Our guide to ice cream and gelato spots across Newcastle and beyond
A post-dinner treat, a snack after a day at the beach, an after-school sugar hit for the kids, or maybe even a mid-morning splurge – there’s never a bad time for an ice-cream. Whether you’re into a good, old-fashioned double scoop of chocolate in a waffle cone or you enjoy experimenting with new flavours, try our guide to ice cream and gelato spots in Newcastle and surrounds.
Ballimore Farms Creamery
Centrally located on Darby Street, this family owned "farm to cone" creamery churns out some of the creamiest gelato in Newcastle. Choose from a great range of unique and classic flavours made on either jersey cow or goat milk. The creamery also showcases the farm's milk, yoghurt and other dairy delights.
Where: 159B Darby St, Cooks Hill, Newcastle
Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co.
Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co. in the heart of Newcastle’s CBD may be better known for its burgers, but its house-made, rich, creamy, frozen custard ice-cream is worthy of mention.
Where: 11 Perkins St, Newcastle
C9 Chocolate & Gelato
With stores in Hamilton and Green Hills, C9's dessert bar offers premium quality, house-made gelato, chocolate desserts, and an array of sweet treats.
Where: 48 Beaumont St, Hamilton | Shop 2046, Stockland Green Hills, Maitland
Cold Rock Ice Creamery
With stores across plenty of locations, Cold Rock is the perfect spot to try out some crazy combinations. Proudly 100% Australian-owned and made, the classic ice cream flavours change things up with your favourite mix-ins spanning from M&Ms, to sour lollies, to Nutella.
Where: Charlestown | Hamilton | Honeysuckle | Kotara | West Wallsend | Rutherford
Doughheads
That’s right, Newcastle’s go-to spot for doughnuts has dipped its toes in the world of gelato. Expect flavours like Minty Boi (mint-infused gelato, cookie crumble, and chocolate fudge sauce) and Coconut Lime Pie.
Where: 17/200 Union St, The Junction
East End Ice Creamery
Head into East End Ice Creamery to explore the massive range of unique flavours, including vegan and dairy-free options, next time you’re hungry post-dip at Newcastle Beach.
Where: 40 Zaara St, Newcastle
Emilio's Ristorante
Located in the former Hood Milk Bar, Emilio's at The Junction is all about Italian cuisine and hospitality. Enjoy hearty Italian classics like wood-fired pizza, pasta, and foccacia, and pop in to the front bar for gelato made fresh on-site. Take your pick from the typical kids' fave flavours, as well as some traditional Italian gelato flavours.
Where: 188 Union St, The Junction
Estabar
Estabar has, for as long as we can remember, supplied some of the best gelato in town, with a focus on locally-supplied ingredients and seasonal fruits. Made with Single Origin milk and cream by Little Big Dairy, expect creamy, delicious gelato, ideal for enjoying as you take in the views of Newcastle Beach.
Where: Cnr Ocean St & Shortland Esp, Newcastle
G&G Gelato
Tucked away at the east end of Hunter Street, G&G Gelato remains a crowd favourite that brings locals back time and time again. The ever-so-popular authentic Italian gelateria has operated for over 12 years, offering Italian lunch options in addition to sweet treats.
Where: 67 Hunter St, Newcastle
Greg & Audreys
Grey & Audreys is a 50s-style diner that sits opposite the foreshore at Toronto and serves homemade gelato-style ice cream. Offering up a big menu of sundaes, shakes, and floats, there's gluten-free cones available, plus vegan sorbets for plant-based eaters.
Where: 2/32 Victory Pde, Toronto
Hunter Belle Cheese Room
The Hunter Belle Cheese Room is the perfect stop for something to eat or to pick up some of the Hunter Belle Cheese range of goodies. Plus, the house made brownies and the gelato bar on site are always a nice bonus to reward the kids (and yourself) for being well behaved after a day of wine tasting. Find house made gelato and fudge at sister cafe Hunter Belle Cheese Cafe in Muswellbrook.
Where: 1616 Broke Rd, Pokolbin | 75 Aberdeen St, Muswellbrook
Hunter Valley Chocolate Company
Come for the chocolate, and stay for the handmade gelato. Next time you're in wine country, make sure you stop off at the super-sweet Hunter Valley Chocolate Company for a scoop of gelato (and a chocolate or two).
Where: 2320 Broke Rd, Pokolbin
The Lolly Bug
Located in Shoal Bay at the traffic lights opposite the beach, The Lolly Bug serves up a wide range of flavours as well plenty of other goodies like shakes, sweets, and fudge! Open seven days a week – ideal for when the ice cream cravings hit.
Where: 11/63 Shoal Bay Rd, Shoal Bay
Jim’s Dairy Delite Bar
Always a safe bet, this old-school dairy bar has been operating since 1957, and has recently been taken over by Tracy of East End Ice Creamery. Enjoy locally-made , including all of the classics, plus some East End ice Creamery Signature flavours along with a few seasonal surprises. It's also the place to go for a great milkshake!
Where: 79 Tudor St, Hamilton
Kiwi Waffle & Cones
This iconic ice cream joint has been keeping Warners Bay locals cool over the warmer months for years. Grab your ice cream cone and go for a stroll along the esplanade while you take in views of Lake Macquarie.
