In what could be deemed the best timing in history, Heven-yah has come to the rescue of heat wave stricken Gold Coasters with the recent launch of their Mermaid Beach gelato bar.

Created with the intention of introducing the traditional style of gelato, the family-owned business hand-make everything in store and introduce new flavours daily.

Using fresh fruit, the highest quality Belgian chocolate, fresh honey from their Grandfather’s beehives and traditional ingredients, Heven-yah’s gelato and sorbets bring a fresh injection of culture to the Coast.

The creamy, cold deliciousness is served in traditional pozetti’s and windows at the back allow customers to watch it being prepared, giving the space a fresh, industrial feel.

Heven-yah came about when sisters Amy and Holly Prosser were travelling in Portugal and learnt the ins and outs of traditional gelato making.

Having never seen anything like it on the Coast, the girls, along with their brother Ben, opened a gelato cart to share what they’d learned with lucky locals.

After a year, the trio decided to open a stand-alone store to allow people in to see exactly how they create their signature flavours.

Think fig w/ heven-yah honey, salted caramel and chocolate almond.

All gelato and sorbet is gluten free and there’s always a dairy free flavour on offer.

Having grown up in Mermaid Beach, the family’s venture is an exciting addition to the Mermaid Beach lineup.

HOURS: Tuesday to Friday 12pm to 10pm and weekends 11am to 10pm.

WHERE: Shop 2/2387 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach (next to Alfred’s Apartment).

Words and photos by Kirra Smith.

Ah, ice cream, you dreamy, heaven-sent creation, you. A treat that transcends all ages, there’s no denying it is one of – if not *the* – most iconic summer foods going. And here on the GC, our (usually) balmy climate is more suited than most to indulge in (several) scoops of creamy, churned ice cream or gelato goodness any old time we please…

Which is just as well, with all of the fabulous Gelaterias and frozen dessert purveyors gracing our city. It’s a near full-time job trying to keep tabs on them all… and, side note – new dream profession unlocked.

Let’s dig in (y’know, with one of those adorably tiny, and mildly impractical ice cream spoons) to some of the best spots to cool off with a cup, cone, or even a fully-loaded sundae –stacked, sprinkled and swirled within an inch of its life. Who’s hungry?!

Rosé Gelateria
Artisanal gelato slinger Rosé Gelateria dons its telltale blush accents across two lush GC locations – Tedder Ave and Sanctuary Cove – which, in itself, is a pretty decent clue as to the boujee, boutique style approach at these pretty-in-pink creameries. Besides a delicious assortment of crafted ice creams, they pour some fantastic coffee, including an affogato that’ll knock your socks and/or crocks off (hopefully not ‘and’, though). The signature Rose flavour, which comes sprinkled with petals, is a treat for the peepers and the palette. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a prettier gelato fix on the Coast!
Where: Shop 39a, Masthead Way, Sanctuary Cove and Shop 6/19-21 Tedder Ave, Main Beach

Shiro Gelato & Snack
The concept of a friendly neighbourhood noshery specialising in snacks is one we can wholeheartedly get behind, and Shiro Gelato & Snack has your cravings covered with a Japanese take on all things to nibble, slurp, and lick. If it’s the lickable variety you’ve got your heart set on, house-made gelato flavours like Black Sesame, Matcha White Chocolate, Miso Caramel, and the vegan friendly Yuzu and Lemon flavour are all a common sight here. Take it to the next level and make it a Mochi-wrapped gelato scoop – served perfectly encased in the gelatinous Japanese dessert.
Where: 50 Nerang St, Southport

Pop’s Milk Bar
Think classic ‘50s milk bar vibes – vinyl booths, checkered floors, and a milkshake in hand. Maybe you’re sharing, maybe you’re not (we don’t judge). But this isn’t just any shake – it’s made with house-made gelato. And the flavours? Oh, they’re all yours. Nutella, Peanut Butter Chip, Bubble Gum, Berry Strawberry – whatever your heart desires, consider it scooped, blended, and served thick enough to make your straw work for it. Not in a milkshake mood? No stress. Get your gelato in a cup with mix-ins, sandwiched between cookies, drowned in hot fudge, or loaded into a banana split. Basically, if there’s a way to eat gelato, Pop’s is making it happen.
Where: Southport Park Shopping Centre, 163 Ferry Rd, Southport

