The service at the chapel street & fitzroy shop is always top notch. They are often getting absolutely slammed and have to deal with rude customers who want to taste test the entire gelato selection despite there being a menu � but im always greeted with a smile and quality service no matter how long the line is. This gelato is also the best i've ever had, even better than in Italy!
When faced with mountains of delectable looking ice cream, one often stumbles with appropriate choices. The very helpful attendant offered me 'tastings' so that my double scooped marriage would be compatible, decadent and worth the drive from Portsea to Smith Street. Like two children from the late 1950s we sat in the spacious seating and watched with interest as the shop filled. Tourists taking 'selfies' with carefree abandon, couples, babies, oldies alike - a small multicultural world permeated Messina - all to enjoy their secret and highly tuned appetite for the best icecream in Melbourne!
Always the best. Love this place. It shows how good it is when you get a line out the door and you still manage to find the best tasting gelato and your favourite is always there.
Great place. Lovely staff and the gelato is amazing. A must go to place.
I'm a personal trainer and I don't care that I'm putting my career on the line with this review - best ice cream ever hands down.
Keep up the good work guys!
Very nice place and gelato selections but my favourite Salted Caramel is becoming icy not as full as cream as before..other then that it's still an awesome place for a desert
excellent flavours, great variety and wonderful service. My brother and I go every week, we love it so much we've accumulated enough points for the 1.5L tub. #worthit
The ice-cream is amazing and the staff are lovely - the only complaint is the lack of any sort of orderly queue.
OMGelato!! So many flavors, so little time!! The flavors range from the original to the zany and each flavor is delicious! So good. Can't wait to go back. Buonissimo! Grazie.
The only thing wrong is that are not open 24 hours a day. :) Coming down all the time from Bendigo is a bit of a hassle but what's 3 hours of driving when the result is Icecream and Gelato this good.
The Best Ice cream parlour in Melbourne. We tried 4 flavours all were extremely tasty couldn't have asked for any better desert. pls get the Eftpos machine and make the complete experience a deligh
Best ice cream ever, lots of flavours to choose from, people who serve you are friendly. Will definitely come back.
So many flavours, so much to pick from. I’ll never get sick of Messina’s ice cream.
Absolutely can’t go wrong.
Food: Best gelato experience! Always need to go past each time we visit the local area.
Ambience: Packed and gotta wait in line. But what do you expect?
Service: Friendly and patient staff, considering 100 people ordering at once.
Value: Bit pricey, not feasible for big families when you're paying like $10 for an ice cream, but definitely paying for quality.
Trying the new Earl Grey with Digestive Biscuits flavour. Great texture as always but I expect a stronger tea flavour. The digestive biscuits are not my kinda of thing as they got soggy and cakey after mixing with the melted gelato. Overall Messina is still my fav Gelato shop but I will stick with my fav pistachio flavour next time 😂😂
You can easily walk in and pick any flavours. They will never let you down no matter what you choose. I’m soooo in love with Messina. On top of that, regardless the long queue, the service is always on point, staffs are lovely to provide exceptional service
There’s no other better flavour combination than this ... Tiramisu, Coffee and Chocolate Fondant.
Moist sponge biscuit pieces in the tiramisu, strong coffee flavour that packs a punch, and a rich, decadent chocolate fondant.
The gelato here is made with love, you can taste it. The greatest gelateria in Australia and one that would rival even the best Italy has to offer!
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Can never go wrong with Messina! I love visiting the Fitzroy shop as its welcoming and spacious. It's the long weekend and its also great weather for ice cream!
🔆LOCATION🔆
Messina is situated on the busy Smith Street near the corner of Hodgson Street where Woolies supermarket is.
There's limited outdoor seating, however the front entry is spacious and very welcoming. The counter with all the gelato is on the left and to the right are open space seating area for customers.
🔆SERVICE🔆
The staff were friendly and offered for us to try the weekly special's.
🔆MENU/PRICE🔆
Scoop costs as follows:
Tiny Scoop, $4.50
1 scoop (one flavour), $5.30
2 scoop (two flavours), $6.80
3 scoop (three flavours, $8.80
🔆VERDICT🔆
I decided to get 2 scoops in a cup. I normally get a cone but as today was quite warm, I knew it would melt fast, so better to be safe haha!
I picked one of the weekly specials - the Danny Two Times which has Yoghurt, Orange & Poppy Seeds with Orange Cake peices. OH MY GOSH - delish! The orange flavour light so it wasnt overpowering but what was great is that there wre orange cake bits mixed with the poppy seed. My second scoop was the Coconut Lychee - one of my all time favourites!
Lots of great flavours, staff are pretty attentive, they accept Liven pay. Messina is popular for a reason and this location is one of the most bustling. Try the dulce de leche range they currently have on offer - it’s perfection.
The problem with falling in love with a Gelato Messina weekly special is that it disappears after just a week. Sure it may come back at some vague time in the future, but is this a solid basis for an ongoing romance?
Foxy Cleopatra. No, not Austin Powers' glamorous sidekick, but a yoghurt coconut gelato swirled through with mango salsa. Awesomely good.
With 35 classic flavours on Gelato Messina's menu, plus 5 weekly specials, there is something for almost everyone - including vegan, egg-free, nut-free, gluten-free - and the friendly servers are happy to provide advice (and samples).
Honestly, everyone must know by now that Gelato Messina is one of the best gelato places in Melbourne! I don’t think I need to elaborate why, but I will anyway so here are the reasons:
1. The staffs were so friendly, they’re so patient and willing to assist you while trying any flavors you want
2. Endless variety of gelato flavors! The options were displayed from the front of the store to the back
3. Good price & portion ratio, I was left very satisfied after finishing my gelato
Overall, i’ll definitely will be back for more and i will bring many people with me 😋
There are so many flavours to choose from. If you can’t decide, I highly recommend their Pandan & Coconut gelato! Rich but refreshing Pandan flavour that you can’t compare with other stores. My second favourite would be their macadamia crunch which is sweeter and filled with the fragrance of macadamia. Friendly and quick service as well.
Its worth the hype!! Def the best gelato in melbourne. The gelato,
music, service, and the overall vibes is a winner!
For a late night treat went to Gelato Messina how can you even go wrong with this amazing icecream. Took some friends for the first time and they loved it 🍦
When I'm driving nearby, I will make slight detours just to pick up gelato from Messina.
I love the different flavours they come up with on the board periodically.
You can't go wrong with any flavour, but I'm a big fan of the pear & rhubarb - slightly fruity from the bits of pear and acidity from the rhubarb balances the gelato out beautifully.
Poached figs in marsala is also really good, as it adds the bit of soft fruitiness.
Best gelato in Melbourne, seriously.
Always spoilt for choice here, amazing flavours that would cater to just about any taste. The favourite has got to be the chocolate flavour. Love how it it rich and decadent
I'll always hold a candle to Messina. Any criticism of this place is pure tall poppy syndrome. They have all the flavours you could ever need, and the quality is top notch. Is there better? Perhaps - but Messina were the game changers and now game stayers.
Absolutely love their Ice cream flavours along with the vibes this place offers. My favourite is chocolate fondant rich dark and creamy ♥️ All Ice cream lovers should definitely visit this one.
So many flavours to choose from, the girl serving was really helpful giving me recommendations and several tastings. Good to be able to see the gelato on display as well. Large space and indoor seating. Bins separating the cups and spoons for recycling gives a big thumbs up from me.
Fav gelato shop.
The gelatos here are just really yummy cus you can really taste the ingredients and they don't taste artificial. My fav is def the choc mint, so raw in flavour and that choc chunks!
There were usually lines after meal times so it gets crowded but staffs were always nice and attentive and I always sampled lots before deciding (me being indecisive lol) and they're always so nice about it.
A must visit for gelato!
( follow for more!✨)
ｘｘ，ｊｏｅｌｌｅ.
popped into Messina for dessert after lunch recently, and our gelati was magnificent! as a group we ordered a range of flavours, including cassata and cookies & cream for myself. best gelato i have EVER had! so creamy and authentic, feels like you’re in ice cream heaven!
I love how I was able to capture the ice cream but not mine alone...I just wanted to eat it and enjoy it! As ice cream melts fast!
There’s no beating around the bush that this place is a absolute winner and go to in my eyes!
Literally you need to ask yourself what are you doing with your life if you’ve come this far and not tried the super dulce de leche gelato at Messina..like why do they even have just dulce de leche when you can have Super Dulce De Leche.
Life changing spiritual experience..Jesus came back just for this
Can’t go to Fitzroy and not have Messina! I love my usual super dulche flavour here and really that’s all i go for! The best dulche ever! Kids are more experimental than me..they had the apple pie and coconut/lychee flavour..both were delicious. Until next time here!
Oh Messina, once again you've done it again. Ok, so I did rip that off the McCain commercials but I feel that it is warranted here lol
I have been here many moons ago, I usually visit the Chapel St store but today I was walking past and thought even though it is cold and miserable why not beat those winter blues with a delicious gelati.
As usual, I was not disappointed and my chocolate with peanuts and choc chip flavour was 10/10. The chocolate was rich but still sweet and the choc chips were actually choc chunks! Just so beautiful to eat and I can't wait to have it again.
Why didn’t I find out this place earlier?!?
One of the best ice cream store in Melbourne. There are a range of ice cream to choose from, even vegan options. They have special ice cream flavours every now and then.
Majority of the ice cream I tasted was sooo good. I couldn’t decide a flavour. The staff was nice enough to let me try more of the flavours. It was packed with a lot of people when I got there.
Even though the ice cream was very sweet, it was really good. My favourites so far is the white chocolate and caramel, and the dulce de leche.
I would highly recommend this place if you love ice cream.
Gelato Messina is aboulute perfection!
Let me tell you a few reasons why...
1. Everytime you visit the staff are friendly and greet you with a smile
2. They always come up with new and exciting flavours so you can shake it up
3. Whatever flavour you decide on is spectacular
Absolutely love it at Messina as you can tell by the following photos of me devouring the special last week which was Red Velvet 😍😍
Rating: 5/5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Gelato Messina has a serious gelato game. I tried the tiramisu and the dulce da vida and i just loved it. My favourite out if the two was definitely the tiramisu...as i could feel the texture of tiramisu in it.
There is seating both inside n outside which us excellent. Would definitely ho back.
You have to be a real sweet tooth to love this place. I mean it's nice and they have crazy flavors and they're really inventive, but it's a special treat for me.
The best gelato you will ever try - seriously. I remember going to Messina almost 10 years ago in Sydney as a young teen, just to try their famous ice-cream burger. As I was sitting there, watching as they made a new batch of their ice cream, one of the staff gave me a small cup of their pandan and coconut for free, and I've been in love ever since.
They have so many flavours to suit everyone - your standard (but elevated above the rest) chocolate and strawberry, flavours that taste exactly like your favourite desserts (apple pie!!), and unique flavours like yuzu, coconut and lychee, and pandan and coconut. I haven't had a flavour here that I haven't liked, and the only issue I have with them is that there's so many flavours to try...but the ones you've tried before are too good to stray from. I've taken so many friends here and they've all loved it!! Try it once, and you won't want to go anywhere else.
The Wandering Reviewer
+5
This is the gelato shop to end all gelato shops. Located on the ever popular Smith Street, it does a great weekend trade. Came here with some kids whose little eyes almost popped out of their head with all the choices on offer. The staff were so patient with them as they wanted to test a few of the flavours before making their big decision. Of course, it pretty much was the traditional choices in the end but they were all so happy and snapping pictures of each other in approval.
I'm told this place gets busy late at night and imagine people coming from restaurants and having their 'dessert' here. You can also order a fine hot chocolate, latte, milkshakes or other drinks here. There are stunning cakes that available or can be ordered. You can even watch them being made.
Plenty of seating inside but also you can dine out on the street, especially if you have your furry friend with you. Wheelchair friendly. Pram and stroller accessible. Reasonable parking along Smith Street.
This place is a must try and with three locations across Melbourne, give it a go. You won't be disappointed
We got to learn a bit about Gelato Messina and how to make gelato, eat a three course gelato degustation menu, scoop some ice cream, decorate and eat an ice cream cake, and taste as many of the gelatos as we wanted. It’s expensive, as everything from them is, but it was a pretty cool treat activity. Plus we got two cookbooks, cooler bags, and a tub of ice cream each to take home.
Fun to visit with friends
Lots to choose from
Usually busy late at night
Reasonably priced
Defs worth getting 2 flavors
Love the specials board with quirky new flavors regularly
One of my favourite ice cream place in Melbourne. If you are visiting from overseas, this place it’s a must to go :) I’ve been taking my friends from Jakarta to come over here. My favourite ones : pistachio and cookies and cream
Messina has wide variety of flavours. We visited Messina during our holiday on early May and that was our first time in Messina. Their gelatos was delicious. We ordered chocolato and vanilla flavours. The location itself is on Fitzroy which is only about ten to fifteen minutes from Bourke St at CBD. Definetelly will visit them again
Gelato messina is an all time favourite of mine. You can’t go wrong with flavours like, pandan, coconut and lychee, two strokes (my favourites). Personally, you’ll find something that fits for you because they serve equally great gelatos too.
Perfect for that post-dinner dessert run.
Visit here every time we are in Fitzroy. Was so pleased to see they had a special Anzac cookie flavour on Anzac Day!!! And it was too delicious. Overall always a good experience and well worth a visit with friends or tourists too.
yummy!! absolutely delicious. flavours are good and it is a good late night snack. the wait is quite long, due to popularity however would defs go again
Wide variety of flavours on offer and so many to choose from that one is bound to return to sample the hard to shortlist only a few flavours. Very popular place but service is prompt and efficient and the lines move quickly.
A highly popular Gelato joint. Visited a couple of times in their Sydney branches. Had the blood orange which had an adequate amount of sourness and sweetness. The chocolate fondant had a bitter aftertaste to it.
We visited Messina last night our summer stomping ground which despite being an Autumn night was just as busy as ever. I stuck with my regular, salted coconut and mango and my recent favourite the hazelnut. The servings here are quite generous and I really couldn’t finish it which worked out well as my husband decided to drop his macadamia cone and ended up digging into mine
Messina is one of my favourite gelato joints in Melbourne. I love their unique and out-of-the-box flavours, and I’m always excited to see what new flavours they have in-store. The Pistachio Praline is my favourite flavour! I also enjoyed the 1985 (coconut and cherry) on special. I like how the gelato here always has different textures and elements to it.
3 scoops ($8.80)
🍴Back for more at one of my favourite #icecream places in Australia. It’s always so tough choosing among their huge array of flavours so we ended up getting many scoops 😅. Got the refreshing and unique pandan one again which is among my top choices. Also really enjoyed #pistachiopraline that was nutty goodness with its mix of pistachio and many other nuts, and #strawberrysorbet which is really packed with fresh strawberry. The #saltedcaramelcoffee flavour was highly interesting as it was salty, sweet and bitter all at once. The coffee bitterness did overpower the salted caramel a bit and it left us a bit confused as to whether we liked or didn’t like it. The #tiramisuicecream had all the classic flavours with a good balance of alcohol.
📍@gelatomessina, 237 Smith Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne, Australia
#cafehoppingkidsmelbourne #cafehoppingfitzroy
Melbourne Food Spotter
+5
Really really good gelato! Staff is extremely friendly. The vibe in here is awesome. There is a wide variety of flavours to choose from and the price is quite reasonable as well.
So many different flavour options which means you have to visit this place more than once! It can get busy regardless of time of the day or year!
Lovely collection. They have some really experimental flavours on top of the regular ones. I cant even remember the name of the one I had but it was beautiful. I highly recommend this place if you are in the area.
We popped into Fitzroy a little earlier than our due time at a family dinner event to soak up the “Indian” summer we experienced this weekend. I’m a fan of Messina and their creative flavours and today I stuck to two of my favourite classics ordering the bounty and the macadamia crunch. If you want gelato in Fitzroy this is the place.
Deserves a solid 5/5
- Cookies & cream: the cookies in here is to die for, the dough is firm and not the ordinary Oreo-like texture. I'm a big fan of cookies and cream and this has been the best one by far
- Pistachio praline: rich and creamy pistachio flavour but not too sweet
- Mango sorbet: I hesitate a little at first because many fruit-flavoured ice cream taste too artificial for me but this mango sorbet is lovely
Price: I got these in a little box for takeaway (the smallest size I think) and the price is very reasonable, roughly $15
Always come after eating at old kingdom a few shops down. best way to wash Peking duck down with Messina gelato. Apple pie and tiramisu are my favourites. Just had the Messina’s Momofuku which I loved as well.
As much as I love Carlton's iconic Pidapipo more, mostly as a personal preference, I can't help but concede that Messina Fitzroy is fantastic.
Messina's style hasn't spawned stores all over Australia by accident. The range of flavours is always fantastic, and the nuance of the flavours themselves is equally fantastic.
On top of that, Messina love to tinker. Their (often themed) weekly specials always give you something interesting to try, and sometimes they really push the envelope (in a good way!)
We decided to revisit our old haunt, ice cream mecca Gelato Messina. After all these years I'm still finding it difficult to see what flavours are on display with a crowd pressed up against the windows.
I choose dulce de leche which was rich, creamy, caramelly and very sweet. I was also on the hunt for pistachio but they had a pistachio praline. I couldn't catch what one of the ladies was saying while she was explaining what went into it, just that it had some lovely crunchy pistachios running through it as well as white chocolate (again very sweet). Ice cream was melting faster than usual, may have been the muggy day (we sat inside however). A single scoop was probably enough as I found my sugar levels start to peak and I found it less enjoyable.
My tip is to keep the flavours simple. I sometimes find that picking one of their specials there's way too much going on to appreciate the ingredients that went into it. Sometimes less is more, ingredients and volume-wise.
😱Lizzie’s first impression: one of my all time favourite ice cream stores in Melbourne.
🍩Lizzie enjoyed: time and time again I would travel out all the way to Smith st just for gelato Messina. What I do like is that it has a sitting area for you and your friends and family to hang out. It’s a great place for hanging out. They have so many flavours to choose from - I love all the nut based ones and my favourite is the mango and coconut ice cream.
🍅Lizzie did not enjoy: the portions are tiny so I would recommend getting more than one scoop.
🥇Lizzie rates overall: a great place for ice cream especially in the heat!
Great ice-cream!
Messina always has a great selection of icecream with 5 specials on rotation each week as well as staple selection of what must be 30+ options.
We come here often and will get takeaway tubs for at home. Comparatively prices to Ben & Jerry's but much better quality icecream.
Was expecting miracles in my mouth due to the hype. They are definitely worth a try if you are in the area but don't think I would drive 30+ mins to go there when there are similar gelato places around town. A good range of flavours and will be back.
4.5 star ⭐️ I love Gelato Messina! I love their Dr Evil mushroom cake, and I also love their normal ice cream. I esp love their ice cream on the specials board. I got their brownie in milk chocolate ice cream, their Sicilian orange trifle which was amazing, the dulce de Leche and their cheesecake ice cream with cheesecake bits inside it. Yum yum! The service is quite good as well and you can taste test everything.
OMG their gelato is delish! One of my favourites is the apple pie flavour, it really does have pieces of apple pie in it! However, there's not a flavour that I don't like, they are all really good! I especially like those special ones and they change it all the time.
Their cakes are really nice too, I have tried the tiramisu cake for my birthday, and it was interesting. You have to smash it and mix it all in!
I got the Evil mushroom cake for my grandma's birthday - there were so many elements in the cake. The top part is chocolate gelato and the 'grass' area is my favourite, crunchy and filled with chocolate/popping candy i think. It's a bit hard to cut and share though.
This Gelateria, after sunset, resembles a chic and happening club with the kind of music they play and the lights that are lit. Rocking!!
We have always liked their Gelato, and this parlor is no different.
Hands down the best ice cream i’ve ever, EVER had. Absolutely blown away by the quality of the ice-cream; real, whole chunks of pistachio and hazelnuts within the ice-cream and at such a reasonable price! A MUST try at least once in your life! The pistachio and white chocolate hazelnut is amazing!!!
I ordered the golden 8 cake for my brother in-laws 30th birthday party. It was a hit! The interesting thing about this is that it came with instructions on how to plate it up. We basically smashed it open. It was amazing. Totally worth the money and calories.
Are you an ice cream person or a sorbet person?
Sorbet any frikkin day!
Love love love their passion fruit sorbet. ❤️
Ambience - 10/10
Taste - 10/10
Accessibility and safety - 10/10
Service - 10/10
I tried the chocolate fudge and peanut butter gelato this afternoon. The chocolate gelato is rich in flavour and it’s not too sweet. The price is reasonable for how big the scoop is. This is my favourite gelato store so far. 💗
This has always been one of the better gelato places in Melbourne and it has a good variety of flavours which all taste great. Generally packed, but there's usually somewhere to sit if you wait long enough. The staff are very friendly and also bring out water which is a lovely gesture. Recommend if you're in the area.
A really popular place for gelato. The pistachio gelato was definitely a favourite. The pandan coconut was surprisingly really good too. The salted caramel was really enjoyable. Nothing was bad there, everything was really good! Definitely one of the best gelato I’ve ever had.
Best gelato I’ve tried so far!! Located near outside CBD with cozy place. Friendly staff. I tried coconut pandan and I can distinguish between the coconut and pandan flavour. 1 scoop for 5.3 though, the menu in here need to be updated.
An ice cream parlor that never disappoints. You can try as many flavors as you want as well just to make sure you get the right one :) I got the strawberry readdition which was strawberry mixed with pistachio ice cream and nuts and the choc milk with choc fudge peanut which was absolute heaven.
Can never go wrong with gelato, especially from Messina! I haven't tried all the flavours but I'm getting there. I always seem to gravitate towards their pandan & coconut. My two most favourite flavours combined together! Soooo goooood!
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Ordered: from left to right (14.8) half a litre
Malt and salted pretzel
Dulce de leche
Pandan and coconut
All flavours were equally delicious, loved the crunch from the salted pretzel which was on special! Dulce de leche was my favourite it had a beautiful sweet yet slightly salty flavour which can not be described, probably one of the best dulce de leche I’ve ever tried. Pandan and coconut was better here than il dolce’s due to the fact that they used real pandan which resulted in the more pastel green and is not as bright. Love their vast options, if you prefer textured or smooth or creative flavours Messina has them all. Now that they make their own milk and have their own dairy farm their gelatos have raised in price but that only means more high quality gelato!!
Service: was nice, but she could’ve mean more bright and happy while serving me. Don’t be afraid to ask to try flavours!
On a last note: Dulce de leche is not salted caramel it is something completely different and unique, they do not share the same flavour profiles! Don’t be afraid to get both the salted caramel and dulce de leche because they’re not the same at all.
Absolutely world class gelato, time and time again. Messina’s flavors can never disappoint! And from all the outlets I’ve been to, Fitzroy has the best service. Plus the ambience is gorgeous too ☺️
Lots and lots of flavours to choose from, staff were really friendly. You can always try it before you make up your mind. I had the coconut mango and the strawberry in a cone. Both flavours were super yummy and not too heavy! Would love to come back and try more flavours. They also have ice-cream cakes that all look absolutely stunning!
