find them on Insta here: Acai Affair

Golden North

We can’t do an Adelaide Icecream feature without including Golden North can we? Proudly South Australian made and owned for over 95 years you’ll find their take home tubs, Swings and Giant Twins in IGA and Foodland across S.A and you’ll also see their range at Golden North Kiosks around the place. They also do some great dairy free flavours. 

Shibui Dessert Bar

Ok, so there is ice cream, then there is Shibui Ice Cream. It is honestly NEXT LEVEL! You’ll find them in Grote Street in the city, but you’ll also find them popping up at events all over Adelaide, so keep your eyes peeled. We’re talking ice cream with fairy floss, redskin flavour ice cream, ice cream with toasted marshmallows. It’s just SO GOOD & so insta-worthy! Definitely a super special treat that the kids (& big kids) will love! Check them out. 

Coffee Barn & Gelateria, Moonta

This is such a fun, quirky place & whenever we talk to people about their favourite ice cream places, this one in Moonta always pops up! Find out more on their Facebook page.

Yo-Chi Frozen Yogurt Glenelg, Norwood, City, Henley & Semaphore

If you have a tween or teen, you have 100% heard of this place right? Self-serve frozen yogurt made from fresh fruit & produce daily with an epic self serve toppings buffet. You pay by the weight, so don’t get too excited, but we LOVE this place just as much as the kids. Yo-Chi yogurt contains live & active cultures for optimum inner health and they have dairy/gluten-free and vegan options. The toppings? Well, you can choose to be as health concious as you like or not so much. This place is the bomb.

Barossa Beans & Cream

 Who said wine regions are boring for kids?! Barossa Beans and Cream, with their multi award winning artisan gelato and sorbet is located in the main street of Tanunda in the heart of the Barossa Valley.We LOVED the blueberry and were intrigued by the purple taro. Using the finest of local produce this place is Barossa owned and Barossa grown! You’ll also find all of your other regular favourite flavours plus more and you can expect the highest quality here. Pretty decent coffee too! For all their latest flavours & opening hours, head to their Instagram. 

Barossa Valley Chocolate Company

Barossa Valley Chocolate Company is awesome for so many delicious reasons….chocolate, wine, an onsite cafe & of course ICE CREAM! This place definitely needs to go on your itinerary for your next trip to the Barossa.  They have 22 gelato & sorbet flavours, all made in-house with local ingredients. Don’t leave without trying the Peach & Mango Sorbet!

For all the info & to make you drool, head to their website.

Ice Cream Playground – Largs Bay

OK, so you can’t buy Ice Cream here (well, Im sure you can near by) but how cool is this new Adelaide Ice Cream themed playground on the foreshore at Largs Bay? You really have to see it to believe it. If eating ice cream is not on your radar, how about playing on ice cream? It’s a ripper fully fenced playspace with something for all ages.

Check it out here.

Gelato Bello Glynde

Gelato the authentic Italian way since 1996. This place is the BOMB and you must try the lemon, because don’t all Gelato places live or die on their lemon gelato? Keep your eyes out on their IG page for their flavours of the month. Zabaglione over Christmas, Turkish Delight, Bounty…..yum! They have both indoor and outdoor seating and a killer dessert menu! We were stoked to see they still have banana as one of their gelato flavours – it’s rare to find these days!

Check them out on Facebook!

Willunga Gelato

Excuse the melty photo, our visit was on a hot day & our scoops were melting quicker than Olaf in the desert! However, we are BIG FANS of Willunga Gelato and they have just moved into their new location on Quinliven Road in the Aldinga Eco Village. It’s a great little setup complete with cubby & umbrellas. Their batches are limited but that means the quality is out of this world! They also use local, seasonal Fleurieu produce so they have delicious local flavours. (Made in Willunga, but located in Aldinga). Hint: Give the Salted Caramel flavour a go if it’s there on the day of your visit. YUM.

Check out their drool worthy Insta here. 

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