Ah, Italy. The boot-shaped country of bountiful culinary delights. We’d love nothing more than to jet off there in the warmer months, but while it’s summer here we can embrace the Italian lifestyle at Nobby Beach, where Gelato Gemelli is serving up dolce vita vibes one scoop at a time.

Behind this gelato paradise are three brothers – Paul, Alec and James Carney – the culinary masterminds who’ve brought a touch of Italy to Australia’s sunny shores.

The Carney brothers aren’t new to creating dining destinations. Their Gemelli Group Restaurants – from Gemelli Broadbeach to Gemellini Nobby Beach, Roys by Gemelli, and Gemelli James Street in Brisbane – are already well-known for their stellar Italian fare.

Gelato Gemelli is part of The Oxley‘s Space Cubed build, a creative hub that’s helping transform Nobby Beach into a vibrant community destination. With their commitment to quality and passion for all things Italian, the Carney brothers had one thing in mind for Gelato Gemelli: authenticity.

“We’ve always loved visiting the south of Italy and seeing the gelato culture in summer and the free living that everyone shows. We wanted to bring that to Nobby Beach.”

And mamma mia, have they nailed it.

This dreamy gelato shop has outdoor seating that’s perfect for people-watching, plus a cosy laneway setup at the back that’s ideal for a more intimate gelato moment. With space for about 20 people, it’s a snug yet stylish spot to chill – literally.

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.

Other flavours that are churning out to be crowd favourites are Fig and Mascarpone, QLD Mango and Stracciataella. Be transported straight to the Italian coast with a scoop of Amafli Limone and the Torta Della Nonna that is a modern twist on the classic Italian lemon tart. Seasonal and unique flavours are always on offer, so there’s always something new to try.

Gelato Gemelli isn’t just about scoops; it’s about a lifestyle. Cones or cups aren’t your only choice here. Pick a flavour and have it served in the famous brioche gelato sandwich. In Sicily, they call this breakfast, and we say si si to that! Chocolate lovers can swoon over the free-flowing chocolate fountain, that will add the perfect choc-top to your summer treat. And fear not lactose intolerant! Dairy free is also available for everyone to devour, ensuring no one misses out on the fun. We can’t go past the classic pistachio.

If you’re like us and can’t stop at one scoop, all flavours are available to be scooped into takeaway tubs and savoured at home. From sweet summer afternoons to indulgent midnight cravings, Gelato Gemelli has you covered.

So, if you’re ready to “cone”nect with your inner gelato lover, you know where to go. Gelato Gemelli will melt all your worries away.

Where: The Oxley Atrium, 17 Lavarack Road, Mermaid Beach
Hours: 11:00am – 9:30pm, daily

Words by Lisette Drew
Images by Mathilde Bouby

Meet the three brothers behind Gold Coast cult-favourite Italian restaurant Gemelli Italian… oh and Gemellini, and Roy’s, and their latest Brisbane venture, Gemelli Italian James St! Do Paul, James & Alec really need that much more of an introduction? Famous for their Italian restaurant’s authenticity and wholesome food, we got to know the boys ahead of World Pasta Day on 25 October 2021. Get to know more about their local loves and a sneaky insight into their favourite dishes!

Tell us a bit about yourselves.
Alec & James (28) and Paul (32). We grew up in the Italian rich agricultural community of Griffith in NSW, so have always been surrounded by food and wine. We grew up making pasta sauce and salami every year, so we have had an amazing upbringing in that sense. Hence our passion for our culture and of course, the food that comes with it. We’ve all had times living around various places including going to school in Sydney. James and Alec lived in Sydney and Paul lived in London for a few years prior to all relocating to the Gold Coast – and shortly after starting Gemelli in Broadbeach!

How long have you been Gold Coast locals?
We all moved here back in November 2013, so it’s nearly been 8 years which is crazy! We definitely love being here and call ourselves locals now.

What do you each love the most about the Gold Coast?
Paul (P): We have some of the most beautiful landscapes here and all so accessible.
James (J): Laid-back lifestyle for sure. Having the beach a stroll away and how the Gold Coast people are is awesome.
Alec (A): How chilled it is as a city. I’ve lived in Sydney before and it’s too hectic, the pace of life is great here.

Tell us how your first venture, Gemelli Italian in Broadbeach, first came about?
J: I was running a restaurant back in our hometown of Griffith in NSW. Our Nonni (Italian grandparents) lived on the GC and we’d always come for holidays here. We saw a gap in the market and were young and hungry to do something! Looking back it was definitely a very gutsy move but being a bit naive and just passionate really helped us, we always had a vision and stuck to it.

What does a typical day in the life of each of you look like?
We try to get up early and get active – beach swim, gym whatever that may be. Then into work for the restaurant, be it in service or meeting with suppliers and staff; then back by night service! Can be very long days, but we love it.

What is your most popular dish across all restaurants?
A: Would probably say our Gnocchi. We hand-make it fresh every day and it’s amazingly soft. It has taken years to perfect it!