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Great gelato here. Probably the best I have ever had! The ambiance of the place just made it even better. Real chill and edgy. Relaxing music and great lighting. The gelato itself was great. Very rich and creamy. I had the salted caramel and white chocolate and praline pistachio. The praline pistachio really surprised me with how yummy it was. It had chunks of praline and pistachio that was delicious. I also like the fact that both flavours were extremely rich. Gelato I find can be quite small in quantity therefore the richness in flavour is pretty important for me. Messina definitely checked that box for us. What really made our afternoon was that we received 4 two scoop vouchers and twenty dollars in cash between the two of us after we were asked to complete a survey for them. I found this extremely generous of them considering we only ordered one cup two scoops between the two of us that we shared that cost us $7. So they pretty much paid us almost $60 in cash and voucher to eat their gelato. That was above and beyond. Definitely made my afternoon. Regardless of the free vouchers will definitely be back there soon to enjoy their delicious gelato despite the fact that it is a bit of a commute to get there.
I love coming here after my dinner. This shop also offers some indoor seatings. The cakes and gelatos are just so yummy that nobody can resist.
I shouldn’t really admit to eating gelato as much as I do, but I can completely blame Messina for that! It is hands down the best gelato in town! Watch out for the specials, they’re regularly updated and lots of fun and interesting flavours to try. The cakes are amazing too!
If you’re coming in the weekend then you need to get ready to line up in the crowd. They are very famous and yes their gelato is good, but I felt like they are a bit sweeter than other gelato’s. Luckily, when I went there it wasn’t too busy so the staff could helped me with some suggestions and letting me to try some of the flavours which it was a bit hard for me to choose as most of them were too sweet for my taste. I finally ended up with my all time flavour, pistachio. Anyway, their Boysenberry is also yum.
Been here for quite a number of times.. this time we ordered Pear & Rhubarb + Have a Gay Old Time.. yummy!!!! Will come back often if we have gelato cravings..
One of the best ice cream in melbourne. The pistachio praline, dulce de lece, panacotta amaretti, and mango *something* are mouth watering. The staff are nice too so you can have a taste. 😌😌
This place is consistently good and it is great tasting gelato! The staff are always nice and my favourite is the bounty because it tastes like genuine bounty bars. I also appreciate the pear and rhubarb!! And the specials are always fun to share with friends!
Chocolate fondant, pistachio, gianduia, tiramisu, salted caramel, pandan & coconut, I love them all! Great taste and friendly service, definitely my numero uno for gelato.
Food : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The best gelato that I'd tried so far - I ordered the pistachio praline, tiramisu and berries yoghurt - The pistachio praline tastes si great
Price : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Good value
Service : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Friendly staff - You can try each flavour
Ambience :⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Warm ambience
My favourite places for ice cream (even though I'm lactose intolerant but who cares) because of their selection of flavours. Great service and staff was always friendly with a smile on their face and let you try different flavours. I have tried different flavours so far and not every flavour is my cup of tea but regardless the texture and consistency of their ice cream was always maintained. Great place!
My favourite places for ice cream because of their vast selection of unique flavours. Blood orange, apple pie, coconut lychee and the mango sorbet are definitely my go-to flavours.
You can never go wrong with messina! i got blood orange which i always get & got something a bit different & went with strawberries & cream as well. The blood orange here isn’t my favourite but still is really good but the strawberries & cream was amazing! bonus is that the place had lots of heaters & super cosy & warm.
The ratings do the talking, it’s 4.9 for a reason. Genuine ice cream which melts in your mouth; has such diverse flavors which makes it different from other gelato stores.
Had the panacotta with fig jam and amaretti biscuit scoop. The ice cream was very good. The service was pretty quick. Will keep visiting to finish all the flavors.
Gelato Messina never disappoints with its large variety of flavours to choose from- all distinct and unique. My favourites and recommendations are the Pannacotta with Fig Jam and Amaretti Biscuit, Pear and Rhubarb, Pistachio, and Coconut Lychee.
Called in here for a naughty treat. I had the blood orange which was sweet and sour. Tasty and refreshing.
My partner had some peanut butter fudge gelato which was creamy and d’lish.
This place was packed even late at night. Great of you want to treat yourself.
Messina Gelato is quite sweet and rich texture. I prefer sorbets in this store.
Gelato choices are much more sweeter sugarly side than its flavours.
We took $30 largest value box and chose 4 flavours to take away.
3 of those were strawberry, mango and Pandan coconut sorbets which really bringing fresh strong tastes. Last choice of Dulce De Leche was flavourless and had rough texture for me. Strawberry sorbet was much less amount. It would be nice to be served evenly.
I would choose strawberry & mango again👌
This place has the greatest selection of flavors. I got the hazelnut and strawberry cream ones. Fairly delicious but somehow the non-fruity ones are too heavy and the fruity ones are a little too light. Maybe the ratio of milk could be improved, just saying~
Fortunately, we ended up here after discovering the our original liquid nitrogen ice cream destination closed for the winter last week!
Clearly, these gelato outlets are quite legendary in Melbourne and after one visit, I can see why! Great service, adventurous flavours and a classy shop fit out combine to make this place a very popular destination. On top of that, they also offer some stunning take home desserts for special occasions, models of which you can view in store.
If I can ever justify purchasing my own ice cream maker, then their big book of gelato recipes will be one of the first I’ll be buying!!!
Take time to taste a few flavours before deciding as they are not your run of the mill products.
Eat_today_diet_tomorrow
+5
This getato place is one of our favourite dessert shops. The things we love about it are
- they offer so many flavours!
- they have their special flavour changing all the time so every time we go we get to try different ones!
Most of them were so good !
Gelato Messina at Fitzroy. Best gelato ice cream store in Melbourne. Lovely and cosy environment with funky music. Always with long queue and always have something surprisingly good taste.
Messina gelato is pretty delicious and offers a huge range of flavours, from the classic ones like vanilla and chocolate to the creative ones, like bounty, pistachio pralines and dulce de leche. Staff is quite friendly and tries their best to please everyone’s requests. It can get quite busy and seats are limited.
Like many reviewers before me I can firmly say this is the best place for gelato in Melbourne. Be prepared for a wait on a nice Melbourne night but it is worth it. The mint chocolate of by far my fav!
Great place for ice cream! For me what separates Messina from the ordinary ice cream places is that they're flavours taste real and sometimes that means their not too sweet or they don't taste fake and it really stands out from most. There is a great variety for the sweet tooth's and the connoisseurs. My recommendations would be: tiramisu, pistachio and choc mint.
It's really those place you would go every time you walked past. The three locations are convenient. Really creative in tastes and always seems to have new varieties, and don't forget to add a short black or Americano afterward!!
Gelato Messina 100%lived up to expectations. Creative, delicious,m and fun - they sure know how to push the envelope. With an array of home made cakes, that don’t come cheap but are worth every dollar!
The BEST gelato in Melbourne hands down!!! Bounty with its coconut and chocolate swirl is a must. Team it with the macadamia nut crunch and your tastebuds will thank you! 5 🌟
I just love the ice cream flavours at Messina! You'll never be disappointed with the creamy texture and flavour bombs of each scoop. This place has got to have some of the best ice cream in Melbourne!
For a non ice cream loving girl, this place really is worth it's weight in gold! For creamy, gooey, crunchy, and interesting flavoured ice cream, this is the mecca in Melbourne! The milk chocolate with choc peanut fudge is delightful! One scoop is more than enough, but if not try one of the cakes - the Zucotto or the Block are too good for your next birthday surprise!
By far one of the best gelato joints. Gelatos are flavoursome and rich in flavour with a variety of choices to pick from. Theres a board to sgow special flavours as well as cakes for events. Staff are friendly and a decent amount of seating
AMAZING GELATO. it was packed to the brim on a saturday night and my one reason for not giving a 5/5 is because there was no ordering system/line so everyone was pushing into each other. It's not entirely their fault it's the customers however they need to sort out a line system. Already craving more
The first on my Melbourne bookmarks. Located in the quirky Fitzroy, the place is actually pretty big for and ice cream place. I had the salted caramel (server recommendation) and strawberry cream on a cup. It was super yum! I still can taste the salted caramel and chunks of white chocolate in my mouth! With the strawberry cream balanced the sweetness, it’s a perfect combo.
Had a little bit of coconut one from my friend’s cup, which didn’t suit my palate.
Recommended and definitely will revisit!
Gelato creations are to die for
Orders are never mucked up
Winter is amazing especially when it’s raining cos you can find a park nearby
Bad for the waistline though
Too hard to resist though
Gelato Messina has its reputation for a reason. It’s so good. It even has its own app you can download to pay for your ice cream that way. I would probably not do that because the temptation would be to just have an ice cream every single day and then hello heart attack. It would be a delicious heart attack though...
Can’t fault this place. Love it every time I come here. Fresh fresh fresh flavours every time.
I never take a pic because the ice cream is always eaten too quickly. For the non tight asses out there... this is the place to be for an ice cream that’s for sure
George David Michaelides
+4.5
1.Apple pie
2.Bounty
Combine the two and worry about the other flavours another time if this is your first visit. Really impressed with this place considering the owners are from Sydney they do really well ! Lines can be quite long on weekend nights so try your best to come when its raining and cold and you'll get served straight away!
Super fresh and tasty gelato! (I recommend the raspberry) I also loved the weekly specials. Price and size was reasonable. The shop is often packed- even on Sundays. Will be back to try more!
Love the ice cream here! Consistently really awesome flavours. Service is fast and efficient. Standouts are the sorbet and pandan coconut. This place gets super busy!
Not much to say about Messina.
It's a known favourite for any Melbournian with a sweet tooth. A few standout points I'd like to mention:
- they constantly replace and bring in new flavours, providing plenty of variety
- scoops are generous and good value compared to many other ice cream parlours
- might have to fight off the missus who wants some of your ice cream
Just a cult classic ice cream parlour that can always be relied upon to provide some of Melbourne's best ice cream
Gelato Messina has to be my favourite gelato shop. I love the weekly specials that add extra variety to the large range of flavours already available.
On my most recent visit I got 'Baklava - rosewater gelato smashed with homemade baklava'
One of my go to flavours that is available all the time is bounty - it is so refreshing.
I love Messina. I remember the days when it first opened and there was music blaring and a line down the straight. It was a nightclub for gelati. I really like their Icecream, I love that they have different and unique flavours and combos that appeal to different people. I always choose the hazelnut based ones and I’ve never been disappointed. They also have lactose free options, just check the board or ask for the list. Perfect treat for summer!
THE best gelato in Melbourne! The texture and taste is just incredible and there is so many flavours to choose from. My favourite is the pandan coconut
Gelato Messina on smith street is always busy. We had a milk shake with salted Caramel & choc chip. The salted caramel was delicious & not too sweet. Service was friendly & fast.
Really nice Gelato and the cakes looks delicious :) i went on the weekend it was really busy, there's not many places to sit so don't expect to found a table.
Amazing flavours. The weekly specials are always full of excitement. The lady tonight made my night as she went out of her way and scooped the last bit of the special for me. Thats what customer service is all about.
I love the wide variety of unique flavours of gelato they have here. I had their horlicks flavour and apple pie flavour once and they were as delicious as they sound. Not overly sweet and you can try as many flavours as you like before deciding. They open late too!
Very popular Gelato shop and I am one of the fans of this shop. Pistachio is rich taste and it's my favourite. I would not rate 5.0 because there is always crowded and it's difficult to order or even see what they have in the glass case.
A feast for the eyes first, I stare through the curved glass to the many round tubs of treats. Slowly making my way from one end of the counter to the other and then back again to make sure that I haven’t missed anything. Finally settle on 1 scoop of my favourite, yoghurt caramel, and then add one scoop of something I haven’t tried before, perhaps a fruity sorbet or rich, creamy something. Not a fan of the high bpm tunes, or crowded couches, so I eat as I walk down the street
After trying a couple of flavours I finally settled with ‘coconut and lychee’ and ‘pistachio praline’ both tasted delicious!!! My favourite place to go when the ice cream cravings kicks in and it opens late which is an added bonus. Can’t wait to try all the other flavours!
No picture evidence because I devoured it immediately that’s how good it is.
Came here after brunch with my friend. I’ve had two vegan flavours, one is Chocolate Sobert and the other is Pandan Coconut. They are tasty!!! Can’t believe it’s VEGAN!!!! I would definitely come back sooner and hopefully they could make more vegan flavours~~~
Top 2 favourite ice cream places in Melbourne, line moves pretty quickly and the specials are superb. If they had milkshakes, would probably live here
Love this ice cream!! Probably the best gelato in Melbourne!! I wouldnt mind to go to fitzroy just to have this delicious ice cream! I always pumped to try their special flavours and they never disappoint me!
My all time favourite gelato/ice cream bar. Excellent quality gelato and sorbets at very reasonable prices. I highly recommend following them on Facebook to droll over the special flavours - there are usually 2-3 per week and once sold out, that’s it! They always have interesting and inventive flavour combinations and the specials are usually just packed with extra goodies as well. One of my favourite things is to get the take home packs which you can then eat as slowly/quickly as you want in the safety of your (hopefully) non-judgmental home!
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Decided to pay a visit to Messina since dad and I were out in Fitzroy to buy my friend her birthday present. When we stepped in we were invited by the colourful displays of different kind of gelatos ranging from vegan to no vegan kinds! Scanning the flavour combinations all of the labels for the ice cream were very unique. I decided to go for the coconut and pandan then the pannacotta with fig jam and amaretti biscuit. I tried to chose flavours that set Messina from the pack.
Coconut pandan: this non dairy/vegan gelato is definitely a treat! First bite took was pure bliss, pandan was the dominate flavour although both elements were balanced very well. It is very obvious they used 100% pandan and coconut as the flavour and smell was very dominate.
Pannacotta fig jam with amaretti biscuit: thought this flavour was unique and boi I was right. It tasted like something I never tasted before! a very nice nutty, fruity and rich flavour enhanced with amaretti which I believe is a type of wine? I don't know but it tasted very good.
Next time I would probably try the specials or the lychee and coconut.
2 scoops: $6.8.
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Came here on a Monday to visit Messina, this place was surprisingly packed on a working Monday.
Pannacotta with fig jam and amaretti biscuit: The texture of this gelato is extremely smooth and creamy! You get a very nice fig flavour along with the amaretti. Definitely one of my favourite flavours.
Pandan and coconut: Messina had a lot of non dairy gelato flavours and one was the pandas flavoured ice cream. One bite of this took me back to Vietnam where I had this intense delicious pandan flavoured ice cream. The pandan is very dominate and strong in this ice cream, which I love. Where as the coconut acts as the base.
Passion fruit: this flavour didn't suit me, the passion fruit was very sour and had no sweetness to it what so ever but it tasted very fresh after the decadent flavours.
Overall: I had a very pleasant experience with Messina the staff was very friendly and helpful! There are vegan options as well and the flavour combinations are very unique. Next time i will probably go for the coconut and lychee gelato.
0.5L $12.80
My most favourite gelato place in town. I always tell people that this is the best gelato in the world. That's why it always get lines up even during winter.
Finally tried the infamous Messina! Their gelato is out of this world!! So many colours and flavours to choose from, literally! We had the "Misto" where we got to try 5 different scoops from their selection. We tried their special edition flavour - "equality time" (golden gay time in ice cream form; apparently) it was so good! Hint of sweet and crunchy, burst in your mouth! We also had tiramisu, passionfruit (favourite fruity sorbet), macadamia crunch, and blood orange (new found fond). Amazing! Love that they close rather late too. Still so many people at the wee hours of Fitzroy!
This ice-cream place is always busy. Nice ice-cream and ok service. But I think it's abit over rated. Maybe because I try so many ice-cream places so therefore it not the best ice-cream around for me. 😀
I still haven't come across a better Ice Cream joint. One of my favourites. Amazing Flavours, Excellent customer service. Highly Recommended.
Wonderful gelato. The flavor is familiar to the palate yet tasted super intensely flavorful with the creaminess and silkiness of the gelato. One of my favorite gelato in the town.
Definitely one of the best ice-cream joints we have here in Melbourne. Although it's not authentic gelato (heck, I don't think it can even be classified as gelato) - it is still so tasty!
Followthefoodmelbourne
+5
My favourite ice cream place in Melbourne!
They have the most creative flavours and so many to choose from. I always get the classic hazelnut and then something a little different. My favourite of their specials is ‘Gorgeous Dave’ - caramel gelato with caramel sauce and stroopwafels. The bounty flavour and the pandan are also delicious!
Must: Try the apple pie flavour. Try the chocolate one too. Try ALL the gelato. Everything here is good!
Skip: Nothing! It was a great experience.
Amazing gelato! The pistachio and chocolate fondant were by far spectacular. I initially thought their special Flavours would come at an extra cost but I was wrong. All scoops are decently priced and I would definitely recommend getting more than one scoop when you're here! :-)
This is my absolute favourite place! I visit Gelato Messina any time of the year, whether it be freezing cold or boiling hot. This place never gets boring, I always look at the rotating specials and also get my favourite white chocolate and salted caramel (which has won worldwide awards). This place can do no wrong in my eyes!
Best ice cream shop in Melbourne! Hands down! Only complaint I have is the music is not to my taste, feels like a bloody disco instead of an ice cream parlour, buttt that's just nitpicking.
Best Gelato in Melbourne! So good ! I need to try all the flavours. I had the pistachio and the white choc Hazelnut. Both flavours were delicious, but the white choc Hazelnut was on another level. So yum.
Best gelati in Melbourne! I always come here for dessert after a meal on Smith Street. Although the queue can get long, it's always worth it. Be creative and try their milkshakes
The best ice cream you will ever have. I'm in love with the pear & rhubarb combined with salted caramel & white chocolate. Drool. High quality ingredients. Long waits in summer. Get the app and order ahead.
Back in the days, you had to brave a long winding queue just to get your Messina fix. Now it's usually just a short 5 minute wait, or no queue at all. I'm all crazy for gelati but then, I didn't understand the hype and undying devotion. I still don't. In my opinion, the two factors that set Messina apart from others are the wacky mashup of ingredients to create various combination of flavours, and the gorgeous ice cream cakes. Yes, the gelati at Messina are indeed smooth and creamy, the flavours indeed tasted spot on, and the service is indeed super friendly and chill, but then again, such also applies to many other gelati or ice cream joints in Melbourne. Messina is undeniably one of the best, but not my best, and the late closing times ensure a gelati is never far away.
Fantastic ice-cream with a great variety to choose from. Messina are always bringing out new flavours/special editions which keeps it exciting. Generally really busy so I recommend going during an off-peak time!
Delicious ice cream!!!! Always so inventive/creative with the flavours. One scoop is sufficient though cause it can get a little sweet. But other than that, you have to have it 👌🏼
Can say that it is a good ice-cream shop one for me. I had Strawberries-cream and yoghurt-berry, was very nice when it mix together. Thank you !
Delicious ice cream goes with affordable price. We picked a Arya and a Messina. They're both good though the Arya is pretty too sweet. I think it could be better if they divide the ice creams into light-medium-high sweet levels. Btw, good job.
Amazing stuff ! My absolute favourite gelato place in Melbourne, would highly reccomend. Please bring back the mandarin flavour !! Can't wait to go back !!
Ordered:
From left to right:
Sansa: burnt vanilla with orange cake & chocolate fudge
Two stroke: white chocolate, hazelnut & coffee gelato with candied hazlenut
Little bloke: Peanut butter gelato with malt 'o' milk biscuits and nutella fudge.
Review:
First time Messina and we arrive very late. Jam packed, we somehow managed to get our hands on a 500ml of the specials which we promptly demolished. It's the kind of place where even though it's Winter and you're wearing three layers, there'll still be a line because it's Messina.
Personally, I like my icecream with a little less pizzazz and for that reason, I'd rather Pidappipo. But alternatively, they had some really unique specials in line with the hype for Game of Thrones so I can't wait to come back and try some more delicious icecreams on special.
Went here for the first time a few weeks back! Was literally some of the best Ice cream you'll get in melbourne but not sure on the 'ambient' lighting, each place to their own, but almost like a nightclub it's that dark. Almost wanted to get a torch to be able to see and eat my icecrem
Really interesting flavours! I had the miso malt ice cream and it was to die for. The prices were also very reasonable. Can't wait to sample the other flavours soon.
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Gelato Messina is probably the most famous ice cream parlour in Australia, known for high quality and delicious ice cream as well as their decadent weekly specials. I have been to the Fitzroy Messina countless times (often for a sneaky snack after brunch) and this post will go through my last three orders from this store.
Saturday night in winter and it was still busy. I normally pick something from the specials but this time it was all tropical summery fruity flavours. Went the Salted Caramel with White Choc. Is was very salty. The Choc Chip was ok. Not super chocolatey. Friend had the Apple Pie. Big cinnamon kick. Reminded me of Christmas. Next time I'll read through the flavour list before going. It's really hard to see all the flavours through the crowd. We were lucky to grab a seat inside but there was a lot of rubbish on the tables.
Super packed on a Friday night. I tried the Pandan and Coconut ice creams which were definitely interesting as it really reminded me of Indonesian Nasi Uduk and the Malaysian Nasi Lemak! The strawberry and raspberry flavours were fairly standard and we settled for the salted coconut and mango flavour! It was definitely our favourite. I personally would love it a little more if it was not as sweet but I still enjoyed the pairings of flavours.
The first time I came was on a Sunday. Super busy as you would expect on weekends. I got one scoop of raspberry sorbet in a cup. Amazing, fresh and super vibrant flavour, didn't taste artificial at all.
The second time I ordered chocolate sorbet and choc mint gelato. The chocolate sorbet was quite interesting, almost tasted like ganache. Personally would've liked a more bitter chocolate flavour as I love a dark chocolate. I was warned by the server that the choc mint has a very strong mint flavour and she was right. This one actually tasted like real mint, not the usual flavoured stuff you get. It's quite overpowering so not for everyone. The chocolate chunks were very generous though.
My only wish is that there was some sort of queuing system as it gets quite hectic trying to order when there's a mass of people vying for the attention of the staff. I'd recommend coming on a weekday as it's less busy.
We ordered a takeaway tub with pistachio, tiramisu, pandanmonium and coconut & lychee. All the flavours were really great!!! I think it standouts were the pistachio and coconut & lychee, the other two flavours were great, but I liked these 2 the most.
Love the vibes from this place, from the music to the artwork on the walls and the cheerful staff. The fact that they're busy on a cold winter night (around 10 pm) says a lot.
The gelato never disappoints, and the weekly specials will always have me coming back.
Who doesn't love gelato? Large crowds gather here on the weekend - place is a little dark and eerie but they make for a great post dinner treat. Quick moving staff means that service isn't too much of an issue, and your sweet tooth cravings are quickly satisfied! Lots of flavours to choose from - don't be afraid to ask for some help if indecisive, or to taste the flavours.
This gelato were so good! They provide some special taste and I tried something called "Chillax Prince" which consists of white chocolate&coconut cheesecake gelato with salted caramel swills. The taste was really good and perfect for caramel lovers!
You can taste any if the flavours before you make an order as long as you can squeeze in haha.
The only thing I dislike for this shop is the queuing system. There doesn't really a queue and all you need to do is squeeze in or you never have a chance to order. I think that's is the reason why you gonna spend so long time to get to the staff.
So yum! Still can eat these on cold winter nights. The shop itself is warm and cozy with friendly staff. Definitely recommend this place! Going to try there gorgeous cakes next time. 😊
Great ice cream - one of the best and worth trying ... not too much better!!