Yo-Chi
With a line that stretches around the corner on the ‘reg (like, every single weekend) – locals have been going wild for Yo-Chi’s signature tangy and tantalising fro-yo goodness since the cult fave first swanned onto our scene in 2022. Now the proud owners of four GC locations in Broadbeach, Robina and Burleigh and Surfers, punters can get their probiotic fix in the most delicious of ways with a signature, soft serve style frozen yoghurt selection available on tap. The core range of year-round flavours are complemented by seasonal cameos, the majority of which are 98-percent fat-free… and 100-percent mouth-watering.
Where: 11/3240 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise, 89 Surf Parade, Broadbeach, 19 Robina Town Centre Drive, Robina and Shop 4/27 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

Gelato Messina
We’ve been living the ‘cream’ ever since Gelato Messina returned to our shores, now slinging their famed flavours out of Surfers’ slick Paradise Centre precinct. The Messina name is one known for taking this gelato business seriously… everything from the dulce de leche to the gelato base – and even the chocolate – is made from scratch, down to their very own dairy farm to keep them plied with the creamiest jersey milk. There’s a reason that their… *checks notes* – literally every flavour – is what ice-cream dreams are made of.
Where: Paradise Centre, 2A Cavill Avenue, Surfers Paradise

Ciccio’s Pizza & Gelato
Not only do they serve a slice worth doughing over, but scoops of gelato. Melt-in-your-mouth (it won’t last long enough to melt in your cone) authentic Italiana gelati. Savour it plain and simple with a one or two-scoop cone, or take it on a freshly baked Sicilian brioche bun or a pizza?! What could be better? We’ll tell ya! It’s their traditional Italian Tartufo Di Pizzo made with hazelnut and chocolate gelato, with a melted chocolate centre, and coated in cocoa powder. Mamma mia, che buono!
Where: East Tower The Phoenician Building, Shop 10/104 Surf Parade, Broadbeach

The Gelato Shop
Cup, cone, or even sundaes – no matter your preferred method of consumption, Broadbeach’s The Gelato Shop has got you covered when it comes to all things chilled, sweet and creamy. The legendairy lineup of award-winning flavours includes the likes of Chunky Chocolate Cheesecake and Snickers gelato, a slew of fruit-based sorbets and decadent vegan options like Coffee Crunch or Peanut Butter. For an all-out indulgence, there’s locally made Warm Cookies & Gelato, Waffles and an array of fully stacked Sundaes.
Where: Shop 8 Aria building, Cnr Surf Parade & Albert Ave, Broadbeach

YOMG
Remember, the concept is ‘self-serve’, not ‘self-control’, so don’t be shocked when you have none of the latter after stepping inside this purple palace of frozen yogurt. YOMG–so good you have to say it ‘yo-my-goodness’–serves handcrafted frozen yogurt using fresh milk and farmers’ yogurt alongside shakes, burgers, wings and other bites. But today, we’re here for the creamy swirling goodness. Go wild with crumbly, bubbly, chewy, crunchy and drizzly toppings like brownie bite, boba bubbles, fresh fruit, jelly beans, crumbled biscuits and pistachio sauce (to name a few). Oh, and they do acai, too! Find them at Burleigh and Pac Fair!
Where: Pacific Fair Shopping Centre, Broadbeach Waters and 15 Connor St, Burleigh Heads

La Macelleria
A spot that’s a stickler for tradition, La Macelleria is kitted out with all the best Italian gelato-making gear. You can watch on as the crew whips up their artisanal, chilled confections daily… *drooling intensifies*. Wrap your lips around stalwart flavours like Bacio and Salted Caramel, gelato shakes and out-of-this-world affogato – for those who prefer their desserts to come with a kick. One taste, and your love for this place will be un-cone-ditional.
Where: 90 Markeri Street, Mermaid Waters

