I once went camping with a young family who made a stop for ice-cream every day before setting out on a hike. We would bustle into a little store and buy an array of brightly coloured flavours. Sitting outside in the early morning summer heat, little hands were quickly dripping with the sweet treat. This ritual was called “stretchy pants time”.
Gelato and ice-cream are a true summer joy and indulgence for both young and old. As these balmy Sydney heatwaves keep rolling in, here you will find some local tips on a few of the best places to enjoy a scoop or two in the Sutherland Shire.
Top Image: Frangipani Gelato Bar
Frangipani – 117 Cronulla St, Cronulla
Located in Cronulla Plaza, Frangipani is a bright and cheerful local gelato shop. While seemingly humble, this little shop has left its mark globally as a finalist in the Gelato World Tour in 2014 for their highly esteemed Pavlova flavour. The Boysenberry and Rocky Road flavours have also received acclaim as gold medal winners at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. All of Frangipani’s gelato and sorbet are handmade using traditional Italian artisan methods on the premises using real and quality ingredients. So whichever flavour you try – be it salty caramel, mars or cinnamon and fig– it is sure to be a winner!
Ice Creamery and Espresso Bar – 11/20 Gerrale St, Cronulla
What is more perfect than ice-cream overlooking the ocean on a hot summer’s day? The Ice Creamery and Espresso Bar is conveniently located on the edge of Cronulla Park which has a playground for the kids and easy access to Cronulla Beach and Esplanade. There are 50 flavours of ice cream on offer including many childhood favourites like rainbow and bubblegum. They also serve up great coffee and cakes. This is another local gem, with many customers coming in daily for their coffee or ice cream fix!
Messina Westfield Miranda – 600 Kingsway, Miranda
What gelato list would be complete without a mention of Messina? Located at the front of Miranda Westfield near the cool, leafy fig tree is Messina Miranda which serves up the amazing gelato, sorbet and cakes all of Sydney has come to love. Gelato is made on the premises using fresh and real ingredients to create flavour masterpieces such as Salted Caramel and White Chocolate, Pannacotta with Fig Jam and Amaretti Biscuit and Salted Coconut and Mango Salsa sorbet. Messina offers 35 permanent flavours along with 5 new specials each week so you will be sure to find something to excite your tastebuds.
Banno’s Gelato and Brownies – Level 1 Westfield Miranda, 600 Kingsway, Miranda
Hidden away in the food hall outside Woolworths at Miranda Westfield, you will find the perfect pairing of brownies and gelato at Banno’s. They make 26 different flavours of gelato from scratch using their original recipe and natural ingredients with 16 flavours available at their Miranda store on any day. Try the salted caramel, Nutella or vanilla bean. For something a little more exciting, order the gelato shake which even includes the cone! Another decadent treat is the brownies and gelato in a jar – the possible combinations are endless. You will definitely be back for more!
Captain Chocolate – 76 Railway Cres, Jannali NSW 2226
In the village suburb of Jannali you will find Captain Chocolate, a small boutique chocolate factory where you can enjoy an ice cream while watching the chocolate being made through the large glass windows. This will be a true delight for your kids. The staff are very friendly and happy to answer all of your questions. There are 7 ice cream flavours on offer (with chocolate unsurprisingly being the most popular!) as well as milkshakes, real hot chocolates and free samples of the award winning chocolates also available for purchase.
The Scoop – Menai Marketplace 152-194 Allison Cres, Menai
A newcomer to the Shire, The Scoop opened at Menai Marketplace at the end of 2017. Offering up a rotating selection of 28 flavours which are all handmade from scratch, there will be something to excite the whole family. Indulge in the Ferrero, Golden Gaytime or Watermelon Sorbet. The gelato cakes displayed in the glass case are creations that are to be marvelled at, drooled over and certainly devoured at the next family function!
I & Cream – Shop 3, 1343 Princes Highway, Heathcote
Opening back in May 2017, I & Cream is another new addition to the Shire. Located close to Heathcote station it is the perfect place to stop (or start) a hike into the Royal National Park. I & Cream is a clean and cosy cafe offering up old favourites such as Rum and Raisin and Rainbow Bubble Gum as well as interesting sorbet flavours such as Honeydew Melon and Peach. The waffles are worth a try for something a little more. And don’t leave without trying their award winning coffee blend.
Through the long hot days of summer, make sure you head to the Sutherland Shire and treat your tastebuds to some of the best gelato and ice cream around. It must be stretchy pants time!