It has come to swan street and what a hit, which is always busy and the white chocolate and hazelnut is worth trying.. Give it a go if you are nearby!
As soon as I heard this place makes the best Gelati in Melbourne, I had to try it! And it was true, the flavours were amazing and the range was so different to what you would expect! Only downfall was that it was pretty unorganised at the counter. There wasn't really a line people were kinda just pushing in and took me a while to push my way to the front to see all the flavours I could choose from. Trying to get to the cash register to pay was hard too as there were bunches of people looking at flavours in front of it felt like we had to keep pushing our way through. When we got our ice cream there were no seats available either as the limited seats were all taken.
Yummy! Can't get enough of this place. The flavors are great and I like how they have a few different flavors each time you visit. Expect long queues...
Best ice cream in Melbourne without doubt. The Salted Caramel with White Chocolate is to die for! Each bite has a generous amount of pieces - a perfect blend.
Yep it's that good. An amazing collection of flavours and a special board that changes often. Amazing ice-cream. Just be a little bit careful outside it can be a little sketchy late at night.
So many choices! So many specials! Even if you want chocolate, there's multiple chocolate flavours to choose from. You can also try before you decide. We tried the choc mint this time, seeing that it's not artificial green colour, and the taste confirmed that they use the real mint and not the essence. The Dr Evil is a special on the blackboard, which is a chocolate gelato with peanut butter cookies and dulce de leche, very tasty.
Fabulous! If you like gelato this is definitely your place! There's almost always a massive cue but it moves quickly and the wait is definitely worth it.
The staff are lovely and helpful. The gelato looks delicious and tastes amazing.
Would definitely go back!
Service ain't too bad, have multiple choice to go for! Still craving for ice cream even tho it's winter now! Great place for ice cream besides pidapipo !
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The Best Gelato in Australia!
Maybe that is a bold statement but its so damn good, i have tried lots of ice cream and this place is one i always return to. They do classic so well i mean i now normally only order a 2 scoop cone of White Chocolate and salted caramel its there best flavor always consistent.
Its always a crazy Que like barge in system which i like here as it reminds me of the crazy place i visited in Italy with the exact same system and I've become an expert and sliding through and getting attention off staff . The interior is also super cool lots of seats and allays super busy
They have a wide range of Gelatos, Sorbets and there is always a few specials on too which i do occasionally try. There recent Hot cross bun flavor for Easter was so yum but its a love it or hate it thing it was quite cakey but still good. I have on occasions taken some home too for the freezer as its not ideal not living that close but always worth the drive.
I have been here so many times and i will be back very soon.
Restaurant Type : Gelato
Didn't completely understand all the hype the ice cream was good but nothing out standing, the ice chocolate on the other hand was damn good
Going for ice cream is up there with going to the movies and getting coffee in the typical date idea hall of fame. But this isn’t typicaldateideas.com.au, so why would we need to suggest getting ice cream then? Don’t get us wrong going for ice cream is a great date idea, but why not aim higher and get the best gelato in Australia? According to the Good Food Guide you’ll get this at Gelato Messina.
Had an amazing experience. Soooooo many delicious flavours. If you can't decide you can taste test.still can't decide which is my favorite. if you love ice-cream you must try . Kane was very humble and went on and one for giving us testing till we ordered.
The Food Connoisseur
+3.5
After Longrain, we headed down to the Fitzroy area to Messina Gelato. Fitzroy is the hipster area with many independent shops, restaurants alike. Messina has proven to be popular with crowd many people turning up at 10 pm for a piece of their freshly made gelato. They use only real, freshly prepared ingredients for their gelato. Resulting in full-bodied flavours and texture. Pandan makes an appearance here but the salted caramel had to be my favourite.
The best ice cream in Melbourne! I love all the special flavours they make weekly... and my old time favourite is their Vegemite gelato. Think salted caramel but better! And their regular peanut butter flavour is always yummy!!
Excellent gelato. Totally compare to the best in Italy. And they use free range eggs which is so awesome! 😁 Always a ridiculous line and great techno playing which really sets the scene.
Delicious ice cream! The venue is very full (as this place is so popular it's always busy), which makes it a bit of a pain to actually buy an ice cream. There are a large variety of flavours, and the friendly staff let you try several before choosing.
The best Gelato I ever had!! It's famous for a reason!
They have most incredible & unique flavours of Gelato! And special favour change very often too! I had their special TRUMP (peanut) flavour before, it was YuM! Also they have plenty of selection of dairy free sorbet.
My favourite flavour is the pistachio, mango coconut!
Also love how they have dog leash hook/holder outside the shop, very thoughtful !
Please remember bring cash or you can pay using their awesome application and redeem points for free ice cream! How cool ha!
Come here every weekend for the ice cream and always get two flavours from the specials board. Favourite ice cream by far. The flavours are phenomenal and I love how each flavour is loaded with chunks of what ever they put in (eg, nuts, chocolate, cakes, fruit, candy, peanut butter etc)!!!!
When it comes down to ice cream in Melbourne we can only think of 5 places (all reviewed previously) and Messina is most definitely in this list.🍦
Whether it is our 1st, 2nd or 3rd choice little matters as each time we come here we fall in love with that super light, creamy and tasty creations that they come up with. Every scoop is worthy and we keep coming back and back and back. 😍
Please Messina, let us know if you ever need help in cleaning the ice cream tubs at the end of the day, just give us a spoon and we will do the rest😅
Thank you for having us 🙏
Vanessa Espírito Santo
+5
I'll tell you this: Should my mouth been away from that 2-scope gelato for more than 2 seconds at a time and I would have taken a photo to show you how gorgeous it looked.
My flavours were Pistachio and Chocolate Sorbet and the moment I tasted it I was teleported to Italy. This ice cream is PERFECT!
The only setback is that you can only pay with cash or by app, no cards. Having said that, keep calm, bring your money and enjoy your gelato
There's a reason the queues are out the door at this place on the reg- awesome gelato and sorbet, that's why! So many amazing flavours will keep you coming back for more.
My personal faves are the salted coconut and mango sorbet and the pandan and coconut.
Do yourself a favour and get a take away box for home, you'll thank me for it later! :)
Tell me someone who doesn't like Gelato Messina. Whenever I'm around this area, I almost always have to have a cup of whatever flavour from this joint. So here's our new favorite - Pannacotta with Fig Jam and Amaretti Biscuit. Amazingly not too sweet and I also like chunks of delicious things in my ice cream or gelato. The lashings of fig jam gives a nice punch to every scoop of luscious pannacotta flavored gelato base. I want another scoop...please...
I don't usually indulge in ice cream often BUT Messina is something I actually CRAVE. Love their Flavours especially those that they change up according to Seasons 👍🏽
Very good ice cream, it was a big line during my visit there.
The ice cream is creamy, full of flavour plus different range of flavours, but nothing that exciting though its like movenpick or trampoline that i have tried before.
Be prepared to lose your focus as you stare onto their available flavours. If you know you are having a choice disorder, you are probably at the right place. Crowd can really build up, so make up your mind before you order because there will be tonnes of eyes staring when you decided to change your order again.. and again.. and again.. 😂
The best ice-cream/gelato place in Melbourne if not Australia! Great pricing, HEAPS of flavours (something like 40?), take away too. This place ticks all boxes. Staff friendly! Spacing to sit and enjoy! Parking anywhere as it's in the city!
Got here just before rush hour because parking can be tricky, but service is friendly and great range. Tried the fig Marsala and tiramisu, excellent. Good clean flavours and worth checking for any daily specials .
Good quality and nice service, had the chocolate fondant, the tiramisu, pear and rhubarb, fig and Marsala , pistachio, and the do do choc and hazelnut. All good and filling. We shared these across three ppl btw and all enjoyed it. Best to go when it's not busy.
Okay, so like, don't get me wrong the Gelato is to, die, for! BUT the line and lack of indoor seating does put a serious damper on things. Like I said, the gelato is super scrummy and the flavour selection is out of this world and it's obviously busy because of how good it is but it would be a bit sweeter if she was a smidgen bigger!
What can I say! It's popularity is clearly genuine.
Such amazing real tasting flavours. We had the choc mint, chocolate + bounty. The only let down was that flavours aren't displayed elsewhere as people push and shove just to have a sqizz!
Tried orange gelato with bits of orange cake. Loving it. This place is a must for gelato fans. Wide selection of flavours available and u can ask for tester as well. They do have flavours of the week on the board. Remember to check it out.
In my top three of gelato places in Melbourne. If you like Banana flavours, you must try the Banana Foster - incredible! Always worth the queue and choas. 🍦
Heaven!
Ordered pistachio of course. So far in Australia I've never eaten a gelato that even came close to what I had in Italy...until now! The pistachio was unbelievably tasty, the flavour was so powerful and it even had that slight hint of saltiness you get when you eat an actual pistachio (your fingers coated in a fine layer of salt from peeling the shells!)... Please try the pistachio!
Minus half a point because the line was insane and there was no order at all so people pushed in... At 3pm on a Sunday afternoon the joint is just chaos... Try avoid those times if you can. My friend had the smores flavour which she reported was also good!
Dale Zeinheiger Culpin
+5
I come here... A lot. More than I probably should. I've possibly invested close to a thousand dollars into eating Messina icecream. It is the best in the world and will happily spend another thousand dollars here. There was a period of time where I'd order a standard double scoop and then grab a take home tub to finish by myself (I may or may not have eaten Apple Pie icecream for breakfast) Now it hurts me but I've stopped doing that and now I just continue on with my regular 2 scoops. I've probably saved a bit of money doing this. It's like drugs.
I have a clingy relationship with Gelato Messina. My friends often joke I moved to Collingwood so I can be across the road from the store. That’s only partially true. Over the years I’ve enjoyed the massive array of tantalising flavours including seasonal ones and here even the gimmicky ones are worth a go. I keep a close eye on the Insta to see what’s new and popped in most recently to sample the “Yuzu crazy” green tea with yuzu curd with mandarin cake along with my always perfect match of Salted caramel and white chocolate. Always good and worthwhile.
Favourite Gelato place in Melbourne, because the flavours are amazing and special every time. Try the specials and be prepared to be wowed. Really friendly staff too. Favourites: pandan coconut, mango, bounty.
Hands down my favourite ice cream in Melbourne! I have been here countless times and always get the hazelnut, macadamia crunch and try to try whatever is on their specials board. The hazelnut is the best I've had and tastes like Nutella, but isn't sickly sweet. The macadamia crunch, another personal favourite, has crunchy and sweet surprises throughout. I occasionally have the coffee, which is also great. The coffee flavour is strong and not overly sweet. The textures of all the gelatos are smooth and creamy. I can't speak for the sorbets though as I've never tried or been a fan. I even converted my boyfriend into loving Messina, but let's face it, who doesn't?This place is PACKED during the evenings. It's quite small so don't expect to get a table, it's more of a get your ice cream and go sort of place.
Will always return to Messina!
One of the best icecream places in Melbourne. The icecream here is soft, smooth, and super yum. The best part is the weekly special flavours which keeps this place interesting throughout the year. All favorite is always the salted caramel but some specials are also great.
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It is often true, when an eatery serves exceptional products, that there is some sort of divide in terms of quality amongst their products. However, I have tried most of their menu and each flavour has at least something unique to it whilst being equally exceptional in standard.
Every time I hop on the 86 tram from Bourke street, there is a sure destination. The journey made is not a boring one as I take the time to decide what type of ice cream I will have from their extensive menu. Something that separates the bulk of their menu is the fruity assortment of flavours and the creamy assortment of flavours. While each flavour has enamoured my senses, I do have favourites. My usual order is a cone with two scoops. Depending on my mood, I get either a fruity set of flavours or a creamy set of flavours. I suggest passionfruit and pandan coconut, or lemon sorbet and strawberry for a fruity combination. For a creamy mix of flavours, cookies and cream is delightful for almost any set of tastebuds while hazelnut dark chocolate is full of flavour for anyone with a taste for stronger flavours.
Another option is their thick shake which is best made, in my opinion, with a coconut base for fruity flavours and a milk chocolate base for creamy flavours.
While flavour and taste is the number one priority for me, the ambience at Gelato Messina is fitting for the trendy area in which it is located. The wait for your ice cream is not a boring one as the beat in the background as well as the bustling environment, because of the urban area and fascinating patrons, make for a fascinating experience enchanting not just your tastebuds but various other senses.
If I were to fault anything at Gelato Messina, it would be that their fruity flavours lack depth in flavour in comparison to ice cream that I’ve had in tropical Cairns. In saying that, their ice cream is still unquestionably the best in Melbourne. If the only fault of an eatery is that their location limits their availability to fresh fruit, they’re doing a bloody good job. In addition, the knowledge and service provided by their staff is spectacular.
TLDR highlights:
On a cone, an ideal size is 2 scoops
Fruity highlights : Passionfruit, Lemon Sorbet (vegan), Pandan Coconut, Mango Coconut, Strawberry
Creamy highlights: Hazelnut Dark Chocolate, Cookies and Cream, Nutella, white flurry
Shake highlight: Thick shake, my favourite combination is mango coconut, lychee and mango. For a more traditional milkshake, go for chocolate, white chocolate and caramel de luche.
Upbeat vibes
Mainly takeaway environment but generous seating areas without tables are available
Exceptional service
Best gelato and ice cream I’ve had in Melbourne
Messina is some of the best gelato in Melbourne. The flavour combinations are amazing. I just wish some of the weekly specials could be made into regulars or ordered! Highly recommend the white chocolate hazelnut flavour 👌
I waited what felt like FOREVER For Messina to come to Melbourne. Having lived so close to one in Sydney and then having to leave it behind was a devastating day. Once you've had their salted caramel shire chocolate gelato, I don't know how you go back to a life without it. Luckily with so many spots in Melbourne now, I never have to find out!
Gelato Messina use the actual ingredients of their favors which gives them the ups on most places. Actual bits of apple pie are in the pie flavour. Clumps fruit and chocolate throughout all their offerings make it better than your regular gelato!
Have a taster of their daily specials, some of them are so good they should be on the permanent menu.
Nothing to say other than it's just sublime. Love the flavours and the smooth texture of their ice creams and gelato. Definitely a place I would regularly visit for my sweet icy tooth
Really good ice cream with great flavour combinations. A really great vibe in the stores, staff are really friendly and helpful, and will let you try as many different flavour as you wish. Great to follow on Instagram to see when they have special flavour combos. Great quality and not overpriced.
FoodingAroundMelbourne
+4
Ate a time the messina food truck tonight and had the deep fried passion fruit icecream which was yummy. The Macha icecream cone also looked delicious, but I was too full to go back for more.
Came here after a disappointing lunch, and the deliciousness definitely got me out of my bad mood! I decided on apple pie gelato and salted caramel and white chocolate gelato. Tough call as all the flavours look amazing... but I was more than happy with my choices! Chunks of pastry and cinnamony apple were a delight, while the smooth caramel flavour was gorgeous. Will definitely recommend to others in the area!
Decided to walk down to Messina after Lune and lunch as a wrap up for a trip down to Fitzroy. Despite the cold and windy weather, people still fancy icy dessert, hence Messina is packed with people when we arrived.
With the cold weather, I decided to go with affogato instead of a cup or cone as it will be freezing after I walk out of the shop. The affogato is smooth and just nice for the weather as expected, I choose hazelnut to go with the espresso, normally I tend to go with nutty flavour over others as they tend to be the perfect combination with the bitterness in espresso.
Gelato Messina is my favourite go to place when craving something sweet. They have a big range of unique flavours and sorbets too. I always love trying the specials. And love that they have take home tubs too.
Katherine's Food Diary
+4.5
Everything in Gelato Messina is made in house, from their apple pies and brownies to their stewed fruit. Although they have a huge range of flavours, they also have a number of signature flavours as well as dairy free sorbets.
I had wanted to try one of the specials but changed my mind - it was a hot day, and after all that walking, Liz and I both felt like something more fruity. We had the Lychee & Coconut and the Salted Coconut and Mango. The gelatos were silky smooth and the flavours got our tick of approval.
Overall, I like the range Gelato Messina offers, and would like to drop by to try one of their spectacular looking cakes. Now, if only I can find 14+ other people to help me finish it. LOL
Overall, Messina does serve up a pretty decent ice cream. Admittedly, iI did enjoy it despite being overly sweet Two Stroke, and their ever evolving special flavours are always nice to try and makes me come back for more.
In saying that, it’s certainly not the best Gelato I’ve had, both in Melbourne and internationally. I just don’t quite understand all that hype.
The chocolate on the Randy Watson is really brought to life by the berry fudge; would definitely recommend this. The pannacotta with fig jam was also quite yummy.
Stopped by for a quick Sunday dessert and absolutely loved the salted caramel & white chocolate gelato! You can really taste the salted caramel and the gelato itself was not too creamy and rich to a point where you get sick. The mint choc was just okay though, and so was the cone. It had a really cosy ambience as well!
We wanted to try a signature something of Melbourne during our very short trip and picked Gelato Messina. Not disappointed. In fact, we were spoilt for choices. We did manage to try 5 flavours altogether - the oreogasm, pear & rhubarb, dulce de leche, pandan & coconut, and raspberry. All yummy!
It's undeniably good gelati though perhaps a few of the flavours are a bit too 'fancy' for my tastes. I'm a bit more of a traditionalist after all! Just waiting for the warmer weather to come and this place will surely be thumping once again.
Never had a bad experience here. An abundance of unique flavours, those of which I've tried have all been amazing. Specials are always the best. Staff are friendly and super patient when you can't make up your mind!
generally a tad too sweet but certain flavours hit the spot like pistachio (which my friend loves the most as he says it's the only place where you can taste the husk)
This is hands down the best ice cream in Melbourne! Yes there is a long line, but having waited in it multiple times - it's still very worth it!
No matter what time of the day, this place will never be quiet or empty at all. This place is my bae and I guess I'll never have a dull moment with my bae. 😂
I've only been here maybe like 3 times? It's really pricey for one scoop (also the right amount for one scoop) so when I come here with a bunch of friends we make sure it's after lunch or after dinner cause' Messina. And for those times, I keep getting the Dulce De Leche! At first, I'll try something new. 2nd time around, it was good the first time. 3rd time around, we're basically married.
The service here is quick and prompt. There was this one time, my friend said "What am I getting?" I replied saying "I honestly can't make my mind". One of the cheekiest servers behind the counter said "I know, there's just too much" before serving their next customer. LOL, I can't. 😂
If you haven't already, you should follow Messina on Snapchat. They get up to crazy mischief, cause' Messina. 😌
We were their around 9-10pm & unbelievable busy. Texture was smooth velvety & creamy. However bit too sweet for my taste. Staff attentive & serves fast. Number of interesting flavours to choose from. Tiny bit pricy compared to other similar joints. Overall rate 3.8*
I know this address off by heart. Though not a big dessert fan - I am a massive Messina fan. Coconut & lychee tops my list followed by anything pistachio-wy THEN all sorbets. Tasted most of them. Tried going there at different times of the day for parking purposes, but always and always packed. Advice: park at the Supermarket parking close by. It is always worth the trip here at Messina. Staff are cheerful, too. Why wouldn't you if you're sorrounded with all this deliciousness. Oh & yeah - the take away sorbet surprisingly survived the half hour trip home. Still set. Yum.
One of the best gelatos in Melbourne I reckon. Lots of awesome and unique flavours to choose from, different flavours have exciting tastes and magic. I got Chocolate Fondant and their daily special of Pretzel Peanut Brownie and holy smokes, they were both amazing. Chocolate Fondant was heavenly rich yet not too sweet (perfect) and the Pretzel Peanut Brownie was something I have not tasted before; I don't even know how to describe it. It left me wanting more.
A must-go if you're a visitor in Melbourne. If you're local and you haven't been, you need a smack around the head.
Seriously, get your butts out of the house and treat yourself to some magical gelato.
Salted coconut and mango was amazing!!.
Very busy little Icecream shop, even on a rainy Wednesday night! Plenty of great flavours to choose with daily specials of which I thoroughly enjoyed the Tiramisu - yum 😋
The fit out is nice and the lines seem to always be out the door no matter what day or time you go. I had the chocolate sorbet and coconut salted mango as they are vegan. They were nice but not the best gelato I have had. Kiddo loved her fairy bread ice cream though.
Bought this ice cream cake and i swear after my first bite i wanted to shove my face into the whole cake.
The cakey part of the cake was so soft and could subtly taste the alcohol.
The hazelnut ice cream was so creamy and smooth i went back to buy a 1.5 litre tub of it. I can't wait to try every other cakes!
This place does not disappoint!!!!!
I've said cake too many times in this review..
Best ice creamery in Melbourne hands down!!!!
Red velvet should become a regular flavour as opposed to being on special only coz it is AMAZING!!!!!
Best gelato! Smoooth texture and great range of flavours
Had the tiramisu and was delicious
Great customer service
Will be back again
So many flavours available to choose from! Got pandan coconut and tiramisu. Texture was very smooth and light! Flavour is just right, not too sweet. Love it!
So many awesome flavours ice cream. Birthday ice cream cake was nice, We can drive here for dessert after meal. No matter day or night, hot or cold this place is popular with the great ice creams 👍
Easily the best gelato that I've tried in Melbourne! Went to their Sydney outlet in Bondi and it was as good as this one. Their best flavour would be the apple pie one.
Walking all the way from cbd to Fitzroy for the famed ice cream, we were telling each other that Messina better be good. And it does not disappoint. They had a few interesting flavours and after sampling a few, I settled on something safer - the Sea Salt Caramel. The gelato is thick and creamy...
My favourite gelato place to go too! The first store was always packed but didn't have to wait long. I love getting the specials and that they always refresh flavours. Makes it exciting!
What's not to love? Open late, awesome staff, and delicious gelato. Awesome bunch of weekly rotating flavours to try, always something for even the pickiest of gelato connoisseurs. Get around it.
They have such a large variety it's difficult to choose but the staff are polite and let you try the flavour before making the commitment even at the busiest of times. I always get pistachio and chocolate, both are very rich but not sickeningly rich. Not sure what the go is with cash only policy-why do places like this like to inconvenience customers. Also large crowds at night make it difficult to queue up or even see all the ice cream displays. I'm not a fan of the nightclub atmosphere either-not a great venue if you are wanting to catch up with a mate-it's more of a eat your ice cream and leave kind of place. But this is clearly not a deterrent for myself and many others who enjoy quality ice cream.
These guys had a food truck at a specific burger night and my mates and I were hungry so we approached them to build us something epic! This was literally the biggest 'apple pie' they could make....and we smashed it coz it was just so good 👏
Large variety of flavours to choose from, it was hard choosing only a couple. Settling for 'chocolate fondant' it was very rich...just the way I like it. The White chocolate hazelnut was also delicious with the crispy caramel pieces and hazelnuts mixed through it. Will be coming back to try the other flavours!
Ok ok to say i am bit behind is an understatement.. Believe it or not ive never been to Messina but we were in the area for dinner so here we ended up! Definitely a well thought out design not like your average ice-cream store. This whole concept of upscale fancy parlour was welcoming and inclusive. Spacious with room to stand or sit!