If you could only live off three Italian dishes for the rest of your lives, what would they be and why?
P: I’m pasta obsessed – so would have to be Rigatoni Amatriciana… classic dish in Rome and has all the goods you could ever want!
A: Seafood is a big love of mine. So I’d have to go with Spaghetti Vongole. When we were over in Italy, it was that most days for lunch in the hot sun. Just perfect!
J: For those who know – Granita e Brioche. It’s a Sicilian dish of brioche bread and granita which is a sorbet-like fruit. Use the brioche and dip into the granita….that for breakfast is heaven.

If you had to recommend just one Gemelli Italian pasta dish to order for dinner, what would it be?
Rigatoni Ragu – it’s just such a wholesome and delicious pasta. It’s our Nonna’s recipe and it reminds us of special family lunches on a Sunday where we would all get together.

We know a restaurant in Brisbane has been an aspiration of yours for some time, and now since recently opening, what’s next for the Carney brothers?
Try not to kill each other haha! No, it’s been amazing getting to Brisbane, it has been a dream of ours for a while now, and to have it come to life is special. Nothing set in stone but maybe a smaller project – still Italian, but something slightly different perhaps!

What are your Gold Coast favourites…
Café:
P: Espresso Moto is for sure. Always spot on, they do a great job in every aspect!
J:  Milkman’s Daughter is perfectly situated at the end of our street and I just love the food there!
Restaurant:
J&A: Itoshin in Mermaid and The Tropic in Burleigh, basically two spots we frequent a lot haha
P: I’ve got a few I love – Lupo, Glenelg Public House, Jimmy Wahs, North Room and Rick Shores is pretty hard to beat on a beautiful day with a wine in hand haha
Bar or pub for a drink:
P: I like to keep it simple and local – a beer at Nobbys Surf Club is ideal.
A: Sitting outside Rick Shores with a Spritz in hand is pretty special.

How do you choose to spend your weekends?
P: We’re normally working to be honest haha! But downtime is definitely chill time and time to recharge the batteries. Relaxing at the beach, eating some nice food, maybe a few glasses of wine. And sometimes trying to get a round of golf in!

There’s a new kid on the block in Nobby’s and it’s quite literally all we’ve been hearing about. The doors to one of the most talked about new precincts – The Oxley 1823 – are open.

Nobby’s has long been a hive of activity for the Coast, whether you’re looking for somewhere to get your morning caffeine fix (aren’t we all) or a margarita (actually, make that 10) it’s one of the best beachside spots around.

Now Nobby’s is bringing back that charm you know and love but with all the good stuff you’ve been missing, like you know a grocer and butcher.

The Calile-esque look is a welcome addition to Nobby’s, it’s giving a resort vibe and we’re absolutely all about feeling like we’re on vacay while doing our weekly grocery shop.

Not only have the team at The Oxley brought us a gorg new hangout spot, they’re also bringing us the legends behind Rick Shores who have announced a whole new concept coming to the precinct mid 2024.

A side-step from the Asian-style menu at the iconic Rick Shores, the new restaurant concept is set to bring a Latin American flavour by their Executive Chef James Brady, who’s been wining and dining at some of the world’s top Mexican and Latin American restaurants all in the name of market research – sounds like a job for us!

The space will spread across two levels with the Latin American restaurant on level one, an open-air rooftop ceviche bar and private dining rooms so there’s literally everything you need for the ultimate long lunch all in one spot.

In stage one of the precinct’s opening, you’ll see some familiar faces, with the brains behind Burleigh institution Seadog bringing a new café to the block. Buoy (pronounced boo-ee) is promising to deliver a pared back menu that is less on frills and big on flavour, think a super considered menu with the classics you know and love as well as fresh feeds with hero quality produce.

But what about the coffee we hear you ask? Think boutique harvested coffee from Colombia poured by expert baristas with unique flavours of milo and caramel – yes, you read that right – because life’s too short for boring coffee.

Also coming back to Nobby’s, is the legendary Gourmet Meats under the guise of the Oxley Village Butcher so you can say hello to premium meats to level up your BBQ game with fresh cuts from the best farms around.

The Oxley Village Grocer is bringing all the fresh produce and groceries you need as well as market flowers for whether you’re looking for ‘just because’ blooms or something that says ‘sorry I didn’t mean to forget your birthday’ – eek.

Last but not least, all that shopping and socialising is thirsty work so the Oxley 1823 Sub Station is your stop for hydration station with juices and milkshakes that will def bring the boys to the yard, or a cheeky scoop of gelato because we’re in for a long hot summer.

We’ve been eagerly awaiting this pretty little newcomer and I think it’s safe to say it’s been worth the wait, so you know where to catch us kicking back for a bite and a beverage this summer.

Where: The Oxley, 2217 Gold Coast Highway, Mermaid Beach
When: Opening Saturday 2nd December

Words by Jacqueline Bojanowski.