Gelato Messina, Pyrmont (NSW) by Bilby Blue

Since setting ourselves the challenge to sample the best gelato in Melbourne, we have visited some amazing gelato establishments, but so far we have overlooked the rock star of the gelato world, Gelato Messina.

On a recent business trip to Sydney I found myself opposite The Star complex – a great opportunity to sample more gelato from one of Gelato Messina’s Sydney outlets. Right next to the Sydney Lyric Theatre, and close to the Pirrama Road entrance to The Star.

On the evening I visited, there were far fewer customers than when Bureaucrat reviewed the outlet back in 2013. No queues and no pressure. Tastings were offered.


The Boss’s Wife and macadamia crunch gelati

The menu lists 25 regular flavours and 10 sorbets (dairy free) plus five blackboard specials. Every weekday a new special is introduced, staying in the cabinet only for the next seven days. All flavours – both regulars and specials – are made from natural ingredients, and Gelato Messina states that only natural plant-based stabilisers are used.

The gelato comes in one, two or three scoops, in cups or a waffle cone. Some awesome gelato cakes are also available, but should be ordered in advance.

It was difficult to see the gelato clearly through the misted glass. After a hot sticky Sydney day I was looking forward to a fruity sorbet (passionfruit, lemon, orange, mango…), but these were missing from the cabinets. I would have to make do with alternatives.


As usual for our gelato taste testing, I opted for two scoops in a waffle cone. A special flavour – The Boss’s Wife – paired with one of the regulars – macadamia crunch. The Boss’s Wife was hazelnut and coffee gelato with white chocolate and hazelnut ganache – rich and creamy with a fairly intense flavour. Macadamia crunch was a caramelised white chocolate and macadamia gelato with a macadamia crumble. It was very good, the crunchy textural interest providing a great counterpoint to the velvety smoothness of the gelato, but would have been a bit sweet for me without the contrasting slight bitterness of the hazelnut/coffee/chocolate.

I was very happy with my choices – the combination of the two worked very well. But I was a little bit disappointed that my preferred fruity options were not available.

Verdict

We loved it.

Overall

Gelato Messina has a well-deserved reputation for innovation. Devising so many new flavours every week, year after year, is an incredible achievement.

Find it at

Gelato Messina
The Star
Café Court, Level G
80 Pyrmont Street
Pyrmont NSW 2009
Phone: (02) 9571 1918