Village Gelato
Not only has the team at The Oxley brought us a gorg Nobby Beach hangout spot, but they’re also keeping us cool with delicious gelato. These guys are all about the good stuff – handcrafted gelato made with top-notch ingredients and a whole lotta love. Word to the wise, we highly recommend clocking early and ducking in for the Happy Hour scoops. Surely, the boss will understand.
Where: The Oxley, 2217 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach

Gelato Gemelli
Every scoop of Gelato Gemelli’s creamy creations is made from scratch with imported equipment straight from Bologna, the heartland of gelato-making. No shortcuts, no pre-mixes – just proper Italian gelato crafted with love and precision. The signature scoop? The Pisellino – a heavenly blend of pistachio cream and white chocolate that’s worth melting for. Cones or cups aren’t your only choice here, you can also have your fave flavour served in their famous brioche gelato sandwich. Just stop – we may pass out from sheer excitement.
Where: The Oxley Atrium, 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach

Scoop Gelati
Here’s the scoop… if you’re in and around Burleigh and find yourself in the mood for gelato, sorbet or ice-cream shakes – do not pass go – head directly to Scoop Gelati. The hand-crafted, small-batch recipes include refreshing revelations like ANZAC Biscuit, Caramel Biscotto and Apple Crumble, all made fresh on-site. Got an ice cream connoisseur in your life? Their frozen cakes are a treat for the eyes and the tastebuds – perfect for every occasion, or ‘just because’ works too.
Where: 23 James Street, Burleigh Heads

Burleigh Gelato
Picture the scene: you find yourself in the southern end of town (wandering off of one of those world-class beaches, no doubt), when you’re hit with a hankering – not quite hunger – but you could most definitely eat. The answer is Burleigh Gelato! Now with a second location in Palm Beach, the array of flavours is enough to earn the affection of even the frostiest-at-heart. The cookie-inspired creations, such as M&M Cookie Dough gelato or Biscoff gelato are alone enough to get dessert fans swooning. They’re also handily available on major home delivery apps and open late — perfect for those late-night sugar cravings.
Where: 9 Connor Street, Burleigh Heads and 3/10 Palm Beach Ave, Palm Beach

Tango Gelato
Palm Beach’s turquoise sensation, Tango Gelato, serves up sweet scoops daily out of its Pavilions Shopping Centre location (now also in Kingscliff if you’re ever stranded across the border). The icy creations include inventive combos like Ginger & Dark Chocolate, Strawberry Cookies & Cream and Blackberry Sorbet – so if you think you’ve ‘been there, licked that’ when it comes to ice cream flavours, we’d suggest you pay them a visit to have your mind blown immediately. They also offer delivery, so if you’re lucky enough to live nearby, you can always opt to have the the ‘mind blown’ come to you (in your jim-jams, obvi).
Where: Pavilions Shopping Centre, 1102 Gold Coast Highway, Palm Beach and 80 Marine Parade, Kingscliff

Ottimo
What do you have if you take yourself a devoted Italian and then send him to study a diploma from the Gelato University of Carpigiani in Italy? You have Davide, the owner of Ottimo, of course! Promising superior gelato and coffee – rest assured, whatever flavour you settle on taking from this premium iced-goods purveyor is going to be the goods — it’s all made fresh and on-site daily, after all. Stroll in after an afternoon on the beach and let him and his friendly staff scoop you happy. And their signature ‘Sicily’ flavour, made with Mandarin Custard with Pistachio and Almond Caramel, sure does just that.
Where: Shop 18/52 Marine Parade, Coolangatta

Tamborine Mountain Gelato Co
Serving only the most authentic Italian gelato – the rainforest-studded surrounds of Tamborine’s mountainside community are the only reminder that you are, in fact, not strolling the streets of Sicily whilst sampling your delicious scoop of choice. At Tamborine Gelato, the iced goods are served old school – hidden behind the lids of a traditional Pozzetti gelato cabinet in the name of freshness. Seasonal, house-made flavours are rejigged every couple of days, with the chance to catch creamy creations like Vegan Mocha, Cookies and Caramel Swirl and Pistachio.
Where: 4/15-17 Main Street, Tamborine Mountain

Words by Chelsea Ipsen