Top Gelato & Ice Cream in Newcastle

When the sun is shining and temperatures rise, nothing beats a cone or cup of delicious ice cream in Newcastle. And equally, on a moody winter's day there's always something soul satisfying about an ice cold snack while you're all rugged up and warm.

Basically, ice cream is a year-round favourite here in Newcastle. From classic creamy scoops to innovative flavour combinations that showcase local ingredients, Newcastle's ice cream scene delivers delightful experiences for everyone – in summer, spring, autumn and winter!

Whether you're strolling along the foreshore on a summer afternoon, exploring the vibrant streets of the city centre, or winding down after a day at the beach, the best ice cream in Newcastle is never far away.

In this insider's guide, we'll take you on a mouthwatering journey through Newcastle's most exceptional ice cream destinations. We've scoured the city to find places where both texture and flavour are perfected, where quality ingredients shine, and where you can eat your way through delicious scoop after scoop.

When long-term tenant Kiwi Waffle 'n' Cones departed this Zaara Street space, the children (and adults) of Newcastle’s East End wept and had to make do with regular old Icy Poles (true story). Fast forward to today, and the rejoicing is passionate and exuberant once again, with East End Ice Creamery bringing the sweet times back to this popular post-beach iconic spot.

Specialising in making real ice cream right here in Newcastle, this bold and fun ice cream parlour has perennial favourites such as super fudge brownie, classic hokey pokey, or if you’re feeling adventurous and don't mind a bit of colour, order the licorice ice cream. YOLO! Limited and one-time flavours keep the menu fresh and exciting, like the recently released Carrot Cake. Cream cheese ice cream with scattered pieces of carrot cake and walnuts. Take-home ice cream tubs are also available.

Art lover? You can check out an epic mural by @inkhunterartist on the outer (beach side) wall of East End Ice Creamery while enjoying your ice cream. The artwork's colourful wave is a tribute to the power, beauty and importance of our oceans and coastline.

Top tip: Take a walk up to the historic Fort Scratchley on Flagstaff Hill for expansive vistas over Nobbys Beach, Newcastle Harbour and the city. Or wander towards Newcastle Beach to enjoy the salty breezes and golden sands.

Nothing says Newcastle more than an ice cold scoop after a day soaking up the sun or walking along the sand at Newcastle beach. And Estabar’s gelato always hits the spot. Located opposite Newcastle Beach (on your left as you emerge from the pedestrian underpass), you can grab a takeaway gelato with your hair still wet and sand between your toes or nab an alfresco table.

Estabar’s gelato range is seasonal and features some truly knockout flavours. Think chocolate beetroot sorbet or apple crumble gelato made with Granny Smith apples and a buckwheat, oat and rapadura crumb.⁠ OMG. When the weather is cooler, look out for lemon, fig and stone fruit flavours and crowd pleasers like Oreo and salted caramel.

This neon haven of yumminess has garnered a cult following since opening on the buzzing Darby Street strip. Everything that goes into Monella’s gelato is made onsite, short of milking the pasture-raised cows and harvesting their cacao beans. The rotational menu features over 50 flavours, where lucky sweet-tooths can choose from a selection of 12 flavours in store.

Try the ‘Cherry Bomb’ with dark chocolate fondant gelato, cherry coulis, coconut white chocolate fudge, and dark chocolate chunks or the wickedly good ‘Dulche De Leche’, with caramel gelato, and dulce de leche caramel jam. Celebrating while in the city? Ice Cream cakes are also available at Monella's. And because their mantra is 'fresh is best' you know the seasonal flavours are going to mean wildly tasty treats, whether in a cake or cone.

Top Tip: Afterwards, take a stroll, gelato in hand, and window shop along Darby Street or take the kids to nearby Centennial Park and let them burn off all that sugary energy at the playground.

Anyone who’s been to Italy knows the unbeatable joy of fresh gelato on almost every street corner, but when the Italians come to Newcastle, what a lucky city we are! Owned by Italians and made fresh daily, Popolo Artisan Gelaterio brings authentic handmade gelato to Newcastle's city centre. And the queues don’t lie. Popolo’s fans line up for classic flavours like pistachio, lemon, pink grapefruit, or chocolate, as well as contemporary flavours using seasonal produce like blackberry or sour cherry.

And when Newcastle's streets are a little bit cooler, sweet treats like gelato and Nutella-draped crepes pop up on the fresh and seasonal menu, bellissimo! From Popolo's with your gelato in hand, take a stroll down to Newcastle Harbour and walk along the Foreshore, which is particularly magical at sunset.

A long-time favourite of Novocastrians, Jim's Dairy Delites in Hamilton is a must-visit icon. This corner shop on busy Tudor Street evokes all the old-school charm of a classic milkshake spot, with lolly jars, fresh and flavoursome ice cream flavours made by the locally owned Real Ice Cream crew, plus the creamiest of creamy classic shakes, thick shakes, and surf shakes. Oh, and did we mention the arcade games to play while your order is being made!?

In addition to decadent treats, like freshly made Belgian waffles, Jim's Dairy also has a range of merch available, making it a perfect spot to grab a sweet treat and souvenir on the go.

Travelling with kids and need somewhere to burn off energy? After stocking up at Jim's, there is an excellent park only a few blocks away, Gregson Park in Hamilton. Originally designed in 1884 and recently upgraded to include new inclusive features, this park has plenty to keep the wee ones occupied and smiling! Scooter paths, swings, curated gardens, climbing equipment, and slides.

Premium house-made gelato is just one reason to head to Hamilton's C9 Chocolate & Gelato with chocolates, desserts, cakes, and ice creams also available. This ever-expanding national chain of sweetness promises market-fresh flavours, and they certainly deliver. Stop by to enjoy the likes of brownies crowned with choc mint ice cream, sugar free gelatos made with stevia, and crepe burritos, alongside all your classic cone and scoop combos.

Travelling with dogs? Their Pup Pops are next level fun and refreshment for travel weary pups.

Melting the hearts of visitors to New Lambton since its inception in 2024, the gelatos available in this shop are sourced from an Italian family in South Australia, and they're all made from the best available Australian ingredients. All the classic flavours are represented, with a healthy dose of interesting and quirky combos making up the 30 flavours on rotation - 18 flavours are always available in store.

Waffles, brownies, decadent toppings, takeaway tubs, loaded sundaes, and more. Plus, the team also cater special events and offer the cutest of assorted flavour boxes, so if you're visiting Newcastle with a crew and want to treat the lot, look no further.

One for the kids (or young at heart) who love to play with their food, Cold Rock Ice Creamery is known Australia-wide for their creative combos and sugary celebrations. If you're taking a walk along the Honeysuckle Promenade or exploring Hamilton's Beaumont Street, then a stop at Cold Rock will certainly give you a sugary pick-me-up to keep you walking around the city for longer.

And while their ice cream is premium perfection with all the classic flavours represented, it's all about the mix-ins, right?! Nerds, mini marshmallows, gummy bears, M&Ms, through to chocolate chunks and classic sprinkles; it's a heady mix of childhood nostalgia ready to sweeten any holiday stroll.

From traditional family-owned parlours serving nostalgic favourites to innovative artisans crafting bold new flavour combinations, ice cream in Newcastle has evolved into a culinary highlight worth celebrating.

As Newcastle continues to develop as a food destination, our ice cream offerings have kept pace, with new and exciting options emerging alongside beloved establishments. So, next time the temperature rises or you're simply craving something sweet to eat, why not sample a scoop from one of these ice cream shops?

Have we missed your favourite ice cream shop in Newcastle? Be sure to let us know.