Compá Is Fitzroy's New Sicilian-Style Gelateria

Who said gelato is just for summer? Certainly not the team at Brunswick Street's new Sicilian gelateria, Compá, which opened its doors last week.

From Carl Foderá and Marco Enea, the guys behind Northcote's popular Il Melograno, this bright little spot specialises in artisan gelato and sorbetto. It's made traditionally using long-held family recipes, with a splash of new-school flair — all of it a nod to the colourful Italian province of Sicily.

"Compá is a celebration of our shared Sicilian heritage," says Foderá. "It's about sharing these old family traditions, respecting the old ways and giving them a contemporary spin. It's really a reflection of what we love and what excites us."

A third-generation gelato chef trained in Sicily, Enea's knocked up a top-notch range of flavours for Compá's starting lineup. Il Melograno favourites like Iranian pistachio and chocolate rosemary will make an appearance, alongside seasonal creations and a new range of vegan gelato.

It's all got zero preservatives, artificial flavourings or commercial essences, and, rather than using one gelato base across the whole range, each flavour is crafted separately from scratch, with recipes adapted seasonally.

Try them in a to-go cup or cone, or get really traditional with a gelato-filled cannoli, or a 'gelato con brioche' — a fresh brioche roll stuffed with your pick of flavours. The boys are also slinging woodroasted Ricci Method coffee, to be enjoyed the Italian way, at the stand-up espresso bar.

Compá is open daily from 11am to 10.30pm at 381 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy.