Family Friendly Ice-cream Parlours in Melbourne

Melbourne has a wonderful selection of ice cream parlours and gelaterias, ranging from traditional Italian gelato shops to colourful ice creameries with dozens of flavours, elaborate sundaes and unusual creations.

Whether you're looking for a refreshing treat after visiting a playground, enjoying a family outing at the beach or exploring Melbourne's shopping streets, there are plenty of delicious options.

Many shops offer dairy-free sorbets, vegan flavours or gluten-free options, although families with food allergies should check ingredients and handling procedures directly with the business.

The following family-friendly ice cream and gelato shops are arranged alphabetically by suburb.

Albert Park

Jock's Ice Cream & Sorbet

83 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park
A long-established Melbourne ice cream shop known for its handmade ice cream and sorbets. A lovely place to stop for a treat while exploring Albert Park Village or spending time near the beach.

Altona

Beach Bites Ice Cream

1 Bent Street, Altona
An ice cream shop close to Altona Beach, making it a convenient stop during a family visit to the foreshore. Enjoy an ice cream before or after a walk along the waterfront.

Brunswick East

Gelato Messina

136 Weston Street, Brunswick East
One of Australia's best-known gelato brands, offering an extensive selection of gelato and regularly changing specials. Children will enjoy choosing from the colourful display of flavours.

Carlton

Pidapipó Gelateria

299 Lygon Street, Carlton
A colourful Italian-style gelateria serving freshly made gelato in traditional flavours alongside creative combinations. The shop's distinctive presentation makes choosing an ice cream part of the fun.

A great stop during a family visit to Carlton and Lygon Street.

Beku Gelato

150 Lygon Street, Carlton
A gelateria specialising in flavours inspired by Asian ingredients and desserts. Families looking to try something different from the usual chocolate, vanilla and strawberry will find an interesting selection.

Collingwood

Piccolina Gelateria

296 Smith Street, Collingwood
An Italian-style gelateria producing traditional gelato and sorbet using quality ingredients. The changing range includes familiar favourites as well as more adventurous flavours.

Fairfield

Gelato Papa

72A Station Street, Fairfield
A family-run gelateria serving small-batch Italian gelato and sorbet. Particularly worth considering for families needing gluten-free options, as the business has established gluten-free handling procedures.

Fitzroy

Gelato Messina

237 Smith Street, Fitzroy
Famous for its extensive selection of gelato, rich dessert-inspired flavours and imaginative weekly specials. A popular destination for families exploring Fitzroy.

Pidapipó Laboratorio

429-431 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy
A distinctive gelato destination from Pidapipó, featuring its experimental approach to Italian gelato and desserts.

Footscray

Kariton Sorbetes

50 Leeds Street, Footscray
A Filipino-inspired ice cream shop offering imaginative flavours that make a visit an adventure for curious young tastebuds. Flavours have included purple yam, coconut and pandan, and unusual combinations inspired by Filipino desserts.

Vegan and dairy-free options may be available, depending on the current selection.

Glen Waverley

Kariton Sorbetes

265A Springvale Road, Glen Waverley
A suburban location of the popular Filipino-inspired ice creamery. Expect a colourful range of flavours, including tropical fruits and traditional Filipino dessert ingredients.

Hawthorn

Kōri Ice Cream

659 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
A Japanese-inspired ice cream shop creating carefully crafted flavours influenced by Asian desserts and ingredients. An excellent choice for families interested in trying something beyond conventional ice cream flavours.

Piccolina Gelateria

731 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn
Traditional Italian gelato with a selection of classic and seasonal flavours. The Glenferrie Road location is convenient for a sweet treat while shopping or exploring Hawthorn.

Malvern

Gelato Messina

225 Glenferrie Road, Malvern
An extensive range of gelato flavours, including classic combinations, dessert-inspired creations and changing specials.

Melbourne CBD

Kōri Ice Cream

392 Bourke Street, Melbourne
Japanese-inspired ice cream featuring unusual and carefully balanced flavours. An interesting stop during a family shopping trip in the city.