Where: 2/87 King St, Warners Bay
Lix Ice Cream Parlour
If you're in the quaint village of Morpeth, treat yourself to locally-made ice cream from the Real Ice Cream Company at Lix. Choose from 36 flavours including gluten free and dairy free options. Enjoy a scoop or two, or grab a take home pack to enjoy later.
Where: 141 Swan St, Morpeth
Lulus Gelato Company
You may have seen the iconic gelato van popping up at markets and events over the years. the 1973 VW Kombi van travels through Lake Macquarie serving up their delicious homemade gelato to the masses. Check out their socials to keep an eye on where to find them next! @lulusgelatocompany
Lynch's Hub
Head to this harbourside cafe on the foreshore for some refreshing handmade gelato and sorbet. With more than twenty flavours on offer, there's bound to be a flavour that hits the spot, especially when there's vegan and dairy free options available. Also, keep an eye out for Lynch's Pantry at Olive Tree Market, for some unique freeze-dried gelato and sorbet flavours.
Where: 292 Wharf Rd, Newcastle
Melt Gelato
Choose from a great selection of flavours including classics like rainbow and cookies and cream to innovative creations like Snickerone – a blend of Snickers and Toblerone. The flavours aren’t the only thing worth talking about, the menu also boasts a selection of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan gelato and sorbet options.
Where: 89 Regent St, New Lambton
Mixue Ice Cream & Tea
If you have a craving for ice cream while shopping at Westfield Kotara, head to the food court and treat yourself to the Ice Cream King Cone.
Where: Westfield Kotara, Northkott Dr, Kotara
Monella
Monella is the place to be if you’re keen to try something new. Monella's flavours range from classics like raspberry sorbet and dulce de leche to inventive takes like Vovo (featuring all those beloved Iced Vovo flavours) and Queen B (milk chocolate gelato, honeycomb ganache, milk chocolate chunks, and honeycomb chunks).
Where: 150 Darby St, Cooks Hill
Nero’s Gelato
If you’re craving a creamy gelato or ice-cold sorbet after a day in the sun, Nero’s Gelato is the place to be. Located right in the heart of Nelson Bay on Magnus Street and with all gelato made on-site, you’re guaranteed a mouth-watering treat.
Where: 93 Magnus St, Nelson Bay
Northern Star Cafe
This authentic Italian cafe makes their gelato from scratch with the finest ingredients, with fresh new flavours whipped up every week.
Where: 106 Beaumont St, Hamilton
Popolo Gelateria
With a large range of flavours available, the gelato at Popolo is sure to catch your eye with vibrant colours and a vast array of flavours, with vegan options and gluten-free cones. Made from scratch each day, Popolo offers the usual suspects, like lemon and chocolate, as well as more unconventional options like earl grey tea!
Where: 172 King St, Newcastle
Qirkz in the Hunter
Whilst it may be a little outside of Newcastle, if you're headed up to the Hunter Valley we'd recommend dropping in on this gem of a venue. Qirkz in the Hunter has 16 delicious gelato favours, including many GF options, as well as several vegan options.
Where: 141 Cessnock Rd, Abermain
Ribs and Pizza
Using only the freshest of ingredients, Ribs and Pizza in Adamstown are known best for serving up some of the best pizza and ribs in town, and now they have a new addition to the family. Coming to you all way from Tasmania, the award-winning Van Diemens Land Creamery icecream and gelato is now available in scoops.
Where; 548 Glebe Rd, Adamstown
Royal Copenhagen Ice Cream
Rich, creamy European ice cream right on the Esplanade. Freshly made on premises, the ice cream bar boasts plenty of goodies to choose from. Delicious ice cream, waffles, milkshakes, dippin dots, and coffee!
Where: unit 2/478 The Esplanade, Warners Bay
Spoooon Frozen Bar
More of a frozen yoghurt person? You're in luck, Spoooon frozen bar is right in the hustle and bustle of Darby St for those after dinner dessert cravings. Mix and match from plenty of frozen yoghurt flavours, then get creative at the toppings bar.
Where: 108 Darby St, Cooks Hill
Sunnyboy Kiosk
The always-popular Sunnyboy Kiosk might be your go-to spot for your morning coffee before your beach walk, but did you know they do gelato too? Grab one to cool off after a hot day at the beach.
Where: 15 Ocean St, Merewether
Tea Gardens Ice Cream Shack
It’s called the Ice Cream Shack so of course, it’s packed with the goods! Choose from 45 tempting flavours of ice cream, gelato, and sorbets at this fun retro spot.
Where: 2/79 Marine Dr, Tea Gardens
The Marina Ice Creamery
The Marina Ice Creamery has been continually serving the people of Nelson Bay and its many visitors for over 27 years. Sourcing only the best ingredients, you can expect the finest quality ice cream, gelato and sorbet.
Where: 9/6 Teramby Rd, Nelson Bay
YoChi
While technically frozen yogurt, we couldn't not include this iconic spot that has people lining up across the country. Mix and match from plenty of frozen yogurt flavours, then get creative at the toppings bar where you can choose anything from fruit and chocolate, to biscuits and Nutella.
Where: Charlestown Square, 1036 South Piazza, Charlestown
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