So many flavours to choose from ahhhhh!! From gelato to creamy mixes to everything else fantastic. I ended up choosing the bananas foster in a cone (tried the coconut lychee but didn't really like it..) and hubby got the bounty and gay time double scoop. They were all delicious. Not cheap but i guess you pay for the whole experiences hey!! 😜😜😜
Most popular gelato place in Melbourne. The place is packed and busy. I tried the special of the week. The one with loukomadies, a greek doughnuts with honey and walnuts. It's too sweet for my taste. I can't even finish a single scoop of it, trust me i am someone who ate double scoops every single chance to get ice cream or gelato in my hand.Even though this is not for me, if you're a person who love sweet so much. You might want to try.
Hands down the best gelato in town. My fav flavour is the salted caramel and white chocolate. I drive 50 mins to get to this gelato place and it's so worth it. 😜🐽
Great range of creative Gelato flavours. Winter's night and this place was still buzzing with people. I had the tiramisu flavour gelato and it was delicious. Great place to go after dinner. They also serve coffee.
Arguably the best ice cream in Melbourne. It replaces my personal favourite Pidapippo @ Lygon St.
I tried Apple Pie and Yogurt Berry. They're pretty smooth and flavourful.
This place wins every time I go! My favourite place for ice cream I love their wacky concoctions! I always try and get the limited specials whenever I pay Messina a visit! It's great to see they're popping up more around the place since the Fitzroy store is always so cramped! I can understand why though!
I don't understand why this is the equal top rated eatery in Melbourne (currently at 4.9). Was it good? Yes. Is it better than dozens of other gelato places around? No. It didn't wow me on any factor, whether it was taste, food presentation, service, or decor. A decent gelato place, but not worthy of going out of your way for.
So many tastes!!! You can whatever the taste you like here! I had a coconut and lychee one, which is really fresh and not that sweet. I love the store design and staff here. You really cannot miss it.
Messina is the winner of gelato bar! My friend took me here a year ago and has been a regular ever since! Fav ice cream is definitely messina's Macadamia Crunch! I've always tried to get their specials and get my fave 1.5litre tub take away. Yay!! #sweettooth
Sorbet, sorbet, sorbet. The flavours of Messina are amazing - not sure why I keep hearing it is the lesser of the three well known gelato vendors in my area, I was super impressed and have been back many times!
Had this beautiful, magical mushroom here for a dear girlfriend's birthday celebration. The "cake" had so many different textures. It wasn't just any "ice cream cake."
No.
This needed instructions to cut into. And every part is edible. It was super rich and had many little "surprises." I believe that a cake this size, would easily feed 15ppl.
Ultimately, this "cake" is what dreams are made of.
So excited when i was in Melbourne and found Messina. Having enjoyed it plenty of times in Sydney i knew how good it was. Delicious flavors, amazing and creativity original. My daughter tried her first ice cream here and was instantly head over heels in love.
Always pleased with the food, service and cleanliness. Spectacular range to choose from and specials board always rotating. Gelato is very creamy and full of flavour! Anyone wanting ice cream with no regrets, different visit Messina.
Today we had the vovovroom (ice cream version of the vovo biscuit - it's a coconut ice cream with raspberry purée and chunks of vanilla marshmallow and shortbread bits), the Heisenberg (blueberry yoghurt gelato with crystallised violet bits) and good old hazelnut (never disappoints). These were probably the best flavours I've ever had there so far. Thank you Messina!!
YASSSSSSSSS! This place will fix any broken relationship and will make you see happiness and feel the delicious tastes. If Messina was water I'd drink 4 litres a day
If you love ice-cream, do yourself a BIG favour and try Messina! The flavours are so amazing and forever changing! The cakes are also spectacular in design and in taste!
This place definitely deserves its high rating. The ambience alone is enough to set Gelato Messina apart from its competitors. As for the flavours... Phenomenal!! I was absolutely blown away by the pear and rhubarb - a flavour I was initially hesitant about, but now cannot stop thinking of! The only reason I haven't given it a 5 is because I want to try more of their flavours to make an appropriate, all-rounded judgement. Will definitely be returning!
You haven't had gelato till you've had this!
The flavours are distinct and fresh, with plenty of variety to choose from.
If you love ice cream, I'd highly recommend this place. My personal favourite is the Coconut & Lychee.
I first heard about this place when they first opened via Groupon and had bought a deal to try their ice cream. Since then I've been hooked, I always buy the tubs and can pretty much eat a 500ml tub on my own! The chocolate sorbet and passionfruit sorbet goes really well with each other - I love this place 😍
Does this even need a write up?
Despite the wide array of flavours and changing specials I regularly go back for the apple pie - it's a winner.
Top tip - if it's busy (as in, all the time) grab a menu so you have an idea of what you want before you get to the front of the queue.
My mouth is still watering thinking about the gelato I consumed tonight. First time here and already hooked, can see many more visits in the future... 4.9 rating is very appropriate. Bustling with people on a Friday night but service was very quick and efficient so didn't feel like too long of a wait. Atmosphere was spot on. Really just a place you'll have to experience for yourself
I find that gelato lovers can generally be divided into two camps. The fruity, fresh sorbet types on one side of the counter and the fudgey, caramely, chocolatey sweet tooths on the other. Can you tell which camp I fit into?
Two words. Black. Sesame. Oh my goodness, this is the stuff of kings and queens. There's an amazing variety of selections, although I'm more partial the whipped and nut-studded creamy flavours (milk chocolate with peanut butter fudge, anyone?)
Great place for gelato, spoilt for choice and every single one I've tried, I've loved! Definitely give the Gianduia and the milk choc with pb fudge a shot! If you are unsure of a flavour ask for a taste test first!
Hot dang this gelato was off the hook good! Reasonable prices compared to other dessert bars we have been to previously. Our only gripe was that the ordering system (or lack of) was a tad confusing. It was difficult to know where to line up.
Lovely gelato shop~ they got lots of flavours which surprised u. Tried the new flavour - PMT, which had meringue tart inside the gelato! How awesome is it!!! The staff r nice and let u tried different flavours before u made ur mind. But it's CASH ONLY~
This isn't my favourite gelato place in Australia (that honour belongs to a hole in the wall place in Qld), but Messina is the most consorts gp enjoyable I've found in Melbourne. I usually stick to regular traditional flavours as I'm not one for the relatively recent phenomenon of "food bloating" (I don't need biscuit or cake or bacon or ten different ingredients in my gelato thanks) - their passionfruit is my go-to. Very disappointed they took their straight pistachio off the menu though.
I have a love hate relationship with Messina... Sure, the gelati is awesome, but it's always so damn crowded and you can't sit and enjoy it! Some of their more over-the-top flavours can be hit-or-miss, but you can't go wrong with staples (lemon, chocolate, pistachio...)
GREAT GELATO! I had the blood orange and dulce de leche (bourbon vanilla) and both tasted amazing. The blood orange is a bit tangy so be prepared! There's a variety of flavour to choose from and I'll be back to try other yummy flavours.
I tried messina's pistacio ice cream. I must say the texture was not too creamy and its unsweetened flavor won me over. Looking forward to another visit.
My absolute favourite place to get gelato from. Their flavour concoctions are insane! I love how they smash homemade baked goods right into the gelato, so the flavour isn't just infused into it, but chunks of it runs throughout the gelato. So, so good. They change their special flavours weekly, but some of their classics are my favourite. I especially love apple pie.
Chocolate, Nutella & coconut all great. Never had a bad ice cream or gelato - great stuff!!
Next to try:
Strawberry
Lemon
Salted caramel
This ice cream shop, is honestly the best ice cream you'll ever taste! Most authentic Italian ice cream you'll ever get. Truly mouth watering
I love everything about this place. The amount of choices, the environment, the people there, and of course their gelato. I tried a lot of different flavors already and I really can't pick my favourite (cause all of them are so good..) , but fairybread is definitely one of my fav.
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Every time I'm in Fitzroy, I have to come to Messina. There is a massive variety of gelato here, and although I'm not a fan of fruity gelato, I love all their milk-based/nutty flavors. Every time I come here they have different specials, which all taste amazing. Although the taste of the gelato here is perfect, the texture of the gelato is not as smooth as other gelato I've had, it's more ice cream texture rather than gelato. Prices are reasonable, you can get 3 large scoops of gelato for $8.80 which is more than enough to share with a couple of friends. Lines and wait are usually quite long so I would not come here on a weekend at night, unless you're prepared to go through some pushing and shoving. Seating area is not quite large enough considering how popular this place is. The cash only system is also annoying, as you would not expect a popular gelato place to only take cash - I'm guessing it's to do with the speed and efficiency of taking cash versus card? Overall I think it's one of the best gelato in Melbourne on taste and price, but if you want smooth and creamy gelato then go to a nitrogen gelato place like N2 or Dex2Rose.
One of my favourite ice cream stores in Melbourne, I love the variety and the authentic ingredients used in each of the ice creams (e.g: the real mint pieces used in the mint chip ice cream). I also like the atmosphere and like how you can see the ice cream being made fresh in store
Arguably the best gelato in Melbourne. They have opened a few more around Melbourne, however, I find the atmosphere the best at their original Smith St shop, especially on a warm night.
Must try the salted caramel white chocolate!
Always coming back here because hard to find gelato better than this.
Just wish there was one closer to me!
Great atmosphere and set up. Love the fact that you can view the kitchen where the ice creams are being made. Aside from the weekly specials and the smoothness of their ice creams, this is what sets Messina apart from other ice cream stores. Great place to take the kids and let them roam on the cushioned benches while tucking into their chosen treats. Pram friendly too with plenty of room to maneuver.
They also have eye catching Gelato cakes, which are an art piece on its own. I would have to try at some stage but if it is anything like their gelato we have a great contender.
Making the switch from Carlton gelato/ice cream cravings to Messina. Messina is so much more up beat serving heaven in a cup or cone.
The special for this week: Northern Exposure! Dulche de leche gelato with mocha mousse cake. Always a good time eating ice cream! The queue was not that bad today, the staff was very friendly and patience enough to wait for my order. My fave are the red velvet and macadamia crunch. Big time!
Used to cycle through Johnston Street and visit this awesome ice cream store around summer time. Excellent vibe and atmosphere. Don't be afraid of the long waiting queue, service is fast here, although staff with good attitude is a a bit of a hit or miss, I don't bother too much. Highly recommend lychee or coconut or say what?! yea, both in 1 scoop. I also find the choc mint is great but pitaschio tastes a bit artificial. Overall, great place to pop in if anyone fancy a walk along Smith Street at night. Plus, they have opened another not long ago on Swan St (Richmond), which is much quieter, head there if you don't like crowded place.
Came here on a hot day with friends for a refreshing treat and was blown away. To much choice of what to order with so many flavours on offer as well as the new flavour that is released each week. We tried the pandan & coconut sorbet which was so refreshing and silky with the perfect balance of not being to sweet. We also had the raspberry sorbet on a nice crunchy waffle cone as well as trying the weeks special called Northern Exposure which was a dulce de leche gelato with mocha mousse cake and it was divine. This place gets very busy in the evenings but it is the perfect place for an evening treat with a modern interior that serves coffee and cakes as well. Will certainly be returning as there are so many other flavours that had my taste buds tingly such as the expresso and the poached figs in masala.
Certainly the best and most innovative gelato in Melbourne. They have an impressive array of great regular flavours, and update their special flavours weekly. The specials are always new and interesting combinations, keeping the customers rolling in and always on their radar. I find myself driving all the way from the south east just to try the specials perhaps too frequently.
My girlfriend and I shared a 3 scoop cup filled with mint, macadamia and mango. It was an amazing experience. Highly recommended, prices are quite generous. Will come again!
Just awesome gelato! I had the banana flavour with nuts and chocolate flacks in it. It was not too sweet and the flavour is full of my mouth! Love it!
We went on a warm Thursday evening after work. This place was packed to the rafters with young professionals and couples. The staff managed to take orders quite quickly without it effecting the quality of service. They gave us alot of unique options when it came to ice creams and sorbets. Allowing us to taste as many as we would like. My taste testing abruptly stopped at 'Two Stroke'. I never knew one tiny spoon could produce so many flavors. I was smittened. This was exactly what i needed it in my life. I got a scoop and that was more than enough. I also order a latte to provide some balance with overpowering-flavor-feista in a cup. The latte was not on the level i expected, lacking heat, coffee beans were burnt. Pretty disappointing and really that was the only reason i gave a 4/5 otherwise this would be my first 5/5 review.
If you want gelato, go here. Enough said.
Please do try the salted caramel and white chocolate flavour. My fav combination would be that and passionfruit.
Darwin Tantra, TwoPaperPen
+4
Totally in love with their gelato.
I'd prefer their special ice cream from the board, otherwise i'll go with passionfruit!
The original Gelato Messina Melbourne store. When ever I'm in Collingwood I always drop in for a tasty treat I love what these guys do!! Keep it up!!
A place with flavours that never bores you as they combine many variety of flavours. I had the strawberry cream and passionfruit cheese cake. I'm impressed how well they crushed up shortbread with the cheesecake flavoured ice-cream as it worked really well texture wise. People there are really friendly and attentive and let you try as many flavours as you want till you are satisfied with the flavour you want to have. Will come again to try more.
Amazing variety of flavours. I tasted the panacotta with fig jam and biscuits which was creamy rich and a good combination. I couldn't go past the chocolate sorbet and of course it was super chocolatey and smooth. My friend and I are already planning to come back to hit more of those flavours!
Got to try Messina at the Aus Open Festival. Haven't been to the store but will definitely be making a trip. Died and went to lamington ice cream heaven. Delicious
Seriously the best gelato I've ever had. Smooth as silk and as creamy as ever. Went on a Friday night and the lineup for icecream was crazy. The staff ushered us out of a line and described that lining up was just like a bar so upon ordering people were moved forward to the nearest server which I thought was interesting. I had the chocolate fudge and it's unfortunate that I didn't get to try more flavours while visiting Melbourne. Will be on my list when I get back for sure.
Yum! Huge selection of flavours and always something new and creative to try. Have been here several times and never been been disappointed. Thinking about Messina makes me want it right now!
My first visit: Busy Saturday evening, no system for lining up. Folks bombarded the counter in no particular order and by the time it was my turn, I couldn't move around to see all the flavours so just went with what was in front of me. An elevated menu board listing all flavours would help. Ice-cream was good, above average but not the best I've had.
I have been here so many times and I continue to enjoy their ice cream. I was really pleased with their service and also the variety of ice cream flavours that they have to offer. Glad they opened one closer to home.
I love this place!!!! I have been here at least five times and always order the Yoghurt Dulce De Leche plus another flavour that I change up. The gelato is of perfect consistency and even though it is always busy, you will be served quite promptly. I love that the staff are happy to spend time to allow you to taste the different flavours even during busy periods. Prices of each scoop are excellent and very competitive. Highly recommended!
Absolutely packed on weekends... I would say don't even bother. Not worth the disorganised crowds (the staff actually said once we got inside, "just go ahead if you see an opening"). It's chaos. That aside, they have so many interesting gelato flavours. Every time I've visited, I find the more "interesting" flavours my partner orders a bit too weird for me. I stick to more traditional gelato flavours, and have loved them all, even though it isn't the smoothest or creamiest I've had in Melbourne. Hence, I like the gelato here but based on the crowds, I'd say it's a bit overrated. I prefer others.
Im not the type of person that sports skinny jeans, has tattoos and rides a skateboard. That is why you will rarely see this phantom hanging out on Smith St. But when a legend is listed one must venture into foreign territory. This place did not disappoint. The flavours are unique and amazing with prices to match. The atmosphere is unlike any other ice creamery I've been to. I shall pay a visit to my local Wranglers store and get my Collingwood game on!
I had a scoop of the White Choc Hazelnut Gelato in a cup & my hubby had Coffee & Nut Sorbet in a cone. They were both off the planet good with beautiful pieces of nuts running through them. No photo taken, it was a 30 degree day & just want to eat them. I have been to some gelato houses and they focus on fancy or funky decor & their Gelato has no flavour. This place focuses right where it should - on flavour. Yum yum yum yum yum yum yum!
Amazing ice creams and gelato! So many choices, great flavours, lovely staff, reasonable prices. We tried the pistachio, Tiramisu, chocolate fondant, and pear and rhubarb ice creams. They were all so rich and creamy. Would definitely visit again :)
You can't go wrong with gelato on a hot summers day, and this is definitely the place to go! I love all the creative specials they come up with every week - increases the delicious options you have to choose from! Although the gelato is amazing, the sorbet should not be forgotten!
This is a place where everyone can fall in love with.
Parking is not an issue but the queue to get your indulgence is.
Why we love Melbourne so much?
This place can help with their goodies.
ENJOY!
Amazing selection of ice creams and gelati.
The customer service is exceptional.
Always tell people to go here and experience the greatness that is Messina
As far as gelato goes, Messina is probably the best. Large range of classics, with delightfully interesting flavours constantly flowing through the specials board. Well priced. Gets very busy, so plan ahead, or be prepared to wait. But, always worth it.
What can I say???...for all you lovers of ice cream just go!!!! The hard part is choosing which flavour to have...a bit on the pricey side but well worth it! 🍦🍦🍦🍦
How good is this place? Off the charts good!!!
Some of the greatest ice cream I've ever tasted and for the vegans amongst us (me and my daughter) to have the options available like the choices at Messina, is a very welcome change in an ice-creamery.
The vegan chocolate ice cream is my favourite here. Mmmmm
What can I say , just amazing. It was so hard to choose a flavour! Each one my family and I had loved. Can't wait to come back. Hopefully the abc special will be back one day! I really want to try that. The pistachio was just incredible
I have probably been here over 10+ times. It is hands down the best ice cream/sorbet place I have ever been. I'm a huge fan of the 'Blood Orange' flavour, if you like that sour and fruity taste you won't be disappointed. Customer service is also great, they are always happy to offer you a sample if you ask without being iffy about it.
OMG THE BEST. Amazing salted caramel and white chocolate. Great combination. Wife had the coconut and the taste exploded in my mouth. A must if you love ice scream.
We were told by friends that this place has the best ice-cream in the world. Wouldn't be sure of that, but the ice-cream was definitely amongst the best we've had till date. All the flavors we tried turned out to be great - apple pie, pistachio, salted caramel and chocolate fondant. The place is packed and you may need to your push your way to get to the counter, totally worth the effort.
I went to Messina with high expectations considering all the hype. Usually when I go past there is a line out the door, but luckily the day I went I didn't have to wait! There are many options to choose from, including about five specials. It's great because they not only have traditional flavours per say chocolate and lemon sorbet, but they have just as many inventive options. I opted for one of the specials which consisted of coconut and lemongrass ice-cream, with sticky coconut rice as well. The ice cream was creamy and thick, and the rice added a nice textural element. Other times I've been I've gotten classic chocolate or raspberry sorbet- two of my favourites! I definitely recommend trying Messina as it does not disappoint. But if it's a hot day, be prepared to wait in line! All in all, it's great tasting good quality ice cream which has been crafted well and they provide a wide range of great flavours!
Had heard a lot about Gelato Messina since I moved to Melbourne and finally managed to make it there a few weeks ago. I picked the wrong flavour combo for my two scoops (a gelato and a sorbet, sigh. I swear, I am not an ice cream rookie!) - but then each of them were individually delicious! The service was friendly even though the place was quite busy and it was rather quick as well. The summer is here and I am sure I will be checking out all of their flavours. Wish they had an outlet in CBD though!
Absolutely the best ice cream place I've ever been to. It's not just the awesome ice cream with so many funky choices. Robert Brownie Junior is a winner but I'm not sure if it's even a regular choice. All the funk and groovy vibe. The friendly cool staff...
My review and rating is pretty redundant because this is a well known establishment and average rating is 4.8.
This a a great place to chill while having heavenly ice cream and listen to some good music. Almost like a bar.
Keep up your awesome work Messina. You are the pride of Melbourne in the ice cream world.
Julian B Ho Irene Susilo Vijay Nair Bernice Chan ...if you haven't come to this place, I'm here for you.
A Saturday night at 8:30pm was so packed and took about 15 minutes to get served. Not sure it was worth it but the salted caramel with white chocolate was seriously amazing!!! So good!! The chocolate fondant was nice as well
I've tried Messina a few times now. The first time, I had apple pie and pistachio and absolutely loved it. I went back for Apple pie but it tasted a little bit too sugary this time. The passion fruit is a bit too sour for me as well but their other sorbet flavours are so good! I'll be back for the pistachio and chocolate flavours as well!
Overall it's still tough to see Messina and not buy anything. #fatlyf
Ordered the following:
- Salted coconut and mango salsa (permanent flavour)
- Nuttin' to it (special; peanut gelato with coffee crunch and peanut, white chocolate chip cookies)
- Tropical storm (special; passionfruit and mango sorbet with tropical puree and cashew crunch)
The nuttin' to it was so good omg how does one think of such amazing combinations to put into the form of ice cream.
I will admit some of them can be a bit too sweet so make sure you try before ordering as they do not have a limit to the amount you can taste before you decide and pay.
Fantastic ice cream in both range and quality. What better place to go after a disappointing meal and to make the evening better. Always filed with people, sometimes crazily busy. Always an amazing and fulfilling ice-cream experience.
Always, always, always: makes me smile; is worth the visit; affordable for families ($4 a scoop); huge lines that move along quickly; pleasant customer service; different flavours from when I last visited.
I return time and time again!
The best gelato store in Melbourne? Maybe in Australasia. I am from New Zealand. We have a trademark gelato store - Giapo. Giapo is selling sweet crap compared to Gelato Messina. I look forward to see this place in New Zealand!
Pretty hard to go past Messina for an ice-cream hit - in fact its also hard to go past even if you are just trying to walk down the street as the crowds continue to spill out onto the footpath.
Great range of stayers on the menu, plus specials that change frequently. The ice-cream cakes in particular are very impressive, and definitely make a good alternative to your standard vanilla and cream sponge.
If you can't be bothered waiting try coming early on a 3C day in winter midweek - you may just miss the crowd....maybe.
A huge selection of gelato, at one stage, I nearly went through half the range.
The specials menu is just magical!
'Steve Jobs' being a stand out, I'd love to try it again. My staple is the 'Bounty', love it.
Very popular but well worth the wait, a favourite.
I would have given Messina a 4.5/5 for the first time I visited back when it was first opened in Melbourne. I used to be in love with their Apple Pie gelato. It literally tastes like I was eating apple pie.
Messina has now just opened their third store in Melbourne and I'm not sure if it would make the other two less crowded. Their ice cream is still good, but not good enough to make me feel like queuing up for. Also I really don't like the atmosphere. It's always too busy and with loud music. However, the staffs there are very energetic and they don't look like they are tired even though the shop is always hectic. Also, I think their ice cream cakes are good to replace the ordinary birthday cakes, yet a bit on the higher price.
A friend recommended me this place. I guess I expected too much since I was a bit dissappointed. But they have lots of flavors which are nice. I prefer Anita though.
Visited Messina in the evening today, and it was crowded as usual. I love that they always offer different interesting special flavours each week. Had the Ab's packet mix consisting of malted peanut butter cheesecake gelato, smoked chocolate fudge and pretzel crunch...tasted heavenly!😍🍦
I don't crave for ice cream / gelato normally . But when I do I wanna make sure Iam getting the best of the best . Well gelato Messina definitely is one of the best gelato place in Melbourne . We got there around 5:39 I guess it was close to dinner time . So lucky it wasn't a huge line . When I walked in I was surprised the variety of all the gelato you could choose . And reasonable price too . $6.80 for two scoops , seriously where can u get it right ? we ordered Apple pie , pistachio , Italian nougat and tiramisu . OMG . . It melts in my mouth . So smooth and creamy . For someone don't really eat or into gelato . Gelato Messina you have changed me . It was so bizarre that I thought I was eating a cold apple pie when I was licking my apple pie gelato . It has definitely given me a different experience . The only think I was bit disappointed was they didn't have cookies and cream flavour . ( my fav ) or else I woulda rated then 5 out of 5 .