Pidapipó Gelateria

8 Degraves Street, Melbourne
Enjoy traditional Italian gelato in one of Melbourne's most famous laneways. The location is especially convenient for families arriving by train at Flinders Street Station.

Piccolina Gelateria - Degraves Street

32 Degraves Street, Melbourne
Traditional Italian gelato and sorbet in a busy Melbourne laneway, close to Flinders Street Station.

Piccolina Gelateria - Bourke Street

68 Bourke Street, Melbourne
A centrally located gelateria offering a tempting range of Italian gelato flavours. A convenient dessert stop during a family visit to the eastern end of the CBD.

Melton

Augustus Gelatery

327-329 High Street, Melton
A colourful gelateria offering a large selection of gelato and sorbets, including flavours that appeal to children.

Combine a visit with a play at nearby Melton Reserve Playground.

Point Cook

Sprinkles Ice Creamery & Lolly Shop

30 Tackle Drive, Point Cook
A particularly colourful destination for families, combining an ice creamery with a lolly shop.

With a huge range of ice cream flavours, milkshakes and sweet treats, there is plenty to tempt children and adults alike.

Preston

Gelato Papa

14A Gilbert Road, Preston
A family-run Italian gelateria making small batches of gelato and sorbet. Flavours range from familiar favourites to seasonal creations.

A useful option for families seeking gluten-free gelato.

St Kilda

Piccolina Gelateria

137C Acland Street, St Kilda
Italian gelato and sorbet in the heart of Acland Street, making it an easy addition to a family outing to St Kilda Beach, the foreshore or Luna Park.

Sunbury

Augustus Gelatery

96A O'Shanassy Street, Sunbury
A popular gelato shop with plenty of flavours for families to choose from, including traditional favourites and creative combinations.

Tarneit

Sprinkles Ice Creamery & Lolly Shop

170 Thames Boulevard, Tarneit
A bright and colourful neighbourhood ice creamery and lolly shop. Children can choose from an extensive range of ice cream flavours, with additional sweet treats available.

Williamstown

Will's Batch Ice Cream

225 Nelson Place, Williamstown
A family-friendly ice creamery with an extensive selection of handmade flavours, sorbets, sundaes, milkshakes and other frozen treats.

Its Nelson Place location makes it ideal for combining an ice cream with a walk along the waterfront.

Commonwealth Reserve, with its playground and views across the water, is nearby.

Windsor

Gelato Messina

171 Chapel Street, Windsor
A popular gelato destination offering an extensive selection of flavours and imaginative specials.

Pidapipó Gelateria

85 Chapel Street, Windsor
A colourful Italian gelateria where children can choose from traditional and creative gelato flavours.

Yarraville

Augustus Gelatery

175 Somerville Road, Yarraville
A gelateria with a wide selection of flavours, including chocolate, fruit, confectionery-inspired and seasonal varieties.

Gelato by D'Asporto

Shop 3, 11D Murray Street, Yarraville
An artisan gelateria producing Italian-style gelato, sorbets and frozen desserts, including handmade choc tops.

Gigi's Gelato

15 Anderson Street, Yarraville
An authentic Italian gelateria established by Luigi 'Gigi' Pozzoli and Sue Yong. The range includes traditional Italian favourites and seasonal flavours.

Its location in Yarraville Village makes it a convenient stop after a family meal or a visit to the local shops.

Gojé Frozen Yoghurt

38 Anderson Street, Yarraville
A plant-based frozen yoghurt specialist offering an alternative to traditional ice cream. Frozen yoghurt is made using plant-based ingredients, with a changing selection of flavours and toppings.

Tips for Visiting Ice Cream Parlours with Children

Look for shops offering smaller serves or children's portions
Check whether dairy-free, vegan or gluten-free flavours are available if required
Ask about allergens and cross-contact risks, especially where several flavours are served using shared equipment
Popular shops may have queues on warm afternoons, weekends and school holidays
Combine an ice cream stop with a nearby playground, park, beach or family walk
Check the business website for current opening hours before travelling