Messina Creative

Overview

It's popped up in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne. It sold out in just 45 minutes when it originally launched in 2014. Now it's become a full-time fixture in Marrickville. It's Messina Creative, Gelato Messina's next-level sugar-heavy degustation restaurant.

In previous iterations, the restaurant's capacity has been in the single digits. But, with the privilege of Messina's expansive new Marrickville HQ, it can now seat up to 20 dessert lovers a night.

The set menu-only diner has moved into the Inner West headquarters with very limited spaces available each month. There are just three seatings a week: 6.30pm Thursday–Saturday — with reservations opening once a month.

The 20-seat dining room is tucked away to the side of the HQ hidden behind a curtain. Inside, the lighting is dim, and there's a minimalist fit-out based around an open prep kitchen where each dish is given the finishing touches. Intimate and moody, it's an ideal date-night spot for dessert lovers celebrating a special occasion.

The menu at Messina Creative is ever-changing, with the gelato lords' team of chefs and mixologists crafting six-course dinners paired with either alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages.

Each course will, of course, feature either gelato or sorbet, but it's not all dessert. You can expect unexpected pairings like lobster agnolotti with tarragon gelato, warm garlic bread from the Shadow Baking team paired with a garlic gelato to make a next-level ice cream sandwich and sweet corn parfait with foie gras mille feuille.

There are, of course, some sweet treats in the mix too. The opening menu featured an impressive honeycomb creation that incorporates wild Messina honey gelato and a lemon beehive.

The luxurious set menu will set you back $165 per person, which includes non-alcoholic beverages. If you want to pair your wild gelato creations with a cocktail and a pét-nat, the alcoholic drinks package is an additional $40 a head.

The experience is like no other and a real treat if you are Messina-obsessed, like so many Sydneysiders. To stay on top of when bookings are being released, sign up for the mailing list at the Messina website.