Anita Gelato

Overview

When West Village revamped its chosen patch of West End, it took over a site of significance. From 1928–1996, the Boundary Street spot was home to the Peters Ice Cream Factory, which churned out frosty dairy desserts for seven decades. That's why, to mark the precinct's past, West Village hosts an annual ice cream festival — and it's also now home to Anita Gelato.

The international chain already has stores in Barcelona, New York, San Juan, Tel Aviv and Sydney, but its new West Village spot marks its first Queensland shop. Its specialty: boutique handmade gelato, with more than 150 flavours in its range. That hefty lineup includes yogurt and sorbets, too, as well as its organic, sugar-free, fat-free, soy-based and real cream-based gelato.

For those new to the brand, it started almost 20 years ago in the Mediterranean, with its namesake and her youngest son Nir making frozen desserts for their friends and neighbours. Then, Nir began selling their ice creams — which use Anita's homemade jams for flavour — at local markets. Opening a store was the next step, then more followed around the world.

Those jams, still made in Anita's kitchen, remain a feature — although you can choose from other toppings, such as fresh fruit, syrups and chocolate. You'll spy a heap of those add-ons on display in gold tiered trays at Anita's eye-catching West End setup, which goes big on green hues, wooden furniture and mirrors.

Wondering what kinds of flavours rank among that 150-strong list? While you won't find them all on offer every day, the list includes creamy varieties such as pavlova, salted bagel, chocolate cheesecake, cappuccino with butter cookies, and chestnut with hazelnut cream.