By far the best gelato I've ever had. Friendly staff insist you try out their flavours and serve with a smile. They have this cool space where you can pretty much just want the back end of making gelato. Lots of flavours to choose from you definitely won't be disappointed here!
I don't think it is as legendary as most people say it is. There were a lot of flavours available, which was a bonus! The gelato itself was great in terms of texture. I ordered 3 scoops to share with my friend - Blood Orange, White Chocolate Hazelnut and Chocolate Chip. The blood orange was a sorbet and it was quite well done, considering I don't really like oranges. It was zingy with a fresh orangey taste but not overpowering. The Chocolate Chip flavour was a bit underwhelming. The White Chocolate Hazelnut was the best out of the lot. It reminded me of Kinder Brueno and anything that tastes like Kinder Brueno is just going to get two thumbs up from me. I wished they had a cookie dough or cookies and cream flavour though.
An ice-cream heaven as I would like to call it. Go alone or with your friends it is always crowded and the place welcomes you with a great variety of specials and regulars.
Abundant variants of ice cream. They have this "special flavours of the day" that are worth to try. Staffs are super friendly. What i love the most is the generous serving!!
After hearing people rave about this place for the last couple of years, I've finally made my way down to Fitzroy to try the ice-cream out. The crowd of people at this place is amazing! There is no clear line and it's pretty much a battle of who can get a staff member's attention first.
Despite all this, the ice-cream in itself was pretty good. It was great that you were able to have a small sample of the ice-cream to help you decide which flavour to get.
My partner and I ended up getting the 500ml tub of ice-cream which meant that we could choose up to 3 different flavours. We had the tiramisu, macadamia crunch and the pandan coconut. The tiramisu and pandan coconut were amazing!! I can't wait to come back here to try out the other flavours.
Ice-Cream is my favourite thing and Messina does not disappoint!! Salted Coconut and Mango is amazing!!!!
Yes, it gets crazy busy, and yes theres some rude customers who like to push in but its worth it. Despite the overflowing customers, you do get served quite quickly. And they have a range that cares for vegan/lactose intolerance without sacrificing flavour or having to have soy bases.
Always loved getting my gelato fix here! Their gelato creations are just amazing! Expect a long line up during weekends! But it's definitely worth it!
This place is a must for any people even slightly interested in ice cream. What an amazing selection of flavours and in such a cool environment that makes you feel you're at some hip bar/lounge but instead of alcohol you're all eating ice cream!
Amazing murals on the wall. A great range of flavours including a whole section for sorbets! Would highly recommend the coconut pandan sorbet - tastes exactly like the traditional Asian cake. Take home tubs are also convenient where prices aren't too bad!
The genuine authentic Italian gelato with such a wide range of flavours. They have specials every day so you will never run out of flavour choices. And the good thing is all the gelato flavours are home-created. You can tell they use good ingredients.
We needed a birthday cake in 24 hours and I called the Fitzroy Gelato Messina. They were totally helpful and friendly even making a personalised plaque to go with the cake. The cake was not only visually appealing it was really yummy. To go with the cake we bought a couple of additional icecream flavours and were really thrilled with the non dairy selection.It would be totally fantastic if they would now consider a sugar free selection.
Came here at 945pm and was shocked with the crowd queuing for the gelato . They have some special flavours... tried the pear and rhubarb, the fig, milk chocolate with peanut butter and the macadamia crunch.. they are all very yummy. If you love the crunch y stuff, definitely must try the macadamia crunch. Nutty , crunchy and satisfying. Will be back for more for sure. One piece of advice, never leave the bar without a 0.5 litre tub.
Great smooth flavorsome gelato. The lychee & coconut flavor is unexpectedly refreshing. Downside is they need more staff to service the crowd.
Very hard place to give a review too. Had the White chocolate ice cream was Simply perfection! I cried. Best ice cream and concept going round! Can't fault
There is a reason why the lines are always out the door at Gelato Messina! Gelato is just sooo goood! They have different flavors which we love! Coconut, fig, salted caramel, Nutella but they are not plain, they are mixed in with other ingredients or flavors that compliment each other. Workers at the back are hard at work churning more flavors & there is a high turnover so you know it is always fresh. Came here on opening weekend & loved this place ever since. Warmer days especially now coming into the summer months it's always busy but believe me when I tell you it's worth the wait!!!
OMG !!!!! MESSINA is the place to go for a summer's gelato hit!. You may have to queue up, however, it is 100% worth the wait. If you want to indulge and try many flavors between your friends, opt for the 500mL pack or the 1L pack. My favorites are the Chocolate, Pistachio, Choc Mint, Macadamia Crunch, Coffee and Chocolate Chip. But ALL are AMAZING!!!.
Amazing flavour combinations that never fail to amaze my taste buds!
They don't just toss random flavors together, they actually work!
Definitely a place to go for Ice cream!
Friendly service
Great selection and great flavours
Definitely a place to go in this current heat
Had the coconut lychee - awesome!
Recommened to those who love gelato
We tried 2 different flavors each and every flavor was utterly amazing. Cannot wait till we go again and this time take some home and the vibe in the place was incredible just listening to everyone commenting on their flavors .
Deeeeeelish and The Best. Not even a queue on a Wednesday afternoon! We had more time to contemplate our options and sample more (you have to sample!)
I've tried and highly approve the salted caramel and coconut, coffee with hazelnut praline and banana split. The mandarin is also very fresh and interesting for ice cream.
Light and not too creamy for ice cream, doesn't leave you feeling gross and bloated as without her ice creams. Delicious and innovative flavor combos. If they only had sugar free options...if you want a solid treat, go for Messina.
Love that this place is open late all year round! They have some really interesting specials every now and then, and huge variety of flavours to choose from
Do: Believe the hype. Best gelato in Melbourne. The staff, the flavours and the atmosphere.
Don't: Just eat there. Buy some to take away or order ahead for birthday cakes.
Tip: The line looks long but moves very quickly. Don't queue outside, there's a shortcut since most people wait at the first counter...proceed to the back counter and get served there.
During my first visit I was amazed by how many people were there. I'd heard so much hype about Messina but wasn't sure if I believed it. As I took my first bite oh god I just understood it all. The best ice cream I have ever had. Been back four times now and have tried 8 different flavours and not one of them I haven't enjoyed. The textures, flavours and of course, the price are all a win. Staff are also super nice despite them probably being under heaps of pressure! Also a super cool atmosphere. Can't have ice cream anywhere else anymore. Can't wait to go back 8-)
Came here on a sunny Melb day.. ordered the tiramisu and white choc salted caramel! Absolutely divine! Customer service was fantastic. Was offered as many tastings as I wanted! Gelato heaven.
Queuing for ice cream is now a thing - seriously cannot get enough of the this place. Any thing with coconut or mango will suck me in to trying. The Salted coconut is the bomb and the coffee flavours are also amazing. Also had a couple of their takeaway ice cream cakes, great way to make an impression. Will always come here forever!
Nightclub vibes and tons of ice cream flavours! Each of them spot on! Get ready to queue up and don't forget about the espresso!! Is really good .
Ice cream is nom nom. Many good feelings come from endorphin release however the line is fooked. I have eaten my fair share of ice cream including at Maccas. Mcflurry may not taste as good but boy oh boy does the speed of service equalize the experience.
Definitely recommend people check out Messina when they're in the area, best ice cream and gelato going around I think.
The Italian Nougat and the Chocolate Fondant are two favourites but also suggest trying the specials. They are usually a cut above the rest. The only issue is how impossible it is to see all the flavours with people cramming and pushing so much. I'd love to see a line organised by Messina so you can see what's actually there along the windows. People also seem to turn into massive jerks when in the store and need to be as close to the front as humanly possible which sucks.
Perfect. After I finished my first bite, I know why the rate is so high and feel I am in a paradise of gelato. Strong recommendation for salt caramel, or choose color/flavor just in your mind. If you cannot still decide like me, the handsome guy behind the counter will give you opportunities to taste them before you buy.
Reaalllyyyyy love the salted caramel with white chocolate flavour. The best 👍👍👍
📷: combination of salted caramel with white chocolate and passion fruit
I used to queue up at this place every time I went to Sydney, so I'm super excited it's here in Melbourne. Waiting in line is worth it! The best ice cream!
Tasty tip: ALWAYS go for one (or more) options on the specials board. They're always the most creative, scrumptious, exciting surprises. So yummy!
I walked right past this place on a Tuesday night, mistaking it for a bar because of the music and crowd. I'm glad I retraced my steps. The Pannacotta with Fig Jam & Amaretti Biscuit, which is a slightly stronger flavour than the other fig choice (Poached Figs in Marsala) took me back to sweet summer days spent eating fig flavours in the water lapped labyrinthine streets of Venice. Bravo Gelato Messina, your flavours and wide selection mean I need not go so far for that experience again!
UPDATE: Back again, and this time I can recommend the Salted Caramel and White Chocolate, which, I believe, is one of their best sellers.
So Devine... You walk in and it's always a "where do I start" moment!
Love these gelato flavours, you appreciate more so knowing it's made on site and is just bloody delicious! Bounty tdf! But the weekly special board is without fail a winner!!
I fell in love with Gelato Messina in Sydney and I'm really glad I can also find it in Melbourne. The salted caramel icecream from Messina is out of this world! It's so good and not too sweet, just perfectly balance flavour. Ohh yummm!🍦
By the far the best gelato I've ever had!! I can't even describe how good it is, I am coming back to literally try every single flavour hahaha.
Tried four flavours last night - a choc one from the specials board, banana split, bounty and the tiramisu salted caramel. They were all sooo amazing with huge bits of goodies in it. It was really busy despite going after 10pm but we were lucky enough to get a seat on the lounge inside hehe can't wait to return here!
Last night we were lured in by Zomato's prestigious 4.9 rating for Gelato Messina in Fitzroy.
As expected it was an extremely busy store with a very 'happening' environment. Customer spectrum ranged from families through to people getting in a pre-drink Gelato delight (as you do).
I was not disappointed, Messina lived up to its fantastic rating. The staff were friendly and more than willing to let me sample some of the more bizarre flavours (musk, Brazilian etc.)
I went with the 3 scoop option and ended up with Pistachio, Brazilian and Burnt Caramel with Ginger.
All three tasted exactly as they sound, I don't know how but it was like I had a little bit of Rio and carnival in my mouth all at once (cue mental images).
I can honestly say that Gelato Messina was worth the rating, hopefully my rating can bump this melbourne institution to the mystical 5 rating!
The best gelato in Australia in my opinion. So many different options - I love that they have rolling special flavours every week or so. The coffee gelato has such a strong and authentic coffee flavour - no essence used here. Can't go wrong!
Fantastic range of flavours to choose from, so many it's sometimes hard to decide! Any day of the week this place is always so packed and full of people, can be difficult to look at the selection of ice cream. Friendly staff, who don't touch the cone with their bare hands ( some ice cream shops do this which can be so frustrating) delicious ice cream on a hot or cold day the only negative is their payment method is cash only which I didn't expect for such a busy place.
The only thing I can say is friggen delicious. Best ice cream I have ever eaten! I love how they constantly change things up, yet every time is as good as the last.
Best gelato I've ever had. Tried the tiramisu and salted caramel and it was delicious! Staff were very prompt and friendly. If I could id eat here every day.
The staff were all friendly all will let you try samples. The coconut and lychee was amazing, as were the Bueno, peanut butter, and everything else we tried. Creative flavours that expand beyond the cliche and the texture was phenomenal. Amazing gelato! But you already know that. Just go!
For someone who hates ice cream this place is one that changed my opinion of it. The apple pie flavour was amazing. Just like a real apple pie. Would definitely recommend
Best gelato. Any flavour you can never go wrong. My favourite is white chocolate and salted caramel and chocolate fondant. Been here so many times and always have fantastic experience.
Service was great, gelato flavour was even better! Really good and chill vibes. Macadamia crunch is by far the best gelato I have tried to date! Definitely coming back!
The best Gelato!
I love the fact that they always have different flavours to try!
Although the lines are big they always move quiet quickly.
I had 'the pb' which was on the special board and had banana peanut butter and jam, I also had he tiramisu which is a fav of mine! A must go!
Yup there's a lot hype about this place. One is left to wonder how great can gelati be? We've all seen Masterchef right? Or parts of. Where some amazing dish is finished off with a flavour of ice cream that just looks out of this world.
Okay, yes this sound like a really tacky cliche advert here. So I will just say that if your in the area try one of their specials. Just reading the menu will make you smile. You can also go for a regular flavour (what ever that means). You won't be disappointed.
So many different flavoursssss!!! Favourite are a the coconut ones! So fresh :)) defs best ice cream in Melbourne! The place kind of reminds me of a clubbing smoking area ahaha! Always packed but quick service
Kat - Oats And Cheesecake
+5
We visited in 'peak hour' when there was a massive line but we were served quickly and rewarded with the best ice-cream in Melbourne. Anzac biscuit gelato? Be still my beating heart!!
Best gelato I've ever had! Friendly & inviting atmosphere, heaps of delicious flavours to choose from, & very reasonably priced. Would recommend, and definitely will visit again!
Best gelato in Melbourne, nice gelato, welcoming ambience and great staffs! Avoid to be there in the peak hours otherwise you will probably see a huge line! lol
Clear at the top of the gelato game, perfectly situated in the dining heart of Smith Street, Messina is always busy. Simple ice-cream parlour this is not, and it shows with the quality of the gelato and the exceptional customer service. While it's reputation precedes it, it does certainly live up to it. Favourites are salted caramel, pistachio and coffee. Don't forget to check out their specials board for the latest gelato wizardry.
The ice cream here it out of this world. The best salted caramel I have ever had, and I love trying their different specials every time I come in. There's usually a long wait when I come but it is always sooo worth it, and I really like the ambience. The servers are mostly all nice as well
Great place for gelato. Apple pie and banana split were standouts. The gelato weren't overly sweet and the flavours were really close to their name.
I was mind blown walking into this joint. I moved to Melb only 3 weeks ago and had already heard all the hype about this place and I honestly could not comprehend how good some stupid ice-cream place could possibly be?! Ok so I was immediately impressed upon my entry, the friggin ice-cream shop was absolutely pumping with good tunes, an upbeat good vibe, loads of people young, cute, old, Multicultural etc was a beautiful sight to see.. but I seriously had to check myself, like where the hell was I?! It resembled the latest 'it' bar.
Soo much flavour variety to choose from - combos I've never even heard of! I went with the Tiramisu after much deliberation and holy smokes, I cannot even express what that felt like going down my esophagus. Magic!!! It rocked me within. Service was prompt and friendly, I didn't really care to be honest, girlfriend, just handover the ice-cream and no one gets hurt. Boom, do yourself a favour and go - you're welcome!
So dope. Apple pie and banana split. Anything on the specials board. Don't waste time! Decide and order, before it gets hectic... The place can pack out in 5 minutes!
LOVE IT! can just survive on this I guess:p
Friendly staff, a good range of varieties to choose from, all of their gelato taste fantastic, can get really busy, so be prepared to line up.
Trecked our way here Thursday at 3:00pm and couldn't decide what to try, thankfully the staff were willing to help and happily pass out tasters. We decided on Salted Caramel White Chocolate (a hands down must) and Chocolate Peanut Fudge. The place is hip and offers a spot to chill and enjoy your ice cream. Couldn't fault it and was exactly what we were hoping for.
LOVE! Not only is the ice-cream amazing, but the staff are so friendly and encourage you to have as many testers as you want, unlike other places that have a limit of just a few! All of the sorbets are amazing, but the chocolate sorbet and salted coconut and mango sorbet are absolute must trys! Highly recommend Messina's to all!
If you are looking for a dessert experience that takes delish to the next level, you HAVE to make Gelato Messina your next dessert stop. All of their flavours hit the right spot between the exotic, comforting and down-right decadent! If I could eat gelato every day of the week, this is the place, I'd call home. Trust me when I say they are THAT good. Thanks Gelato Messina for making gelato that tastes like a explosion of flavour in my mouth.
I LOVE ice cream whether there's a blizzard outside or it's like the Sahara.
This is probably one of the best ice cream's I've ever tasted in my whole existence.
The only reason I'm not giving them a 5/5 is because the business is cash-only XD
Otherwise, I now understand why this is Melbourne's #1
Summer, Winter whatever the season ice cream is always a good idea here! Every flavour I've tried packs a delish punch! It's amazing how they make all their flavours taste EXACTLY like they would really taste..my faves: Tiramisu, Hazelnut & Coffee
Absolutely amazing. There is a hype and it's well placed on these guys for the stunning products they produce. Tiramisu flavor is to die for (try it in a thickshake as well). Bounty feels like you are eating the actual bar and don't let me mention all the specials with emphasis on the ones with peanut butter. It's been a year and a half since I first visited and it's a must weekly return ever since.
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Update: beautiful customer service by this lovely blonde girl behind the counter. She was so polite and patience-full while we were trying many of the flavours as she was suggesting them. We ended up with the (special) mango cheesecake, chocolate fondant, peanut butter and banana, apple pie and salted caramel and yoghurt and caramel. Crushed apple pie and salted caramel with the white chocolate bits was amazing. I have been here so many times and still can't get enough of it. Love you guys
The gelato is generally good, and I would pick up a scoop or two to eat while walking along Smith Street but there are limits to how long I would queue.
You'd have to be living under a rock not to have heard about Gelato Messina - any time I've driven down Smith street there's been a line out the door. Thankfully in the middle on winter on a Tuesday night the line only just made the door so I thought I'd give it a shot and find out what all the fuss has been about. The wait was probably no more than 5minutes at 9pm - I ordered my two scoop cup and then wondered down the street eating my gelato and wondering what all the fuss is about.Look, I'm no gelato aficionado, in fact I don't have much of a sweet tooth at all - however to be honest - I did quite enjoy my Salted Coconut with Mango, and my Mandarin flavoured scoops. I guess if you really like your gelato then this would be well worth the visit. I don't think I'd wait in line for it though... but I know people who would.
I love the gelato here , love the large choice range , not the biggest fan of the line up but worth the wait. And it's perfect on a night out with the girls
Yum yum yum. Delicious ice cream! The line can be out the door, but it moves quickly even when it is so no big deal. A two scoop is huge, and enough for two people really and means you both get to sample two flavours!
Its All About The Food
+5
I love ice cream and am fussy, no a snob, about where I eat it. Well search no more This is the best ice cream in Melbourne bar none. Every flavour i tried was amazing and their ice cream creations are something to behold.
I love their effort to keep the flavors updated. I heart their fat elvis cause the brioche is so crunchy. Their apple pie is awesome too, so much like a solid apple pie however their classics such as the pistachio probably the worst pistachio that ive ever tasted, should probably improve it
I love coming here on a summer's night! Hell, I love coming here on a winter's night! The specials are always a pretty cooky mix, but still super tasty.
The downside to coming here at night are the massive crowds that can be around the gelato, meaning you have to wait ages to get served when people can't make up their minds.
Staff are normally really good with taste testing, but sometimes I wonder what I'm actually getting when the price is $6 for two scoops, and their serves are so small.
Linnie Eats All The Food
+4.5
I’ve been here repeatedly because I LOVE IT SO MUCH! The first time I went, it was with my stooges and there was a massive line but it moved quickly and within 10mins we got our ICE CREAM!! So I came back with the two babies, Baby A and J-baby and there was hardly any line considering it was a Thursday night (weirddddd, maybe coz it was WINTER hohoho).
They have a cake stand where you can check out their cakes and if you want one, you gotta call them up (this is still on my to do list hohoho).
We got the pandan and coconut sorbet (PANNNNNNNNNNNDAN!!) and the banana split. These are my two most favourite flavours in the world. If you’ve never tried pandan, you gotta try this because the pandan flavour is so strong it’s so good. The banana split was sooooo banana-ry and so creamy with chocolate bits in them.
Gelato Messina is probably the best ice-cream I have ever had. The flavours they have on offer are highly unique, from the apple pie to the banana split and smoked chocolate with Jack Daniels Whiskey, I always have a tough time choosing what I want. The bonus is that the place is open till real late and the vibe in-store is real nice especially if one still wants to hang out with friends on a Friday night without having to binge on all that alcohol. I would definitely frequent this place more often had it not been so far away. Gelato Messina, if you're reading this please open another store in the CBD!
Only negative is that the queuing and ordering system in-store is a bit disorganised which causes passive aggressiveness between customers. Staff sometimes gets agitated if you ask to sample more than a flavour but otherwise its a great place for ice-cream lovers
Oh Messina... You have ruined my life. Seriously Messina has ruined my expectations of ice cream/gelato. They have the best hands down, I'm not even sure what to say.. You just have to try it out for yourself!
Excellent ice cream. The best I've ever had in fact. I regularly try to order there specials or try something new but I continue to always need to get there poached pear & rhubarb ice cream. OMFG. so good, smooth, creamy vanilla ice cream with chunks of poached rhubarb & pear. heaven. absolute heaven. Never change. Please never change.
It's a must visit for me every time I go to Fitzroy. They have amazing specials every week and so far I still can't decide what to order because they are just all too good.
Absolutely delicious gelato every time! Gelato Messina has a dizzying selection of gelato including the amazing White Chocolate and Salted Caramel flavour (their best seller) but the best options are the specials and you can see what they have on rotation by following their Instagram page.
This is one gelato place you really have to try at least once, however once you eat here once you won't be able to resist.
ItsTrueFatKidsLoveFood
+5
This is a late night favourite. It's open real late, and there's nothing better then getting a delicious ice cream after a good session of drinking during the summer. All the flavours are great.
Can't really fault it. Service is a winner here considering the vast numbers that flock to here. A great way to end a meal from jimmy grants and the take away boxes are good value and a great way to get Messina at home. Love it.
For a good price, ice cream was innovative and delicious. Tried one of the exclusive flavours of the week, great authentic taste. Service was great, the guy who served us was incredibly friendly and openly suggested different flavours whenever we seemed hesitant on choosing.
The rise in popularity of cooking shows like Masterchef and My Kitchen Rules (MKR) means that many gourmet foods and niche eateries are in high demand. This is certainly the case for Gelato Messina , a cult gelato bar from Sydney that also opened a Melbourne store in Fitzroy. Any night of the year, whether it be the dead of winter or sweltering summer, you will find swarms of hipsters and ice cream enthusiasts crowding the small café.
salted caramel and pistachio are my favourite flavours!!! Messina also sells very very nice ice-cream cake. My friend got me one on my birthday and its absolutely amazinggg!!!
Words can't even describe the salted caramel white chocolate flavor.. This is my third time ordering this and it is the best I've ever had in my life. The only reason I rated 4.5 stars is because the other flavors don't even come close. Excellent place but lighting is too dim and not enough room to sit!!! If you go definitely order the salted caramel white chocolate. I promise it won't disappoint.
AMAZING! Their salted caramel with white chocolate is the best. Others are good too! BEST GELATO I'VE EATEN IN MY WHOLE LIFE. I can eat it everyday if only it's not far.. Please open a store in the CBD, a lot of people would definitely go!
