Food Drink

FIRST LOOK: Handcrafted gelato and striking interior make OVO a must for your next dessert date

Opening in Newton, Ovo Gelato makes all its icecream onsite in its sleek shopfront with options for those with every and any dietary need.

All images: Supplied by Ovo. Photographer: Christopher Morrison

It’s been a long time coming but we are finally being rewarded for our patience with Ovo Gelato opening its large, bi-fold doors this week.

Made on-site at the Newton-based shop, Ovo’s handcrafted gelato is a step above the rest using fresh, local ingredients that are based on seasonality, meaning the menu will be ever-changing.

Co-owner John Milky says they’re making their own mark and reinventing the classics. “We’re focusing on seasonal produce as much as we can so we’ll have the staple flavours, but the rest of our menu will rotate depending on what’s available,” he says.

While dairy milk may be the traditional base for gelato, Ovo has made its range of flavours inclusive to everyone of all dietary needs with an abundance of dairy-free, refined sugar-free and even keto options available.

“We wanted to have something for everyone,” explains John. “Our traditional recipe doesn’t contain a lot of sugar anyway but we wanted to create a refined sugar-free range for those opting to stay away from it altogether.”

But don’t for one second think that choosing an alternative base will affect the flavour because John assures us the quality will remain the same.

“Our vegan options are just as creamy and delicious as the dairy-based choices and they aren’t just all sorbet, I promise,” he laughs.

Christopher Morrison

Originally set to open last December, the gourmet ice creamery had a slew of setbacks from Covid delays to stock shortages, but the wait has been well worth it with the design not typical of your regular gelato shop.

John and his partner Gaby Saleh have put their heart and soul into the project and weren’t going to rush any of the aspects. Working with Interior designer, Georgie Shepard / GSID Interiors, they’ve managed to bring their vision to life.

“We’ve put so much time and effort into the store and working with interior designers that we didn’t want to rush it and just get it done, we wanted to do it properly,”

Stepping away from the traditional bright colours you might associate with an ice cream shop, John and Gaby have instead opted for a more polished, warmer feel peeling it right back with neutral tones, shapes, and textures. It’s refined yet extraordinary. Simple yet high-class – much like the quality of Ovo’s gelato.

Reminiscent of a local Italian piazza, the stunning, ethereal design even picked up national recognition, short-listed in the 2022 Eat Drink Design Awards.

Ovo officially opens on Thursday September 8th when you can get your hands on up to 20 flavours of gelato including pistachio, spiced pear and acai berry with the team currently experimenting on a lemon cheesecake with gluten-free biscuit crumb.

“My nephew, who has been my resident flavour tester over the past few months, is obsessed with this one so we think it will be a hit,” laughs John.

As time goes on, the offerings at Ovo will grow with a full dessert menu on the cards which will see the likes of snickers sundaes, sticky date puddings and custard tarts topped with a gelati flavour of your choice.

If your mouth is watering (and I don’t blame you) Ovo Gelato will be open and waiting with open arms.

Ovo Gelato is located at Shop 10 / 3 Jan Street, Newton.

For more information, visit the website or follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

More News

To Top