My love for Messina only grows fonder. I have never had a bad flavour here. Fortunately for me Mesina is at the end the street from work so make the most of the place over the summer the crowds are just unfortunate.
Very good gelatos. I find the chocolates are to die for.
Great service even when it's filled to the door.
Nicely decorated but ambience wise is a bit too noisy due to the loud music.
Also when it's full it can be kinda off-putting.
Well worth breaking my diet.
Rich and creamy. Chocolate was...really chocolatey! Panacotta with fig jam and amaretti biscuit was intensely flavoured but just a bit on the sweet side for my liking. Pistachio actually tasted like pistachio.
No review could do this place justice.
Don't let the lines deter you, rain hail or shine. I drive 45 minutes for this gelato and it is seriously worth it. No dinner in Fitzroy is complete without it.
Quite tasty. But hard to get a good view of what's on offer - pretty crowded and hectic lining up. Staff do well under the circumstances. A person
carrying around tasting plates would make a worthy addition to the scene and be a great distraction.
OMG the apple pie ice cream blew my mind! Home made apple pie with spiced and tart apples, and a buttery/short-bready crust in vanilla ice cream.
The flavours are amazing. Some of the best ice cream that you will ever have .... love the tiramisu. The only downside is that its hard to see what flavours are on offer as there are so many people, and they don't take card! will keep coming back though.
Aaaaaamaaaaazing.....!!! Must try
If Only They'd Stop Using Peanuts :(. I LOVE this place more than life itself, but they really need to remember that people with life-threatening peanut allergies just can't eat here when peanuts are on the menu - the risk of cross-contamination isn't dealt with, so allergy sufferers are often forced away.
Fresh ingredients, delish gelato. I can taste the apple pie in my apple pie gelato!! Yum!!
Just tried Messina gelato last night, love the flavors,, my favorites so far are ,,, pear & rhubarb,, pistachio,, can't wait to try more,,
There is a reason it's always busy!. I love ice cream, so going here was a no brainer! I had the the apple pie on this trip but also had a taste of the Dulce De Leche, yum yum!
Only negative would be having to have cash on you! I don't understand why there isn't eftpos, especially when it isn't always the cheapest trip there!
Worth going!. Because of the hype surrounding Messina (and because I get caught up in hype) I was a little underwhelmed with the flavours (pistachio, apple pie). Second visit though I ordered what I would have to say is the best ice cream I've ever had - the Pear and Rhubarb - yum yum yum! Both times I've been, I've been super surprised with how quickly I was served despite the busy-ness. But I get it depends on the day. Messina is definitely worth going to, just don't expect to be completely blown away.
Regular Icecreamer. Specials are insane, especially love the peanut buttery chocolatey ones, the line is usually quite long but well worth the wait and moves quickly. Gelato Messina can do no wrong, I always get a triple scooper, staff are always upbeat and friendly..very excited for you guys to come to Richmond! Thank you for doing what you do!!!
Delicious and exciting gelato!!!
Decided to go to messinas after dinner with the missus, best decision of the night (after a mediocre ramen dinner). This place saved my night!!! The place was packed when we got there, but the service was quick and attentive. Great place, would visit again and again even if it's freezing cold.
Goodness, not greatness. Yes Messina is delicious, yes their flavours are great, but it's definitely not worth waiting in line for over an hour for.
Delish!. Best gelati in Melbourne! Great place, great flavours. Pistachio my fav. ..A must for gelati lovers!
Simply Sweet. Amazing flavours but best of all I ordered a birthday cake from here and it honestly turned up better than the display model.. thank you
Great atmosphere, great staff, great taste. "III be back".
Like it!. Awesome atmosphere
Had to go back again oneday it is so good.
Best gelato I have had in Melbourne so far. I absolutely love this place. Gelato Messina is always my treat of choice, offering many delicious and unusual flavours.
Make sure you check the specials board because they often offer new and fun flavours.
This is the first gelato/ice cream I have had that actually has proper chunks in it (i.e nuts, cake etc.) rather then claiming it is a pistachio gelato with no actual pistachio in it.
Highly recommended!!
Gelato not to be missed. This place is so good it makes you feel naughty afterwards like you have run for miles or go on a detox just so that you can feel it's OK to be naughty again. :D
There are so many different and interesting flavours to choose from and they keep on adding new ones which is great. It's always exciting to sit and watch the people there work as they colour and shape the cakes and scoop icecream. II personally like to sit there and dream about all of the flavours I haven't tried (which isn't many as they'll let you have as many tastes as you like before you decide, my record is 12 in one visit and all of them were amazing).
Their gelato menu, as can be expected was brilliant and after some deliberation, we settled on the American Chow Down (peanut gelato, oreo custard, cream cheese mousse and pretzel crunch) and the Zuppa Duppa (hazelnut gelato, wild strawberry preserve, pistachio crunch and amaretti biscotti). I was supposed to share, but that was never going to happen, lucky if the husband got a couple of spoonful’s of each gelato, they were just too good to share. Both were delicious, but the American Chow Down took the cake, literally. How they came up with the idea of oreo custard I don’t know, but it was brilliant. They really need to consider adding this to their standard menu, I can’t handle the idea that I may not be able to get my hands on one of these babies again.
This is seriously what turned my night upside down. No, I am not exaggerating. Messina was what I looked forward toward to the most at the Noodle Market. After they finally opened up a store on Smith Street, I have been there on numerous occasions, and it never failed to disappoint. Don't get me wrong, the peanut gelato was amazing, the components all worked pretty well together, albeit a bit sweet, but that's nothing I can't handle. The biggest let down was the brownie, which was at the bottom of the gelato, now, I'm no expert on physics, but I'm going to take a wild guess and say that the coldness of the gelato and the warmth of the brownie did not work well together, and made th
I had a chance to try both the Zuppa Duppa and the Faux Pho, and my preference would definitely have to be the Zuppa Duppa. The combination of hazelnut and pistachio worked so well! The hazelnut gelato tasted chocolatey but was much was less heavy than plain chocolate gelato, and the crunchy texture of the pistachio made the gelato more exciting. Once I reached the bottom of the can I was surprised by the slight saltiness of the biscotti...
GELATO MESSINA FITZROY must try ice cream... don't be discouraged by the long line, it's fairly steady, before you could even decide on what you want, you're already at the counter. They have specials on every week and original flavours, we had caramel, hazelnut, lychee, coconut, chocolate, white chocolate, fudge, apple pie flavoured ice cream. And here I thought I found the ultimate ice cream when I saw Nutella Ferrero Rocher ice cream in Williams Town beach many years ago. Must try ice cream, and my favourite flavour was lychee and coconut!
Afterwards go to Messina just around the corner, like we did! I got salted coconut and mango salsa – which is one of my favorite flavours. Flavours to check out for the nut allergic : Salted caramel and white chocolate, apple pie, Dulce de leche, pear and rhubarb and my other favorite flavour : yoghurt and caramel.
Established in Sydney in 2002, Gelato Messina is an institution Australia wide. 11 years later they decided to call Melbourne their second home – all we ask is what took them so long? Is it worth a trip to Messina? For sweet tooths and gelato lovers it is almost worth the trip interstate, but now for Melbournians, we have one less reason to visit Sydney (sorry!) This is the gelato store of your dreams with over 40 unique flavours. Get acquainted with all the classics like Coffee, Chocolate and Vanilla; sorbets like Lemon, Mango and Coconut&Pandan and then there’s the unique flavours like Bounty (Coconut and Choc Chip), Peanut Butter Pretzel Fudge Brownie and their biggest seller Salted Caramel&White Chocolate. The Melbourne store is a lot roomier than their main Sydney counterpart in Darlinghurst. Melbourne has a decent seating area with curved benches – a stage seat to watch the gelato being made through their gel
Gelato Messina has had an almost cult status following in Sydney and have finally opened in Melbourne. They make everything in house from raw ingredients and it really shines through in their flavour offerings. This is just a little sample of what I've tried so far. A new favourite ice cream joint to visit.
We skipped dessert for a short walk to Gelato Messina as it’s never too cold for gelato. Two scoops of my favourite flavours: Coconut Pandan and ‘Run Run As Fast As You Can’ (peanut butter gelato with gingerbread biscuits). I could eat them forever.
Natasha Juchkov (Culinary Runway)
+4
In true Natasha fashion, I will start off 2015 late as always, with this very delayed post :P Good Food Month's Night Noodle Markets was on again this year. This time on the other side of the banks, with more vendors and more rain; at least that meant for less crowds! Although this year's event is well and truly over, if you've never been before, be sure to check out next years event, for snippets of the best food Melbourne has to offer =D p.s. thank you to my lovely friend (she knows who she is) who tackled the rain with me! Chinese lanterns so pretty Everyone huddling undercover from the rain Lol starting with dessert first, but of course we actually had this last and really should've gotten one, because we couldn't finish them, even though they were so damn nice. Also, this was my first time trying gelato messina in Melbourne, although I eat it all the time back here in Sydney. Left - Happy Taste Bud Time ($9 each) This flavour was definitely my favourite. It reminded me of the vanilla, mango icecream from Home Icecream mmm... Seriously the mango puree tasted so natural and fresh. The rambutan and coconut gelato were also so light and refreshing. Although I loved the coconut macaron, the more you eat, the sweeter it gets. All in all, a really good end to a meal, really cleansing and makes you feel a little bit healthier :P Right - Phuc Khing Tasty Haha the name is just the best, my friend dibs not to order this one which left me feeling red in the face > As I dug deeper I hit something hard, and not easy to break, then I realised it was the cinnamon scroll and boy was it yummy, unfortunately I have t say I liked it better than the gelato. The coffee was nice, but grainy as always. I know they go for that texture but it does get rough on the tongue and also don't hate me for saying this, but plain coffee can get boring. All in all, this "pot luck pie" was too sweet for me, there was nothing light or savoury, but each component on its on was nice (some better than
Gelato Messina can do no wrong, every flavour is sublime, with interesting textures and twists on the traditional staples as well as their own concoctions. Scroll through their Facebook page for a sample of their innovative flavours. Pavlova with chunks of baked meringue, raspberry coulis and passionfruit puree or baklava flavour anyone?
A Chronicle Of Gastronomy
+4
The impressive, modern and sleek shopfront houses a cabinet showcasing around 40 different flavours of gelato and sorbet as well as some of their gelato cakes, such as the Black Forest (as seen on Masterchef) and Dr Evil’s Magic Mushroom.
Supposedly the best gelato in Australia, Gelato Messina recently opened its doors in the cool and hip part of town in Fitzroy! The friend and I couldn’t resist the call of good gelato and decided to head down to check it out, two scoops in a cup was only 6 bucks, cheaper(and better?) than its competitor nearby
Taste the rainbow. A psychedelic rainbow of treats for your senses. It looks as good as it tastes! With traditional flavours mingling with the strange but enticing, there is seriously something for everything. A must visit with out of towers to make them jealous.
Best Gelato ever!. Really good Gelato - especially their pistachio flavour!
Best Gelato in Melb!!. Next to my Rome experience, this is the best Gelato in Melb!!!!!!!
Great, except the mint. Love the gelato, except the mint tastes like grass. Glad to see they finally have a system to stop people cutting in line. Gelato is great, faultless. Except the mint. It tastes like balls. Everything else is good.
Please please please bring back "LUCKY POTLUCK PIES" and make them a permanent menu item! They were so amazingly-mind-blowingly delicious!!!
WOW!. Went to Messina last pm for the first time and it is the bomb!
Had to go back again tonight it is so good.
Great atmosphere too
Keep your cool!. Great gelati, lots of variety and plenty of specials to keep you interested in going back. Worth it if you have the patience to wait in line and keep your cool when a family of four insist on sampling all the flavours before settling on a small cone with plain old chocolate gelati. Eugh... Perhaps if tasters were not offered, the line would move faster. I hope your luck in line is better than mine, because it is good and worth a try!
Very busy. Loved it but way too busy.
Who doesn't eat ice cream these days?!. Gelati itself is delicious! Friendly service but no matter what day, night or time you go, there seems to be a queue out the door and down the street..literally! Kudos to them handing out menus to those in the line though...great idea to keep the crowds moving. Not all that much seating inside, but i suppose the idea is to order and leave. Fairly expensive but they have interesting flavours so guess it's worth it
Recommendation: try the specials
Worth the hype! Lots of yummy flavours, a suggestion is to improve on the queuing and having people jumping lines at the counter.
Made with love. Soooo very very very delicious!!! and love how they are creative with flavours- even if they are a bit weird sometimes! So cheap too and such great service!
NOTHING MORE TO SAY....THE BEST!!!!!
Try the Specials Menu. After months of hearing about how great Messina is I thought it was time I finally gave it a go, I love my gelato and tried the pistachio flavour as it is my favourite at Brunetti. Although I admit it was good, it wasn't as great as Brunetti's Pistachio, it lacked sweetness and tasted a bit bland, standard flavours like this are better elsewhere. However their new flavours/changing flavours are interesting so you should definitely try those out.
I have to say, I was skeptical about the hype of this place but having been twice, I am now a convert. Great selection, great price point and the long lines aren't intimidating as they move reasonably fast. It is lovely that they cater to vegans too. The only negative is that they have no eftpos. Paypass is just as quick as cash. Please look at opening multiple stores in Melbourne. Thank you.
Simply the best gelato, seriously yummy and a ton of ever-changing flavours to choose from.
Stole my heart. The second you take your first bite, all you can think is "Take my money, just take it all."
The flavours are amazing and such a variety, it's delicious and fresh and so so tempting. Happy to drive the 25minutes just for a scoop of the peanut caramel or the tirimisu flavour.
Love Messina. Love this Icecream so much! And the service is actually fantastic so helpful and nothing is too much effort :))
Just great!. Often there are long queues but gee it's worth the wait, and the queue moves quickly anyway. Top quality ice cream, unpretentious pricing and service, just great. Owners, don't change anything please!
Gelati that deserves they hype. My wife made me come here and i want to say Thankyou!! It was so creamy and delicous. Coming from the suburbs the old golden gaytime is just not going to cut it anymore!
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Second time lucky. I tried Gelato Messina at Star City casino June this year and was really dissapointed, i had the apple pie and banana and I ended up having to throw half of it away there was something fermented about the banana and the apple pie tasted like leftovers from putting to much sara lee apple pie and commercial icecream in your bowl from a buffet, I just did not like it, so when a couple of friends wanted to satisfy their sweet tooth after dinner at Belles hot chicken (i already had 2 serves of soft serve salted caramel sundae there) I was hesitant but came along for the walk anyway, once there I was put off by the horde of people clamoring to get served but i thought id have a peek at what they had, it was way too crowded to have a look at all the flavours on offer so I was stuck on the 'sorbet/dairy free' end of the icecream cabinets, the chocolate sorbet looked luxuriously dark and velvety and the coconut and pandan just called to my Filipino heritage so I thought why not? This will be my third dessert for the night how fat can i possibly get? Oh my! I am glad I did the combination of the the chocolate sorbet and coconut and pandan married well...it was creamy but clean on the palate, i savoured every plastic spoonful! It was heaven indeed, best icecream/gelati i have had hands down in my LIFE! Even my 9 year old was super impressed with his lychee sorbet exclaiming that it tasted like 'real lychees', I've been dreaming about the chocolate sorbet and coconut pandan as soon as i threw out my empty icecream cup on a chilly decembers eve on smith st. Definitely put my faith back in Gelato Messina and I will make the call that they are the BEST
Exceptional !. I have tried 4 different flavours till now.. All were mouthwatering and delicious.
Just Can't Get Enough. Messina is genuinely one of the best establishments in Melbourne. I cannot stop returning.
The ice cream and gelato is one of, if not the best ice cream and gelato in Melbourne. The new innovative flavours seem to get better each time.
It is a must go!
(Make sure to buy one of the take home tubs, you will want to savour the ice cream for as long as you can)
Where do I start ? Gelato Messina takes me back to Italy each time I have it. By far the very best gelato in Melbourne and possibly Australia. Can't begin with which is my favorite flavor. Worth every cent you pay when it's gelato like Gelato Messina. Thanks for existing !!!!!!!!
Great selection, avoid going on friday night!. Headed to Messina last friday, and it was packed. And the queue system was really bad, because it had a bar styled system where you had to get the attention of the scooper in order to get your orders. Other than that, the selection was really huge and it had a number of funky flavours like pannacotta and nougat which was pretty yum.
One piece of advise is that, share 3 flavours with at least 2 friends. It costs $7 for 3 flavours and it is plenty to share among 2 friends and you get to try on more ice creams as well.
Head down to messina on a weekday and avoid friday and saturday nights!
Fantastic break from the summer heat. Came here with my partner on state election day. It was hot and dreaded the prospect of a long queue since the weather was very conducive to a nice treat of ice cream. To my surprise, it wasn't that busy and got the ice cream in under a minute after walking into the shop. Absolutely loved the special flavours (True romance, hawaiian nights and steve jobs). Kudos to the staff who were very patient explaining the ice cream flavours. Terrific service in all; and would definitely go back again.
Best ice cream in Melbourne. I've eaten a lot of ice cream over the years and this would have to be the best!! The array of flavours can be confusing because you want to try them all, they allow tastings which great. I They also have takeaway tubs in different sizes which is perfect. Great place location and worth the wait!! Surprisingly the coffee is good as well. A must for all
The best. Love it , what flavour today pleasse
BANGKOK HOOLA at night noodle market so so refreshing and interesting
Best Ice cream in Australia. This is just the best place for Gelato. The taste of their ice cream is so natural and yummy and the consistency is perfect. They have so many flavors to chose from, it always takes me ages to decide. And the price is so reasonnable for the quality.Please don't change anything!
Unique range of flavors and such a good quality of gelato at great price. Friendly service. Like it too much!!
Gorgeous gelato and service with a smile. I recently purchase a gelato cake for my birthday (Juliette), and it was amazing, so much so that I had some for breakfast! The girl that went and got my cake was lovely and attentive ensuring the cake was transported well considering the 30 degree day- props to the staff for caring :)
HOLY BANANA ICECREAM IN HAPPYLAND. Ok firstly, I am NOT an ice-cream person. There can be ice-cream in the house and I won't even think about eating some, much to the happiness of my partner who can devour it without blinking. So when I went here for the first time, it was more for him, but when I had my first taste, I was BLOWN AWAY. The most creamiest delicious ice-cream I've ever had, the flavours are so rich and true to flavour. The banana tastes, like banana, the snozzberries taste like snozzberries...*Sigh* I'm not saying I'm moving closer to Fitzroy just to have more access, except I am and I will.
The best. It's the best
Rocking specials
Great service and great price!
The highlight of my crappy birthday!. Yes folks, the title says it all! After what turned out to be the worst 30th birthday ever, someone brought to me, a rather spectacular ice cream cake from Gelato Messina at the end of the day. After all of the turmoil of the day, as I put that first spoonful of salted caramel, peanut butter, chocolate goodness into my mouth, my mind cleared, my tears dried... I sighed and was ever so grateful to the Messina team for coming to the rescue and saving my day.
Thank you.
Ps. I love your gelato.
Yay! Grown up gelato that is smooth, rich without being sugary and offering mature flavours. Messina knows how to work it with everything spot on from service to layout and letting the adoring fans watch ice cream being made.
Yum!!! Cramped in & pushed our way to the front to order our gelati, 3 flavours in a cup. Once purchased we sat outside & being a cool night were nicely offered a Messina blanket which we willingly took. Staff were quite friendly & engaging but the gelati was the main hit, the flavours were beautiful with so many to choose from. The only problem was I wanted all of them... Which means many more return visits will be needed
Delicious delights. Great selection of gelato.
Amazing ice cream but no ordered queuing system in place.... Highly recommend the ice cream here and great value. The only issue is the big crowds that gather on a Saturday after dinner. We queued up for 30 minutes with several people pushing in front of the line as their is no ordered queue, just crowding around bar. This can be rather frustrating if you pick the wrong spot and are left waiting a longer amount of time then others who come later! Short story short- we are regulars to the place and recommend coming on a week night or during the day when you don't need to line up!
Fantastic. We ended up having tastings of a heap of flavours before making up our minds - it's just too hard since they are all so good. The service was fantastic and the icecream extraordinary. Just got back from Italy and Messina is as good as any gelato I had there.
Very very good gelato. I'm from Perth and every time I'm in Melbourne I try to go there. It is a shame I'm never lucky enough to taste the beautiful ice cream showed in Masterchef but I'll keep trying!
I don't understand why people who doesn't like it are so rude to comment. Regarding the "year of the dragon" system to order the gelato, c'mon! Even when it is packed it never takes more than a couple of minutes to order. If you want a numbered system just go to the bank.
Had the coconut and a scoop of banana peanut butter = delicious!! Will defs be back
A piece of heaven. Gotta try the pannacotta & fig, sorbet of sultans and steve jobs! Highly recommended!!
Best Gelato ice cream. Must try here, don't be discouraged by the long line, it's fairly steady, before you could even decide on what you want, you're already at the counter.
Apple Pie. Homemade apple pie mixed through apple gelato - DELICIOUS!
Best gelato in Melbourne!. Fantastic flavours and the specials board usually offers up something worth a try too. We travel to get to Messina on a semi-regualr basis.... Only suggestion would be to PLEASE think of opening a store south of the river! We would be most very grateful :)
Uh-Mazing. What can I say? This place is a must go destination for anyone in Melbourne. The gelato is absolutely incredible and the flavour options are inventive and delicious. The store itself is spacious despite getting really busy. What is really refreshing is how lovely and helpful the staff are. Usually at trendy places in Melbourne the hipster staff are too cool for school, but that's not the case here.
Delicious! Great variety, atmosphere and friendly staff. Pricing was surprising too, was expecting top shelf prices to match the vibe but was very happy to pay $4 for 1 scoop and $6 for 2!
Best ice cream. I've been going to Messina regularly since December last year and I can say it's the best ice cream I've had. They have a really nice variety of flavours, including the specials which are usually very good. Salted caramel and gianduia bianca are just amazing! The only thing to take into account is that it's pretty crowded and loud, so it's not the best option if you are looking for a quiet place, but it's definitely worth it!
Also, the price-quality relationship is good.
PS: Something that I don't like is that the size of the portions change randomly, and sometimes they are too small.
"Bowl of champions" - milo, cornflakes, milk gelato - changed my life! I think about it all the time haha
An overly minty mint-choc flavour. Title says it all really, also caramelised white choc could do with more caramel, but the fig and biscuit one is good
Not such a long line during the day.. We past this many times at night and have it a miss. but during the day, we were served straight away. the staff are super friendly and wanted us to try pretty much all the flavours before choosing. all great flavours, would try a cake for my birthday next.
We'll be back...... We thought we would try this place after it was recommended by a friend. When we arrived we saw that it was quite busy, so thought it must be worth a taste (& considering it was a miserable raining 10 degree day.) It took a while to get served, however, it was worth the wait.. We felt a bit pressured to make our choice quickly, so didn't get to try many flavours before making our final decision. The Apple Pie ice-cream was delicous. Just a suggestion; the queing system could be a little more structured as we had 2 people push in front of us before we placed our order. The staff are to be commended on their very friendly attitude while under very heavy serving pressure.
Just like being in Italy!. The flavours absolutely blew my mind! The selection that Messina have is absolutely phenomenal. The salted caramel was fantastic. The moment I tasted it I was lost for words. All I could say was WOW! The staff was super friendly even though they were so busy and you could tell they were under quite a bit of pressure to serve everyone (line was massive!!!!) and it was just and overall awesome experience. I will defs be recommending this place to all my friends!!
10/10 from me -- Keep up the awesome work!!!
Awesome flavours. Ordered a tiramisu gelati and was blown away at how authentic it tasted - just like a tiramisu cake!
The best ice-cream you will ever eat.. Where most ice-creams are an 'imitation' of certain flavours, Gelato Messina ice-cream is something else: regardless of the flavour you get (Bounty, Chocolate Fondant etc.), it tastes EXACTLY like the flavour it's representing. Eat a Bounty flavoured Gelato Messina ice-cream and you feel like you're eating a Bounty. The flavours are so real that it's almost beyond belief. You can't help but close your eyes as you're eating and just savour every mouthful. The best ice-cream I have eaten, period.
The staff was very patient and kind. Allow me to try several flavours before making up my mind. Run as fast as you can which was on the daily special was amazing! Also I had apple pie and banana split. Tiramisu was another flavour to die for. Will definitely go back for more. =)
Yum. Great ice cream, flavours and ambience, however felt service was unfriendly.
I hit the Apple pie and dulce de leche....and I'd hit it again! Delicious!
Best ice cream in town. Yum yum yum !!!!!
Fantastic flavours, patient staff. Love this gelato, and the staff are always willing to let you sample as many flavours as you want - which is handy, as there are so many to choose from! One of my favourites is the coconut and lychee, so delicious and refreshing, and a good one to have alongside one of their richer offerings.
Delicious. I've been here many times now and have tried many of the flavours. As an ice cream lover I am quite critical of ice cream but this place has been consistently good! I am always impressed by the range of flavours and the new flavours that are on the specials board. Yumm
Absolutely love this place! Have been here countless times and I always order two scoops; one being my all time favorite bounty (which is amazing) and just a different flavour to try something new. Love it!!
To die for!. Salted caramel with white chocolate. Perfection.
Oh my yum! That experience - from first seeing all the colourful ice creams...and then to the interaction with the awesome lady dishing out the ice cream, and helping us make those important executive decisions in life like what flavour to choose - was just perfect. I loved my flavour choice, and the yes, I am happy to share half my tiramasu and true romance ice creams with you, kind Messina sir.
Talk O' The Town Pearcy
+4.5
Go eat there. No seriously, go eat there. I'm not kidding. You won't find better ice cream anywhere else. It's THAT GOOD!
This Diner Is Anonymous
+4.5
Too, too good. This place is well-deserving of the hype surrounding it. The salted caramel and white chocolate is seriously THE BEST you will ever have. The coconut and lychee is also sublime. I'm a creature of habit and get these two every time I go and am never, ever disappointed. The perfect dessert (or snack) whenever you're out on Smith Street (or anywhere really ... make an excuse to head to Collingwood!). Amazing.
Apple Pie!. The apple pie gelato will always be a favourite with the apple pie chunks, so delicious! Will be definitely be returning again and again as it is reasonably priced too!
Dog friendly - amazing staff. amazing gelato!. I had my first Messina experience yesterday (15th June 2014) and was standing outside holding my dog while my sister ordered. Despite being busy, a gorgeous staff member behind the counter waved to me and then can out to check whether someone was ordering for me or if she could help at all. Seriously? I was actually blown away by that. I then went in to order (which my sister held my dog) and the same girl served me and was ridiculously lovely and helpful. Oh and the gelato was SO delicious. I am beyond impressed.
The best thing since Italy. After visiting Rome early in the year I immediately fell in love with the delicious gelato that was littered throughout the city. Coming back home to Melbourne I haven't stopped daydreaming of the Italian icecream and haven't found anything which comes close. Until... I headed down to Gelato Messina! This place brought back the nostalgic moments that I thought could only happen in the mother country of gelato. Gelato Messina is located on Smith Street in Fitzroy and is a scoop of paradiso amongst the diverse range of dining options. I ordered the salted caramel and peanut chocolate which was met with friendly service and was heaven in my mouth! The place does have limited seating and I paid $6 for a two scoop cup. Forgot all about the price as soon as I put that colourful paddle into my mouth.
Great gelato. Loved the tiramisu flavour!
Bit pricey for gelato, but then again, these days at this price it is considered average. Way too overcrowded with people, bought it then went to car to eat. YUMMMM is all I can say to describe!
Expensive if you think about - solution? Don't think about. Just eat it.
I like how they have different flavours every time I go. Very awesome.
Oh. my. gosh. That salted caramel & white chocolate gelato. Ignore the crowds, deal with the queue and just do it.
Yummy was so great will be coming back
Unbelievable crowd. We had just had dinner nearby on a Friday night when we spotted this place. It stood out because it was unbelievably crowded! So we decided to join the queues for some gelato. The gelato was fantastic and the choices of flavours plentiful. However there was no where for us to sit and enjoy.
Went on a Saturday night with family place was packed and line was out the door gelato was worth the wait but very disorganised.
Amazing flavours! You understand why there are huge lines in summer when you taste the ice-cream. It's delicious!
Just.GO.. If you live for chunks of stuff in rich gelato, this is it.
Real deal flavor. Headed down here early January, despite the mammoth queue the service was friendly. Ice cream is amazing! The flavor is awesome, if you want ice cream that tastes exactly what the title says head down here!!
YUM!!. Fantastic gelato , friendly staff. Will keep returning over and over again.
Messina is my happy place. Hands down most amazing ice cream I've ever had! All times faves are salted caramel, panacotta and apple pie. Love their weekly specials too.
Finally found good gelato in Melbourne!
Heaven. Best gelato I have ever had! amazing!!
Damn right delicious!. Rockmelon and proscuitto gelato, incredible. I can't go past the poached figs and marsala myself, such an awesome combo. I'm also a sucker for the salted caramel and white chocolate. Lets face it, i'm a sucker for any gelato at this place! The flavours are so inventive, not to mention damn right delicious. Eager to get a take away tub so I can have my own personal emergency stash at home. Highly recommend for all ya'll sweet tooth's out there!
Amazing!. Bloody delicious ice cream! The bounty flavour is an absolute winner in my opinion. Can't wait to try more flavours. Worth the wait at only $4
Could eat this every day of the week. Second time at Messina and it's as good as I remembered it when I first visited the Sydney store!
The white chocolate and salted caramel is a must, even if you're not a major fan of white chocolate.
The apple pie v2.0 was also great. Loved finding small chunks of Apple and crumble throughout. Thing I love about this place is the thought that goes into the different flavour combinations and at $6 for two scoops ($7 for 3), you can't go wrong.
Queues but some seating. Have now eaten at all the Gelato Messinas. I find it interesting the other review comments about atmosphere - there never is any because it's all about getting in amongst the horde, getting your icecream and then trying to find a place to eat it so ambience is the last thing on my mind. Server seemed quite surprised that I knew what I wanted as opposed to trying a million flavours. On the whole their gelato is good so why dilly dally trying different variations of basically chocolate and vanilla? Had the white chocolate caramelised and the frankie knuckle dusters - yet another variation of the basic flavours they have. At least at this installation there's some good soft seating around you can use.
Amazing!. The concept is amazing and the execution perfect!
Love the variety of flavours and how there's a new flavour every day (smart way of making me want to go back every day!)
There's also gluten free options which means I can take my sister and she still has plenty to choose from!
Wouldn't mind if they were open earlier on hot days in summer.
Great. Bought cake a month or so back. The staff were lovely and accommodating when i changed my pick up times. Cake was amazing aw well. Highly recommend!
Pretty good. When first walked into this place i was sceptical, but the ice-cream was worth it. will be back
Delicious. I am absolutely hooked. These guys are fantastic at marketing and have sucked me right in with their Instagram posts, but I don't care. The flavours are inventive and always surprise me with how good they taste. The lines are long in peak times, but it's take away ice cream, so you're never waiting for long.
So good. So very very good. I picked the fig marsala, chocolate peanut fudge and stewed rhubarb and they were rich, creamy and generous. Heaven in a cup.
Unique Flavours. Messina has over 35 gelato flavours. Sweet tooth peeps will love the salted caramel white chocolate, while funky peeps will devour lychee martini :) Staff: always so pleasant and helpful. Price: best prices in Melbourne with a HUGE cup of THREE scoops for just $7.
The gelato is amazing!! They have so many Italian gelato flavours to offer! The gelato is yummy. 10/10!!
Hip place for icecream. Very cool atmosphere coupled with great gelati.
The Good And Bad Of Melb
+4.5
Wow!. Good Service. Amazing selection. Easily the most exciting venue on Smith Street. Well worth it!
Best Gelato in Fitzroy. Amazing flavours that, in my opinion beats the Gelato on Lygon St.
The Cremino spécial is to die for!
Gelato buono. Firstly the layout of Messina is nice, when you first glance the ice cream you notice it's just overflowing and wants you to eat it. Flavours are wonderful and some different ones, love the colours and of course taste testing! Good price, not to high. Did anyone else find it is quite powdery? And fatty? Otherwise another happy customer. Love gianduia bianca, blood orange, chocolate and caffe. Very popular amongst the locals. Get in quick to beat the queue! Also try an old favorite Gelobar on Lygon Street.
Hazelnut Delight. First time I went straight for Gianduia Bianca, remembering Hazlenut was my favourite in Italy.i chose right! Creamy Hazlenut with little nibbles of semi crunchy nuts and delightful bursts of crunchy praline. Not too sweet not too nutty not too much toffee. Just perfect well done. Perhaps you could put out a Creme Brûlée of equal standard? I'll be watching and waiting ;)
Visited Messina multiple times, the atmosphere of the place is lovely. I feel like the prices are really great in comparison to similar shops. Lots of variety in flavours and the once I've tasted so far are amazing. The seating is nicely set out and I could eat this ice-cream any season of the year. My #1 place for ice-cream at the moment.
Great!. Amazing place but sometimes same flavour taste different depend on day :)
Amazing...except for. I have been throughout the world and have made it my mission to try gelato everywhere. This is definitely the best in Australia. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is fun. The banana split gelato was amazing and, when the flavour is strong, the coffee gelato is the best I have ever had. Loving all things dark chocolate, I tried the fondant. This is where things went horribly wrong. It tasted like terrible dark chocolate yoghurt, mixed with dirt and pepper. My friend had a bite as well and her face said it all. I usually love love love dark chocolate gelato, but this....STAY AWAY! Hopefully the garbage can liked it more than I did.
Yes!!!. BEST GELATI IN THE WORLD!!!
My faves are the Tiramisu and the Persian Rocky Road; rose water gelato with fig and pistachio. Just like Turkish delight! The Persian Rocky Road was so delicious that I went back the next day and ate it for dinner :-)
The lines look big but it's pretty quick and entirely worth it!
Best ice cream in Melbourne. Simply put it as, I love ice cream and no ice cream beats messina!!! if you tell me otherwise, I will not believe you. haha
Unique flavours. Best flavour is pandan!
Recommended flavours. The best flavours by far is the Italian nougat. Full stop. Nothing more to add when it comes to the best of the best.
Some other flavours worth trying: salted coconut and mango and yoghurt and berry
Underwhelming flavours: pear and rhubarb, poached figs and marsala.
Ice cream can actually compete with Jocks in Albert Park. Had Donkey Kong and M'Nizzle, both were decadent and flavoursome! M'Nizzle needs to be taken off the specials and be made a regular flavour!!
This place is like a bar!? Line wasn't too long and the atmosphere was great. A bit hard to get a look in the fridges to see what you want but $7 for 3 scoops of good quality ice cream was a fair price I think. Definitely worth a visit, especially to taste the specials
Interesting flavours. A pop up ice cream store along smith st! Awesome:)
Im glad they have unusual flavours where you cant get from other ice cream stores.I know im asian,wish they have black sesame and green tea!
Buzzing. Went after dinner on a Wednesday night and the place was so packed we thought it was a bar! Lots of flavours to pick from. The dulce de leche tasted really great. I have the mint and choc which was nice. $4 for a very generous scoop, well worth it! The staff were really nice and friendly. When I'm back in collingwood, I'll definately go back :)
Nyom nyom. Super dooper delish!
we tried - salted caramel with white chocolate, passionfruit, mango and berry yoghurt.
recommend the salted caramel !!
and probably the chirpiest servers in fitzroy - tooo cute!
taste -yum!!!
price - incredibly well priced for such a hit at $4 a (generous) scoop.
location -fitzroy - more needn't be said. The addition of the seats inside is super quaint!
service -for such a busy place TOP quality service - they'll even give you tasters the matter how busy it is!
definitely worth a try!
God's given gift to the world. Basically if it ain't Messina then you don't f**k with it. Best gelato in town and totally worth the 45min trip I make just to indulge in it. I also especially enjoy the gelato specials they put up, they're always promoting fresh, tantalising, and orgasmic frozen delights. Each time I have commercially made sorbet, my taste buds are at complete dismay whilst my mind quietly contests "it ain't Messina though". As I write this review, my body is yearning for some Pandan & Coconut sorbet, which is a must try!
Visually, this place is great. The coconut and lychee was a standout. The line moves pretty quick but it's definitely weird getting ushered around a dimly lit ice cream shop. Settle down, folks.
Rich flavoured ice creams which all the ingredients on the label/name can actually be tasted, not just some faint elusive flavours. The temptation to order a 3 scoops indulgence is hard to resist so watch out for sugar coma.
I found heaven in Smith Street in the form of Messina's Gianduia Bianca and hazelnut. Wow! This is a whole new level of taste, overlapping layers of complex flavour and orgasmic taste right along my tongue.
I loved the fullness, indicating truely artisan passion in the making. I will continue to walk to the ends of the earth to enjoy a Messina gelato.
Best Gelato!. Best Gelato I have ever had! A huge range of delicious flavour to choose from and they never disappoint me!
One of the best gelatos I've ever had
Delicious Messina. Nephew bought his Mum a brilliant birthday cake here last November..it has taken us this long to get here.
Apple Pie, Passionfruit and fig and marsala were all fabulous. The girls who served us were so attentive especially the one from Milano. Personality plus!
Service as it should be...
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How To Avoid The Queue; Go On A Cooler Day...Like TODAY!. Stopped by Gelato Messina on the way home from a work meeting.
Had heard of these guys from the Night Noodle Markets. Tried one of the sundaes (it had doughnuts in it as well as jackfruit crème patisserie and a trippy flavoured soft serve ice cream) and have been meaning to come here since!
Stoked that I did.
Customer service was excellent. The ladies who assisted me were prompt, seemed genuinely happy to be there and seemed genuinely enthusiastic about the product they were promoting and helping to sell! Nice work! Even other workers who weren't serving me were smiling at me....I don't know if they did that simply because they're paid to or if they were genuinely happy, but either way, it's a good look for the general public!
Getting off track! Back to the review of the merchandise. I tried the fig and marsala, gianduia and the dulce de leche. The fig didn't fully hit the spot for me (was still good though) but the other two were frozen awesomeness. The dulce de leche was rich but not too sweet and the consistency was great. The gianduia was also rich and full flavoured but not heavy.
Well, that's twice you guys have done an awesome job! So I decided to purchase a takeaway tub with 4 flavours. Looking forward to smashing through that with my wife over the weekend.
Just a couple of things I've had on my mind as I write this review...
Will those sundaes come back on the menu? I could go another one of those monkey balls ones or whatever they were called....flippin weird names haha.
And I saw the recipe book in a local store and literally laughed out loud at the special recipe for the sexual chocolate gelato dish! Is that available to consume at the store?
Awesome work guys. Keep it up. Thanks for some wacked out, wonderful gelato flavour combos. Will definitely be back for more!
Best gelato in Melbourne by far. Have lived in Italy and it tastes just like the gelato in the gelateria there! xxx
Good, But Worth the Wait?. I can see why Messinna is so popular as they offer a wide variety of interesting flavours (some a bit too sweet for my liking) and decent value for money (if ordering two or more scoops). But I can’t help but scratch my head when I see people waiting in line for so long. Staff try their best at processing orders, although it doesn’t help when customers want to try before they buy or don’t know what they want. Avoid venturing down in peak times (hot summer Friday/Saturday nights) and I am sure you will leave satisfied.
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Really enjoyed my icecream that I finally tried today! I work in fitzroy and had not yet had a chance to pop in. I noticed during the heatwave crowds queuing out the door. Today, on a 20 degree day, it was nearly just as crowded and my friend nearly turned down the suggestion we try the new icecream joint I'd heard was good.
We are very glad we made the effort-the line moved quickly, we were greeted with a smile and served fairly promptly, and we had a hard time choosing.
I choose bounty and apple pie, most impressed with apple as clearly chunks of pie (pastry and apple!) were in it! The bounty was quite nice though the coconut was delicate.
My friend had malteaser which really tasted genuine, and salted caramel which had a nice bite.
Needless to say we were both very happy that we had bothered to park and come in even though it looked busy, and my friend is now a convert to the sweet side of life ;)
Maybe not such a good thing it's close to work though, could be dangerous, especially if they introduce customer loyalty cards haha!
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Don't get lemon!!. I came here with high expectations. Many people have recommended Gelato Messina to me and all raved of it. I left feeling slightly disappointed. Waiting in line I was handed a menu of the array of flavours offered by Messina. I opted not for the indulgent and exotic milk based gelato, but for the classically simple water based. I chose lemon and mango sorbets. The mango was light, had a wonderfully smooth texture on the palate and was beautifully scented of summer mango. The lemon however, one of the pillars of traditional gelati, was smooth in texture, but overpoweringly bitter. It tasted of the pith of the lemon peel, not the zest nor the juice. It was, for me, inedible. After three or four spoonfuls, in the hope it was only part of my scoop, the bitterness became too much. It sadly, left a bad taste in my mouth. which is a great shame. I also tasted the salted caramel and white chocolate and Gianduia Bianca. Both were excellent in both flavour and texture. I hope the lemon was just a bad batch, and only a small disappointment in what is a very exciting and attractive space which seems to be well on the road to success. But like I said, don't get the lemon!!
Went tonight for dessert. Had the salty caramel white chocolate. AMAZING!
We got served straight away and back at our car in about 6 mins but somehow the bastard ticket inspector was hiding nearby and got a $72 ticket! Serves me right. Don't worry I'll be back. Absolutely delicious!
Absolutely Amazing!. My partner and I went here on a trip to Melbourne, and would DEFINITELY go back! Oh my goodness it was good!
I tried the Italian Nougat and Amaretto and Fig Panacotta falvours which were to die for. My partner had a salted caramel and white chocolate flavour which was our favourite of the bunch.
Definitely try Gelatto Messina, you won't regret it.
Great gelatos and very friendly customer service. The girl was really helpful to ask what are my liking flavours in order to recommend the flavours for me, and let me try the flavours. Defiantly I'll come back for gelato, and it's be good to see that short girl again
Line moves quickly so don't be put off. So so delicious, flavours are real and love all the nut flavours, i have now found the best gelato place in melbourne
LOVEEEEEE this place! I just can't get enough of it absolutely fantastic.. I drink 40 mins every week just to have mesinas ice cream and it's always worth it. Keep up the great work guys x
Heaven!. The line moves quickly and the service is friendly and welcoming. The ice cream is to die for. I had salted caramel & white chocolate, apple pie and milk chocolate with peanut fudge. Absolutely Devine. Perfection in a cup!
Oh. My. Goodness. I had the salted caramel and it was divine. The line is a non issue, (don't listen to those who state otherwise) it moved quickly. The service was quick and the gelato amazing- I am already salivating at the thought of my next visit!
Just love the tastes!. The flavor of ice creams are what it says, you taste it, you smell it and you feel the ingredients just it should be :D
Linnie Eats All The Food
+5
Amazing. AMAZING!! Yes there is a queue but it takes no longer than 10 minutes to get to the front. Yes it's crowded but you will get served. All this hype and waiting for ice-cream? Yes it is absolutely worth it. Been here twice and each time i tasted a new flavour, i can't get enough of it. Best flavour is Pandan coconut. The recommended salted caramel isn't anything exceptional but is very sweet. Highly Recommended!
Beautiful place, yummy ice-cream. Great buzz in and outside the shop. Love it
Amazeballz. Slightly obsessed with this place, been here three times in the past week LOL,
pandan and coconut is hands down my favourite flavour, very strong pandan flavour which is hard to come by,
other flavours i'd recommend includes tiramisu, lychee martini, and the gay time one which is a special, but should defs be on the permanent menu!
i'll definitely be back soon to try out every single flavour!
Best gelato in Melb hands down
My heaven on earth. Have been to this place many times since it opened. Enjoyed every mouthful of goodness and have run many kms just to experience it on a weekly basis. This place is my go-to cheat meal of the week and I don't think I can eat at any other gelato place thanks to you. You guys have set the bar pretty high. Keep up the good work.
Amazing flavours. After visiting Gelato Messina in Sydney, tasting the best ice cream we've ever had, then going to Melbourne, we had to go Messina in Fitzroy; we weren't disappointed.
We recommend you try the extraordinary flavours on the Specials Board. We had 'Manoffee' and 'Mr. Potato Head' - amazing.
The absolute best flavour we had though was in Sydney, from the Specials Board called 'Pushing Back', it had peanut butter and cherry jam in it... yum!
The queue was quite long but you get served promptly. We usually get 3 scoops in a cup and it costs $7. Not bad considering what ice cream at the supermarket costs, and it's not a patch on Messina.
Everytime I go to Messina it gets better every time! Sure there is a wait in line and not much sitting area but it all doesn't matter when you taste the delicious gelato! Salted caramel and white choc! Blood orange is good as well
Ridic. This place is seriously ridiculous. Every night the lines are flowing out the door and it is chaos inside. They run a super smooth operation and the many staff are non stop with demand. A good touch by them is to provide customers in the line up with menus, but this does make things a little complicated as there is too many mouth watering flavours to choose from - aswell as a specials board. By the time we reached the counter I still had no idea so went with the peanut gelato and the salted caramel in a cone. Both flavours were amazing - peanut is my favourite though. I'll be back very soon no doubt...
Great ice cream; met the Masterchef judges!. Went with a few friends to get icecream. I got a single standard scoop of Raspberry sorbet and was quite pleased with the size, price ($4), a taste. There were raspberry seeds in the ice cream, suggesting it was made with real raspberries - which is good. But they were a little bit annoying.
Just as I had finished I spotted a face that I recognised sitting in the corner. It was Matt Preston from masterchef! George Calombaris and Gary Mahegi were there too. They were very nice and let me take a selfie with them lol :) what a bonus!
Will defs go back when i'm in the area
Anyone who tells you they don't like Messina is flat out lying! God damn they make some fine gelato. I had the white choc and salted caramel and the black cherry was divine. Don't be put off by the hoards hangin around the line moves quick, do yourself a favour and get yourself a scoop!
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Lives up to the hype. This place does not need any more hype. Nevertheless, it's in my neighbourhood so I had to check it out; upon my first taste of Yoghurt & Caramel (yoghurt gelato with dulce de leche, allegedly described by the head chef as "heroin") and a passionfruit sorbet coconut lychee gelato swirl with black sesame praline dubbed "Pretty Shady" from the specials board, all lingering scepticism about Gelato Messina was shattered. I won't disclose how many times I've been back since then, but I will attest to the fact that almost all flavours I have tried have been the product of culinary refinement and authenticity to the ingredients. The mint flavour of the Choc Mint, for instance, is much more "moroccan tea infusion" than the typical artificial mint ice-cream of the common variety. I personally found the Pannacotta with Fig Jam and Amaretti Biscuit to be too sweet for my palate and would suggest giving this a miss if you're not a fan of sugary confections. I'm hardly the one to get particularly excited about ice cream, so bear that in mind when taking on board my comments. Just prepare to queue (and possible ordering mix-ups, e.g. I got a cup when I asked for a cone, by the understandably overwhelmed staff), or make flexible plans if you're visiting the area so you can take advantage of not-so-busy periods.
Could not fault this place or its product. Excellent work and love the replys especially urban chefs bastardised whatever all time classic typical dh chef probably never churned icecream in his life prob works at noodlebox
Love it like a fat kid loves ice cream!!. Amazing gelato, sure you have to queue and there is a little wait but its totally worth it...
Deeeeelicious. Absolutely delicious, great service, massive serving size and great price! Best ice cream I've had in a long time!
BEST EVER gelato!. I have scoffed the delights of Messina twice now, and have never had to line up....Saturday midday is the time to go.
I use to believe that Brunettis had the best gelato in Melbourne. This Sydney arrival has changed my mind.
The ice cream cakes are pieces of art. I know what kind of cake I am having for my next birthday! The mushroom cake!
I'm glad I don't live near Gelato Messina or I will be going there everyday. Very creamy and smooth gelato. Had the salted caramel with white choc and coconut with pandan. Delicious! Although I dont really think the white choc bits added anything to the salted caramel. Would probably be nicer without it as it was more of a distraction.
Gelato HEAVEN. The gelato here is goddamn delicious. Lots of interesting flavours as well as some of the usual classics. The texture of the gelato is incredibly creamy and flavoursome. The Block ice cream cake is also a winner (especially if you're a fan of peanut butter flavoured ice cream, which I am mad for). Unlike the reviewer below, I didn't have any trouble reaching Messina on the phone (after 12pm, when they open) and their service was easygoing and friendly. Worth a visit, and then another! I find myself not wanting to go anywhere else for my gelato treats. Though there hasn't been a line for service any of the three times I've visited, I would break my own rules about never standing in one to get my hands on this gelato!
Despite the crazy crowds tier service was surprisingly still bubbly and warm. Their gelato is unmatched in flavour and unbelievable value considering it's the same price you'd pay at an average shopping centre ice cream store.
Loved loved it!
Worth the hype. Been here twice now and yesterday I ordered the Juliette gelato cake for my mum's birthday. No one seems to pick up the phone though, so that was a let down - decided to wing it and ta-da! They had the cake I was after. It was quite delicious and more-ish, and definitely enough for the six people in our family (with leftovers for breakfast!) Will be looking forward to ordering your Dr. Evil mushroom next for my friends 30th!
Alleluyah!. On such a hot summers day in Melbourne this place was busy but they served customers really fast. Thank-you for saving me on such a hot day!
I have been wanting to try Gelato Messina since before Xmas, and finally got a chance after a 40+ degree day. The que was quite long, even at ten to eleven on this balmy evening. I had the chocolate fondant, white haven and Dulce de leche... Delicious, smooth and flavors to die for. Will definitely be back to try something different.
It was good but not the best cant understand people queuing up for so long
I like Messina but it'd be great if they had some more vegan flavours that weren't fruit flavoured. I can think of at least two other gelato
Stores that offer a more interesting selection for vegans, but Messina is still a great place - just not my favourite.
Nomz. The 43 degree weather warranted a cold treat, so finally decided to indulge! Tried the pandan coconut and the salted caramel with white chocolate. The gelato consistency was excellent and service was quick despite the crowd. The pandan coconut was well balanced, flavourful, and not too sweet. The salted caramel was decent but I could have perhaps done without the white chocolate bits. Two scoops was more than enough for me! Can't wait to try the other flavours!
Flavoursome. Ice cream is 10% fat- melts on the tongue and it is the fat that transfer the flavour.
Gelato is 5-7% fat- however, to make up for the diminished fat the Italians add more flavour.
Excellent gelato has intense flavour and Messina does an extraordinary job in balancing the reduced fat with increased flavour. Excellent product.
Very impressed. Well we came past on one of their first nights open, might have even been their first night. They were closed, but with people inside, so initially we were turned away. But when the owner saw the desperation on the faces of the girls, and the 8 month pregnant belly of one of them, he had pity on us and asked what we wanted. It was all delicious, and he wouldn't take payment. A very nice gesture!
Delishhh. Went there the other afternoon with my mates and had a three scoop cup.
So much regret for my body but the flavours were absolutely amazing!!
I had the Coconut & Lychee which was really refreshing and spot on in terms of flavour, the special Boo Boo Berry Cheesecake (which made us all giggle, including the gorgeous girl serving us) and the Mint Chocolate!
Loved every bit of it!
Simply the best. I love icecream and I've had no better. I travel to Sydney a bit, so I was anticipating the arrival of Messina since it was announced they were migrating down. So happy. White Chocolate and hazelnut is my absolute favourite and is the foundation of every visit. Banana split was also very good! I'm going tonight and in need of a hot tip regarding what to try next...
Mamma Mia! How good is that!. How good are these gelatos!
I only tried 2 flavours because it's summer and I need to look fit but WOW it's was delicious!
I'm going for a gym session and I'll be back for more!
Amazing best ice cream I've ever had. Better than Italy I love this place. Good atmosphere and trendy shop, will be back again soon!
Yum. Just simply the most delicious gelato with a huge array of flavours. I can't wait to go back for more....
Delicious!. Had the hello sailor (pink grapefruit and something) and que barbara (dark chocolate, hazelnut ) and loved it! packed with flavour!
when we first drove past it, actually mistaken the place for a bar as it was so busy!
Great Gelato. Amazing.........was recommended from a friend and it lived up to its reputation.
Sweet tooth. Was told by friends to try the white chocolate and salted caramel. I did & it was good but it was actually the passionfruit sorbet blew me away - that was perfect!
Can't go wrong. I am writing this on behalf of my partner, but Fitzroy's Gelato Messina is just as amazing as the ones in Sydney, with amazing ice cream and exciting flavours!
Brilliant!. Easily the best gelato in Melbourne! Large range of flavours that never disappoints.
Freezingly Delicious. Flavours taste authentic, a must go destination this summer
Love the fitout, staff are friendly, service quick. Gelati was really nice. Servings are huge!!!
Yuuuuuummmmm!!!!!!! Bounty!!!!
Cookies & Cream, orgasm and ice cream all in one (oreogasm flavoured ice cream) !!! This place is heaven on Earth!!! Amazing gelato!!!!
Is there any bad ice cream here?! NO!
Close your eyes and just blind pick any if them. All is good seriously, even those flavour a you used to hate will turn into your new favorites.
Pretty good ice cream... we tried an assortment of flavors. All were excellent but the ones that really stood out had more 'acidity' or tang.... berry flavors were beautiful but the yoghurt&caramel was my fav.
Mouthwatering Gelato. Ice Cream Heaven arrives in Melbourne. Amazing and delicious with a huge variety of flavours. Gelato Messina delivers on all fronts. Have been to Sydney, but so excited to have you in the food capital of Australia.
To die for!. Absolutely delicious gelati with so many awesome flavours! Only let down was the vibe, it wasn't the comfiest place to be! But it is still so new and of course is an ice cream place not a cafe or bar!
Yum. Being from Sydney, I have loved Gelato Messina for years. The new Melbourne store is fantastic. Can't wait until they sort out the texture (temperature) of the gelato at the Fitzroy store though, because it's not quite at the same level as the Sydney stores... yet.
I've been to all the Sydney stores and the Melbourne store, customer service is consistently great, especially for how busy they always are. If I could marry the salted caramel with white chocolate chips, I would; so I'm glad you're in Melbourne.. but my hips are furious.
Nightclub or gelateria? Nice ice cream though- unusual flavors but there are other places just as good- the vibe is what makes this place
On a beautiful Saturday night, driving past fitzroy, we saw lines of people waiting outside Gelato Messina
Now we know why!!!
Best Gelato in Melbourne by far!
Every lick was amazing! Definitely worth making the trip across the city for!
Talk of the town for good reason.. I think when a brand or business has so much notoriety and there is a lot of hype before opening day people seem to be a lot more critical of the result. Which is fair as there wouldn't be hype for a reason however I think when it comes down to it, just simply go on first instinct... did you like it? In this case, I can't fault Gelato Messina! Lovely staff and amazing specials on offer. Felt like I was back in Rome at Della Palma stressing out over what flavour to get (in a good way). Not quite sure I would choose a dozen McDonalds soft serve cones over this stuff like a previous reviewer said. I honestly think the price is very reasonable for the quality you're getting. Will definitely be back rain, hail or shine. Keep up the good work guys!
I bought a gelato cake the day after they opened, called The Block. It was the most delicious gelato I've ever had and although it was a cake for 8, my partner and I ate the entire thing! Can't wait to try the Mushroom cake!
Mmm mmm mmm. SO GOOD guys!!! Just as good as your Paddo store and even better as it's twice the size so more room for eating... Love how you can see into where the gelato is being made.
The gelato itself was DELICIOUS as always... Cremino was to die for so I took home a large tub!
Thanks so much for bringing Messina to Melbourne- we have been waiting a long time!
Maybe you'll open up south of the Yarra one day??!!
Favourite Flavour Vanilla
+4.5
Stop wasting your time reading these reviews and get yourself here! Especially if you're a sweet tooth, but if savoury fans will find sonethibg to love in the salted caramel & white chocolate, the pretzel brownie or peanut butter flavours! Glad we didn't lose this place to 6 dessert places in south yarra!
Awesome! Amazing gelato packed with flavour. My standout was the tiramisu which actually has pieces of sponge biscuit in it, - just like the real thing, but with ice cream. $6 for 2 scoops is pretty good value, can't wait to try some new flavours!
Not as glamorous as the Sydney offering but still hits the highs of flavour, texture and pure joy! Welcome to Melbourne messina
Pandan Coconut, Salted Coconut wth Mango, Coconut & Lychee... if you like Asian dessert flavours, Messina's are excellent. I recommend these over their Leaf Leaf Bang Bang flavour. The Cherry sorbet tastes just like mashed cherries!
On par wth Helados Jauja but way more flavour options, cheaper (and closer to my house)
I loved Messina in Sydney and I love it in Melbourne! It's the BEST! THE BEST TIRAMISU gelato ever.. Thank goodness it isn't near me else wise I would be eating it EVERYDAY three times a day
Salted caramel & white chocolate!. Just amazing. The staff were friendly and service was quick considering how packed the place was.
It's as good as I remembered it from Sydney! Would've loved to taste test but it's so busy I had to spare the guys behind the counter from my usual indecisiveness when choosing flavours. Just have to come back next time for more! They do a good job at serving fast though, so the wait is short. Worth the trek down Smith Street.
You would be pretty hard pressed to find someone who didn't thinks this place is amazing. Absolutely at the very top of their ice cream game. Thank you for coming to Melbourne
Heaven has come to Smith St! Awesome gelato, great service. Tiramisu flavour is amazing. Will definitely be back.
I don't go too nuts for gelato, but I accidentally found myself in line at Messina on opening night. The guys handled the rush very well! While the queue was out the door it was less than 10 mins before my friends and I were slurping away at our ice cream. Had the chance to taste a bunch of flavours, bounty, tiramisu and yoghurt & berry were the best! Twixed was too choc heavy, choc mint too spearminty, salted caramel too salty. Will go back for sure! It's good value ($6 for 2 scoops) and much better than any other ice cream in the area.
The BEST gelato in Melbourne. The salted caramel and white chocolate gelato is sensational! Also very impressed with the excellent customer service. It's my new favourite gelati shop!
Just how good is the ice cream at Messina's? Good enough to brave a chilly and wet 10 degree C day and rug up kiddo in her winter woollies specifically to go eat the cold stuff. Winter you see, has not dampened Messina's business. We were not the only ones swaddled in jackets bravely eating ice cream whilst it hailed outside. We ordered for kiddo, the choc mint on a waffle cone: The ice cream had a beautiful texture and smooth creaminess which even kiddo appreciated. For the adults we ordered the lychee martini (yum without being too alcoholic) and blood orange gelato. Both were very smooth on the palate and not at all crystally for a sorbet. There were heaps of amazing combo flavours such as: salted caramel and white chocolate; pannacotta with fig jam and amaretti biscuit; pear and rhubarb, just to name a few of the more interesting ones.
Another new and well-anticipated shop is Gelato Messina. Heralding from Sydney with great popularity, winner of this year’s Australian stage of the Gelato World Tour, and voted the best gelato in Australia by the Good Food Guide, there’s every reason for the hype surrounding them.
It was heavenly. A silky smooth consistency, with salty hints of crunchy caramel that deliciously melted into the dark chocolate to leave a swirling pool of marbling colours. Each mouthful left me craving more and I was incredibly sad to reach the end - although, I'll admit it was a generous serving!
...this place always surprises and they give their creations excellent names (one of my favourites: Moroccan Mistress). Oh and if you feel really inspired, buy a cookbook and try to replicate their ice-cream at home.
We ordered the tasting plate for $12 – you get five scoops. Pros? It’s easier to taste each flavour with each scoop on a separate plate and it’s easier to share between friends. Cons…. you need to choose five flavours – it’s hard enough to choose two!
Luckily there’s always the specials board to help you out!
We loved Gelato Messina’s bespoke creations last year, and this year was no exception. Messina’s ‘pot luck pies’ included tubs of goodness with cheeky names like ‘Bangkok Holla’, ‘Phuc King Tasty’ and ‘Happy Taste Bud Time’. Our Happy Taste Bud Time pot luck pies were huge, encompassing a deadly sweet mix of lychee sponge, mango puree, rambutan and coconut gelato, whipped salted coconut cream and a chewy coconut macaron.
Good Food, Good Mood
+4.5
Gelato Messina actually originated from Sydney, where they have four stores. Messina finally graced Melbourne with their cakes and gelatos... something to definitely rave on and on about. It's situated on Smith Street meaning it's not hard to get to, and remember it's CASH ONLY!
We ended up trying out one of Gelato Messina’s amazing cakes yesterday. I had prepared a 4-layered red velvet masterpiece for my father’s ang moh birthday party but much to my dismay, had perched it on top of our 4WD whilst buckling my son into his safety harness, and left it there – only for us to reverse down the driveway and the inevitable disaster to unfold..
Confessions Of A Little Piggy
+4.5
Gelato Messina never fails to please. Every aspect, they just seem to take above and beyond. This time around, we were graced with Messina's International Soup Kitchen - a soup kitchen concept serving up dessert in a Campbell Soup’s iconic tin cans. Choose from Black Forest Bisque – chocolate-fondant gelato, cherry jam, kirsch cream with kirsch-soaked sponge or the Vietnamese inspired Faux Pho – salted-coconut sorbet, kaffir-lime marshmallow, lychee coconut cream with chilli-cashew crunch. Or perhaps the Zuppa Duppa – hazelnut gelato, wild-strawberry preserve with an addictive pistachio crunch and Amaretti biscotti or the American Chow Down – peanut gelato, Oreo custard, cream-cheese mousse and pretzel crunch. You can't really go wrong either way.
Gelato Messina make all of their gelatos and sorbets from scratch using raw and natural ingredients and have had queues out the door since opening up on Smith Street in Fitzroy. All of the current sorbet flavours (in the first cabinet) are vegan and the ones we tried were sensational. We sampled the 'Salted coconut and mango salsa' flavour, which is reminiscent of salted caramel and unsurprisingly, incredibly delicious. The 'mango' flavour was also top notch and surprise, surprise tasted of unadulterated mango! Just be careful about visiting on a hot day... you'll be in for a daunting wait out the door and down the street. The full vegan sorbet list is as follows: Salted Coconut and Mango Salsa Blood Orange Cherry Chocolate Sorbet Lemon Mango Pandan & Coconut (pandan is a green asian leaf used in asian cooking) Passionfruit Raspberry Strawberry Prices: 1 scoop ($4), 2 scoops ($6), 3 scoops ($7) Gelato Messina 237 Smith St, Fitzroy Vic 3065 Sydney/NSW
Lately, its been heating up here in Melbourne. With our first taste of the warmer weather during that week of over 40 something degree heat, Melbournians are probably just able ready to take on the summer. Regardless of weather you prefer to hit the beach with your friends or stay indoors where the air conditioning is turned on, with summer finally making its grand appearance. This means going to the beach, hitting the swimming pool, hanging out with friends, attending summer festivals and eating ice cream…or in my case, gelato. And where can we find some good ol’ home made gelato? Why, Gelato Messina of course. When arriving at the place, I was surprised by its large open space and entrance and its window paneled doors. Despite the slight hipster vibe I got from the brick walls, this funky cartoon backdrop was an interesting feature to the interior wall where a glass window is fitted so you can see the people that make eating gelato possible. Gelato Messina has boomed in popularly ove
I went with the Nonno Carlo ($4.00) - strawberry sorbet with whipped cream and brioche. This was so delicious and I could have easily had another scoop... or two. I hope they make it part of their permanent menu.
Umm so what exactly is the difference between gelato and icecream I had to ask my good friend Google who told me that gelato has less air whipped in to allow a denser texture and stronger flavour compared to icecream which has more air to give it that lighter, fluffier consistency. Gelato is also made out of milk rather than cream which is used in icecream (less fat). Last but not least Gelato is served at -15 degrees Celcius and icecream at -20 degrees Celcius. Gelato Messina needs no introduction. I read that they make 3000 – 4000 kgs of salted caramel and white chocolate gelato in one week - that must be some good salted caramel! Digging into my scoop it initially tasted like caramel gelato with caramel swirls to sweeten it out. Getting to the bottom a hint of salt was found to give a mild salted caramel. It was alright and I enjoyed the creamy smoothness of the gelato but found it to be quite subtle in flavours. Another flavour we tried was mint and boy, when they call it a mint
Expensive Delicious Habit.
+4.5
Certainly enjoyable, and not too crazy priced at $6 for two scoops. Would return when in the area, but I won't be making trips just for it like some of my friends!
I got to try their En-Thai-Sing and Haro Haro. En Thai Sing was pandan coconut sorbet with sticky rice, mango pieces and coconut milk. This was like a party on my taste buds. The sorbet was velvety smooth and fragrant with pandan and coconut (reminded me of the coconut jelly, you can get at yum cha). The sticky rice and mango gave it texture so it was more than 'just a sundae'. Loved it!
On those even light barmy nights around the streets of Fitzroy you will find most of the locals being drawn to one place, Gelato Messina. An array of cold sorbets and creamy ice creams are before your very eyes. From Pear and rhubarb, Blood Orange, Nought to just plain Chocolate. It's every kids dream and a saviour to all those who are suffering from the heat.
The World Loves Melbourne
+4.5
Gelato Messina is arguably the finest gelato in the land... The flavour profiles are breathtaking. Gelato Messina have already achieved a cult status in Sydney and have hit Melbourne with a crescendo... We journeyed (with blogger Melbourne Sensory and our families) to Gelato Messina on a warm day and lined up with half of Melbourne to get our gelato fix. And concluded this is worth the wait!
The Hungry Excavator
+4.5
Put it this way, I loooove a boozy dessert. I'll be honest, I like them really boozy. The ones that you feel can almost knock you out. Let's just say that the JD flavoured ice cream almost took me there.
...highlights was their Lychee and Coconut gelato. The Lychee flavour is fruity, flavourful and not artificial like you’re eating Lychee essence. The dessicated coconut that weaves through the ice cream, gives it added texture and complements the Lychee well. Tastes fresh, rich and yet not overwhelming with sweetness as some ice creams would be.
The decadently rich and nutty peanut gelato housed large pieces of chewy chocolate brownies, swirled through with sticky dulche de leche. I may have cried a little at this point too.
If you don’t know Gelato Messina you must have been living under a rock for quite some time. First opening their doors in 2002 Messina has become the king of gelato in Sydney. Their queues… in the middle of winter… at 11pm… are famous. Their bespoke gelato cakes have become even more renown since appearing on Masterchef. But most importantly their gelato really is the best.
how good does the gelati have to be to make me wait in line more than 2 minutes? Well the gelati here are really worth waiting for! I had the Apple Pie, and the Coconut and Lychee, which were beautiful and smooth. I also tasted some of my friends' gelato - the most memorable was probably th
With an array of flavours and some interesting combinations, there’s something to suit your taste buds. Probably the closest thing I’ve had in Australia to real gelato in Rome.
Gelato Messina is one of my favourite ice cream destinations because of their creative flavours and for the beautifully smooth consistency. They started out in Sydney and after being a huge hit, decided to share a little bit of that indulgence with us Melbournians. I’m very glad they did.
In T's words: this is the best ice cream that I've ever had. For someone who is quite sugar shy (i.e. not prone to fanatically worshipping an altar of desserts), this was a pretty significant call. The truth of his statement was also further belied by the fact that he is not one to commit to superlatives. We both agreed that the key strength of Messina's ice cream is due to the fact that they rely on flavour rather than cream or sugar. Even with a simple flavour such as coffee, we were enamoured with its complexities and subtleties.
I love the gelato, it’s creamy, luscious, beautiful combination of flavours. The staff were so friendly and welcoming. The gelato I’ve eaten. Please open a store in Singapore share the love!
Although this is a chain business, the quality is not compromised. Their salted caramel flavour was a quality treat.
Favourite Gelati place in Melbourne, because the flavours are amazing and special every time. Try the specials and be prepared to be wowed. Really friendly staff too. Favourites: pandan and coconut, mango, bounty, coconut and lychee.
The ice-cream here is incredibly wonderful! My favourite flavour is mango. It’s texture and taste is amazing and I hope you enjoy eating it too…
By the way, the lemon sorbet is also scrumptious if you want any advice on choosing the ice cream flavours!
Definitely the best ice cream I've ever had, so smooth 👍
Follow @icecreamatlas on Instagram for the best ice cream, worldwide!
Life is not complete without a visit to Messina. The pistachio praline was mind-blowingly good.
Pistachio praline 5/5 ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ 🤩
Pear and rhubarb 4/5 ❤️❤️❤️❤️🤍
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My favourite gelatery of all time, and you can easily spot them at different locations across Melbourne!
Love their classic gelato flavours which are not so classic, and are consistently tasty. They also combine flavours such as panna cotta fig & amaretto biscuits and yogurt and carmel, as well as serving you exotic flavours from all over the world such as pandan or lychee with coconut!
To add to this excitement, they have weekly specials where for example, they fuse a bunch of diff ingredients to create an amazing flavour or just make your favourite food into icecream form!
My favourites are:
- afternoon tea at nonna’s: ricotta cheesecake gelato, fig jam, buttery biscuit crumble
- dulce de
- you make me unicorny: 100s & 1000s and poundcake
- fairy bread: 100s & 1000s and toast and butter gelato
- double or nothing / get baked: baked cheesecake gelato with dulce de leche & toppings
- milk tea gelato specials
- tiramisu
To be honest, everything is good and no wonder it’s such a popular fun spot to return to!
Oh my God! What an icecream. Truly one of its kind. I have never tasted such a creamy and rich textured icecream. Absolutely indulging 🤤
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